Help a Newbie

[cdguylhs]

Hello all. My name is Preston. I am look at starting to shave with a DE razor. I have been shaving in the shower for years and I just cannot stop getting ingrown hairs and red bumps all over my neck. I have two questions. The first one is this:

1.) I have the opportunity to buy a Merkur Futur for $30. A guy put it up on Craigslist to sell and it has the box. Is this a good razor for someone new to DE shaving? I have heard the best razor for a newbie like me is a Merkur HD 34C. I would love your thoughts on this.

2.) If the Merkur Futur is not good for me, do you know a place in either Atlanta, GA or Birmingham that sells what you recommend? If so what is it called.

Thanks for the help

[cdguylhs]

I have been using a Mach 3 recently (as in yesterday and I also got a boars hair brush and shaving soap to begin) and before that a Schick Hydro. I have also tried some wet electric razors and I cannot get rid of ingrown hairs and razor burn.

[tigershave]

The Futur is probably a little agressive for the start. I'd look for a Gillette Tech or maybe order a Edwin Jagger DE89. The BST here is great and full of stuff. There is also a Art of Shaving in Atlanta that would carry some razors you could look at.

[cdguylhs]

has anyone tried the Edwin Jagger DE89? how does it compare to the Merkur Futur or Merkur?

[mandoman]

Merkur HD 34C is a very good razor for the new and the pro :thumbup1:

[Optometrist]

The EJ89L is a great razor for the inexperienced and experienced alike. It's beautifully finished, has a good grip, and also gives a not too aggressive shave. I couldn't recommend it highly enough. Much better than a Merkur HD from all points of view. :thumbup1:

David

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

Hello all. My name is Preston. I am look at starting to shave with a DE razor. I have been shaving in the shower for years and I just cannot stop getting ingrown hairs and red bumps all over my neck. I have two questions. The first one is this:

1.) I have the opportunity to buy a Merkur Futur for $30. A guy put it up on Craigslist to sell and it has the box. Is this a good razor for someone new to DE shaving? I have heard the best razor for a newbie like me is a Merkur HD 34C. I would love your thoughts on this.

2.) If the Merkur Futur is not good for me, do you know a place in either Atlanta, GA or Birmingham that sells what you recommend? If so what is it called.

Thanks for the help
cdguylhs:
I have a Merkur 23C and it's been siad to be a rather mild razor...good for newbie's and pro's alike. Also, for ingrown hairs and red bumps, maybe it might be your techinque (see link below).

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=71700

Christopher :badger:

[BlackBard]

The OP's question was about a Merkur Futur being a good choice for a newbie.

Since it is adjustable, I think it would be an excellent choice. You could start with a mild adjustment, gain skill, improving technique and move on to more aggressive settings until you reach the optimal setting for your own preferences.

It sounds like a great price for the razor, if it is in very good condition. If you don't like it, you can always sell or trade it on BST.

Welcome to B&B. Hope you enjoy the ride.

[Ski-Patroller]

The OP's question was about a Merkur Futur being a good choice for a newbie.

Since it is adjustable, I think it would be an excellent choice. You could start with a mild adjustment, gain skill, improving technique and move on to more aggressive settings until you reach the optimal setting for your own preferences.

It sounds like a great price for the razor, if it is in very good condition. If you don't like it, you can always sell or trade it on BST.

Welcome to B&B. Hope you enjoy the ride.

+1

I went from cartridges to a Futur with no problems. I use a number of razors now including an HD but the Futur is one of my favorites. Just start out a #1 and turn it up if you need to. Get a blade sampler pack and find out what works for you.

[cdguylhs]

has anyone tried the Edwin Jagger DE89? how does it compare to the Merkur Futur or Merkur HD?

[Luc]

has anyone tried the Edwin Jagger DE89? how does it compare to the Merkur Futur or Merkur HD?

I would recommend having a look at the reviews, see top menu. :001_smile

[Turtledrum]

Not sure on this, but 30 bucks for a futur is a great price. :blush:

[zameus]

I recently obtained a Futur from the BST and was shocked at how mild a shaver it can be at the lower settings. Although it's listed in the Wiki as having an extremely large blade gap, the actual blade exposure is mild and lends itself to a smooth shave.
To each his own but I think it's a fine choice for a newbie. The head is admitedly large but it doesn't bother me. of course YMMV.

[zameus]

They run about $65 new. I got mine used for $55 shipped and am very happy with the price I paid. $30 is a steal if it's in good condition.

[Codfish]

If I've learned one thing here on B&B, it's that one size does not fit all. Until you have enough experience to know if you like more or less aggressive razors, am adjustable makes sense. The Futur is an excellent razor, and adjusts to any level of aggressiveness you might need.

I wasted a lot of money buying different razors, like the EJ, that just didn't work for me. The Futur is big, and some do not like it for that reason. It's one of my two favorites.

The price is right. You can always sell it for what you paid for it and get your money back. Go for it!

[JJMontague]

has anyone tried the Edwin Jagger DE89? how does it compare to the Merkur Futur or Merkur HD?

I have a Muhle R89, which uses the same head as the Edwin Jagger DE89 but with IMHO an even nicer handle. It's this Muhle head that make the DE89 and R89 more revered here than the HD. Simply a superior design, finish and quality. That said, I'd jump on the Futur at $30!

[Go West Young Man]

Hello all. My name is Preston. I am look at starting to shave with a DE razor. I have been shaving in the shower for years and I just cannot stop getting ingrown hairs and red bumps all over my neck. I have two questions. The first one is this:

1.) I have the opportunity to buy a Merkur Futur for $30. A guy put it up on Craigslist to sell and it has the box. Is this a good razor for someone new to DE shaving? I have heard the best razor for a newbie like me is a Merkur HD 34C. I would love your thoughts on this.

2.) If the Merkur Futur is not good for me, do you know a place in either Atlanta, GA or Birmingham that sells what you recommend? If so what is it called.

Thanks for the help

The razor ain't going to make a lick of difference if you don't improve your technique first. Focus on using better products, learning your growth patterns and perfecting a multi-pass no-pressure shave, that'll do more for your skin health than anything else.

That being said, $30 for a Futur is a great price, you should jump on that. Worst case, you can re-sell it for a profit on eBay.:thumbup1: