Most safety razors are made from stainless steel or from solid brass and has a chrome or a nickel finish. These safety razors, indeed look very classic and durable but there are other safety razor that are made from other materials which are at par with the metal-alloy-made ones. The MERKUR Bakelite Safety Shaving Razor (Model MK030) is one of the few safety razors that are not made from metal but still lasts as long. Bakelite is a polymer material made from wood pulp. It is considered to be the world’s first plastic. Bakelite has a dark and woody look to it. Although the razor is made from a plastic material, the Bakelite make it seem like the razor is retro or maybe even vintage.
The entire frame of the razor is made from Bakelite, from the head down to the bottom of the handle. The head and the handle are attached together through a metal screw. The handle of the razor is has indention’s to provide a sure grip. No two razors are the same because the color of the handle is a random mixture of red and black. It adds to the uniqueness and rustic look of the razor.
Since the razor is made from a light material, it is expected that the razor will also be lighter as compared to its metal counterparts. There is one Merkur test razor blade that comes with the MK030. Although the razor works will all standard size safety razors, the manufacturer recommends the use of Personna Super Sharp DE blades.
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Rating:
- Quality: 9/10
The Bakelite material is proven to be very durable and resistant. It does not require any finishing to keep it from wearing or rusting. The only serious flaw that some users have encountered is the metal screw that attaches the head and the handle. It’s a weak spot for the razor.
- User Friendly: 8/10
The razor might be made from plastic but is it still a safety razor. It might safer than a straight razor but it still hard to use especially for first timers and without the patience and the time to do it.
- Grip: 10/10
The Bakelite material provides a good texture to allow the hands to get a firm on the handle. Added with the indentions, the handle is sure to stay in your hands while wet shaving.
- Ease of Blade Replacement: 8/10
The razor is a three-piece razor. This allows for excellent cleaning and care but not easy blade replacement.
- Aggressiveness: 9/10
With the right razor blade, this razor can be as aggressive as you want it to be. Aggressiveness is not much of a problem with safety razors as long as you know how to use the blade properly.
- Adjustability: 8/10
You can’t really adjust anything about this razor besides the blade although you can purchase just the head of the razor in case you want and extra or the metal screw has degraded.
- Balance: 8/10
The razor is very light and that is not entirely a good thing. Razors need weight in order to let it do all the work for you. Correct shaving should use as least pressure as possible and the weight of the razor should be used to drive the blade to get the best results.
- Value for Money: 10/10
Metal alloys and finishing are expensive. This razor costs almost half the regular price of safety razors made from metals.
- Overall: 8/10
The razor might be cheap and cool because of how it looks but lacks the balance the heavier razors can provide. It works as well as the regular razors but you have to put in more effort to get the results that you want.
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