Merkur Futur does not work for me

[Mvanz9999]

New to the boards, not to shaving. I have had the Futur for about 15 years (using on and off), and pretty much always hated it (everyone said 15 years ago it was the best adjustable available - it was a horrible first DE razor). Way too harsh for me. I've tried all the settings and every available blade. I am able to get BBS on about 2.5, but that can easily take me 30 minutes. Any other option (too fast, more or less aggressive) leaves me with horrifying razor burn (mouth and chin). I have, however, mastered the art of getting right under my nose. Shockingly, I CAN use it for BBS head shaves with no irritation whatsoever. I'm done with the Futur.

I think the best option is to start over. I have no idea what aggressiveness or blade gap is best for me. So I'm leaning towards Rockell 6(c or s), or am I better off with RazoRock Gamechanger and ordering both the .68 and .84 heads (or the Lupo?) I don't want to spend 100s on a bunch or razors that may or may not work. Any advice?

I'm not a newbie (maybe a little?), so what would you advise a newbie to do?

 

[DesertIguana]

How many different blades have you tried, peoples skin, and beard changes with age.

 

[Hairy Callahan]

"...Shockingly, I CAN use it for BBS head shaves with no irritation whatsoever.."

I've never had good results with the Futur (or the Q-Shave clone) either. You can strip shingles off a roof with this rig. To take this slasher movie prop above the ears and attempt a headshave? Was that courage or a collegiate frat party dare? The fact that you got good results is beside the point. What tempted you to even dabble in that kind of insanity? I wouldn't attempt a headshave with this rig under any circumstances. Big box retailers should relocate the Futur to the lawn and garden section.

 

[wetshaver233]

I find the Futur decent, but very unrefined razor and I rarely use mine. The only reason I've got one, was because I've managed to find a used one for $30 and I couldn't pass.

 

[dreadpirate]

The Rockwell 6C is s great razor and you can get a few different bases with it.

 

[nemo]

Welcome to Badger & Blade!

I have had the Futur for about 15 years (using on and off), and pretty much always hated it (everyone said 15 years ago it was the best adjustable available - it was a horrible first DE razor). Way too harsh for me. I've tried all the settings and every available blade.

You're not alone. I love my Merkur razors and have a small collection of vintage but that one has to be one of the most uncomfortable razors I've ever used. Couldn't seem to get along with it, wondered how on earth they could produce the smooth Progress and then come up with that! Sold mine.

 

[Hairy Callahan]

The Rockwell 6C is s great razor and you can get a few different bases with it.

Good advice. Try plate "4" with a Voshkod blade.

 

[dreadpirate]

And, you could always try a slant. Merkur 37C? Razorock Superslant with L2+ base?

 

[BigJ]

Welcome to Badger & Blade!


You're not alone. I love my Merkur razors and have a small collection of vintage but that one has to be one of the most uncomfortable razors I've ever used. Couldn't seem to get along with it, wondered how on earth they could produce the smooth Progress and then come up with that! Sold mine.

+1! Yep, The Future has many fans and is handsome.

But it also was far from my favorite adjustable. I much prefer a Slim or FatBoy!!

 

[abies]

New to the boards, not to shaving. I have had the Futur for about 15 years (using on and off), and pretty much always hated it (everyone said 15 years ago it was the best adjustable available - it was a horrible first DE razor). Way too harsh for me. I've tried all the settings and every available blade. I am able to get BBS on about 2.5, but that can easily take me 30 minutes. Any other option (too fast, more or less aggressive) leaves me with horrifying razor burn (mouth and chin). I have, however, mastered the art of getting right under my nose. Shockingly, I CAN use it for BBS head shaves with no irritation whatsoever. I'm done with the Futur.

I think the best option is to start over. I have no idea what aggressiveness or blade gap is best for me. So I'm leaning towards Rockell 6(c or s), or am I better off with RazoRock Gamechanger and ordering both the .68 and .84 heads (or the Lupo?) I don't want to spend 100s on a bunch or razors that may or may not work. Any advice?

I'm not a newbie (maybe a little?), so what would you advise a newbie to do?

The Futur is notorious for looking incredible but having an outlyingly large blade gap.

It's hard to say but I'd recommend a different adjustable or quasiadjustable with a more typical blade exposure and gap range. A Rockwell would probably be good. Another good idea is a Gillette adjustable, like a Fatboy, Slim, or Superadjustable. You could also look into a Pearl Flexi or Blackland Osprey if you wanted a true adjustable that was new or more modern. I love my Tatara Muramasa but I think you have to know what you're getting in terms of specs with that, and it's more expensive.

 

[Dave himself]

I have a Progress and really like it and get fantastic results with it. Setting 3 with a sharp blade works best IMHO. Any thing above 5+ and your entering buffalo skinning territory.

Edit. Hi and welcome to B&B.

