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Ok I am a Feather non sharpen razor guy but like to change things around a bit and want to buy myself a really good safety razor.
I have been looking at the Feather and Merkur razors and have decided I would like to try the future or vision, but being down under I can't handel either and will have to import one. Advise as to what you would buy would be appreciated.
I can only tell you I had the Vision several years ago and I thought it was a big heavy bulky clunky razor. It's very difficult to get under your nose.I think there are better choices depending on what you are looking for in a razor. EJ sells some really nice DEs. I'm using the Standard razor which doesn't look like much but gives me a great shave. The guys will come along with plenty of recommendations.
Never bought either the Futur or Vision because I thought they were too bulky in the head and too expensive to boot. They very well could be good shavers. If you are bound and determined to get an adjustable, a vintage Gillette adjustable is as good as any. If you look around carefully they still can be had cheaply at yard/garage sales. At least they can over here.
If you want a mild DE a vintage Gillette Tech Head, 3 piece or TTO, is a good bet. On the more aggressive side vintage Gillette Open Comb DEs are close shavers.
For new DEs I find the Merkur Slant is a good middle of the road DE that is not overly aggressive and very efficient. If I want a DE shave to rival what I get from a straight razor in a new DE the Muhle R41 2012 version goes to work. It is very fussy about your technique and should be used slowly and deliberately like a straight.
The choices in DEs new or vintage are pretty staggering and you may wind up having to try a few to find one that works well for you. The same goes for DE blades and you pretty well have to try a bunch of different ones to see which work best for you also depending on the DE it is used in. Good luck, it could be an adventure.
Bob
futur owner here and love, love, love it. I own lots of DE's and this is the very best one I have, with a Fat Boy coming in second. I like that I can chose where I want to blade to be,( how aggressive the blade is). It is hefty in weight so you don't have to use any pressure. I find it easy to move around my face and it works great with ever blade I have tried(careful if you like Feather blades) I was going to buy a Vision but for me, I do not think you can beat the Futur.
I get very nice shaves with the Futur, surprisingly enough it gives me better shave than my Aristocrat adjustable right now.
I have also used a Maggard DE and it shaves really nice at super affordable price. I think they are essentially copies of one of the EJ models.
I've never handled the Futur but I did have a Vision for a while. It is sort of a Hummer of DE razors if that is what you're looking for. Kind of a Futur on steroids. Been so long ago that I don't remember exactly why, but I put it on the shelf and finally listed it on the bay.
Just for kicks I went to Amazon to check out reviews. I guarantee if you read the first of 5 pages you won't consider one any further.
http://www.amazon.com/Merkur-VISION-...owViewpoints=1
My favorite DE is one of those Bob recommended, the Merkur 137C slant. If you have large hands, or prefer a heavier razor, go for the 139C slant. More aggressive the Muhle R-41.
Agree on the 137C slant, got that one too and like it very much.
never owned a Vision or the slant the others spoke of but i did just get a Futur a week ago or so and absolutely love it .. it is much bulkier then the vintage Gillette's for as little as ive used it in the time ive had it i do like it better ...
OK short list futur and bin the vision. Should I also consider the feather as-d2
I am looking for DE Razor to use Mon - Fri that gives a great shave and a joy to use
I used a Futur for a while, but having seen the Vision in the flesh and having held it in my hands I always felt the Vision was way too bulky to serve efficiently as a shaving instrument and thus never seriously contemplated getting one.
Even the size of the Futur is fairly large and as moustache wearer I found the Futur not that handy to shave around the edges of my moustache.
It can be done, but as a tool this razor with overhanging ends that clip onto the handle was not ideal for the purpose.
It it was not for the moustache, I might have liked the Futur better.
In the end I returned to more conventional (Mühle R41) designs as they served me better.
B.
The Feather D-2 is probably the finest made and most ergonomic DEs I've ever used. It's a tad on the mild side (I have one) and you will see many guys complain about the shave it gives. From my experience you need to get the angle right and the window for that is very small. If you don't get it precise you get a crummy shave and that's what I think folks problem is with the razor.
I've never had one, but the fact that both Obie and spendur rate the Feather AS D2 at the top of the heap is very impressive to me. I've never had the Futur either, but as I mentioned I did have the Vision. Reading the reviews on amazon about the problems many people had with the Vision's internals being corroded with soap and what not, would make me hesitate on the Futur because it appears to be of the same construction.
I guess I am more partial to 'normal' non adjustable razors because as Murphy's Law says, if something can go wrong it will. Adjustables require maintenance that isn't necessary with standard non adjustables.
The Feather is indeed a splendid razor, mild but still effective.
I'm a tad on the large side, so to me the Vision actually works pretty darn well to be honest.
Thank you guys most helpful.
Can any one recommend a good shave supply shop I could visit in LV I am flying to Shot Show later in Jan.
Ive had both and since sold both, I preferred the Futur out of the 2, only sold em due to liking my Fatboy more and my Brit TV superspeed is my go to DE.
The Vision was big btw
Gentlemen,
I find both Merkur's Vision and Futur clunkers, although some gentlemen shavers like them.
The Feather D2 is a sweet razor, a work of art, really, with impeccable fit and finish. Yes, the shave is mild, but once you figure out the proper angle, the razor is a keeper.
The American-made stainless steel Weber is a fine meat-and-potato razor, a touch more aggressive than the Edwin Jagger DE 89 and Muhle R89 razors, both of which I recommend. The Weber's finish is nowhere near that of the Feather, but it is a razor worth having nevertheless. I am quite fond of the Weber with Personna Red IP blades.
In the Merkur razors, none sparkles like the Progress (short); I use it with Personna Red IP blades for a really sweet razor. This is also my travel razor, along with the Feather Artist Club AS DX.
Among the vintage Gillettes, the Aristocrat is pure pleasure. Yes, it is a mild razor, in the Feather D2 neighborhood, but like the Feather, it is a sweet razor to hold.
I've gone through everything from a seven-day set of Joris to Tradere, iKon and Pils, but they have failed to hold my attention, and all are gone.
I'm surprised you haven't mentioned any slants Obie, I'm betting you've tried one or more ?Quote:
Originally Posted by Obie
Jimmy, I tried a slant a long time ago and did not like it. Years later, I tried it again, and still did not like it. I equate my dislike for the slant to that of the Japanese non-folding razor. I just don't like these razors.Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
Any Gillette Adjustable would be an even better choice. Had a Merkur Progressive and was too big for the upper lip. Gave it to my son, he tried it and sold it. He agreed but added that it was slippery to hold with wet hands.
I have both the Futur and the Vision. They're excellent shavers, in my opinion. The Futur is probably the more accessible of the two. The Vision is huge, and a little daunting to some. They can both be pretty aggressive, but still smooth, shavers.
Of the slants I've tried, the only ones that were really good were the Merkur clones. They're efficient, smooth, and relatively cheap. The iKon slant is a waste of money - like shaving with a Tech (which is much cheaper).
My first DE was a Merkur Progress, I thought I would 'upgrade' to a Futur. Using the Futur, I had the sense that I had no idea where the blade was and never liked that feeling. Starting over, which there is no need for, I would choose the long handled version of the Progress.
Well I usually shave with a Straight Razor, but when I'm in a hurry I'll use my DE Gillette Ambassador gold fatboy razor. It's a great razor and it can be bought at a reasonable prize on actions like eBay.
It's really and fatboy that's been gold plated and it's the top of the old Gillette razors.
It will last forever. If I where to get one, I'll go for this one. :-)
I'll have a handful of old Gilletes, but this it the best and it's cheaper then the Mercurs.