Merkur 37C Slant Bar Safety Razor

83%

Build Quality

Shave Closeness

Beginner Friendliness

Value for Money

Weight & Balance

Blade Compatibility

Ease of Cleaning

Suitability for Coarse Hair

Skin Sensitivity & Irritation Risk

Handle Grip & Ergonomics

Travel Friendliness

Long-Term Durability

Overview

The Merkur 37C Slant Bar Safety Razor is one of those tools that immediately feels like it belongs to a different era of grooming, the good kind. Made in Germany, this two-piece razor pairs a slanted cutting head with a solid brass body finished in chrome, and you notice the weight the moment you pick it up. There is nothing flimsy about the construction here. The handle carries a diamond-patterned texture that keeps your grip steady even with shaving cream on your hands, and the whole design fits squarely into Merkur's long history of producing no-nonsense, classic double edge razors that wet-shaving fans have relied on for decades.

Features & Benefits

What sets this slant razor apart is the angled cutting motion, which slices through hair rather than pushing it flat against your skin, and that single difference changes the whole shaving experience for guys with thick or wiry growth. Swapping blades takes seconds thanks to the two-piece build, so cleaning between shaves is genuinely painless. The blade gap is wider than you might expect, letting lather move freely instead of clogging up the head mid-shave. Combine that with the closed comb design and the weighted brass body, and you get a razor that does most of the work for you, requiring barely any pressure. Since it runs on standard double edge blades, ongoing costs stay low, no proprietary cartridges or subscriptions required.

Best For

This safety razor makes the most sense for shavers dealing with thick, dense, or wiry beard growth, the kind of hair that shrugs off a milder blade angle. If you have been using an entry-level razor and feel like it is not quite cutting through everything in one pass, stepping up to this one often solves that problem. It also appeals to wet-shaving hobbyists who genuinely enjoy the ritual, the weight, the mechanics, the whole tactile experience of a well-made tool. Anyone who prefers a substantial, grounded handle over something light and plasticky will appreciate the heft here. That said, someone picking up a safety razor for the very first time might want to start with a milder design before working up to this one, since the slant angle rewards a bit of prior experience.

User Feedback

Feedback on the 37C tends to follow a familiar pattern. Plenty of users report a noticeably closer shave once they get the hang of the angle, often describing it as a step up from their previous razor in terms of efficiency. On the flip side, several beginners mention there is a real learning curve, especially figuring out the correct angle relative to your face, and a few admit to a nick or two while they were still adjusting. Build quality earns consistent praise, with people frequently commenting that the weight and finish feel more premium than the price might suggest. Overall, the impression is of a razor that rewards patience, performing best once you have logged a few weeks of practice with it.

#Safety Razors

#Razors & Blades

#Men's

#Shave & Hair Removal

#Beauty & Personal Care

Pros

Slant cutting angle handles thick or wiry beard hair more effectively than straight-bar razors
Two-piece design makes blade changes and cleaning quick, with no fiddly parts to lose
Wider blade gap keeps lather moving instead of clogging the head mid-shave
Weighted brass body adds stability, so you naturally use less pressure during each pass
Works with any standard double edge blade, keeping long-term running costs low
Many users report a noticeably closer shave once they adjust to the slant angle
Build quality and overall heft consistently get praised as feeling more premium than expected
Chrome finish over brass holds up well and resists the wear that cheaper razors show quickly

Cons

Slant angle introduces a real learning curve, especially for those new to safety razors
A few users mention minor nicks while still getting used to the correct angle
Heavier brass construction is not ideal if you specifically want a lightweight travel razor
Closed comb head may feel less forgiving than open comb designs for sensitive skin
Fixed blade gap means no adjustability if you want to fine-tune aggressiveness over time
Initial setup and blade selection can feel fussy compared to modern cartridge systems
Diamond-patterned grip, while secure, can feel slightly textured against bare wet hands for some
Not a great gift choice for someone with no prior wet-shaving experience

Ratings

Our AI rating engine analyzed thousands of verified buyer reviews from across the globe for the Merkur 37C Slant Bar Safety Razor, filtering out spam, bot activity, and incentivized feedback to surface honest patterns. The scorecards below reflect both what shavers consistently love and where this slant razor tends to trip people up.

Build Quality

93%

Owners consistently describe the brass body and chrome finish as feeling far more substantial than the price suggests, with several noting it survived years of daily drops onto bathroom tiles without denting. The diamond-patterned grip stays secure even when hands are wet and soapy.

