Review of Merkur Futur (1st review)

Background: http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...ml#post1173614

This was my first DE razor. I have used it for 8 months.

This razor does the job well, but can be very confusing to use at first and has a steep learning curve.

The bad points first:

The angle of the opening between the lid and the base of the head is very awkward and requires the razor be held against the skin more towards the head. As a result, you are less likely to see if, where and how the blade is coming in contact with the face.

Secondly, the razor is adjustable and for beginners who have yet to settle with a combination of creams and blades will find it more difficult to learn technique due to having the choice of adjustable aggressiveness. Ultimately this can lead to nicks and cuts on the face if the setting is too low or too high.

Thirdly, adjusting the razor mid-shave with wet hands is very hazardous, and is the biggest flaw of the razor. The head is designed so that you must twist it with your fingers in a location very close to the protruding blade, and with very little space to grip the head by. The reason some users would want to do this is typically to switch to a less aggressive angle during Against-The-Grain (ATG) passes, or in sensitive areas of the face such as the neck or underneath the nose. In my last use of this razor (6 months in of adjusting aggressiveness it everyday), I sliced a portion of my fingertip off and it took about 6 weeks before I could use that finger again. I have not used this razor since.

If you can tolerate all the steep learning curve and all the inconveniences of using the razor, the good thing about it is that some users enjoy having an adjustable aggressiveness for specific areas.

I do not use this razor anymore due to the ease at which an accident could occur.

People who I would recommend this razor to:
Established DE users - and most importantly, for people who are very careful and steady with their hands.
Users who will not be adjusting aggressiveness mid-shave.

People who I would not recommend this razor to would be:
First-timers to DE shaving who are in a rush master this razor in less than 6 months.

Bottom line:
This razor takes time to learn to use.
It can take a lot of patience each time you use it.
It is very rewarding after you progress past the steep learning curve, and have established a routine to keep yourself safe from the twisting mechanism of adjusting aggressiveness.

Sorry to hear your experiences with the Futur.

Several months ago I visited a dealer selling the Merkur Futur. I was impressed with the weight, finish and potential close shaves using the adjust-ability of the razor. There was something other than the cost that held me from purchasing one at that time. Instead I did buy an Edwin Jagger 89 series DE razor and can exclaim that it is providing me with outstanding daily shave.

My point.....for beginners to DE shaving, try the EJ DE89 first. For the price it's a gem....!!!

Thanks for the review

The future has quite a reputation. I think it's one of those razors really designed for a highly experienced user. I never used one myself however I have used the vision which I hated.

But that's another story.

My only gripe with the Futur is the bulky head. If you're trying to cultivate any facial hairstyle, quite often you're left guessing as to where the blade is. I spent a good couple of months shaving my head with one of these beasts, and it's the one razor that got me back into wet shaving and overhauling my equipment used.

I owned a Futur and even on the lowest setting the blade gap is way more than I need. I comfortably shave with a Cobra, but I never had a cut/irritation free shave from the Futur. Now, the Merkur Progress is another story. I really enjoy shaving with that adjustable and I do change aggressiveness during the shave. I also think it is an appropriate DE for beginners.

I used the Futur after 6 weeks as a newbie. I was drawn to the styling, length of the handle (I have large hands), and the weight. As a new user, I followed the same guidelines I'd learned to shave with my first razor, a Merkur 23C. After all I'd read about the Futur I knew I had to respect it. I have been using it for a few months and get great shaves with it. Where we seem to differ is with the settings; I took some advice someone gave me, which was to put it on the lowest setting and keep it there until I improved my technique. Just the other night I tried to use the 23C and felt awkward. I had to pull the Futur out to get the shave that I wanted. I have changed my settings a little and I've even changed mid - shave, but only after drying my hands. I still respect it.
Atomic newbie, it's great that you found something you're more comfortable with. I'm glad that your finger healed, also.

Sorry about the finger.

I'm always careful to dry my hands before attempting that. Also, I use the same grip for changing the setting that I use to tighten a 3-piece handle. Thumb on top of the cap with index and middle finger underneath the baseplate, then clamp it with the fingers slightly curved so that if the head were to spin the blade doesn't hit anything. I've never had the head spin on me though (knocking on wood now).

I like my Futur well enough but it's not up there in my top 2 or 3 favorites anymore. It was my second DE and I've always been able to get decent shaves from it. It seems to work pretty well with a wide variety of blades too. I'm not crazy about the size of the head but I've learned to deal with it and the fact that it covers the tabs on the side of the blade could be looked at as a good thing.

Sorry to hear about your finger. To avoid that in the futur (no pun intended...well maybe a little one :p ) hold onto the bottom of the handle with one hand and then twist the head with the other hand below the base plate where you are still able to adjust the numbers so that you have no chance of slicing your finger.

The Merkur Futur is by far the best DE razor I own. I have tried a great many razors and sold the vast majority of them. I have kept only 6 DE razors, my Futur, a Progress, my birth year and quarter Gillette Black Beauty, an Otto Roth Gillette New with a custom made wood handle, Merkur 37C Slant and a Gillette Slim. The one I prefer the most is the Futur and I use it on a setting of 2 most times and occasionally 3 for a multi day growth.

Nothing is as smooth or effective for me. Also I find the matte handle is somehow more grippy when it is wet. The chrome and the gold version tends to be more slippery.

I would try it a few more times, you may find you like it the more you use it. Good luck and have fun!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Attila

Sorry to hear about your finger. To avoid that in the futur (no pun intended...well maybe a little one :p ) hold onto the bottom of the handle with one hand and then twist the head with the other hand below the base plate where you are still able to adjust the numbers so that you have no chance of slicing your finger.

The Merkur Futur is by far the best DE razor I own. I have tried a great many razors and sold the vast majority of them. I have kept only 6 DE razors, my Futur, a Progress, my birth year and quarter Gillette Black Beauty, an Otto Roth Gillette New with a custom made wood handle, Merkur 37C Slant and a Gillette Slim. The one I prefer the most is the Futur and I use it on a setting of 2 most times and occasionally 3 for a multi day growth.

Nothing is as smooth or effective for me. Also I find the matte handle is somehow more grippy when it is wet. The chrome and the gold version tends to be more slippery.

I would try it a few more times, you may find you like it the more you use it. Good luck and have fun!

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Yes, I agree that it is very good in taking out large amounts of growth because of the large space between the blade and the bar (when I can guess the blade's position in the head...).
I have the matte handle too, but I was feeling very complacent that day.

Thanks for the head twisting tips everyone. I didn't think of some of those techniques. I admit I'm still a tad bit scared to approach the monster...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by atomicnewbie

I admit I'm still a tad bit scared to approach the monster...

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If an animal senses you're afraid, it's highly likely to strike. ;)

If you can't handle a DE, you durn sure better stay away from straights!

I have used a merkur futur for about 6 months after using a 34c for a while.both are great and have gone to the setting 4. Then I thought if I like that near aggressive setting I'll get a merkur 37c after reading about the aggressive nature of this razor. Great shave using the same technique as using any DE razor. It's like buying any quality product,a BMW,Aston Martin etc. Merkur seems to be in the same league! Try them all and each has a different feel but enjoy the ride.

This was my first DE, bought many years ago. I currently own around 40 Des. Use the Futur on 6 about 60% of the time. About 20% I'll go with the R41 just to test myself. The rest of the time I'm fooling around with old Gems, Gillettes, Autostrops, Rolls, Christy, Schicks, etc. But when I want to SHAVE, it's a Futur with a Red or a Feather.