Merkur 37C vs 34C (Which One to Buy?)

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After shaving with both safety razors for a couple of years, I put together this Merkur 37C vs 34C comparison to help you decide which is best for your needs. We’ll look at the design, build quality, and overall shaving experience of both safety razors and I’ll give you a final recommendation depending on your shaving needs.

Design

At first glance the 34C and 37C look very similar apart from the razor head.

Simply put, the Merkur 34C is a straight bar safety razor while the 37C is a slant head safety razor.

Both safety razors have a 2 piece design with a razor top head that screws into the razor head base that is connected to the handle.

The 37C and the 34C feature a thick and slightly shorter handle. The slightly shorter handle helps with maneuvering the razor while shaving. There is also knurling on the handle which helps with grip while you shave with wet hands.

In terms of weight and length, the Merkur 34C and 37C are virtually identical.

Build Quality

I found the build quality of both razors to be identical. So the following description applies for both the 34C and 37C.

Both safety razors are manufactured in Solingen, Germany by Merkur which has a rich history dating back more than a 100 years in manufacturing safety razors!

The razor head is made from a chrome plated zinc alloy while the handle is composed of chrome plated brass. All this is to say, both the Merkur 34C and 37C are high quality, durable safety razors that will last many years with decent care. I’ve owned my 34C for more than 8 years and my 37C for 2 years and they both function perfectly.

Note the Merkur, Solingen Germany engraving on the handle. It’s a subtle feature that adds a classy touch.

Shaving Experience

Like most people recommended, I purchased the 34C as my first safety razor. And I have to admit, it was an excellent purchasing decision at the time. It served me well for daily shaves while I was in College.

But after I graduated my shaving habits changed and I started skipping days between shaves. And what I noticed was that the Merkur 34C sometimes had trouble slicing through my thick stubble. So then I decided to give the 37C slant a try considering how much it was recommended for men with thicker stubble.

The first time I shaved with the 37C I had about 3 days of stubble and I was absolutely amazed at how effortlessly it cut my hair. The slant head really does induce a more efficient cutting action.

My recommendation Merkur 37C vs 34C

So long story short this is what I would recommend. If you have mild to moderate stubble and you shave daily then definitely get the 34C because it is a fantastic safety razor. It’s all you need for a comfortable, reliable daily shave.

But if you have heavier, thicker facial hair growth or you shave with a 2 or 3 day gap then I would highly recommend getting the Merkur 37C. The slant head works wonders in slicing through thick stubble effortlessly without causing any tugging or pulling. It’s absolutely a game changer for men with thicker stubble!

But what if it’s your first safety razor?

Unlike other reviewers who label the 37C as a more aggressive safety razor compared to the 34C, I did not find this to be the case at all.

In my experience, both are mild safety razors which means they have a low chance of causing irritation and cuts. It’s just that the 37C cuts through heavy stubble more smoothly because of its slant head design. As such, I would recommend the Merkur 37C for even beginners and those purchasing their first safety razor especially if they have thicker hair growth.

Buy the 34C if you:

• Shave daily
• Have mild to moderate stubble growth

Buy the 37C if you:

• Have thicker stubble/heavier facial hair growth
• Shave once or twice a week

Price

The Merkur 34C retails for around $45 while the 37C retails for $55. I guess they are charging $10 more for the 37C because the slant design is a bit more intricate to manufacturer or maybe just because it’s more of a unique and niche safety razor.

Honestly though, you should ignore the minor price difference and just get the safety razor that better suits your needs because over the course of many years using either safety razor, the cost per use difference will be in the pennies and completely negligible.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this comparison of the Merkur 34C and the 37C. I covered the build quality, design and most importantly the shaving experience you can expect from each razor. I hope I made your choice more clear as to which safety razor to get.

F.A.Q’s

Is the Merkur 34C mild or aggressive?

The Merkur 34C is a mild safety razor that offers a comfortable and efficient daily shave. It can however be too mild for men who have thicker facial hair or for those who shave only once or twice weekly.

Is the Merkur 37C aggressive?

No, the Merkur 37C is not aggressive and is similar to the 34C in terms of aggression. The Merkur 37C is however more efficient in cutting thicker stubble so it’s a great choice for men with heavier facial hair growth.

How long will a Merkur 34C last?

The Merkur 34C is a durable safety razor made from a chrome plated brass handle and a chrome plated zinc alloy razor head. With proper care it should easily last many years if not decades.

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