Hey everyone, I'm looking for opinions on my next razor. I'm happy with my Maggard MR10, but I'm also feeling a bit of RAD. I think I'll be getting some gift cards for Christmas, and I'm trying to decide between an iKon Shavecraft 101, a Merkur Futur, or a Weber. Which one would you choose, and why? I've been de shaving since August, in case that is relevant. Thanks for your advice!
I am not sure which I would choose, but I am inclined to avoid the Merkur, because the handle is too smooth. I like the iddea of an adjustable, but there are others that have more textured handles and are also less costly.
3 razors why choose get them all you know you want to The Weber and iKon I'm no help with but the Futur I can say grip is no problem as long as your hand stays soap free. Even wet I have no issues with grip
any of the three you've listed would be a good choice. Each has their strengths. The Merkur does have the advantage of adjustability, but it is a large razor and some folks find it difficult to shave with and/or find the grip slick at times. If you purchase any of those razors and it simply didn't click with you, you'll have no problem finding a buyer. I love my Futur, but because the size and design feels dramatically different from a 'standard' razor, I would hesitate to recommend it unless one really desires an excellent adjustable that is QUITE aggressive. The 'safest' bet would be the Weber.
I'd choose the Merkur in a heartbeat because I outgrew my FatBoy in about 3 shaves. I also have a Maggard razor (MR4) and know they are fairly mild (a little too mild for me) so you might take careful note of Kevin's mention that the Merkur is "QUITE agressive". I'll loan you my FatBoy for a couple weeks if you're curious about an adjustable before you buy one otherwise I'd be cautious taking that big of a jump in aggressiveness if you're happy with what you've been using.
Just out of the 3 you have listed, I'd choose the Weber ss polished head with the BullDog handle.... My Reasons: Weber is a well crafted "American" made product. The Weber Polished Head gives you the best bang for the buck I.M.O., the DLC head(the pic you have shown) unfortunately isn't available anymore last time I checked. While the $60 price on the iKon is attractive, I see neither advantage nor beauty in the iKon 101 shave head of course "YMMV"... If you like your Maggard MR10 handle, you could also consider just getting an iKon top cap and either a standard or OC base plate, but at around $75 it would cost you a little more.
I am ashamed to admit that I just don't like the looks of the progress - that yellow is tip just ugly to me , and I'm too cheap to have it modified to a mergress. Wow John, thanks for your generous offer to loan me your razor. I'll take you up on it! Paul
I've not tried either of the other razors, but I've been using a polished chrome Futur for almost 5 years now with no problems other than a few nicks and minor cuts here and there from my own carelessness.
I agree that the Weber looks 'too cool' on that photo—very modern industrial in all its functional matte stainless beauty. I also am of fan of chrome, and the combo of solid chrome finish on simple clean lines has a certain appeal. It may not be the most practical, but if you've ever seen a chromed 57' Chevy, sometimes looks takes precedence over functionality.
I'm sure the futur is an excellent razor but it just doesn't hit the button with me...but hey, to each his own
I have the Weber and the Futur, but prefer my Progress Long Handle to both of them. If you like a big razor consider the Long Handled Progress. If you like the smaller razor then consider the Progress. It is adjustable and has nice grooves for grip. I think it shaves better than the Futur and does so without the navigation problems. Many find they just can't get the Futur in tight places, including under the nose. I have never used the Ikon, so I can't speak directly to that razor. Good luck with your choice. I don't think you can go wrong with any of your choices!
I have the Weber and Futur and like them both a lot. I think my choice if I were you though would be the Weber. It should last forever. I think the Shavecraft head is not stainless so I'm not sure how durable it will be. The Futur should last a long time but like anything with moving parts it'll break eventually. The Weber is all stainless, has no coatings to wear off, and it shaves great. Probably the one thing I'll say is better about the Futur is that it seems to work with about any blade I put in it. The Weber seems picky about blades to me but as long as I can get Personna Labs, I'd be happy with nothing else.