A handful of users mention minor scuffing on the chrome after extended use, particularly if the razor is stored wet or knocked against ceramic sinks. It is not unbreakable, just heavier-duty than typical entry-level razors.

Shave Closeness

89%

Once dialed in, many shavers report this slant razor delivers a noticeably closer shave than their previous straight-bar razors, especially on stubborn jawline and neck hair. The angled cutting motion seems to tackle wiry growth more efficiently in fewer passes.

A few users with finer or sparser facial hair did not notice a dramatic improvement over simpler razors, suggesting the benefit is most pronounced for thicker beards. Closeness also depends heavily on blade choice and technique.

Beginner Friendliness

58%

42%

Some newer shavers actually enjoyed jumping straight into the slant design, saying it forced them to learn proper angle and pressure from day one rather than developing bad habits with a forgiving razor first.

Many beginners report a real adjustment period, with the slant geometry adding an extra variable on top of basic safety razor technique. Several mention nicks or weeper cuts during the first week or two before things click.

Value for Money

84%

Buyers frequently point out that ongoing costs stay low since it uses widely available double edge blades, often costing pennies per shave compared to cartridge systems. Many feel the upfront cost is justified by years of use.

Some first-time safety razor buyers feel the price is a noticeable step up from basic Merkur straight-bar models, and a few wonder if the slant design is worth the premium if they are not dealing with particularly tough hair.

Weight & Balance

88%

The weighted brass body is repeatedly praised for letting the razor glide under its own weight, meaning users naturally apply less pressure and reduce irritation. Several describe it as feeling like a tool rather than a disposable.

A small number of users coming from ultra-lightweight aluminum or plastic razors found the extra heft took a few shaves to get used to, and some prefer a lighter feel for quick touch-ups.

Blade Compatibility

94%

Reviewers consistently appreciate that any standard double edge blade fits without issue, allowing them to experiment across brands until finding the right match for their skin and beard type. No subscriptions or proprietary cartridges needed.

The flip side is that results vary a lot depending on which blade you pair it with, so some users went through several blade brands before finding one that felt comfortable with the slant angle.

Ease of Cleaning

86%

The two-piece design gets consistent praise for making blade swaps and rinsing fast, with users noting they can fully disassemble the head under running water in seconds to clear out hair and lather buildup.

A few reviewers mention the threading needs to be lined up carefully when reassembling, and rushing this step occasionally leads to a slightly misaligned blade on the first attempt.

Suitability for Coarse Hair

90%

This is where the slant design earns its strongest praise, with shavers describing thick, wiry, or curly beard hair being sliced cleanly rather than tugged or flattened. The wider blade gap also helps lather move freely on dense growth.

Users with very light beard growth sometimes feel the slant design is overkill, suggesting a straight-bar razor would handle their hair just as well with less of a learning curve.

Skin Sensitivity & Irritation Risk

71%

29%

When used with proper technique, several reviewers with sensitive skin report less irritation than with multi-blade cartridges, crediting the closed comb and good lather flow for reducing friction and razor burn over time.

During the learning phase, the slant angle increases the risk of nicks or razor burn if pressure or angle is off, and a few sensitive-skin users had a rougher start before settling into a comfortable routine.

Handle Grip & Ergonomics

85%

The diamond-patterned handle is frequently called out for staying secure in the hand even with shaving cream and water everywhere, giving users confidence during close passes around the jaw and lip area.

A small number of users with smaller hands found the handle diameter slightly thick for very precise control, particularly when navigating tighter areas like the nose or ears.

Travel Friendliness

64%

36%

Despite its weight, the compact two-piece design packs down small enough to fit into most dopp kits, and a few travelers appreciate not worrying about battery chargers or cartridge refills on the road.

The brass construction adds noticeable weight to a travel bag compared to lightweight aluminum razors, and a couple of reviewers mention it feels less ideal for carry-on-only trips.

Long-Term Durability

91%

Long-time owners often mention using the same razor for years or even decades with no functional issues, crediting the solid metal construction for outlasting plastic alternatives many times over.

The main wear concern raised is cosmetic, with chrome finish dulling slightly over many years of use, though this does not appear to affect actual shaving performance based on reviews.