 

[AshleyC]

The Futur is definitely an adjustable with which I change adjustments while I'm shaving. I go all the way down to "1" for atg under my nose. And you must go atg there or it will leave a thin line of hairs you cannot reach otherwise.

I haven't used mine in weeks. And it looks like my new Osprey may push it out altogether.

 

[Slapo]

New to the boards, not to shaving. I have had the Futur for about 15 years (using on and off), and pretty much always hated it (everyone said 15 years ago it was the best adjustable available - it was a horrible first DE razor). Way too harsh for me. I've tried all the settings and every available blade. I am able to get BBS on about 2.5, but that can easily take me 30 minutes. Any other option (too fast, more or less aggressive) leaves me with horrifying razor burn (mouth and chin). I have, however, mastered the art of getting right under my nose. Shockingly, I CAN use it for BBS head shaves with no irritation whatsoever. I'm done with the Futur.

I think the best option is to start over. I have no idea what aggressiveness or blade gap is best for me. So I'm leaning towards Rockell 6(c or s), or am I better off with RazoRock Gamechanger and ordering both the .68 and .84 heads (or the Lupo?) I don't want to spend 100s on a bunch or razors that may or may not work. Any advice?

I'm not a newbie (maybe a little?), so what would you advise a newbie to do?

You could try using shims around the blade made from used blades.

Failing that, I reckon that the RazoRock Game Changer 68 OC (open comb) or RazoRock Lupo 72 OC would both serve you well for frequent shaves while also being able to mow down a lot of growth.

 

[drydown]

New to the boards, not to shaving. I have had the Futur for about 15 years (using on and off), ...


I'm not a newbie (maybe a little?), so what would you advise a newbie to do?

Please tell the board what other razor(s) and to what effect you use when it was not the Futur „on and off“.

 

[Edgelord]

I find the Futur decent, but very unrefined razor and I rarely use mine. The only reason I've got one, was because I've managed to find a used one for $30 and I couldn't pass.

I have the same story, except I paid $5 for mine at the flea market.

 

[SalS]

@Mvanz9999 Buy a Henson medium and thank me later. I have a Henson aggressive but the medium is the sweet spot for most faces.

 

[drydown]

P.S.:
I had a Futur years ago and didn't like the handling, especially the chunky head. Opened up beyond 3 or 4 I found it also not as smooth as the R41 (post 2013 version), which I then picked for daily shaving. Though 'smooth' is not the best word given the R41.

I wonder about the harsh results you report and think you should try a different angle. Not dialed up the Futur shaves just fine. If you approached the blade from the top-cap, I suggest you try an angle that engages the safety bar more ... and then open up. (The first option is what they call a shallow angle, approaching the blade from the safety bar is referred to as a steep angle. Just in case you want to look it up here.)

 

[ivan_101]

OK. Here we go again.

To the original poster: Beats me completely why you continued using a very aggressive razor that clearly doesn't work for your face for 15 (!) years. I hope you find a razor that will work for you. As some members already mentioned, how many blades have you tried? Also what were the other razors you used?

Most importantly, even though you do not want to buy a bunch of razors, we cannot tell you which one will work for you. So it is an inevitable process.

To all Futur haters: There are actually some of us with very tough whiskers who not only appreciate the Merkur Futur, but consider it one of the best adjustables. I only use it @5. It is subjective, yes. It is made of 98% ZAMAK (only a small ring inside it is brass, and I have seen terrible cases of Futur ZAMAK rot). This is from a user who currently has 7 Futurs (Did I overdo it again? Yes, perhaps. Just because I found two gold Futurs at ridiculous prices).

 

[TOVT]

I've been getting some of my best shaves yet this summer using my Futur. Shaving head and face smooth with no blood.

 

[cpcohen1945]

The Futur is notorious for looking incredible but having an outlyingly large blade gap.

It's hard to say but I'd recommend a different adjustable or quasiadjustable with a more typical blade exposure and gap range. A Rockwell would probably be good. Another good idea is a Gillette adjustable, like a Fatboy, Slim, or Superadjustable. You could also look into a Pearl Flexi or Blackland Osprey if you wanted a true adjustable that was new or more modern. I love my Tatara Muramasa but I think you have to know what you're getting in terms of specs with that, and it's more expensive.

If you want to keep using an adjustable razor, the Merkur Progress (I own it), Parker Variant, or Pearl Flexi (I own it) will give you a mild shave, at their minimum gaps, and a fairly aggressive one at their maximum gaps.

The Progress has a quirk -- you must carefully center the blade, as you tighten the cap. The Parker (I think) and Flexi (I know) are made with tighter tolerances -- put the blade on the cap, tighten the base knob, and you're set to go.

The Flexi is all machined brass, chrome-plated. The Progress and Variant have Zamak heads.

. Charles