Thread: Any advice for adjustable safety razors?

Hi folks,

At this time I'm looking non stop to razors, straight razors first if course but I'd like to have an adjustable razor too. I've already a Gillette Fatboy. But by recommendation of a friend of mine I'm curious about merkur futur. Any one used it? What's the sensation,? It accepts all kind of blades as feather? Mirror polish it mat?

Above this would you recommend any other adj. Razors? I saw there is merkur progress but I've no idea. Progress might be better than futur?

I am not a fan of adjustable razors, preferring the standard double edges, and I've never tried the Merkur Progress, or the Futur, but I did go to Amazon and read reviews about both. There were quite a few reviews and most people seem to like them. They do take standard blades.

My experience with adjustables is that I would find a middle-of-the-road setting and just leave it there.
Never really found it worthwhile to use the different settings for different passes/purposes.
Not worth the bother and expense.

Just my thoughts, adjustable's allow for changing skin moisture and humidity. Shaky old hands like them too.
~Richard

I found out that unless a non adjustable DE is aggressive I can't get as close a shave as I like. So I set my Gillette Fat Boy at 9 and leave it there now. Never saw the need to get any other makers adjustable. I don't own either of the Merkur adjustables but know that they tale standard DE blades.

The thing about adjustable DEs is that you can tell from which setting you can use comfortably just how aggressive a non adjustable DE you can use.

Bob

Oustoura,

I never saw the need for the adjustable razor, especially since I left it on one setting. The Merkur Progress was an okay razor, but the shavehead was too bulky, and the Future was clunky. The Merkur 34C or the Edwin Jagger and Muhle series, all non-adjustable razors, are fine for backup.

For me, the stainless steel double edge, such as the Above the Tie, is ideal. I love my Wolfman especially, but the waiting list for new orders is long.

Also, try the Mongoose, a single edge stainless steel lovely that shaves close to the straight razor. The Above the Tie SE1, a single edge stainless steel razor due out soon, might also work for you.

I have the Futur and Fatboy, the Futur takes off pretty much where the Fatboy stops in adjustable. The blade gap can be somewhat interesting at 6 on the Futur, I use Feathers primarily in both. If you do get one dont go adjusting every three seconds while shaving set on one setting and shave with it. Maybe change for different days when growth is longer/shorter etc.

Try some of the older Gillette 3 piece razors they give great shaves. Just buy a blade sample pack and find the blade that works best with the razor and your face.

These old razors are becoming quite popular and some are even being knocked off and reproduced, but you can still buy them at antique stores and flea markets boxed, in excellent condition for under ten bucks, some times less.

Many folks say the Gillette Slim, adjustable is a better shaver than the Fat Boy, are less expensive and there are a lot more of them, a longer run…

I have a Futur which is my go to DE razor. I simply love it. I get a great, consistent shave, I like the weight of the razor in my hand. So far, I haven't found anything that I dislike about the Futur. One of the best buys I have made and a superb razor, IMO.

I have a fatboy and I've had the Vision and I see no advantage to adjustables. In the end I prefer a fixed blade. If it is well designed it's performance is flawless. Something like the Wolfman or the Mongoose which is really an SE is simply unbeatable by any adjustable.