Merkur "Futur" Safety Razor, Satin Finish
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Customer Reviews of Merkur "Futur" Safety Razor, Satin Finish
Customer Review: Overall a disapointing razor
Summary: 2 Stars
I've been shaving with a DE razor for about a year now. I had been using a Merkur product, a 1904 Classic safety razor, which I loved and which is a truly quality product. However, everyone -- on the internet at least, three bloggers = everyone -- was recommending the futur so I gave it a shot. I'll toot my own horn and say I am pretty handy with the 1904 so I was expecting to be thrilled with the futur. Boy was I wrong, this really does not live up to the Merkur name:
1) Heavy: Even by DE standards this baby has a fat back side. It is really heavy, over four ounces. This would be fine except it is poorly balanced, meaning a light touch -- a DE necessity -- is difficult to comfortably achieve.
2) Huge head: The head of the futur is enormous. I have it here by the computer and it is about the size of one of the buttons on my mouse. Before you buy this consider: "will this fit under my nose?" For me, it was always a struggle not to be that guy with the creepy nostril hair patches.
3)Slick: Only the king muppet of all effing muppets would make a razor our of super smooth, slick metal. Get even a little water on this thing and it feels like its coated in dish soap. Get a grip Merkur, literally.
4)Adjustable settings: All very clever, however, very imprecise, very difficult when the razor is wet (see #3)
5)Cleanliness: It is very difficult to keep this razor clean. The adjustable head has many, many nooks and crannies that get filled with hair and soap scum and are very difficult to clean quickly. My 1904 is spotless after a run under a hot tap, the futur required a thorough cleaning after each use, sometimes with scrubbing involved. The metal it is made of also seems to attract dirt.
6)Terrible Shave: This is fully subjective, and will depend on the user, but I got a terrible shave from this razor. I tried to use it, I really did, for several months, changing my technique and the settings but to no avail. Razor burns were common as well as patches that I couldn't get smooth. In general, it took way longer to shave with this when compared to my 1904, many more strokes to get through even light beard growth.
Ugh.
Back to the 1904 this week and it's been great shaving ever since.
Bottom line: Merkur make great products, this isn't one of them.
Customer Review: Great Razor! Smooth Shave! Worth the $$$!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been wet shaving for years using the standard Mach 3 razor. I was never totally happy with the experience or the $12 for a set of 3 razors. The Mach 3 is a good razor, but I felt the need to try something different less technical less expensive.
I started researching different shaving methods. I have always been interested in straight razor shaving. I went to a barber and was happy with the exerience. What I wasn't happy with was all the work involved with using a straight razor. Honing, stropping, and the possibilty of slicing off an important part of my face caused me to move on n my research.
I looked up safety razor online and after a short time it was obvious Merkur was one of the best on the market. I decided on the Futur after I recieved some advice about the need to adjust the blade setting to suit my face.
I paid $60 for mine over the web. That seemed about the average. The problem was that many websites had them listed cheaper, but they didn't have them in stock. $60 seems like a lot, but when I was spending $12 4-6 times at least a year it has already paid for itself. I got my Futtur several days after ordering and began shaving right away.
Right away the razor feels like a solid usable tool. It is hefty and feels good in your hand. The razors are easily installed and very cheap.(10 for $5.00) I used setting 3 to get started. I have never applied pressure to my Mach 3. DO NOT PUSH DOWN ON THIS RAZOR! They say there is a learning curve. I have had none, thought I do have a styptic pen just in case. So far I have had great shaves, minor nicks, and best of all this razor has improved my overall shaving experience. I have had people using my bathroom come out and ask me what my is that silver thing sitting about my shave brush. Only to get wide eyed when I explain what it is.
I would use a brush and a quality shave soap with this razor. Canned would work, but I can't imagine it would work as well. The only thing I change about the razor is cosmetic only. I wish the razor had a more textured antique handle like the other Merkur razors. I like the look of those. Otherwise this is a great razor that I will be using for a long long time. Besides the purchase of a quality shave brush nothing has come close to making my shaving experience better.
Customer Review: A quality razor
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a very solid, quality product. I have no doubt that if one of my future grandchildren were so inclined, he could rinse all of the soap scum and stubble and use this razor just as I do today. I have been using the mach3 razors for a decade now, and the constant irritation and ripoff prices for cartridge refills pushed me to try this style of shaving. Like many others, I read the reviews and tips in serveral wet shaving forums before taking the plunge. After a month of using the Futur with several different shaving creams, I have mixed feelings about the whole DE shaving routine. On the plus side, I find the whole ritual (hot shower, quality soap/cream, badger brush) quite enjoyable. If nothing else I have learned that many of the higher end shaving creams don't cost much more if any than the canned shaving creams on a per use basis. In fact, some of the high end stuff might even be cheaper. Another plus for me (and I think this varies greatly on an individual basis) is that a shave with my Merkur results is much less razor burn than a Mach3 shave. My problem is that the whole process is just so time consuming, and closeness of the shave is about equal for a DE vs. Mach3. I wish I had the time every day to take 20+ minutes to whip up some lather and have a nice relazing shave, but I just don't. And so for days where time is a premium, I still have to stick with a can of cream and a mach3 razor.
