First Timer, Problems with Merkur Futur

**xvisorxx** · 11-15-2009, 08:14 PM

Hi, I just discovered wet shaving I got all excited got my kit but I seem to have a problem. I got a Merkur Futur and It seems to have some defects, at least I think they are defects since I have never had a safety razor before. please look at my pictures and let me know what you guys think. I have contacted royalshave via email hopefully they will send me a new one. Thanks!

**michiganlover** · 11-15-2009, 08:29 PM

Wow, that would be a world of ouch to shave with!!

Despite the fact that the Merkur HD is the defacto recommendation for newbies, Merkur has had well known problems with quality control for quite some time.

The issues seem to be centered around some models, more than others.

Sorry that you got burned by an imperfect razor.

**Drubbing** · 11-15-2009, 08:49 PM

The recent poster who talked about the alignment on his Vision does point to the more complex Merkurs being the least reliable.

I'd agree with mich, a HD might be a better option to learn on, something to consider, as you're returning that one.

**grump** · 11-15-2009, 09:27 PM

Yes, I would return that one.

**rm71** · 11-15-2009, 09:50 PM

Go with a HD or vintage Gillette.

Welcome to B&B.

VR6ofpain · 11-15-2009, 10:02 PM

This is part of the design of the Futur and Vision. I own both and love the Vision (still getting aquainted with my Futur), but you gotta be willing to fiddle with them. If there is no way to get the blade aligned correctly, then there might be defects beyond what Merkur usually supplies. In that case, you may need to return/exchange it.

I have found with my Vision you just need to push the bottom cap assembly to align it. On the Futur, it may be similar.

**Sueto** · 11-15-2009, 10:05 PM

Someone here has Merkur's contact info handy. You might contact them if RoyalShave doesn't respond. Merkur has sent out parts before. Perhaps they can send a new head for your razor.

**otherstar** · 11-15-2009, 10:32 PM

I hope you can get your problem resolved either via the vendor or with Merkur. The Futur is a great razor once you learn how to use it. I've had one for almost a year and it's my goto razor. I've never had any problems with mine that weren't the fault of the man holding the razor (i.e. me not being careful and getting cut).

**Blue-EyedSon** · 11-16-2009, 02:54 AM

I had a very similar issue on one that I owned. I emailed the folks at Merkur, which took forever, and eventually they sent me a new head. In the meantime while getting impatient with the folks at Merkur I also contacted the company I purchased it from. They sent me a brand new one. On the new one, it no longer had the uneven blade gap, but the head did still move just the tiniest bit in the slot, which they say is 'normal.'

**NickCutlip** · 11-16-2009, 05:06 AM

Welcome to B&B !!

**Azza** · 11-16-2009, 05:10 AM

Originally Posted by otherstar

I hope you can get your problem resolved either via the vendor or with Merkur. The Futur is a great razor once you learn how to use it. I've had one for almost a year and it's my goto razor. I've never had any problems with mine that weren't the fault of the man holding the razor (i.e. me not being careful and getting cut).

+1. Futur is a great razor. Technique may be harder to work on with it than maybe a HD but you should be fine. If not put it away for a bit and get a HD or Barberpole HD.

Aaron

**NatJag** · 11-16-2009, 05:14 AM

Your blade gap doesn't look right to me. On my futur the middle bar is solid when in the least aggressive setting, it does move slightly as you move away from number 1 upwards. So that would be normal to me.

**Chaucer498** · 11-16-2009, 06:43 AM

I had the Merkur HD and now have the Futur and honestly I find it easier to use the Futur. I found I got more razor burn with the HD because of stubborn whiskers that I had to keep going over to finally remove. With the Futur, you can dial down to a very mild shave (for a beginner) and or dial up for stubborn whiskers.

**xvisorxx** · 11-16-2009, 11:19 AM

I just contacted RoyalShave and they are going to send me a new one, they said that the product should not be having this type of issue. but I will take into account getting another lighter model just to get my technique down.

**kingfisher** · 11-16-2009, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by Azza

+1. Futur is a great razor. Technique may be harder to work on with it than maybe a HD but you should be fine. If not put it away for a bit and get a HD or Barberpole HD.

Aaron

This isn't a technique issue; that blade alignment is whack. I agree that it needs to be replaced. I would NOT shave with it in that condition.

**mkevenson** · 11-16-2009, 11:59 AM

Kinda looks like a slant! My Futur has been good from day one. Luck of the draw?

**Azza** · 11-16-2009, 12:36 PM

Don't send it back! You have the Merkur Futur Slant prototype!

Aaron

**bob9876** · 11-16-2009, 12:40 PM

I've been wet shaving for about 6 months. I started with a HD and have been using the futur for the past month. It looks like you have a defective futur and I'm sure you will be able to exchange it.

For me, the futur gives a closer and more comfortable shave than the HD. I'm glad I started with an HD, however, as it eliminated the adjustability as a factor while I was learning. There is most definitely a learning curve and I feel like I still have a way to go to master the techniques.

Interestingly, I set my Futur to 4 1/2 this past Saturday which resulted in significant irritation and several nicks. Today I went back to the Mach 3 Turbo for the first time in 6 months and was so uncomfortable that halfway through my first pass I switched back to the Futur at 4 (which I had previously been using) and got a great, irritation free, comfortable shave.

Gook luck....