Coupled with a long, slim handle that’s textured to provide plenty of grip, and Merkur’s usual top-notch build quality, the Merkur 25C makes a great choice for beginners and more experienced safety razor users alike. While it can’t quite give you as close a shave as the Merkur Futur, the 25C delivers a shave with about the same level of closeness as the classic 34C. The latest addition is the Cutlass which, like its Scimitar razor, is finished in dark, polished grey and has the Bluebeard’s Revenge skull-and-crossbones logo engraved smartly on the head. As with most safety razors, the Cutlass comes in three parts: the handle, base plate and top plate. Blades are replaced by unscrewing the handle and taking all of this apart, then reassembling afterwards. Razor subscription boxes are also becoming a trend, with companies providing us with all the basics we need on a regular basis – so we never have to worry about running out or harming the environment with unwanted waste. In our round-up we looked at brands that are being eco-conscious when it comes to their razors, while also helping us to stay fuzz free. We tested the razors on their appearance, whether they are value for money, how close a shave they give and, of course, how environmentally friendly they are. verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{

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We had to fiddle with it a touch to get the blade to sit dead straight but once we had managed that, we had no problems at all with it. The razor has an average-length handle that’s slightly longer than the classic Merkur 34C but it feels lighter, which is likely due to its aluminium handle and zinc alloy head. Our tester has been shaving with this model for years and it’s never let him down. You do have to go over the same area multiple times to get the shave super close, though, something that’s easier with an adjustable razor like the Merkur Futur or a more aggressive model such as the open comb Merkur 25C. This particular model is a classic double-edge safety razor. It comes in three parts – the head, baseplate and handle – and these all screw together to produce a razor that looks extremely smart for the money. We especially like the Edwin Jagger logos pressed into the inner surface of the head’s base plate. A lovely, neat touch.We tested the Futur at its 1, 2 and 3 settings and, even at the lowest setting, the shave is a touch more aggressive (and, therefore, closer) than with beginner razors like the 34C and the Edwin Jagger DE89L. Settings 2, 3 and up get you an even closer shave, but require an assured and delicate touch if you don’t want to give yourself razor rash or cut yourself. And don’t go near the higher settings unless you have great technique and very steady hands. In terms of the way it performs, the Scimitar sits just above razors like the classic Merkur 34c and the Edwin Jagger DE89 for aggressiveness and below the mid and high settings of adjustable razors such as the Merkur Futur. That’s due to a slightly wider gap between the blade and the safety bar. If you tend to grow your stubble a bit longer between shaves, you’ll find this cuts through more hair on a single pass as a result. The bigger gap also makes it easier to clean.

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If you want the very closest shave, on the other hand, you could choose the Japanese-made Feather blades, which are renowned for their sharpness. We find these a little too aggressive for our liking but your mileage may vary. The Futur also has a number of useful extra features. To access and replace blades, the top pops off instead of unscrewing – simply lever one end off with your thumb. It’s also adjustable, allowing you to tweak the angle of the blade and the size of the gap between the razor’s edge and the safety bar below it. Just twist the bottom part of the handle. In a safety razor head, these blades are sandwiched between two plates, the bottom one putting pressure on the centre of the blade, gently bending it to create a cutting angle.Bear in mind that each of these will have a slightly different sharpness and feel to it. My blade of choice is the Astra Superior Platinum because it gives a close shave, lasts a couple of weeks and isn’t too sharp, so I don’t need to worry too much about being precise with my technique. All safety razors operate on the same general principles, but there are several different types available. Other, less common types of safety razor include the adjustable safety razor (see image below), which allows you to tweak the angle of the blade and often also the gap between the safety bar and blade for a super-close, aggressive shave. These are ideal if you find a normal closed or open comb razor doesn’t do the job for you, allowing you to adjust the shave to your liking.

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Most are of the closed-comb variety with a single, straight-edged safety bar set below, and just in front of the blade. These are best for those new to safety razor shaving and offer the most comfortable, safe shave.As for the shave, the closed-comb head of the DE89 delivers a similar experience to the Mercur 34C. It’s comfortable and feels precise, but even with fresh blades you do need to go over an area a few times to get a really close shave.