^ might be way off, but are you outside in the cold much?
I am looking at getting some shaving equipment for my dad's Christmas present, I don't really want to spend more than £40 or so for everything, any recommendations?
Does he already use a DE razor?
Nope, just uses disposable BIC things from the supermarket.
If I get a Merkur 34C, do I need double or single edge razor blades?
The thing with DE shaving is it's more of a personal preference to choose to do it. You might buy him a DE razor as a gift, he might feel inclined to have to use it and then eventually he could decide it isn't for him and stop using it.
It's like buying him brown sauce when he has always eaten ketchup, if that makes sense?