Merkur Futur Review – How Does This Adjustable Razor Perform?
Merkur Futur Safety Razor
The Merkur Futur is one of the most modern-looking adjustable type safety razors on the market. While looks are nice to have, we need it to match many other personal requirements.
Pros
Contemporary design is attractive
Eleven-blade gap choices to use on various days of growth
Heavyweight which is great for many gents
Long handle for those that prefer long handles
Cons
Does not offer a good grip
Could be too aggressive for some even on the low settings
Felt bulky especially for under the nose area and shaving other areas
The German-made Merkur Futur is a very solid adjustable safety razor designed for bros that need the advantage of razor aggressiveness adjustment.
It sounds like a cool thing to have a razor that you can adjust, right? Well, it is and isn’t, which we’ll go into shortly!
I was excited about getting this delivered a couple of weeks ago and testing it out. I don’t normally use adjustable safety razors; however, any products I get to test out for ShavingAdvisor are always part of the adventure to find the best stuff.
The Futur holds a spot in the Best Merkur Safety Razor recommendations article based on a large number of wet shaving gents being a big fan of its modern design and settings.
In this review, we look at how the Merkur Futur performs for me and what others have reported to find out who it best suits.
Merkur is a brand that’s trusted and has been for well over 100 years. They produce only high-quality and well-engineered safety razors (the Merkur 34C is a good example). The German-based company is known worldwide, and it’s one of the leaders in the wet shaving industry.
Description & Features
The Merkur Futur is a later model of a similar type of adjustable razor that’s been made by Merkur since the 1950’s, the Merkur Progress. There are similarities and differences between these two, but that’s best suited to the discussion in another article.
- Materials and Finish – The head of the safety razor is manufactured using a zinc die-casting process, and the handle is brass with both sections having a chrome (Futur 700), satin (Futur 701) or gold finish (Futur 702). Merkur states that combining these metals provides a great balance between the head and handle. The satin finish can offer a little more grip.
- Double-edged – You can shave with this razor on both sides and use double edged razors in the head. DE razors are the most commonly used.
- Closed comb – The bottom section of the razor head has a straight edge, and underneath, that’s flat, which is safer and easier to use than open combs (these have sort of teeth like combs). Open combs are known to be great for thick and dense beard growth, but don’t worry, the Futur handles growth.
- Head – The head section of adjustable razors like the Futur is unique. It is spring-loaded and adjusts to 11 different levels for blade adjustment. It has large reservoirs within the blade gap and drainage gaps at the bottom, which is fantastic for keeping the razor and blade clean during and after shaving.
- Two parts – The Futur has a two-part design with only the top cap having the ability to be taken apart from the handle and the bottom of the head.
- Blade replacement – The top section of the head is clipped off from the bottom section. You do have to be cautious here and learn how it functions to protect your hands while replacing blades (it’s not hard at all, though).
- Handle – The handle does not have any grip at all, although the groove just below the adjustment mechanism surprisingly helps when holding the razor. It certainly looks attractive, slick and ultra-modern.
- Size and weight – The Merkur Futur is a bit of a beast and weighs in at 126 grams. Dimensions – overall length: 109 mm, handle length: 84.4 mm, handle diameter: 14.0 mm.
- Blade gaps – The adjustable blade gaps available are 1 = 1.12, 2 = 1.19, 3 = 1.35, 4 = 1.47, 5 = 1.60, 6 = 1.65 mm, and 5 other smaller measurements between 1 – 6.
How well does the Merkur Futur perform and shave, then?
Well, the first thing to mention is the Futur has a mean feel to it –it’s certainly weighty, and even level one of the adjustment looks well above mild. Not an ideal beginner’s razor!
As mentioned, I was excited about getting the Merkur Futur delivered a couple of weeks ago. For ShavingAdvisor I make sure I use a new safety razor and test it out for at least two weeks; this is because it can take time to get to know some razors, and this needed at least two weeks with the adjustable business going on.
One of the first things I love apart from the glossy chrome appearance is the weight. I like them weighty, and at 126 grams this beast is weighty and a half. The weight helps in letting a razor do the work without forcing the strokes, especially on the first pass, and as the Merkur Futur is mostly aggressive weight suits it very well.
