After many years using the latest Gillete multiblade, and having decided that the Fusion was just not an advance on the Mach3, I thought I'd give DE shaving a go when I saw the plastic Wilkinson safety razor on sale at Boots. It was pretty cheap, so I thought I'd try it. I've been using the Wilkinson for the last year using Wilkinson and then Merkur blades, and I was very impressed with the closeness of the shave and the lack of burn (I have sensitive skin). After some (considerable)practise, I now have the basic technique of DE shaving. Although the Wilkinson was fine, I wanted a more robust razor, and after a lot of research, decided on the 34C.
I ordered this on Saturday afternoon (Bank Holiday weekend), and it arrived this morning(Wednesday). I'd deliberately not shaved since Saturday to test it out (I'm off work at the present). It is superb - no other word for it. The build quality is first class and it is a very pleasing weight in the hand. The shave was very close with very few passes.
It was a delight to shave with; the added weight of this razor compared to the Wilkinson does take a bit of getting used to, so that I did nick myself once on this first use, but I expect that will not recur once I adapt to it.
Certainly, for the first several shaves after I started with the Wilkinson, I thought I was at risk of cutting my face to bits! I am now a firm convert to DE shaving - it takes a very little more time, but with very impressive results. The blades last for ages; in the year I've been DE shaving, I have used the 5 Wilkinson blades that came with the razor and 1 Merkur - I actually can't recall when I put the merkur in! I've just put a new Merkur in for this razor! It must be said that I have never needed to shave often - my usual average is about three times a week, so if your usage is heavier, you'll obviously get through the blades quicker than I do, but having said that, I used to get through 1 Mach3 cartridge per week , and we all know what they cost!
The 34C is a very nice piece of equipment with a reassuringly solid feel and (as I said) excellent build quality. It is also very compact, so I see no need for a travel razor any more. I am, just on one shave, extremely happy with this purchase, and doubt if I will see a need to buy another razor again. I heartily recommend it.