Thread: New to adjustable DE but Straight experience question

Have an odd question based on years of straight experience but vexed by a DE.

Just picked up a Merkur 700 Futur DE and various blades. Noted a bit of razor burn on the neck which was the primary reason for ditching cartridges for a straight.

Assuming the irritation is due to poor technique and excess pressure at this point but have something if a counter-intuitive question.

The Merkur is an adjustable from rookie to insanity. I am at about a 2 for now and noted a little audible feedback while shaving. I have to say one of the odd parts of a DE versus a straight is the feedback. A straight tells me audibly how the shave is going and where to adjust.

Am I going over conservative on the adjustable setting? Asking after reflection since I am curious if I may want to go more aggressive (5-6) since I’m used to the feedback from a straight instead of dialing the Futur back to a 1 or so.

Thoughts?.

I would leave it at a 2 and try to change the angle to experiment with the feedback.

I personally have trouble more with a DE or Rolls Razor because my hand/wrist angle is different and relying on the muscle memory of a straight doesn't work.

I don’t own a futur, however I do own and use Gillette Fatboy and slim regularly. With the adjustment settings on mine I normally will run around a 7 for a normal shave. If I want aggressive I will crank it to 9 for ATG pass but with no pressure! I think the issue you’re having is multiple problems. Likely technique, low setting and thin lather. My personal experience is I need a thicker layer of lather with DE than I do with straights. Hope this helps.

The futur is quite aggressive, 2 is a good start point.
When you get a few shaves in try 3 or 4 on second or third pass.
Nice razors.

Sent from a moto x far far away

With DEs, like straight razors, it is all in the angle and pressure. I do not have a Futur but a Gillette Fat Boy and could never shave at the 9 setting until I learned to shave well with a straight razor. I am thinking the straight razor taught me the importance of angle and pressure. You probably just have to experiment a bit with angle and pressure to find the sweet spot.

Bob

So did shift the “wrong” direction with the Futur- went a tad more aggressive from 1.5 to 3.

That along with being more aware of using a lighter touch and had the best shave so far this AM. With a bit more blade exposed, I seemed to have better feel and feedback. No as good as a fresh straight but darn fine and much quicker.

Started this DE experiment as a more convenient way to travel but this may become my daily option...

Originally Posted by RMC_SS_LDO

So did shift the “wrong” direction with the Futur- went a tad more aggressive from 1.5 to 3.

That along with being more aware of using a lighter touch and had the best shave so far this AM. With a bit more blade exposed, I seemed to have better feel and feedback. No as good as a fresh straight but darn fine and much quicker.

Started this DE experiment as a more convenient way to travel but this may become my daily option...

If you find the right combo of DE and blade you can get a shave so close in quality to a straight razor it can make you question using a straight at all IF shave quality is the main factor in shaving for you.

Glad that things are improving. It is a different technique, but there are many common things.

Good luck.

I keep my Fatboy on a three. It took me a while to get the proper angle down but once I figured it out it’s great. I think most people who have an adjustable DE find the setting they like and usually leave it there.

Will take a bit more practice but have settled in for now. Quick shave this AM before getting on the road and great results! Quicker than a straight, close and no irritation with a travel brush and some Proraso red...

Like the adjustable option but agree that I could see setting it and leaving for some time. For now, about a 3+ seems to be about right for me with Astra blades but have a sampler pack on the way. Once I get a better feel for the technique, I could see opening up even more to a 4-5 on the Futur simply because I like the feel and feedback.

Appreciate the suggestions and tips from all- the DE is a new and interesting change of pace!


/r

Allen