First shave with my Futur

**mdotku** · 08-23-2006, 10:39 AM

Hi guys,
Just wanted to share my first experience with the Merkur Futur Razor. I bought the razor and 10 Merkur Blades from classicshaving.com and received my package after about a week. I threw away the blade that followed with the razor and replaced it with a new one.

Age: 20

Old equipment:
- Mach 3 turbo or Mach 3
- Gillette shaving cream, shaving gel or Loreal's shaving gel from their men's collection that I was actually quite happy with.

Equipment:
- Merkur Futur Razor
- Merkur Blades
- Proraso shaving cream (Green tube)
- Shaving Brush. I stole an old shaving brush from my pops. I don't know if it's a badger brush, but I doubt it. It has the brand Victoria.

Motivation:
- A closer shave
- Less skin irritation (I have acne problems)
- Saving money

Day 1:
I started out with a hot shower and kept my face wet and warm. Before the shower I soaked the shaving brush in hot water. Then i dabbed some shaving cream inside it and started to lather directly on my face. I applied the shaving cream, but it was not as thick as Gillette's or L'oreal's at all. I don't know if this was due to my technique or the brush not being a badger brush. I loved the smell from the shaving cream though :-)
I was not able to get it thick like this:
http://www.shavemyface.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2353
It looked more like this:
http://www.shavemyface.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5041

I continued using the Futur and didn't have any problems with the angle at all. I started out at the setting 1, but I didn't get the close shave that I expected. I resisted the temptation to push it to get a closer shave. Well I finished up, reapplied some lather and shaved at the setting 2, which felt a bit closer. I did not go against the grain at all, which I usually do with Mach 3. The total shave took about 15 minutes. I didn't cut myself at all and no razor burn. After the shave I applied some moisturiser.

The good:
Less skin-irritation and no cuts. So that is basically enough reason to stick to the Futur.

Room for improvements:
- The shave was not as close as I was expecting. I would say it was like my Mach 3 on a good day. Could have something to do with my technique and I also need to get a badger brush, I think. Do you guys think I should shave at a higher setting like 3 or 4 or should I wait?

All in all a good experience.

**Dennis** · 08-23-2006, 10:48 AM

Good post and good start. Leave the Futur on 1 to 1.5 - do not be tempted to play with the settings for now. Proraso is good stuff and should lather well for you. It is a big tube and cheap, so next time try using more cream and try lathering in a bowl like a cereal bowl. Put maybe an inch or two in the bowl and take your wet brush and start swirling it around. If it is looking dry or anemic, add hot water a few drops at a time and swirl and pump around some more. I am sure others will reply as well. Good luck and welcome to B&B!

Dennis

**madmedic** · 08-23-2006, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by mdotku

The shave was not as close as I was expecting. I would say it was like my Mach 3 on a good day. Could have something to do with my technique and I also need to get a badger brush, I think. Do you guys think I should shave at a higher setting like 3 or 4 or should I wait?

Just take things slowly...it took me a while to get a 'perfect' shave......perhaps a 2.....but many people don't go much higher. Rest assured.....the Futur can shave closer than most razors I have used.

Brian

**TraderJoe** · 08-23-2006, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by mdotku

Hi guys,

It looked more like this:
http://www.shavemyface.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5041

Room for improvements:
- The shave was not as close as I was expecting. I would say it was like my Mach 3 on a good day. Could have something to do with my technique and I also need to get a badger brush, I think. Do you guys think I should shave at a higher setting like 3 or 4 or should I wait?

All in all a good experience.

If your lather indeed looked like that link, then you most likely didn't have a lather, but more of a smearing of proraso on your face. I think that once you perfect your lathering technique (which will product copious amounts of thick, rich lather....proraso lathers well for most people) your beard will soften more and you'll end up with a closer shave. I would definitely recommend keeping a low setting for now. Get a feel for the razor's sweet spot, and definitely get a feel for a good lather.

Be sure to use hot water, and don't be afraid to add too much (drops at a time). You can always add more cream, and vice-versa. Thats what makes this wetshaving thing fun. Every day you go into the bathroom to experiment, to "build" a lather. Generally speaking though, an almond-size dollop of cream is a good point-of-reference.

**av8or234** · 08-23-2006, 11:05 AM

I have basically the exact same set up as you. I use a small cereal bowl to build my lather in. I usually swirl and "mix" it up for about minute. At that with only about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch of it I have more than enough for 3 full passes and plenty of touch up on my neck. I'd try whipping your lather in a bowl.