Suitable for:

The Merkur 37C Slant Bar Safety Razor is best suited to guys who already know their beard fights back, the thick, dense, or wiry kind of growth that makes lighter razors feel like they are just gliding over the surface. If you have been shaving with an entry-level or beginner razor for a while and feel like it is not quite finishing the job in one pass, this is the kind of step-up that actually makes a noticeable difference. It also fits naturally into the routine of wet-shaving hobbyists who enjoy the process itself, the prep, the lather, the deliberate motions, not just the end result. Anyone who associates quality with a bit of heft in hand, rather than a feather-light plastic cartridge handle, will likely appreciate how this one feels from the first stroke. It is also a sensible pick for someone looking to standardize on widely available double edge blades instead of brand-specific cartridges.

Not suitable for:

On the flip side, the Merkur 37C Slant Bar Safety Razor is not the friendliest entry point if you have never used a safety razor before, since the slant geometry adds an extra variable while you are still learning basic blade angle. People with fine or sparse facial hair may not notice much practical benefit over a simpler, straight-bar design, and could end up paying for capability they will not use. Anyone prone to nicks or razor burn during the learning phase should go in with realistic expectations, since a few early mishaps are common while dialing in the angle. If you specifically want a lightweight travel razor, the brass construction here works against you, as the added weight is part of the design rather than a flaw to be removed. Finally, buyers hoping for a closed cartridge system with disposable heads should look elsewhere entirely, as this is a manual, blade-swapping tool through and through.

Specifications

Brand & Model: This razor is manufactured by Merkur under model number 37C.
Design Type: It features a slant bar head, where the blade sits at an angled position relative to the handle.
Construction: The razor is built as a two-piece design, with the head separating from the handle for blade access.
Handle Material: The handle is made from solid brass with a chrome finish.
Handle Grip: A diamond-patterned texture is machined into the handle for added grip during use.
Head Style: The head uses a closed comb configuration rather than an open comb.
Blade Compatibility: It accepts any standard double edge razor blade.
Blade Count: The razor holds a single double edge blade at a time.
Weight: The razor weighs approximately 2.61 oz (74 g).
Dimensions: The overall dimensions are approximately 3.23 x 0.47 x 0.47 inches.
Country of Origin: The razor is manufactured in Germany.
Blade Gap: The blade gap is wider than on standard straight-bar Merkur razors, allowing more lather to pass through.
Materials: The construction is entirely metal, with no plastic components used in the handle or head.
Cleaning: The two-piece design allows the head to be fully disassembled for rinsing under running water.
Maintenance: Drying the razor thoroughly after each use and occasionally wiping the brass with a soft cloth helps preserve the chrome finish.

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FAQ

It can be, but it is not the gentlest starting point. The slant angle adds a bit of a learning curve on top of the usual safety razor adjustment period, so if you are completely new to wet shaving, you might find a simpler straight-bar razor easier to get comfortable with first. That said, plenty of people have learned on this one without major issues, it just takes a few extra shaves to find your angle.

That weight is intentional. The handle is made from solid brass with a chrome finish, which gives it real heft compared to lightweight aluminum or plastic razors. A lot of users actually prefer this, since the weight of the razor does some of the work for you and reduces how much pressure you need to apply.

It takes standard double edge blades, the same type used in most safety razors on the market. You are not locked into any proprietary blade brand, so you can experiment with different blades to find one that suits your skin and beard.

The main difference is the slant bar head, where the blade sits at an angle rather than running straight across. This angled position helps the blade slice through hair with a slightly different motion, which tends to work especially well on thicker or wirier facial hair.

It depends a lot on your technique and the blade you choose. The wider blade gap and closed comb head are designed to let lather flow freely and reduce clogging, which can help with irritation, but the slant angle does take some getting used to. If you have very reactive skin, start with light pressure and a mild blade until you find your rhythm.

Since it is a two-piece design, you simply unscrew the handle from the head to access the blade. This makes both blade swaps and rinsing out hair and lather residue pretty quick once you get the hang of it.

The chrome-plated brass construction holds up well against everyday moisture if you take basic care of it. Just make sure to rinse and dry the razor thoroughly after each use, especially around the threads, so water does not sit and cause long-term wear.

Yes, this is actually where it tends to shine. The slant cutting angle and wider blade gap are particularly suited to dense or wiry growth, and many users with tougher beards report a noticeably closer shave once they adjust to the angle.

There is a slightly higher chance of nicks early on, mainly because the slant angle changes how the blade meets your skin compared to a straight razor. Most of the reported issues come from the adjustment period, and they tend to fade once you get comfortable with the correct angle and pressure.

The construction itself is plastic-free, since the handle and head are both metal. It is worth noting this is more of a side effect of using durable materials rather than a dedicated environmental feature, but it does mean less plastic waste over the life of the razor compared to disposable cartridge systems.