I bought this razor, along with a wet shaving kit for my partner who often complained of sensitive skin, rashes and cuts. I decided to look into this and do some research and discovered wet shaving. I knew it was a gamble buying it as a surprise, but it was a fantastic move. He loves it. He has said that his skin is smoother. He no longer gets cuts, sensitive skin or red bumps. He also said that he does not shave as often. RESULT!!!!

My first DE razor and needless to say will not be going back to those expensive disposables! Small and compact, it has a solid presence when in hand and makes me look forward to every shave. Quality is second to none, highly recommended to those wanting to venture into proper DE wet shaving!

This Razor just screams ‘Rebel’. You can almost see yourself in a Brando jacket, blue jeans, comb in the back pocket, and switchblade in the other. Ahhh! I can almost smell the Brylcreem!
I've now tried the 34 HD and it is quite a beautiful razor, in an industrial sense of the word. Like a brand new, top of the line ‘wrench’. Dependable! If a razor was your best mate, then this one’s got your back. The only thing that’d make this an aggressive razor is the diet the user chooses for it.
I’ve come from using cutthroats and as far as razors go, it isn't as good a shave as my cutthroat razors, they will remain my main method of shaving, but, and rightly so, this fantastic little DE will have its place in the rotation. When I travel, it will be there as well.
It may not equal a cutthroat shave, but it far out distances those modern plastic monstrosities (cartridge heads, disposables etc), when it comes to quality and comfort of shave. This razor delivers a great shave with ease. No doubt the heft has a lot to do with that.
If you’re after a perfect shave, then take the time to learn to use a cutthroat, they're only dangerous in clumsy or disrespectful hands. If you want the next best thing to perfect, without the need to learn the manly art of razor honing, this little razor can deliver.
If you've come from a cutthroat to this, then this razor takes the thinking out of a shave. If you've taken a universal leap from the cheap plastic rubbish, you'll need to start thinking for yourself, for once. You don’t have a pivot head on this one. You need to work the angles yourself.
Go on! Taste the freedom!

Size: Smaller than it looks in a photograph
Weight: Hefty is an apt description. It’s heavier than it looks.
Grip: Deep knurling offering excellent grip, even with soapy fingers
Balance: Its balance point is approx 1” below the head, so it is ‘top’ heavy, and rightly so.
Finish: High quality.
Recommendations: If you’re new to DE or ‘wet’ shaving in general, then this is the razor for you. If you’ve come from Cutthroat razors, then perhaps the slant head model would be better. I bought the standard head, after reading how the slant head was only for some kind of ‘master, god like shaver’. I think a slant will be next on my list.

This was my first DE razor and it may be my last. It is fantastic, really easy to use and have not had to worry about cutting myself as the razor is so well designed that as long as you use a light touch and take a bit of care with your blade angle there is no problems. Would highly recommend it to anybody thinking of trying shaving with a DE razor.

Bottom Line: Great value, easy to use and very forgiving. Great for a beginner

I am new to double edge razor shaving and this is my 1st DE Razor hence now I am loving it! Always looking forward to shaving. 5 blade shaving is effective for some people but not as quite for me. Using this reduced the rash and nicks. I am proud to be a DE Razor convert. I highly recommend this product!

at first i was a bit skeptical but now there is no chance of going back to the multi blade razor. the cut you get from this razor is so close and never gets clogs. takes a while to get used to at first due to the shorter handle and the angle at which to hold it but can gladly say that anyone considering the change, dont hold back. reasonably priced and will definitely be recommending it to friends and family.

It seems like every man and his dog have reviewed the Merkur HD, but I figured I'd throw my hat into the ring.

The HD is a really great little razor, and a perfect introduction to DE razors and traditional wet shaving. As with all Merkur razors the quality of the materials and workmanship is excellent, and this little guy seems completely bullet-proof.

Despite it's solid construction, the HD is small and quite light in hand. This can be really good initially as you don't have to counter the weight of the razor when learning the ropes of wet shaving, but eventually I found I needed the reassuring 'kick' that a heavier razor offers.

The quality of shave with a HD is great and this nimble little razor is unsurpassed for tight spots and precise trimming of various chops, burns and mo's. I guess even goaties if your that way inclined...

In summmary a really great little razor, excellent quality all around and great value for money. If you have facial hair you need a HD!

I have fairly sensitive skin and have previously used cartridge and electric razors. My last previous was the Gillette Fusion ProGlide Power (a 5-blade cartridge razor).