Back to the razor itself, it feels quite heavy in a good way. My only real complaint is that the head is quite bulky, and it took some time to figure out how to maneuver the shaving head around my nose. My main reason for selecting this model was the fact that the Futur is adjustable. However, if I were to do it again I'd probably just go with a Merkur HD or maybe even a Muehle. Having the option to adjust is nice, but it certainly isn't necessary, and probably not something one should fiddle with if they have never used a double edge razor before. I give the Futur 5 stars for quality and 3 stars for price, hence the 4 star rating. For those who are considering the switch from a Mach3, just be aware that a lot of the reviews and forums you may come across on wet shaving are overhyped. I'm almost certain some of the product reviews are part of a grassroots marketing campaign.
Customer Review: EXCELLENT DE RAZOR!!! THE BEST I'VE EVER USED!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I am usually too busy to write reviews, but the Merkur Futur impressed me so much that I almost feel compelled to share this information.
First, I actually did notice a flaw on this razor but it can be easily mitigated once user knows about it. I must first describe how the razor works: to change blades, you must lift the head by pulling it up and then putting in a new blade, and then pushing the head back into place. MAKE SURE TO PUSH THE HEAD IN ALL WAY UNTIL IT IS NICE AND TIGHT (YOU'LL KNOW WHEN IT "SNAPS" INTO POSITION). If you do not push it in all the way until it snaps (a very common mistake if you are not aware), the setting system won't work properly and all your shaves be very aggressive and close, and probably cause irritation.
Second, I highly recommend you buy an adjustable razors (like this one). The adjustable razor is superior because it give the user the most control to determine the closeness of the shave they desire. The lowest setting "1" is the safest keeping blade furthest away from the skin. The highest setting "6" gives the most exposure of the blade to the skin, giving a harsher, but closer shave. In between there are settings 2,3,4,5. Setting "2" is a favorite among many users including myself.
Third, the product is heavy and thus very stable. The stability of this 4.0 ounce razor is perhaps its best asset (after being adjustable) and it makes shaving a lot easier, more fun, and even faster (one stroke is all it takes). From the picture it might look like the non-grove handle, smooth is "slippery when wet" but this couldn't be further from the truth. The futuristic-looking ergonomic handle is just stable when wet as a traditional grooved handle (in my opinion, even more stable).
It comes in three finishes (Satin Nickel, Polished Nickel, and Gold-Plated) Some suppliers don't even carry the gold-plated finish and with good reason: the durability of gold-plated razors are questionable and I recommend either the Satin and Polish Nickel finishes for long-term durability (many decades).
AN EXCELLENT RAZOR!!! THE BEST I'VE EVER USED!!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! WELL WORTH IT!!!
Customer Review: The Perfect Shave
Summary: 5 Stars
My background:
I used a Gillette Sensor. It was okay. I upgraded to Sensor XL. It was pretty good. I tried a Mach 3, and I hated it -- it felt like I was wiping my face with a wall of blades. I finally settled on Sensor 3 -- at nearly 2 bucks a blade. It got the job done, but there was no real joy in shaving. Considering I have to do it at least once a day (twice if I'm going out at night) the process should be more enjoyable.
After quite a bit of research, including newsgroups and customer reviews, I splurged and got the Merkur Futur.
Shaving is awesome, and I literally look forward to it. Lathering up the shave cream (I use Proraso Classic Shaving Cream With Eucalyptus Oil & Menthol) with the Merkur badger brush is a real treat. Super soft, holds a ton of water, and results in a thick lather. (Be warned, the first few times you use it, it stinks like wet badger... but it goes away).
The razor itself is heavy... I mean heavy. Which is good, because you need to let the razor do the work -- NO PRESSURE, OR YOU WILL TAKE OFF YOU FACE). The main difference between this razor and shaving with cartridges is that you actually feel the blade against your face (as opposed to a chunk of plastic). Anyone who has had a shave with a barber knows how great this feels.
Once I got the technique down it is as close and smooth a shave as I have ever had. Finishing up with a cold water splash, non-alcoholic toner / aftershave, and a moisturizing lotion, is an invigorating way to start the day.
Please note: as stated above the brush smells a little "badgery" at first, but it goes away. The head of the razor does not pivot, so you have to follow the contours of your face. And the head itself it bulky, so you have to work on your technique around your nose, and under your chin. I started off with the Razor set at 2, but have progressed to 3.
In sum, this razor adds an old-school, refreshing routine to my mornings. I love it, and would whole-heartedly recommend it.