First DE shave in 20 years. Got butchered.

**Gordy2** · 06-23-2012, 06:33 PM

When I restarted DE shaving after almost 50 years, I had some difficulties but not like you described happened to you. The great advise given above is very sound and gained by experience. My only recommendation is like one post and that is to start with a Tech or a Super Speed. Much milder shaving tools than any modern razor. Save your Futur, they are great shavers, after you get your shaving procedures down, you will be glad to have it.

**OkieStubble** · 06-23-2012, 06:34 PM

A newbie going with a futur and a Merkur blade? Ouch!

Get a Tech or Superspeed. No Merkur, Derby or Feather blades. Not yet anyway. Red Personnas, Astra SP's or Gillette 7 O'clock Russian greens is what you need.

**Deltaboy** · 06-23-2012, 07:11 PM

This fellow got a bad Razor and will need a week to heal up ! I would never buy a Merku!!!!!

**Pietro** · 06-23-2012, 07:24 PM

When I started DE Shaving 2 and a half years ago I bought a Merkur 38C Barber pole. It works great. I have tried other DE's since starting this hobby, but none of them give as comfortable of a shave as the Merkur 38C. YMMV.

**Copierguy** · 06-23-2012, 08:52 PM

Welcome to B&B John.

I never did warm up to the Futur.....always felt like it was trying to slip out of my hand. A vintage Gillette or two took care of that nicely. 40s style Super Speed, and Aristocrats were made for wet hands.

What works for one fellow may not for the next. Enjoy the journey and tell us what works for you.

**chongo gordo** · 06-23-2012, 08:56 PM

Reminds me of when I made the jump from the Weishi to my Old Type. I gave myself a cut that bleed for hours despite the styptic pencil. I never felt a thing.

I've grown to love the razor. Keep at it.

**cosmicdoom** · 06-23-2012, 10:52 PM

pm me and I'll give you a free tech and some blades if you pay for shipping

**nannahill** · 06-23-2012, 11:10 PM

Sorry to hear about your shave. I have a Futur too. First shave gave me a bit of grief too but once you let the weight of the razor do the work vs your hand the Futur does a good job. At 2.5 it should have been OK. The Merkur blades can be a bit grabby on one's skin, but the Personna blades you mentioned are good blades.

Hang on to your Futur and come back to it later. Good luck with your next razor.

**Mike'sWorld** · 06-24-2012, 12:41 AM

Don't forget the importance of good beard prep. The canned gels that work with carts just won't provide enough protection or glide with a DE set up. A nice soap or cream with a brush will make a big difference.

**Swarovskilainen** · 06-24-2012, 02:36 AM

I know what you mean, I bought a Vision as my 2nd or 3rd razor loaded it whit a feather and got couple of nics couldnt shave properly under the nose and got 100% razor burn that lasted for 2 days. My worst shave ever, put it up for a trade the next day here on B&B. Got a nice Progress and a merkur brush for it.

My advise to you is, get a nice Gillette Tech or SuperSpeed (stay away from adjustables, just a another variable to worry about) and start shaving with no pressure and try to get the angle right, blades, use what you got it works with any blade as long as it not dull.

keep reading on B&B, ask questions and look at videos

Originally Posted by john999

I had decided to change the type of razor I've been using, due my Mach III now costing $2 per cartridge. Found this forum and after reading for about a couple of weeks decided upon a Merkur Futur. That was somewhat of a mistake. Shaving with it resulted in a large cut on my nose and neck plus many nicks. The cut on my nose probably could use a stitch. The setting used was 2.5. Never did I put pressure on the razor. Just let the weight do the cutting. I found the razor very bulky and difficult to obtain a proper angle to shave with. The razor was checked by West Coast shaving for evenness of angle and proper coating according to my request. I think I might sell it and try to find some thing less bulky and perhaps a bit lighter. Any suggestions for a razor of this type.

**Krogers5791** · 06-24-2012, 03:45 AM

Hello
I also has my first shave with futur. I currently use it with a feather blade at 3.5 and never a nic or cut day after day. I do remember the first blade i used was the merkur that came with the razor. I took one on the chin and neck as well.
It just may be that sample blade was in bad condition.
You will need to make sure your technique is proper. I notice that 3 months into de my shave gets better every day

**john999** · 06-24-2012, 09:23 AM

Actually the blade that butchered me was the persona lab blue. I only shaved once with the merkur blade. That knicked me up a lot so I threw it away. The merkur razor feels too heavy and bulky. Think I'll try a lighter weight Edwin Jagger.

**Jbum** · 06-24-2012, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by john999

Looks like I will consider the Edwin Jagger.

Good decision and go with a milder blade to begin with you will not get the closest shave possible with a DE but with practice and going to more aggressive blades you will get a BBS in no time. Don't give up once mastered it is the best way to shave there is.

**Acmemfg** · 06-24-2012, 11:33 AM

Pureman is supposed to be marketing a nice razor in the near future I understand. May be worth the wait.

**ERVARGASNY** · 06-24-2012, 11:42 AM

I would never Recomend a Agressive Razor like the Future to someone new, try these.

1. Slim Adjustable $20-40
2. Edwin Jagger 89 $35.00
3. Weber razor "Anyone" $70.00
4. Feather AS D-1 All Stainless Steel $170.00

Either ones are fine shavers, just depends on your income.

**Acmemfg** · 06-24-2012, 11:57 AM

Schick Krona is probably the mildest razor I have ever used. They're good equipment, easily found for a tiny price and super easy to learn with. Slap a decent blade in it and you'll have what you need for a long time.

PS, The Futur is a fine razor. Keep it for now. You WILL regret parting ways with it.

**john999** · 06-24-2012, 12:45 PM

Thanks again guys. I do appreciate all your help. I did use a de razor for about 30 years before I swung over to a cartridge, so I thought I would have no problem going back to a de blade. It was a mistake to think I could use such an aggressive razor as a Merkur Futur.

**JeffOlson** · 06-24-2012, 04:30 PM

I will second (or third) the Feather AS-D1. I'm relatively new to DE shaving, and I have used only two other DE razors (the Merkur 38C--my first--and my wife's Edwin Jagger DE89 something). The Feather is very mild and very smooth (but for me very effective); it is almost impossible to nick or cut oneself with it.

**Gordy2** · 06-24-2012, 04:49 PM

The modern DE razors today are a different animal from back in our day. Best to start back with one of the oldies and get your prep and 3 pass procedures down pat before moving to the modern stuff.

Originally Posted by john999

Thanks again guys. I do appreciate all your help. I did use a de razor for about 30 years before I swung over to a cartridge, so I thought I would have no problem going back to a de blade. It was a mistake to think I could use such an aggressive razor as a Merkur Futur.

**john999** · 06-24-2012, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by Gordy2

The modern DE razors today are a different animal from back in our day. Best to start back with one of the oldies and get your prep and 3 pass procedures down pat before moving to the modern stuff.

They sure are different today. I remember never having any trouble with the de razors of old, circa 1960.