When you can, try a Shark blade and see if you like it. I am really pleased with them and especially in the Futur. I used a heavy handled Atra for years so the Futur weight is natural to me but I find myself moving the grip more toward the head; it must be a balance preference. Doug
Interesting to read - the Futur certainly seems one of those rare razors that really polarises people. FWIW I don't think there's a single modern razor that I've seen so often for sale in the classifieds both here and on other sites.
You are right and there are some good deals out there. I bought a second Futur for my travel kit and in case something happened to the first one. If you watch Mantic's tutorial, one on shaving has him saying "if something is in the way, move it". I had a perception that it would be difficult to shave around my nose until remembering this clip. Not to dull my point, the Futur is different than other razors and IMHO will be the "Fat Boy" in the Future:happy097
Ok guys, I figure, since this thread isn't too old, it'll be better to post my questions here than make a new one. I'll only hijack it for a bit, promise. I've been wet-shaving for a while, but just found this forum thanks to BullGoose. I've been shaving with my Great-Grandfather's 1928 Gillette Open Comb. I'm at the point where I want to branch out. I'm told OC's are more aggressive but I have nothing to compare this to. I find the Red Personna's work best in this razor but even still it's a bit grabby. My neck is especially sensitive so I need something that will cut well and smoothly there, but also be aggressive enough for the persistent hair on my jawline and cheeks. That's the other issue, I have coarse stubble, but girly man skin. I still think that a more aggressive razor and sharper blade which cuts through the stubble quicker, more smoothly, in fewer passes will be better on my skin than a milder razor/blade which would require more passes. The aggressiveness of the Gillette OC I'm using is fine, I just have to go easy on my neck. So, since I've stated my goals, here are the three razors I'm looking at: Merkur 39c (I like the idea of a slant and think it might work, also the longer handle will surely help with the slight hand cramps I get with the stubby Gillette), Merkur Futur, or Merkur Progress. I'm concerned with what I hear about the Progress and it's apparently liberal quality control and manufacturing. However, most of the posts I've read were fairly old, so is this still an issue? Also, due to the curvature of the Gillette's head I've had a tough time with my sideburns and goatee. Which of those razors has the lowest profile? Maybe not the smallest head, but the thinnest. I hope that makes sense. A bit less related: Have any of you tried the little Merkur trimmer? What do you think? Is it worth it? Thanks in advance!
Here's what I know... I know nothing about the Progress as I have never owned one. I know the slant was too agressive for me at the time I purchased it. That was back in my early DE days. I really wish I had kept it. I truely believe it was my fault of poor technique at the time and not so much the razor's fault for a rough shave. I've come to like the more agressive razors. I know the Futur gives me some of the best shaves going. I started at 1-1/2 or 2 (not sure) and did my 3-pass shave at that. The next day I dialed it up half a notch and did my 3 passes. I did that each day until I hit 3 and found it to be just a tad too much. I dropped it back down to just a bit above 2-1/2 and there she stays. It does have a large head, but I've found no problems manuvering around the side burns and handlebar 'stache. I know the Merkur trimmer isn't worth my time. I have one because a friend gave it to me. I've used it a few time but was not impressed with the Merkur blades it takes. As I said, I get around okay with not only the Futur, but all my razors. Bottom line, though, you're not going to know what works for you until you try it. What works for some other guy may not work for you.
I have tried a lot of razors and with the Futur, I put it on 1 and went up to 2 and backed down to 1.5 and that is where it suits me. Medium to medium heavy beard and average skin but tough neck problems and some wrinkles to watch. The Fat boy, Aristocrat, and others did not work. A DR Harris with Muhle head, a Feather ss Travel razor, and a '40's SS work fine as well. After traveling for a week with my AOS silvertip brush and my old Atra because of airport security, the Futur was absolutely wonderful. The weight and bulk gets better and better as you use it. BTW the AOS silvertip traveler is an absolute treasure and performs with quality lather out of the little sample creams that I travel with to the tube of Arko. That being said, the blades are important and IMHO the Shark and 7 0Clocks performed beautifully. I cut the crap out of my neck with the Feather and only use them in the Feather razor. I have seen the Futur as cheap as $40-50 on these forums and that is a tremendous bargain for someone who is not sure. I know nothing about the Progress or Mergress other than they seem small and unless you go with the long handle, it may not balance as well if you, like me, are used to longer handles and some heft. Again all of these are my preferences after banging around for the past six months.
