Merkur Vision and SE shaving

[brucea]

I was given a Vision by a friend about 3 or 4 months after getting into wet shaving and to be honest I didn't like it too much. I also notice it doesn't get too much love from people on here.The Kooky letter system and the fact people say it needs to be broken down often seem to be the biggest complaint. For me it was the fact it would rip my face up that was the biggest issue. But a year and a half later after getting into SE razors and not really touching anything DE except my red tip and tech I decided to give the vision another shot. Now I find it to be a really smooth and very close shave.My best DE razor hands down.Better than even the Red Tip with regard to closeness. I really do think I have to credit my time using my SE razors for this though. The light touch I needed to learn with the SE razors seems to have payed off nicely with the heavier Vision.And for me even after almost 2 years it still works fine without my having to break it down once. Not sure what I would do now if I had to pick between SE and DE shavers as far as which shaves closer? Before it would be my Schick Injector hands down but now I'm not too sure. The Vision has now become that good.

 

[celestino]

i have heard great things about the Vision even though i would never get is as it is a monster!
i much prefer the Progress. Enjoy the razor.

 

[chilliman64]

amazing how the big wheel keeps turning - I have put down my Futur and then returned to it to find that my shave has improved. it's the way I benchmark my results. thanks for sharing your vision!

 

[brucea]

i have heard great things about the Vision even though i would never get is as it is a monster!
i much prefer the Progress. Enjoy the razor.

I have to agree if it wasn't given to me as a gift I would have never went for the bucks it costs to buy it

 

[Nate1976]

I got my vision a few weeks ago. I love it. It gives a close comfortable shave every time.

 

[brucea]

amazing how the big wheel keeps turning - I have put down my Futur and then returned to it to find that my shave has improved. it's the way I benchmark my results. thanks for sharing your vision!

My pleasure and good point. Its amazing how with time razors seem to get better as our technique improves. Same thing happens with some of the blades I have used with bad results and then give another try and get better results

 

[Mick]

I have to force myself to NOT use my Vision too often otherwise I will not use any of my other razors. 8 maybe 10 times a year (tops) is all I can trust myself with it if I want to keep playing with my other DE, SE, and injector razors.

About the only other razor I own that has to be avoided is the Cobra. It too makes me want to sell everything else so I try NOT to use it very often either.

If I were forced to choose between the Cobra or the Vision I think I would blow a gasket trying to make that decision.

 

[john shea]

I also find that my perceiption of razors and other shaving items change over time. I continue to find that the Vision gives me a closer and more comfortable shave than any other DE that I have tried. The only negatives for me are high price and having to take 5 minutes or less after each shave to dissassemble, wipe, blow down, and dry it to prevent alloy corrosion. After more than a year of use, I have had no corrosion issues with Merkur DE razors after this maintenance. I also like my 34G and 37C, but wish they could be had in stainless or plated brass.

 

[brucea]

@ Turtle I think if I would go for another non vintage razor it would be the Cobra. But I will never get rid of the vintage stuff.
@ John I guess it must be the soft water here or the fact I rotate razors but so far I have had no issues and I have not had to open it up yet. I hope it stays that way.
@ Nate Enjoy!!

 

[Lather]

Total coincidence that you posted this today as I, too used my Vision. I got it a little while ago, shaved with it a couple times but didn't convince me that it was worth all the hype and dough. Mind you, I used a Feather and Derby blade the first two shaves.

So this morning in the shower, I thought I would give the Vision another go. Loaded an Astra blade and P.160 and I gotta say, totally awesome shave. I had it set at a fairly aggressive setting. I could feel the blade on my skin but it was not uncomfortable at all. I didn't change the setting for 3 passes and like I said, one of the best shaves.

The only complaint is that it is difficult to get the whiskers under my nose because the Vision's head is large and I got a lot of overhang but nothing that my 34C can't take care of. I'm a fan again.

 

[Mojo88]

I just could not get used to the Vision and gave it to my son. It is the only razor he has and he uses it daily..

 

[chilliman64]

My pleasure and good point. Its amazing how with time razors seem to get better as our technique improves. Same thing happens with some of the blades I have used with bad results and then give another try and get better results

and this is what newbie wetshavers must realise - electric and cartridge shaving is quick and safe to learn but one will never be fully satisfied with the result, wetshaving is a skill and time spent learning it will reward you (read: all of us) with very satisfying shaves.

 

[brucea]

Total coincidence that you posted this today as I, too used my Vision. I got it a little while ago, shaved with it a couple times but didn't convince me that it was worth all the hype and dough. Mind you, I used a Feather and Derby blade the first two shaves.

So this morning in the shower, I thought I would give the Vision another go. Loaded an Astra blade and P.160 and I gotta say, totally awesome shave. I had it set at a fairly aggressive setting. I could feel the blade on my skin but it was not uncomfortable at all. I didn't change the setting for 3 passes and like I said, one of the best shaves.

The only complaint is that it is difficult to get the whiskers under my nose because the Vision's head is large and I got a lot of overhang but nothing that my 34C can't take care of. I'm a fan again.

The Astra is a great compliment to the Vision. Sometimes I think the feather is overkill. I like the personna blue and polsilver in there too. Under the nose has been ok for me. I do have a big honker though

 

[brucea]

i have heard great things about the Vision even though i would never get is as it is a monster!
i much prefer the Progress. Enjoy the razor.

Thank you Celestino!!

 

[vocalistbob]

I recently downsized my collection and decided to keep either my Futur or my Vision, but not both. I ended up keeping the Futur because it is easier to maneuver when the razor is upside down (handle up, head down) while I am shaving my chin and above my upper lip. Other than that, I loved my Vision and never had a moment's trouble with it in the 1.5 years I owned it.