Collection: Merkur Solingen

Merkur was founded in 1896 by Emil Hermes in Solingen, Germany. The name Merkur comes from the Roman god Mercury, as "Hermes" was already registered by another cutlery company in the region.

Solingen has been a centre for blade manufacturing for centuries. The city's name carries legal protection in Germany, meaning only products genuinely manufactured there can bear the Solingen mark. Merkur razors continue to be made at their Solingen facility, maintaining the manufacturing standards the brand has built its reputation on.

Merkur produces several categories of safety razors, each suited to different shaving needs and experience levels.

Classic Closed Comb Razors
Closed comb razors like the Merkur 34C HD, 33C, 23C, and 38C feature a straight safety bar beneath the blade. This design provides a smooth, forgiving shave that suits beginners and those with normal skin. The Merkur 34C remains the most popular model in the range.

Open Comb Razors
Open comb designs like the Merkur 15C and 25C feature teeth that guide longer hair directly to the blade, preventing clogging during the shave. These razors suit those with heavy beard growth or those who shave less frequently.

Slant Bar Razors
The Merkur 37C and 39C Sledgehammer position the blade at a diagonal angle, creating a slicing action that cuts through coarse hair efficiently. This design reduces tugging and works well for dense beards.

Adjustable Razors
The Merkur Progress allows shavers to adjust the blade gap from mild to moderate, making it versatile for daily shaving or tackling several days' growth. The Progress 500 has a standard handle, while the 510 offers an extended handle for those who prefer more reach.

The Merkur Futur offers a more aggressive adjustment range across six settings. Available in polished chrome, satin, and gold finishes, the Futur suits experienced wet shavers who need more blade exposure for thick stubble.

Specialty and Travel Razors
The Merkur 907 Moustache and Eyebrow Razor features a narrow blade for precision detailing work, including shaping beard contours and maintaining moustache lines. For travel, the 933C and 985 disassemble into compact leather cases.

Merkur razors feature brass handles and zinc die-cast heads with chrome plating. This combination provides weight for a controlled shave while resisting corrosion. The razors are compatible with all standard double edge blades, so you can experiment with different brands to find what works best for your beard and skin. Popular choices include Feather Hi-Stainless, Personna Platinum, and Wilkinson Sword. Browse our full razor blade collection to find the right match.

The Merkur 34C HD is commonly recommended as a starting razor. Its compact handle and balanced weight make it forgiving and easy to control, while the closed comb head provides a consistent shave without being too aggressive. The 23C is another option if you prefer a longer handle for additional reach. Both razors have a blade gap of approximately 0.71mm.

The Merkur 34C and 38C share identical razor heads, so the shave quality is the same. The difference is the handle. The 34C has an 81mm handle weighing 78g, while the 38C features a 100mm barber pole ribbed handle weighing 113g. The 38C suits shavers with larger hands or those who prefer more weight in the handle.

The 37C and 39C Sledgehammer have identical slant bar heads. The difference is handle size. The 37C has an 81mm handle (79g), while the 39C has the longer barber pole design at 100mm (113g). The 39C's extra weight works well on long strokes across the cheeks, while the 37C's compactness offers manoeuvrability around the nose and chin.

Slant razors are more efficient rather than simply more aggressive. The angled blade creates a slicing action that cuts hair with less resistance. This means the Merkur 37C or 39C can deliver a close shave without requiring a large blade gap. They work particularly well for coarse, wiry beards and can reduce irritation by requiring fewer passes.

The Merkur Progress and Futur are both adjustable, but they cover different ranges. The Progress (blade gap approximately 0.38mm to 0.94mm) starts mild and builds to moderately aggressive, working well for those learning their preferences or for daily shaving. The Futur (blade gap approximately 0.9mm to 1.9mm) is more aggressive even on its lowest setting, suited to experienced shavers with thick stubble. The Futur is also heavier (129g vs 92 to 103g) with a larger head.

The Progress 500 has an 85mm handle weighing 92g, while the 510 has an extended 105mm handle weighing 103g. Both share identical adjustable heads with the same blade gap settings. The 510's longer handle offers more reach and suits those with larger hands or who find the standard Progress too compact.

Blade selection depends on your beard type and skin sensitivity. For mild razors like the Merkur 34C, many shavers prefer sharper blades to maximise efficiency. Options include Feather Hi-Stainless (very sharp), Personna Platinum (sharp and smooth), and Wilkinson Sword (balanced). The Merkur Super Platinum blades included with most razors are mild and may not suit coarse beards. We recommend trying several brands from our blade collection to find your ideal match.

Closed comb razors (like the 34C, 33C, 23C) have a straight safety bar that stretches the skin before the blade passes. They are more forgiving and suited to daily shaving. Open comb razors (like the 15C and 25C) have teeth that channel longer hair directly toward the blade, preventing clogging. Open combs work better for heavy growth, less frequent shaving, or body shaving where hair may be longer.

The Merkur Futur is generally not recommended for beginners. Even on its lowest setting, the Futur has a blade gap of approximately 0.9mm, which is more aggressive than most fixed-blade razors. The smooth handle can also be slippery when wet. If you are new to wet shaving, start with a 34C or Progress to develop your technique. The Futur is available in polished chrome, satin, and gold finishes.

Merkur razors are manufactured in Solingen, Germany. The company was founded there in 1896 and continues to operate from the city. Solingen has legal protection for its name, meaning only products genuinely manufactured there can carry the Solingen mark.

HD stands for Heavy Duty, a nickname the Merkur 34C earned due to its substantial weight (78g) and solid brass construction. The razor's heft allows it to glide through stubble with minimal pressure from the user.

The Merkur 907 is a precision detailing razor with a narrow blade for intricate grooming work. It is used for shaping moustache lines, trimming eyebrows, defining beard contours, and tidying sideburns. The small cutting edges and compact handle allow for fine control in tight areas where a full-sized safety razor would be unwieldy. It uses special Merkur moustache blades rather than standard double edge blades.

Yes, all standard Merkur safety razors are compatible with any standard double edge razor blade. This includes brands like Feather, Wilkinson Sword, Personna, Parker, and Dovo. Browse our full razor blade collection for options. The only exception is the Merkur 907 moustache razor, which requires the smaller Merkur detailing blades.

Handle length is primarily a matter of personal preference. Short handles (like the 34C at 81mm or 33C at 84mm) offer greater manoeuvrability for detailed work around the nose, chin, and jawline. Long handles (like the 23C at 104mm or 38C at 100mm) provide more leverage for long strokes across the cheeks and are often preferred by those with larger hands.

For coarse, dense beards, consider the slant razors (37C or 39C Sledgehammer), which slice through wiry hair more efficiently than straight-bar designs. If you prefer adjustability, the Futur at higher settings can handle thick stubble effectively. Open comb razors like the 15C are also worth considering if you shave less frequently, as they manage longer growth without clogging. Whichever razor you choose, pair it with a sharp blade like Feather Hi-Stainless for best results.

Yes, safety razors themselves are permitted in carry-on luggage. Only the blades must go in checked baggage. Merkur offers dedicated travel razors like the 933C and 985 with detachable handles and leather cases for compact packing. Alternatively, a Merkur plastic case can protect standard razors like the 34C during travel. For longer trips, pack blades in your checked luggage or purchase them at your destination.