Merkur Classic 1904 Razor and Life's Principles

Merkur Classic 1 904 Razor

Life's Principles Evaluation

and Recommendations

Joel Kohn

MCAD / Biomimetic Design

Assignment 3.3

201 3-06-23

Joel Kohn MCAD / Biomimetic Design / Week 3 / Assignment 3.3 201 3-06-23 2

Product Description

Merkur "Classic 1 904" Double Edged Safety Razor.

Chrome-plated brass. Three pieces.

Made in Germany.

Imported.

This razor handle is designed to accept

standard, double-edged razor blades. I ts

weight is considered an advantage: a

heavy razor can glide over the skin with

l ittle to no pressure from the user. Lighter

handles require pressure from the user. I t

is a key part of a shaving system that

includes a blade, and some sort of

shaving lubricant (cream, soap, or gel) . I t

is designed for wet shaving. User does not

have to maintain the blade.


Locally Attuned and Responsive

This product is aware of both its opportunities and its

l imitations. The modern razor market is dominated by

multi-blade, disposable-head units attached to lightweight

bodies. The Merkur 1 904 accepts industry standard

double edged blades from any manufacturer. To the

author's knowledge they do not advertise in the US.

Merkur approaches a niche market in the razor industry:

users who want a less expensive shave, users to whom

retro styl ing is appealing, and those to whom the

ecological considerations of a single blade are convincing.

The function of a razor is intimately tied to its shape, but

material is equally important: the material must support a

sharp edge. The simple durable construction of the Merkur

1 904 makes it long-lasting, and it consumes no energy

directly in its use. The blades are the only additional

material required for use, but warm water and some sort

of shaving lubricant improve the experience. Those blades

are readily available but are not constructed from simple

materials; they are stainless steel commonly. Likewise the

handle is chrome-plated brass, another complex material.

The manufacture of the razor handle does not use free,

local energy; it was made in Germany and imported to the

US. It was likely formed from a brass rod that was

machined to shape and then plated. I t defines heat, beat,

and treat. The razor does not respond to context, it works

best under its stated conditions of a wet shave. I t does

respond to the pressure applied by the user. The materials

for the razor's use (blades and shaving cream) are locally

available at any convenience, grocery, or drug store, but

higher quality blades are more difficult to come by.


Integrate Cyclical Processes

The razor itself does not respond to seasons or dynamics.

The user may respond to seasons by choosing to grow

facial hair for added warmth. The product is designed for

disassembly and reuse. The blade, the part that is worn

down by use is replaceable, and the handle experiences

very little wear. The blade is stainless steel and can be

recycled, but blade manufacturers do not typically l ist

recycled content on the packages of blades. Neither the

handle nor the blade can be incorporated back into nature;

the handle is chrome plated to resist corrosion, and the

blades are stainless. Both items wil l remain essential ly

unchanged for long periods of time. The water and

lubricant consumed in shaving could be incorporated back

into the environment, particularly if the lubricant used is

biodegradable. The razor does not receive new

information from outside sources. The user may receive

feedback from the product that the blade is dull and press

harder against the skin as a result. The razor may respond

by catching on stubble and then slicing the user's face.

The dull blade is a dangerous feedback loop, and it is up

to the user to monitor and determine the replacement

schedule.


Resilient

This type of razor design is resil ient, it has endured for

over 1 00 years and has survived the introduction of multi-

blade razor systems. Physical damage to the product

does not necessari ly damage the blade, which could be

replaced. The product itself does not heal after a

disturbance or incorporate diversity by design. There are

two edges to each blade, which does provide some

redundancy for the user's shaving experience. Information

and resources regarding double-edged safety razors are

distributed widely via the internet. That is how the author

came to find this particular razor. Because the design of

the handle is tied to the design of an industry-standard

blade, opportunities for new ideas and evolution are

limited. The community that surrounds the use of razors

like the Merkur 1 904 can contribute to adaptation on the

part of other users through evangelism regarding the

quality of shave that one can learn to give oneself. An

eco-minded user may choose a shaving system whose

waste products are a single material and can be recycled,

while also saving money.


Optimize Rather Than Maximize

The design has one function: to remove hair from the body

of the user. The features such as the weight of the handle,

and the fixed angle of the blade support the quality and

consistency of the shave, but they are not functions in and

of themselves. As previously stated the blades could be

recycled, but this information is not typically advertised.

Again the Merkur 1 904 is designed for disassembly and

reuse but not reconfiguration necessari ly, and overall the

design is not intended to be repurposed. The major area

in which this razor fits with this principle of l ife is that

during use little material and energy are consumed. The

human arm supplies the energy, some energy went into

heating the water, and there was some energy associated

with the manufacture of the lubricant. During use the razor

uses the energy path of least resistance.


Use Benign Manufacturing

This product does not use benign manufacturing: it is not

made from life friendly materials or from a safe subset of

the periodic table. Copper (in brass) and chromium can be

toxic. The chrome plating process generates considerable

waste. This razor is not made from common building

blocks, and it cannot be integrated back into nature's

cycles easily. The chemistry associated with this product

is not done in water, it is not based on self-assembly, and

the processes do not take place at ambient temperatures

and pressures. The manufacture of this razor defines

"heat, beat, and treat". This principle shows considerable

room for application to the product.


Leverage System Interdependence

This product could be considered to foster symbiotic,

cooperative, and community-based relationships through

the online forums that spring up around shaving and

men's grooming. The product itself does not create

conditions conducive to life. I t does help the user conform

to social norms or personal comfort through the removal of

hair. This product avoids direct competition with multi-

blade razors by forgoing advertisement on television and

focusing on its niche of loyal double-edge safety razor

users. By continuing to manufacture handles that accept

double-edge blades, Merkur keeps a niche open that

might otherwise close due to market saturation with, what

the author has come to consider, an inferior product. This

design is set, but other razor designs could offer new

features that could co-evolve with new blade designs. This

design does not foster emergent relationships.


Recommendations

Ceramic blades are able to maintain a cutting

edge and have had some success in the kitchen.

By supporting the research and development of

bio-ceramic production akin to the way oysters

and abalone manufacture heavy, strong, and

tough shells, Merkur could leverage system

interdependence by supporting a technology that

would support emergent relationships and would

use benign manufacturing. The materials could

be crushed and incorporated back into natural

cycles easily.

Sinlge piece

Two edges

Bio-ceramic manufactured like abalone shell