I have the Mergress XL, the Futur and a Hoffritz Slant which I use mounted to a number of different handles... I have a moderate beard with no real trouble areas other the soft spots on my throat. I have been wet shaving since Q2 this year.. If I were to rate these I would put the Slant at the top of the heap. Not sure why, but it seems to give me the cleanest, closest shave with a lot less thinking.. not adjustable. I prefer a Feather blade in it, but a Blue Bird, Personna or Derby all work fine. Regarding the Mergress and Futur... Ironically, if you hold these two razors next to each other, they are quite similar. With the exception of the cap plates, the head design, shape and dimensions appear identical to the eye. I haven't measured them but if there is a difference it is not detectable to the naked eye. My Mergress is the XL so the handle is very similar to the Futur in shape, length and girth. I have to say the quality control on both seems to be superb. I have no experience with the Progress.. whatever Mer is doing to result in a Mergress is just about perfect. All this said, the shave these two deliver couldn't be more different. The Futur seems to demand more attention to technique where the Mergress is more effortless. And of course there is the massive audible feedback that comes from the Future that is absent from the Mergress. I have often considered selling the Futur..never the Mergress and if I could find another Hoffritz Slant I would buy it in a minute. For sake of comparison.. I also love to shave with the iKon Deluxe OC, the Superspeed, the Fat Boy and believe it or not, the old style Muhle R89 and I am trying to love the Feather Artist Club...
Didn't really read through the whole thread but since it got bumped decided I'd toss in my .02. I didn't care for the Futur at all. In fact I've owned three Merkur razors and haven't kept any of them. They just don't do it for me. Don't know why but I get closer shaves with vintage Gillettes. As for the Futur it's just too bulky and that head is way too fat. Merkur's razors are exceptionally good looking but not for me.
This morning I just noticed something about loading your razor into the Futur. After shaving and when not in a rush, I take the Futur head and blade out and us a cheap toothbrush to clean it under the tap water. When putting it back together there was no click sound and I had not pressed firmly enough to properly seat it. I pushed the head down on a hand towel on the sink and heard the click. Just an alert for those of you who may think there is something wrong with the shave and something to check.
My three current go-to razors are Merkur adjustables: The FUTUR, Progress and VISION. They are all superb instruments. I've experimented with dozens of others but nothing has come close. I'd like to try a Pils, but that may not be sufficiently aggressive. The Joris also interests me, but that may be because of it's looks. I have on Ikon open comb on its wa to me now.
I heard that changing the blade on the Futur can be risky if not performed carefully I have contemplated looking for this space shuttle of a razor,but decided to get it when I actually can grow a beard...not that prickly stuff that grows in patches
I have tried the Pils but go back to my Futur or others with the Muhle head. The Progress/mergress is one that I am looking to try next but in this thread, there is a post that indicates there is no difference vis a vis the Futur in his experience. I am not even sure why I want to try the Progress....RAD kicks in?
RAD indeed. I really wanted to reduce the number of DE razors I had so I sold a 1938 Senator and a 1948 Brit. Aristocrat Jr yesterday on B&B. This morning, less than 24 hours later I snagged an Ikon open comb on EBay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...841744&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_1007
I am trying to reduce my razors to just three--the Futur, the 37C Slant, and the Feather AS. If I had to reduce to one I think it would be the Futur. eric.
I never gave this a lot of thought, but three sounds like a reasonable number, not that I'm going to go crazy to get there. I have the three Merkur adjustables (Progress, FUTUR, VISION) the Muhle-Pinsel R89, a Custom Bull Mastiff from Bob's Razor Works, a sweet Vintage Tuckaway and an Ikon on he way. Going from seven to three sounds ugly. Then there is my dream Pils and.....
I am having some difficulty getting down to three razors. Selling the first few razors was easy. Then came phase two which was harder. Now I am thinking about phase three and the most difficult one will be the Gillette New Deluxe. I used to rate that as my number two razor behind the Futur, but for some reason I have lost my touch with this one. I will try again I am sure. eric.
I am going to use the Muhle open comb again in the morning. If I don't like it more thanI did the first time, I'll sell it.
That's interesting. I too love Astras and hate Sharks. What we all have in common is that we love our addiction.