I like them weighty and at 126 grams this beast is weighty and a half…
I started on level two and then went to level 3, which was as aggressive as I wanted to go. I found levels 1 and 2 enough for me, but I don’t have a coarse beard or never have a lot of growth (4 days max). On a day when I had more than enough growth for me I used setting 3 for the first pass and then down to setting 2 for the second and third pass, and I got a great close shave.
However, I don’t think I need those settings very often that would warrant using this type of razor as a main razor when in all fairness, I get along well enough with non-adjustable razors and don’t have the need.
The Futur has been a kind of novelty item that was fun, and I can see who it best suits.
Gents that change how much beard growth they have and like to change the lengths from week to week or month to month would benefit from having the ability to use a lower setting (i.e., 1.0, 1.5, 2.0) when shaving regularly and then bump up the settings up when they have a lot more growth from shaving less often.
Handle & Grip – 8/10
Although the handle has no engraved or protruding grip I was very surprised how it fitted in my hand so well and did not slip at all. The groove or indentation Merker added at the top of the handle seems to work perfectly.
If grip was a concern for anyone, the satin finished model will help prevent slip, although you’ll lose the attractive chrome appearance.
Look & Design – 8/10
The Merkur Futur looks the business and contemporary which I can only give praise for. The head is very bulky, and for that awkward bit under the nose –it’s a bit tricky, although pulling the nose over to the side sorts that issue out.
Because the head is mechanically spring loaded there is the possibility of it faulting over time, although I have never seen reports of this.
A great aspect of the head on this razor is the channels under the blade are large kind of reservoirs, and the bottom has four gaps. This all allows for very good drainage and when it’s swished in water while shaving between strokes it cleans up so easily –very anti-clog friendly.
A note on changing blades – As mentioned, you have to pop the top cap off, beginning at one side (look for the indentation) which is the correct way of removing the top, and when doing this, hold the razor upside down with the head facing your hand. I do this because the blade just pops out on the floor otherwise, and holding it this way makes sure it lands on the hand.
Weight and Balance – 10/10
As mentioned above, this is weighty at 126 grams and twice the weight of many other safety razors. I love the weight, and it balances out perfectly between the head and handle. I mention in other razor reviews about Merkur razors being well balanced, including the Merkur 34C……..they nail it.
Ease of Use – 7/10
While shaving, it moves along very well with the weight it has and balance, as mentioned. With it being bulkier, I can foresee some guys having issues with this, especially if they have small hands or they normally use a razor with a shorter handle and lighter.
Making adjustments requires a user to pay attention while shaving to prevent getting a finger sliced. Washing soap off the hands and the razor does the trick.
Aggressiveness – Variable (medium and above)
When the razor is used on setting number 1, it provides a 1.12 mm blade gap which is quite a lot more aggressive than say a Merkur 34c at 0.71mm. It’s aggressive!
Value for Money – 9/10
This is a tricky one; I don’t need 11 settings on a razor at all, and for example, I can use a razor like an Edwin Jagger DE89 or Merkur 34C, and others that cost more than a third less than the Futur’s price tag of $72.
However, if any of you gents can get use 2 or more settings and the weight and everything else suits you fine, then it’s worth every penny. It really is a well engineered high quality safety razor.
As I am crazy about razors; I’ve purchased much more expensive adjustable and other razors like the Rex Ambassador Adjustable –so we have the option to save money or buy and test out what we enjoy.
Final Thoughts – and who is the Merkur Futur best suited for?
For sure, I have had a lot of fun testing out the Merkur Futur over the last couple of weeks or so; however, I don’t need all the settings, and this is why a person should buy and need it. I am going to end up just using one or two settings which is likely to be number 1 or 2, and I imagine quite a few other guys could end up using it like that.
I would not suggest this razor to anyone new to wet shaving with safety razors. I would say it’s for intermediate or advanced safety razor users. I wouldn’t want to say there is no way this would work well for someone new; they may require something more aggressive and make use of the settings. However, we usually recommend something less aggressive and simplistic, to begin with.
A lot of fun using and reviewing the Merkur Futur; it just needs the right owner!
