Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I must start out by saying I am one of those men with a beard that seems to be made of wire and skin that is incredibly sensitive - shaving has never been fun, easy or without issues since I was a teenager. The majority of my life has been spent shaving with those lovely cartridge razors that burn your skin and your wallet leaving you unhappy and with a dread of shaving; something that in today's world is nearly a must in all professional circles. I decided to purchase this razor after 3 weeks of research into wet shaving and in all honesty with much reluctance to try something that held a razor capable of leaving you in need of stitches. In essence this was a "last resort" in an attempt to get that close shave that lasted more than half a day and didn't leave me feeling uncomfortable. When my razor arrived, I inserted the Merkur blade that comes with the razor, lathered up and began to shave after taking a deep breath and resigning myself to potential nicks and scrapes...I was so wrong in thinking this way. The 34c provided a smooth, comfortable shave with no pulling of my beard, no unpleasant burn after each stroke and surprisingly it was even fun. The 34c is brilliantly designed and the chrome finish and heft make it a pleasure to own and to use. The knurled handle offers plenty of grip, loading the razor is incredibly easy and it feels sturdy and stable in your hand. My very first shave was closer than any I've ever had before and so much more pleasant. My wife is amazed and incredibly happy with my shaves now. If this is your first DE razor you are on the right track. I must offer a bit of advice though: Do not think that the short handle is going to be a burden, this design actually makes it easier to use and to apply the proper technique. Let me repeat that last part, TECHNIQUE, is essential in wet shaving. There is no pivot-head which means you must be aware of and account for the organic curvature of your face and neck. A longer handled razor will only impede your learning, your technique and ultimately affect your shave! Also, if you purchase this razor, start off with the Merkur blade but don't be afraid to try other blades. A multi-pack with an assortment of blades would be a good purchase as well so that you can try out other manufacturers and find the best fit for your skin and beard type. So far, for me, the Merkur blade is wonderful! Don't forget to get a good soap (I use Art of Shaving cream for ease of use) and a good badger brush to lather with. These are essentials to a good wet-shave! You won't be disappointed! There is something to be said for shaving with a DE razor. Most of us today shave without a thought to how much of shaving is tradition as well as necessity. Our fathers and grandfathers and further back passed tradition on as well and many of them shaved with a DE or a straight edge but with the advent of the cartridge razor the tradition has nearly died out. Cartidges take out the need for learning, technique and patience. Shaving with a DE brings back this tradition among men and puts this time-honored right of passage back in our hands. Try a DE, you will get a wonderful shave and possible develop nostalgia for those simpler times when men were proud to be men and life involved reminders of what is meant to be a man in daily life. Pros: Excellent, sturdy design Heft and weight offer a effortless shave DE technique is easy to learn due to the design Blades are cheap! What you pay for replacement cartridges would buy you almost a year supply of DE blades Cleaning is incredibly easy Razor won't clog with hair like cartridges do Cons: Shave time increased for me but only by 5 minutes Shave prep is more extensive but worth it Smaller handle does take time to get used to but as I mentioned it has a purpose