Open Comb or Futur?

[rdeakle]

I'm looking to get a new DE. Right now I'm looking at the Futur or a Bull Mastiff New, specifically the Ultra Light 3 1/8 issue. I've never used an open comb before, but I'm not worried much about it. I imagine heft wont matter much if it shaves smooth.

Which do you prefer and why?

Any other suggestions on open combs welcome

Thanks!

 

[Blue-EyedSon]

I don't have any experience with the Bull Mastiff, but I wasn't impressed with the Futur. I know it has a very loyal following here, but I just couldn't get it to work for me. The head was too big. And it was WAY too agressive. I'm sure others will chime in, but the Futur was not for me.

 

[bwashburn]

I've been using a Futur full time the past few months, and I love it. But, I can understand how it might not be for everyone. The head is big and makes shaving around the nose a touch difficult.

 

[jeffmeit]

I like the open comb merkur 11c, its a merkur hd, with an open comb.

My favorite razor!

 

[slantman]

Open combs give excellent close shaves. I don't understand the fascination of dialing up and dialing down and in between. We are making shaving complicated
when it should be enjoyable.

 

[DunEdinRanger]

I have a Futur and I use it dialed all the way to 6.5. I get very smooth, close comfortable shaves with it.

I can't speak for the other razor as I never tried it.

 

[Andy]

I have been using a futur full time for the last few months, it is a touch on the aggressive side but gives a nice shave.
As for shaving under the nose, some creative angles are always good

 

[Futur]

My first razor was the Futur and I loved it at first sight and definatly at first shave. Since then, as you can see in my signature, I have accuired a few more razor, thinking that there had to be something better out there. Now I'm pretty much convinced that there isn't

Many people mention problems with shaving under the nose. But when you take the time to learn to use the razor, there is no problem at all. You just push the nose a little bit up and hold the razor vertical when you start the pass, then ASAP turn it to the right angle, then you easily get all the whiskers under the nose. I have never cut myself using this procedure. The razor is adjustable, that means it can be adjusted stepless from mild as a kitten to skin a moose aggressive.
As I have mastered the Futur, I have found that all complaints I have read about the Futur only shows me that they have not taken the time to get to know the razor. It does take some getting used to, but this is time well spent and the return is the best shaves you can hope for

 

[Iakona]

I'm stuck on adjustables and have already decided that the futur is my next razor. I started experimenting again with settings (kept my slim on 4 for a long time) and have found that using setting 9 for the WTG and XTG passes allows me to dial it back to 4 for ATG and I seem to get less irritation that way.

 

[huntmol]

I'm a HUGE fan of open combs, don't really know why though. Great shaves, and they look very cool

 

[Uncle Erik]

I have also had excellent results with the Futur and don't find it too big. I've even found the Vision to be manageable. I'm no giant, either, I'm squarely within the average size for men in the US.

I haven't used a Bull Mastiff, but I do have a single ring, Goodfella and a couple of New razors.

It's a tough call on which is "better." All of them shave well but offer different experiences. I'd read up on each then decide which would be more of what you're looking for.

I don't quite have a favorite yet. I've been DE exclusively for a year, but the RAD only kicked in a few months ago and I'm still sorting out my preferences. So far, the DE89L ends up in my hand more often than the rest.

 

[scottish steve]

I have a Futur and I use it dialed all the way to 6.5.

You sir, a a nutter! I had an 11c and was in love with it. Then the appeal died when I got a Single-ring. The Futur should have its own categorisation really. Its utterly brilliant and totally different from anytimi else out there. I suggest getting a user grade Old and a Futur. I don't get i superlight New. Seems to be a contrafiction in terms

 

[scottish steve]

Apologies for the dire spelling above. Predictive text on a small mobile!

 

[scottish steve]

I have a Futur and I use it dialed all the way to 6.5.

You sir, a a nutter! I had an 11c and was in love with it. Then the appeal died when I got a Single-ring. The Futur should have its own categorisation really. Its utterly brilliant and totally different from anytimi else out there. I suggest getting a user grade Old and a Futur. I don't get i superlight New. Seems to be a contrafiction in terms

 

[Omnichron]

I have a Merkur Futur and love it... I am also thinking of trying a different razor... something like http://www.goodfella.com/

 

[scottish steve]

Interesting. If you get it, give us a review. Looks like an 11c head but that's almost identical in profile to a Single or Double Ring tho they do shave v differently for some reason. Watch out for blade crinkle. Very noticeable on the 11c, almost non-existent on the Vtg Gs.

 

[johnmrson]

The Futur is good if you like an aggressive razor. If you don't then I think it'll be brutal. I think that one of the best razors ever made is the Gillette Bostonian / New Standard. Find one in good usable condition and you won't be disappointed. I sometimes wonder why they bothered making another razor after they came up with that. I think that if I really had to pick one razor out of the herd then this would be the one.