I had nearly the same experience with my FUTUR the first time I used it too.

**Suzuki** · 08-23-2006, 11:08 AM

Only a few things to ad.

1) Proraso lathers well, so try more water - regardless of whether you use a bowl or lather directly on your face;

2) If you like wetshaving, try a good badger brush - Charles over at QED sells a great pure badger for only $28 (the SR104) - you won't believe how much of a difference this will make in helping you to build good later (I was using an Omega boar brush, which is likely the best boar brush out there, but my inexpensive (under $30) badgers totally blow it away in this department);
3) Try some other blades - people sell sample packs of 5 blades each of the more popular brands (Derby, Feather, Euro-Gillette, Israeli Personnas). I use the Derby's and can't belive how much better they are than the Merkur blades;

4) Get one (or more) good after-shave products - there are lots of good ones that are generally available locally - Proraso (splash, milk, pre/post), Neutrogena post shave defence, Nivea makes some great products and Jason makes some great stuff as well - in particular their Tea Tree and Witch Vera are great products (both are similar) that include aloe and witch hazel and are very cooling/sothing for razor burn. I use both an alcohol bases splash and some sort of moistuizer; and

5) Get an alum block or styptic pencil for the inevitable nicks.

Keep it up and you will be rewarded with consistently better shaves than you could ever hope to get with a cartridge.

**Steelforge** · 08-23-2006, 11:32 AM

I started with a Merkur Futur last week. I actually used it set to 3 the first day as I didn't know what to use (3 was midway). Then after reading up on here I dialled it back to 1 and have been using that. I moved up to 2 this morning as I'm getting used to the shave now, but I doubt if I'll go higher as I can get an ultra close shave without nicks with it set on 2.

I think the lather is really important. I started trying to make it directly on my face but found I could make perfect lather much easier in a big coffee mug. Perfect lather makes the shave a lot easier when you're learning - trust me!

Keep at it.

**ScaredSafety** · 08-23-2006, 01:37 PM

Welcome to wetshaving and B&B! I too started with a Futur, and soon found that you should really stick to a 2 or below. I was really stupid and dialed it up to a 6. I had never had razor burn like that before!

Remember good prep makes for good shaves. Hair conditioner is my magic bullet. Just a bit of advice.

BTW, nice setup. Nearly matches mine...

**BGog** · 08-23-2006, 02:34 PM

I'm new as well (1 month) and love my Vision and can get a good BBS(baby-butt-smooth) shave with it. Here are a few tips.

1. You simply can't skimp on whipping up a good lather. I've tried lathering on my face and did not get good results. Whip it up for about 2 minutes in a bowl and you'll be all set. Add a few drops of water at a time if you need more. An almond sized dollop of proraso should give you enough for like 8 passes(don't do 8 passes though).

2. How many passes are you doing. Do not expect a BBS shave with just one pass. I'd suggest that you dial your Vision to 'o' or 'n' (the lowest settings) and do 2 N-S passes followed by an E-W (ear to nose) pass. After that you can do some tough an cut to clean up and remaining stubble.

3. You should use the "Kyle" method of holding your razor. Hold it at the end with only two fingers. This will force you not to apply pressure. You REALLY do not want to apply pressure. Just let the weight of the vision glide lightly.

The thing to remember is that you are shortening your whiskers a little at a time with each shaving pass. Don't be tempted to grind them off all in one pass.

Good luck. Give us an update when you can!

**mdotku** · 08-24-2006, 05:47 AM

Thanks for the responses and advice.

Today I was able to get the lather thick and nice. This time I used a small bowl to lather. The shave felt closer and less irritating, yet not perfect. I shaved at 1.5, two times with the grain. Definitely a lot less irritating then with my Mach 3. Still chasing the perfect shave.

**Steelforge** · 08-24-2006, 06:12 AM

I'm settling with 4 passes at the moment. My Futur is set on 2 and I do 2 N-S passes, followed by 1 across the grain, followed by 1 against the grain. I usually have some remaining stubble on my neck after this, so I just do another pass against the grain on my neck only.

Things I've learned.

1. Always make good thick lather.
2. Use no pressure, just the weight of the razor.
3. Don't be scared to do lots of passes, with no pressure you can do more passes without razorburn.
4. Don't wash your face with anything other than hot water before shaving, using soap takes too much oil off the skin and you get a horrible shave.

I find this works for me.