Today marked the first attempt at DE shaving using a Merfur Futur.
My impression?
Well, let me just say that I took my time after following all of the advice that I had been reading about – soak the beard with hot water, soak the brush in hot water, make lots of later, make short strokes and gradually work the beard down instead of aiming for one pass. I don't have enough experience to compare with other razors, but I have to say that the Futur (for me) was not the mighty beast that some members have implied that it is. I used setting 2 throughout. I used T&H West Indian Limes tube cream with a Vulfix 403 brush. It felt nice and smelled nice.
The results?
One one small nick which I did not even feel. Three passes – along, against and sideways with no razor burn. I used no pressure. In fact, I think that I spent more time attempting “negative” pressure. It only took a few short passes to have faith the the Futur can cut on its own with very little input from me. The experience was more akin to gently directing the Futur and not forcing it to cut.
Am I happy with the results?
Well truthfully, some places would make a baby's butt feel like sandpaper, and other places feel like I simply missed them.
Things learned?
You can read all you want, but it will only take you so far. There is nothing that can substitute for experience.
I like the Futur, though it does tend to get a little slippery with wet hands. I had to dry my shaving hand a few times throughout.
A homemade scuttle using a soup bowl and a custard bowl inserted worked well. It felt nice to have warm lather waiting for the next passes.
Technique is the key. After years of using the Mach3, it makes one lazy on technique skills. The Futur seems to demand attention as well as good technique. There is an optimum “sweet spot” that the Futur has that can only be learned by experience. Consistently maintaining this “sweet spot” is the most challenging aspect of using this razor; it is not difficult to do, just challenging to maintain it consistently.
The Verdict?
I enjoyed the whole experience - the later, the warm water, the dedication to slowness, the even the fearful intimidation of the DE. It was a nice way to start the day.
-joedy
My impression?
Well, let me just say that I took my time after following all of the advice that I had been reading about – soak the beard with hot water, soak the brush in hot water, make lots of later, make short strokes and gradually work the beard down instead of aiming for one pass. I don't have enough experience to compare with other razors, but I have to say that the Futur (for me) was not the mighty beast that some members have implied that it is. I used setting 2 throughout. I used T&H West Indian Limes tube cream with a Vulfix 403 brush. It felt nice and smelled nice.
The results?
One one small nick which I did not even feel. Three passes – along, against and sideways with no razor burn. I used no pressure. In fact, I think that I spent more time attempting “negative” pressure. It only took a few short passes to have faith the the Futur can cut on its own with very little input from me. The experience was more akin to gently directing the Futur and not forcing it to cut.
Am I happy with the results?
Well truthfully, some places would make a baby's butt feel like sandpaper, and other places feel like I simply missed them.
Things learned?
You can read all you want, but it will only take you so far. There is nothing that can substitute for experience.
I like the Futur, though it does tend to get a little slippery with wet hands. I had to dry my shaving hand a few times throughout.
A homemade scuttle using a soup bowl and a custard bowl inserted worked well. It felt nice to have warm lather waiting for the next passes.
Technique is the key. After years of using the Mach3, it makes one lazy on technique skills. The Futur seems to demand attention as well as good technique. There is an optimum “sweet spot” that the Futur has that can only be learned by experience. Consistently maintaining this “sweet spot” is the most challenging aspect of using this razor; it is not difficult to do, just challenging to maintain it consistently.
The Verdict?
I enjoyed the whole experience - the later, the warm water, the dedication to slowness, the even the fearful intimidation of the DE. It was a nice way to start the day.
-joedy