After reading a lot of online reviews, recommendations from other shavers with sensitive skin and finding this site, I decided to go with the most popular and recommended choice. I'm glad I did, this razor is great! I used to shave every 2-4 days depending on how my skin felt after each shave. Since buying this razor, I have shaved every day with no problem.

Will definitely recommend this razor to others!

This was my first DE razor. It is as easy as can be to use and maintain. You can get a nice close shave with a sharp blade, but it's not so aggressive as to slice beginners up (provided one takes the appropriate amount of care when dealing with anything sharp) for minor technical mistakes.

I have since moved on to the HD Slant Bar, which gives me the more aggressive shave I was looking for, but the HD will be there for me if/when I need it. That's not intended as a criticism of the HD; it is exactly what it is intended to be, but if you are a DE veteran and you want a very close shave, this might not "cut it".

Strongly recommended for beginners, and it might even be the only DE razor you ever need.

Bought one of these babies a couple years back and thought it deserved a review. If you want to get into DE shaving, you really can't go past this razor. The quality of this thing is such that you could hand it down to your son, and he will likely be able to hand it down to his son as well. Will give a great all round shave.

Using this blade is like driving a 911. Treat it with respect or it will bite you. Get it right and you'll have the best white knuckle experience ever. A beautifully made precision tool, I will never go back to cartridges.

The Merhur HD closed comb lived up to its reputation. Beautifully
made. Dimensions and weight were exactly suited to my hand and
face. I had previously tried a Weishi TTO. Far too mild. An
Italian copy of the Muhl open comb was too agressive. The Merkur
HD was right on the sweet spot. The order arrived within 2 working days. The contents were very well packed. Great initial impression.

I've been using a double edge safety razor for a number of years now. I've used many different brands and I can say that Merkur razors are the best in the business. Although the HD is promoted here as a beginner razor, it is a superb razor that I would recommend for ANYONE and will see you out for many, many years. Take the plunge, buy a Merkur HD, a blade sample pack and you'll never look back.

The Merkur HD is very forgiving, well-balanced razor, which is built to last several lifetimes. Although there are more aggressive safety razors on the market the merkur HD is more than capable of providing smooth, close and irritation free shaves.

For me the personna red blades are the best blade for this razor.

This is an excellent piece of kit. For me the best part is the weight. It's a solid, chunky, little razor and performs brilliantly.

This was my weapon of choice to launch into DE wetshaving. So far so good, I can only compare to cartridge razors, and I must say if a cartridge razor is a 4/10 shave, this is a 8 or 9/10. That is only because (a) my face doesnt burn when shaving with this (obviously along with the prep). It is giving as good finish, but that is because I havent gone against the grain yet. Once i learn, im sure this will give me the cleanest look shave I have ever had. Well made, beautiful to look at and easy to use. Recommended!

Care is required wielding this beautifully finished razor. More aggressive than the Feather DE when using Feather blades (for me - YMMV).

Solid and simple DE razor that delivers a good solid and consitant performance. Ideal starter razor since it is straighforward and unlikely to let you do any damage to yourself :)

If you're just starting out, this is the razor for you. Very solid and well made. Would recommend for all first time DE users.

Great for beginners, but doesn't neccesarily mean you'll find something better down the track. Once you get your technique and blade choice sorted, this is a terrific razor. It's smaller than you expect, but is nicely balanced and weighted. Merkur sells truckloads of these things worldwide.

I've been using this for about 2 months now and it's perfect for a newbie to DE shaving like me. It's well made and feels like it will last for decades. The top of the head screws onto the blade to hold it firm. The handle has an etched pattern that makes it less likely to slip in your fingers. Plus it feels well balanced.

I'm very glad I bought this razor.

This is the first non-disposable razor I have bought and it's amazing. The best and sharpest shave I have ever had. I will NEVER go back to disposables.

Have had this razor for six months now, my first DE and I love it. You can feel the quality of razor when you pick it up, dont know how I used anything else before! Reccomended for those new to DE shaving, do yourself a favour and make the switch.

Having always loved a barber's shave, and sick of paying rediculous abounts for Quattro cartriges, I wanted to try one of the more traditional methods of shaving. What I wasn't keen on was the danger and excessive maintenance of straight razors, so settled on the Mercur HD. I'm still learning, but am getting great results with Derby Extra blades and Proraso pre/post and soap. Most importantly, I'm actually enjoying shaving again - taking the extra time for a good hot soak, the smell of eucalyptus, the cold feel of menthol. Strongly recommend picking up this great beginners' razor and diving in!