Merkur Futur -1st Impression

[BullGoose]

After hearing so many rave reviews of the Merkur Futur, I finally broke down and had to try one for myself. I loaded up my new satin Futur with a Gillette Yellow and set it on 2 figuring that I better play it conservatively for the 1st shave.

The Futur did not disappoint. It is such a heavy instrument that it kind of reminded me of mowing the lawn with a power assisted mower. In other words, the razor did all of the work and I was just along for the ride. That being said, the Futur gave both auditory feedback (the trademark singing blade) and tactile feedback while I effortlessly removed stubble.

My shave was excellent (irritation free and BBS). After I get a little more mileage with the Futur I may try dialing it up but, it certainly is not necessary.

[bonusmarple]

I need to pick one of these up. I have the Progress and the Mergress and to be honest, I am very happy with them. I easily get BBS with 3 passes using IPs, Sharks, and Iridiums.

So the question is, do you have a progress and if so, would you recommend buying the razor to someone who already has a progress?

[BullGoose]

I need to pick one of these up. I have the Progress and the Mergress and to be honest, I am very happy with them. I easily get BBS with 3 passes using IPs, Sharks, and Iridiums.

So the question is, do you have a progress and if so, would you recommend buying the razor to someone who already has a progress?

I do have a Progress and love it. However I do not see any redundancy between the Progress and the Futur...they are definitely different beasts. I will be using both the Futur and the Progress in my rotation.

I would imagine that the new Long-Handled Progress and the Futur would be more similar to each other. However this is mere speculation since I have not yet used a long-handled Progress.

[Dharion]

You don't still need a Vision.
scnr

[BullGoose]

You don't still need a Vision.
scnr

I agree...I have absolutely no plans to get a Vision. The Vision is clownishly huge and it would not fit in my razor rack.

[otherstar]

I love my Futur. I have no intentions of purchasing another razor any time soon (though I recently received a 1962 Gillette Adjustable as a gift). Nothing really compares to the Futur. I can get near BBS in 3 passes and DFS in 2 passes if I'm careful.

I've recently discovered that if I pay more attention to the position of the head and the blade and less attention to the bar, I can get even better shaves with the Futur. Of course, you can't use any pressure at all and have to really learn to let the razor do the work.

[Mer]

I've been eyeballing another Futur for a long time now. Had one and sold/traded it.

Seller's remorse......

[VolpeVerde]

The Vision is clownishly huge and it would not fit in my razor rack.

Or in most shaver's hands.
I really belive it was designed for Paul Bunyan, the jolly Green Giant and that really big dude that chased Jack down the bean stalk.

[tlanning]

I love my Futur. Occasionally I stray :001_smile But of the 3 razors I use, Futur, E J Chatsworth and a 37c the Futur's shave last the longest. I think I know its probably because I've used it the longest and believe it or not use it with a little pressure under my jawline with absolutely no irratation. I use a IP in the Futur and a Feather in the other 2. All 3 leave my face BBS.

[ScYcS]

Futur and new Muehle Head design are my 2 favorite razors. Matter of fact, i have not touched any other razor in over 6 weeks now.

[scottish steve]

The Futur is wonderful. No doubt about it. Just don't get too cocky as it can bite if you're not careful. I think the aspect of design the makes it so good is that the blade tension is very low, which effectively makes it a "full hollow" DE. This has marvellous ramifications when you're on-song, but if you get it wrong it can literally skin you alive!

[Audiolab]

I have to admit I am a fan of the Futur, it is my travel razor as it can be easily replaced and is built like a tank. For Airline travel I tend to take the HD because it is lighter but whenever possible I go with the Futur. I personally think it works well with a number of blades and the adjustment works well.

Mine was fault free and is a pleasure to use.

[lamina]

No need to elongate the praises about the Futur...:sleep: Mine, well, what a piece!! Fabulous BBS and design on hand...the best Merk' around!! The 23C is a twin on results but that's another story...

