Merkur Safety Razor #25C - Long-Handled Open Comb for Heavy Beards
The Merkur Safety Razor #25C pairs an open comb head with an extended, knurled handle, which makes it one of the more capable options for thick or fast-growing stubble. The open tooth design lets coarse hair and heavy lather pass through the head instead of clogging it, while the longer handle gives larger hands somewhere proper to grip. It is chrome plated, takes any standard double edge blade, and is the long-handle sibling of Merkur's shorter open comb model.
Key Features
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Open comb head: The toothed guard bar channels heavy growth and thick lather straight through, so the head clogs far less often.
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Extended handle: Noticeably longer than Merkur's standard-length razors, giving better leverage and control under the jaw.
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Knurled grip: The textured pattern keeps the razor secure in a wet, soapy hand.
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Chrome-plated finish: A hard, polished surface that wipes clean and holds up to daily use.
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Built for coarse beards: Aimed at shavers whose growth defeats milder closed comb heads and multi-blade cartridges.
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Standard DE blades: Unscrew the handle, swap the blade, and carry on - no proprietary cartridges.
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Single-blade shave: One passing edge rather than a stacked cartridge, which many shavers with irritation-prone skin prefer.
How to Use
- Unscrew the handle, seat a fresh double edge blade over the posts, and tighten until the head sits flat and even.
- Wet the beard with warm water and lather properly - an open comb rewards good preparation.
- Hold the head at roughly 30 degrees and let the razor's weight do the work, without pressing.
- Take the first pass with the grain, rinse the head, then reduce or cross the grain on later passes if needed.
- Rinse, dry, and stand the razor so water drains out of the head between shaves.
Specifications
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Brand: Merkur
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Size: Long-handle safety razor
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Form: Open comb (open tooth) head, chrome plated, knurled handle
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Blade type: Standard double edge blades
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Best for: Thick or coarse beards and shavers who prefer a longer handle
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Quantity: 1 razor
About Merkur
Merkur builds solid metal double edge razors in the Solingen blade-making tradition and is one of the names most often recommended to people moving away from cartridges. The range spans mild closed comb models, open combs like the 25C, and adjustables. All of them run on the same universal double edge blades.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between an open comb and a closed comb?
- An open comb has teeth instead of a solid safety bar. It clears heavy growth and thick lather more easily and generally feels more aggressive.
- Is the 25C a good first safety razor?
- It can be, but the open comb head is less forgiving than a closed comb. Go slowly, use no pressure, and keep the angle shallow.
- How long is the handle?
- It is the long-handle version, noticeably longer than Merkur's standard-length razors, which suits larger hands.
- Are blades included?
- Blade inclusion varies by pack. Standard double edge blades fit and are sold separately.
- How do I clean it?
- Rinse under hot water after each shave, dry it, and occasionally remove the blade to rinse lather out of the comb teeth.
