Futur vs Vision

[SUNA]

What are the major difference between the two? I'm having a hard time deciding which one to get.

To date my best shave came has come from a Bull Mastiff handle with a Merkur 1904 head and a Feather blade.

Thoughts and opinions? Thanks.

 

[LiveOak]

The Vision is an ungodly beast that is so huge (for a razor) that I don't know how anyone uses it. It also costs between two and three times as much as the Futur. It is awesome looking, but a bit unwieldy. Having said that, I have considered getting a Vision for a long time. This would be the vintage Gillette 50 years from now. There is a video on youtube where a guy holds up various razors to show comparison to the Vision. One of them is the Fatboy, which I thought was a big, chunky razor until I saw its teeny proportions next to the Vision.

They are both adjustable, but the consensus seems to be that the Futur is more user friendly.

Here is a thread from this site.


http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=23947

 

[TMH478]

I LOVE my Vision! It's an excellent shaver. I can understand people having a hard time with it, especially when it comes to the under nose area. I have a goatee, so it doesn't really effect me. I love the weight, balance, and grip of this thing. Easy in and out on the blades. Great razor in my opinion! Can't go wrong with either, really.

 

[Toopskees]

I LOVE my Vision! It's an excellent shaver. I can understand people having a hard time with it, especially when it comes to the under nose area. I have a goatee, so it doesn't really effect me. I love the weight, balance, and grip of this thing. Easy in and out on the blades. Great razor in my opinion! Can't go wrong with either, really.

+1. The balance is excellent. The weight allows you to shave without applying any pressure. BBS every time.

 

[Sledgehammer39]

I have the older Vision and it constantly requires maintenance. I did not like it. I have used my Dad's Futur and it's a much better razor imho and the size is not a pronounced as is in the Vision. Although I regularly go to my Merkur Progress out of the Merkur line.

 

[dreadpirate]

I think both the Futur and the Vision are big, clumsy, and expensive. I recommend you pass on both of these. For a Merkur - I like the slant best.

 

[instpasr]

I can't comment on the Vision but the Futur is a superb shaver. The weight is good, it can be dialed in from mild to wild and it's very easy to maintain. I shaved with mine for over a year with no problems.

 

[Sparafucile]

I have the Futur (as well as many other razors, like a New, Slant and EJ), and I use the Futur day in and day out. It's my favorite razor!

I looked at the Vision (older version) when I was shopping for my Futur. They both have a similar feel in the hand. I thought the Vision was too expensive and there were too many reviews that say it's too difficult to maintain so I passed on it and bought the Futur. No regrets at all!

 

[Monkeyboy]

I've used all the Merkur razors and the Futur and Vision shave the best for me.

I get a good shave with both. The vision is more aggressive opened up all the way than the futur is. Although I loved the shave I got with the vision it's a pain to have to take it apart to clean and maintain it. The futur is more reliable and half the price too.

 

[drandall]

and let's not forget about the progress. it's definitely a more "old-school" design and its not without its quirks...but it's a very good adjustable razor that is less expensive and very durable.

 

[DymondCutter]

If this helps you out any my current set up is the same as yours, Bull Mastiff Deluxe and a Merker 1904 with Feathers.

I am looking to see if my thoughts are right that this is the best set up I have ever used and will use. I just ordered a Progress to verify. I have already tried the Futur and it was a good razor but I did not get the same results I am getting from the BM and 1904.

 

[diverdoug]

i think both the futur and the vision are big, clumsy, and expensive. I recommend you pass on both of these. For a merkur - i like the slant best.

+1

 

[reyrascon]

The one thing I really don't like about the futur is that it is not easy to adjust with a blade in. I have to remove the blade, adjust setting, re-insert the blade. I'm too scared of getting cut to adjust with the blade in. It's really easy to pop the head off and remove the blade, so admittedly this is a minor irritation but one of those things that really bug you after a while. Other than that the futur is an excellent shaver, have never used a vision so can't comment on it.

 

[Ski-Patroller]

The one thing I really don't like about the futur is that it is not easy to adjust with a blade in. I have to remove the blade, adjust setting, re-insert the blade. I'm too scared of getting cut to adjust with the blade in. It's really easy to pop the head off and remove the blade, so admittedly this is a minor irritation but one of those things that really bug you after a while. Other than that the futur is an excellent shaver, have never used a vision so can't comment on it.

I don't have any problem adjusting my Futur with a blade in. The guards extend far beyond the blade, so there is plenty to hold on to without getting cut.

My only issue with the Futur is the size of the head. I seem to have more difficulty getting under my nose with it than with a Progress, HD or Feather.

 

[dougr]

I have the Futur and the Vision and both are outstanding razors. The Vision is a snap to assemble and is the very best of German engineering and design IMHO. It takes a few seconds to push the top bar down, slide the bottom cap from the slot to the hole, and spin the bottom handle off. Once you have done it a couple of times, you can do it blindfolded. Do not be afraid of taking it apart as it is like taking a ballpoint pen apart. You may want to buy only one or the other and the Vision can be found for around $100 in excellent condition.

 

[rajagra]

My instinct was to adjust the Futur by holding it at the widest point, not where the blade edges are. It should be the safest way, but then you realise that if you do slip, your fingers and thumb will spin around to the blade area *and* clamp down onto it. If the stiffness was causing you to use excessive force that could lead to a horrible injury.

I fixed mine with a drop of oil. But an alternative workaround is to wrap the razor head in a towel as you adjust it.

 

[q345]

Apply light pressure with your thumb on the razor head and it doesn't slip
- base is convex so even if razor accidentally rotates, your fingers are pushed out of blade's harm way.
I disassemble my Futur once every few months to clean it, so I don't need to apply huge force to turn the adjustment - it's quite smooth
(some people reported it requires huge force or even completely stack, the disassembly/cleaning usually fix it. Some recommends lubrication,
but I didn't find I need it to turn it easily)

I use it all the time in the middle of shaving when both the razor and my hands are wet/soapy and never hurt myself and never had any slippage ( I use Futur on 4 when going first pass WTG and then
sometimes turn it to 3 or 2 for XTG/ATG ).

P.S. I also have Merkur Barberpole Slant and honestly didn't find any advantages of slant over Futur, both are providing me with BBS in 3 passes armed with Feather blade
Slant is slightly easier to shave under the nose, but with very little practice you can do it with Futur just as well

 

[reyrascon]

@q345: I can honestly say that it never occurred to me to hold the razor this way . Thank you so much for the picture!

Stuff like this is why I love this site!!

 

[q345]

Rayrascon, enjoy the "Futur Grip" !

It was inspired by other participant which posted photo of "Futur Sleeve" - a piece of plastic tube with a cut-out slot into which you insert the Futur head.

I found the "Futur Grip" just as safe ( in essense, you make sort of tube with your fingers ).

As I mentioned, turning the adjustment should not be difficult. If it's, then disassemble/clean your Futur and it will be smooth.

 

[scottish steve]

The one thing I really don't like about the futur is that it is not easy to adjust with a blade in. I have to remove the blade, adjust setting, re-insert the blade. I'm too scared of getting cut to adjust with the blade in. It's really easy to pop the head off and remove the blade, so admittedly this is a minor irritation but one of those things that really bug you after a while. Other than that the futur is an excellent shaver, have never used a vision so can't comment on it.

Put a washcloth on your counter and rest the head against it, then turn the handle. Also, if its a bit stiff, soak it in a tumbler filled with good quality olive or any vegetable oil for at least 2 hours, then thoroughly wash and dry. This worked a treat on mine.