[jackmormon]

I have a question about the Futur.... It looks like that "cap" is a clip-on type design. My impression is that it looks flimsy but I have never had my hands on one. Any opinions on this aspect of the Futur....especially longevity. (To my untrained eye it looks like it would wear out fairly quickly.)

[lamina]

I have a question about the Futur.... It looks like that "cap" is a clip-on type design. My impression is that it looks flimsy but I have never had my hands on one. Any opinions on this aspect of the Futur....especially longevity. (To my untrained eye it looks like it would wear out fairly quickly.)

The cap remains well attached under the pression of two wires above the tray blade...mine is tip-top about aging.

[krevo]

Another Futur thread! :thumbup::thumbup:

Great razor. As much as I like whipping around my face with a short-handled HD, I've started to love holding that big chunk of metal and easing it along. I get far less irritation with my Futur.

[BullGoose]

I have a question about the Futur.... It looks like that "cap" is a clip-on type design. My impression is that it looks flimsy but I have never had my hands on one. Any opinions on this aspect of the Futur....especially longevity. (To my untrained eye it looks like it would wear out fairly quickly.)

The Futur is built like a tank and there is nothing flimsy about it...cap included.

[erudolph]

BullGoose's post prompted me to try the Futur. I have one because when I decided to resume DE shaving, after a 25 or 30 year hiatus, the first thing I did was to order a Futur. But by the time it arrived I had gotten comfortable again with my old SuperSpeed that had been sitting on the shelf during the hiatus.

Putting a blade (RPIP) in the Futur seemed easy enough, I looked at the gap, dialed it down all the way for starters, and shaved. The result was a nice, comfortable shave. The size of the razor meant that with my current technique, I missed some spots under the nose that I'd ordinarily have gotten.

On one point I have to disagree with BullGoose... I found a near complete absence of tactile feedback.

On the whole, this razor is too big and too heavy for me and so I'll be making mine available to the Badger & Blade Razor Lending Consortium.

[shyrlock]

I have a question about the Futur.... It looks like that "cap" is a clip-on type design. My impression is that it looks flimsy but I have never had my hands on one. Any opinions on this aspect of the Futur....especially longevity. (To my untrained eye it looks like it would wear out fairly quickly.)
Jack, I have been using mine daily, for almost 3 years now. It is as good as the day I bought it.
Actually the Futur has one of the best blade holding systems around.
It's end bars and sping loaded cap hold the blade in a very solid and repeatable position. I believe this is why it shaves so consistantly.
As Bullgoose said this thing is a tank of a razor.

[scooby074]

Love my Futur. I think its the sheer weight of it that i like. Just let the weight do the work. The adjustability is a nice feature as different blades shave differently and it allows you some adjustment.

I find if i choke up on it and hold it between my thumb and first finger i can get almost a pivot effect that shaves quite well.

About my only complaint is the head can be a little large for shaving around the edge of the nose. Other than that its a well built piece of gear.

[smoov and deadly]

This is my first and likely last razor purchase. The thing is a panzer. Once you get used to it, i couldnt imagine a better more irritation free shave. I have alot of other AD's but RAD is not one of them and believe me, that says alot!

[number_nine]

I've been shaving with a DE for only 2 months now...so I'm quite a newbie when compared to many others on these forums.

I've had around 30+ shaves and while I'll continue to strive for improvement, I'm very happy with my technique and performance.

The Merkur Futur has been my razor for all these shaves. I realise that RAD is a common disorder amongst many members, and I was positive I'd succumb to RAD as well. However, whilst I have nothing to compare against, the Futur is brilliant and this may well be my first and last DE razor!!

I've been using mainly Astra's, Red IPs and Derbys in my Futur. However, this morning I decided to have my first shave with a Feather. All I can say is WOW! I thought I was getting BBS before, but this is ULTRA BBS. The Feather is definitely the best blade I've used thus far. Again, I think I'll just continue to shave with the Futur/Feather combination as I just don't see how I could get a closer, better shave. And if I did manage to get a better shave, it would be by the closest of margins because my shave this morning was unbelievable. I was using Trumpers Violet...this cream seems to get both positive and negative feedback but I love it. Lathers well, looks funky, delivers a fine shave and it's the best smelling cream I've tried.

