Merkur Razors Compared: 34C, 23C, 37C, and the Futur

Buy the 34C if you want one Merkur that handles everything, the 23C if you have large hands, the 37C if coarse stubble beats your current razor, and the Futur if you would rather change a setting than change razors.

All four come from the same German brand, and three of them share more DNA than the model numbers suggest.

The 34C and 23C share a shave, not a grip

Both use Merkur’s classic closed comb head, so the cutting geometry feels close to identical. What changes is the handle.

The 34C is short, thick and heavily knurled. The 23C is a slimmer, noticeably longer three piece handle that suits bigger hands and anyone who grips low on the shaft.

The 34C also comes apart in two pieces instead of three, which is one fewer part to fumble over a wet sink. For the full breakdown of that razor on its own, the Merkur 34C review covers it.

The 37C slant does one job well

The 37C twists the blade inside the head so it slices at an angle instead of scraping straight across. On coarse or wiry growth, that cuts the effort of a pass.

It is not a first razor. The angled head punishes pressure and feels sharper than its mild reputation, which is a useful reminder that mild vs aggressive razors comes down to head geometry rather than branding.

Skip it if your growth is fine or your neck flares easily.

The Futur is the odd one out

The Futur is adjustable, heavy, and far larger in the hand than anything else here. Manufacturer figures put it well above the 34C in weight, and you feel every gram of it.

Turn the dial and blade exposure moves from mild to genuinely toothy, so one razor covers a three day beard and a daily touch up. The clip on cap loads faster than a three piece, though smooth chrome gets slippery once lather reaches your fingers.

If that flexibility is what you are after, compare it against the wider field in our picks for the best adjustable safety razor.

Which Merkur to buy first

Start with the 34C. It is the simplest way into the brand’s chrome plated brass build and the easiest of the four to learn on.

Move to the 23C only for handle length, the 37C only for stubble that resists a normal head, and the Futur only once you know what blade exposure you actually like. Street prices sit close enough together that none of this is a budget decision.