Should I get a Futur or a Mergress?

[kingfisher]

Of these two razors, which one would you suggest? I've never tried a modern razor. My go-to is a Slim, and I like the idea of adjustability, so the EJDE89 is out of the question (too mild, anyway).

So, if I am to buy a Merkur adjustable other than the Vision (which I have no interest in), which one should I get?

 

[Den]

I'm in the same boat you are. I love my Slim, but want to try another adjustable. The size, lack of knurling and required maintenance on the Futur doesn't make it all that attractive...but neither does the Progress's QC issues.

 

[Sledgehammer39]

I really enjoy using the Progress myslef. Yes the Progess is known to have quality issues but talk with your vendor and see if they can inspect it ahead of time. My father likes the Futur and eventhough the lack of knurling, he does not find it slippery. As for the maintenance of the Futur he soaks it in some scrubbing bubbles/water solution and has had no problems. My vote goes for the Progess.

 

[djh]

I have a Futur and use it regularly, however the head of the razor is very bulky which makes shaving the upper lip awkward at times. In your shoes, I would be sorely tempted by the Mergress.

 

[reyrascon]

I'm in the same boat you are. I love my Slim, but want to try another adjustable. The size, lack of knurling and required maintenance on the Futur doesn't make it all that attractive...but neither does the Progress's QC issues.

The Futur is not a slippery shaver, even though it lacks knurling. I have the matte finish, so I guess I can't speak for the other finishes. Not sure what you mean by required maintenance. When done shaving I pull the blade and make sure to rinse out the inside, but I do this with all my razors. Other than this I have yet to do any maintenance and I haven't noticed any adverse effects (I've had the futur for a little over a year).

 

[silver surfer]

I like my Futur; adjustable, shaves close, and looks great. The progress is clunky, awkward, and the adjustment knob looks like it should be recycled.

 

[California Cajun]

Of these two razors, which one would you suggest? I've never tried a modern razor. My go-to is a Slim, and I like the idea of adjustability, so the EJDE89 is out of the question (too mild, anyway).

So, if I am to buy a Merkur adjustable other than the Vision (which I have no interest in), which one should I get?

The Progress is the least expensive razor with an expensive fob on the end, so I'd probably opt for the Futur.

The vendor here that converts the Progress into the Mergress says that when he adds the custom fob he calibrates it to address the quality control problems.

 

[Den]

Yes the Progess is known to have quality issues but talk with your vendor and see if they can inspect it ahead of time.

I've tried this approach before, not with a Futur/Progress but with another Merkur. Unless the Vendor has the exact same definition of what's acceptable and what isn't, it's a waste of time. What I saw as a huge issue, they didn't even blink at. I know personally unless I can inspect Merkurs in my hand before purchasing them, I have to pass.

Just me 2 cents

 

[Ski-Patroller]

I use both, and like both of them. The large head is somewhat of an issue with the Futur, but it seems to generally give me a slightly closer shave than the Progress. I think they are very similar in function, although the appreance is very different (The cross section is similar). I have no problem with changing blades or adjusting the Futur (or the Progress for that matter) I don't find either hard to hold on to, even though my other favorite is a Feather AS with perhaps the best knurling in the industry.

 

[ackvil]

I love the Mergress and have two of them: one regular and one XL. The Futur is a fine razor, also. My only complaint is that the head is rather large and I had a tough time shaving my mustache area.

I started my DE journey years ago and my last three razors were a Knack, Slim, and FB. However, I prefer my Mergress over any razor I have owned. I get amazingly smooth and close shaves with them.

 

[highball]

I vote for the Futur

 

[k200817]

I vote for the Mergress just because have not tried the Future.

 

[Altair]

I have a Futur. Love the way you can dial it in. Some people set it and forget it. I don't think that is the way its intended to be used. Depending on what part of the face you are targeting you can dial it in several times within your daily shave.

I have not had any problems with the head being to bulky. I have the Chrome one and don't have any issues with slipping. The razor does not slip if its wet, it does get slippery is you have soap on your hand. all you do is run your razor and hand under water and the problem is solved.

 

[col conk]

Never tried the Futur . But I can recomend Mergress . It is a very good adjustable and is my favorite

 

[Drybonz]

The Mergress is just cool because it has been aftermarket fine tuned. I want to get one myself... so many straight razors in line for purchase though.

 

[Monkeyboy]

I have used both. The futur is my standard daily razor. I used a mergress years ago and I'm about to get another.

I would say the key differences are the futur is bigger, heavier, and more aggressive. But I think both are great razors, hard to go wrong with either.