I purchased this item to use Merkur's high-quality and inexpensive razor blades. For $23 I expected something of the same quality. This is an extremely cheap handle--flimsy, no pivot on the head and sliding the blades on and off is not a smooth process. This makes me regret not switching over to the old-style safety razors I had been thinking about. I own an Omega brush and stand that are very nice, but I'd look elsewhere for a razor.