Anyway, I just wanted to say how happy I am with the Futur/Feather combo and this is what I'll be sticking with from now on. Highly recommended!!!

[Duggo]

I've have a Progress and I love it. The only problem is, you have to calibrate it. I The first time I did it, I got Tennis Elbow. Like Ouch said, "Isn't that how everybody gets Tennis Elbow?":001_smile

So I finally bought a Futur. Great Thread. It doesn't have much of a safety bar. It doesn't look like the Safety bar on the HD or my other Merkurs. I'm transitioning from an adjustable, so hopefully the transition will go smoothly.

Is there really a "long handled Progress?" So then, there's one that comes with a short handle by contrast? :confused:

[scottish steve]

[QUOTE=number_nine;1303401I've I just don't see how I could get a closer, better shave. QUOTE]

By using a straight! :biggrin:

[Mer]

My Futur came in yesterday. Getting ready to take it for its maiden voyage in about 30 minutes!

:biggrin:

Eric

[scottish steve]

I've been eyeballing another Futur for a long time now. Had one and sold/traded it.

Seller's remorse......

I'm resisting that urge after selling mine on. I feel I need to concentrate on my Superspeed technique instead, as I am sure I can get as good a shave with one of them if I only get it right. that said, no-one should ever regret buying a Futur.

[BrightFutur]

As I've said in other posts - fantastic razor. The first DE that I bought, and I thought it would be my last. Turns out I like having new toys a little bit too much, but the Futur has always been, and will always be the ideal razor for me.

I found that having it as a first DE razor really helped me with the concept of 'zero pressure', since I just set it on my face and learned how to steer it around.

That being said, I've never felt nearly as comfortable J hooking or blade buffing with the Futur compared to my SuperSpeed and (now) my fat boy.

[JimBow]

ARGH!!!! It's been 11 days and mine still hasn't arrived yet!! I'm going insane with anticipation!

[DunEdinRanger]

ARGH!!!! It's been 11 days and mine still hasn't arrived yet!! I'm going insane with anticipation!

Where is it coming from? Do you have tracking information?

[JimBow]

It's coming from West coast shaving....but I'm deployed, so it's just a matter of me having absolutely no patience at all!

[Jason T.]

I absolutely adore my Futur. Ive shaved with it twice and its given me the most comfortable and smooth shaves ever. Ive used it on setting 3 and I hardly get any nicks with it. If I do get a nick it heals pretty fast.

As well as the shave quality I love its awesome build quality and tactile feeling. That loud 'Click' when you snap the head back on is so satisifying. Im still in early shaves with it as you know but im sure every day the shave will get better and better.

Merkur should discontinue the Vision and market the Futur as their flagship razor.

[tlanning]

It's coming from West coast shaving....but I'm deployed, so it's just a matter of me having absolutely no patience at all!

All good things come to he who wait!!! lol.
As you most likely already know, depending on where your active, just a word of advice on ordering shave gear, NEVER ORDER ANY TUB TYPE CREAMS!!!

Love my Futur :biggrin:

[NatJag]

Interesting thread.

I've seen a few on the Futur. I'm currently using a cheap plastic wilkinson DE Razor. I almost picked one of these up from Trumpers, but the guy just said if you prepare your face well any razors is good. I'm not so convinced after reading this. Clearly there is an advantage in getting a quality razor and the futur seems to be the one.

[Jason T.]

The Futur is indeed an excellent razor. The adjuster on mine was really stiff and felt slightly notchy but a drop of machine oil soon fixed that and it adjusts like a charm now. I still rate this as one of the best DE razors around.

[bonusmarple]

I pulled the trigger on a Futur. Thanks B&B, my wife is thrilled :frown:

[FLTiger]

I shaved with a Futur for 3-4 years and it held up admirably. I can't imagine any longevity issues with that razor.