Both the Merkur Futur and Merkur Progress are among the leading adjustable safety razors around the world, made to high standards.
The brand Merkur Razors by Dovo, situated in Solingen in Germany, only engineers and produces high-quality products. It’s about the product being right for the right person and their needs, and the adjustable razors do attract a certain kind of user.
Both of these razors are heavy duty, adjustable, made by Merkur, have a closed comb, and they’re double-edged. However, the similarities kind of finish there.
After buying, using, and reviewing both of the razors, I wanted to share the differences I found between the two models and hopefully give buyers some insight into the one that might suit them best.
Let’s look a little closer into the Merkur Futur vs. Progress scenario and side-by-side the important aspects of them both.
The Specs and Features
I must mention here that the Merkur Progress has a standard (500) and long (510) handle model, whereas the Futur has one handle length.
Futur
Dimensions – Overall length: 109 mm, Handle length: 84.4 mm, Weight 126g
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.
Finish – The Futur is available in a full chrome finish or satin. Satin offers more grip.
Progress
Dimensions – Overall length (standard): 85 mm Handle length: 76mm, Weight: 92g
Overall length (long handle): 105 mm Handle length: 95mm, Weight: 100g
Blade gaps – Blade gap at level 1 = 0.38 mm (nice and mild), 2 = 0.56 mm, 3 = 0.71, 4 = 0.84 mm, 5 = 0. 94 mm (aggressive).
Noticeable differences above include the Futur being heavier and longer than the standard Progress 500 and long-handled 510. The Futur is a beast – weighing in at 126g.
Now, what changes the game here between both of these overall is the blade gap measurements (it’s a decider). The Futur is more aggressive, even from setting 1, compared to setting 5 of the Progress.
I wouldn’t recommend the Futur to someone new to wet shaving with safety razors, and that’s because of its aggressiveness. The Progress does have the ability to work well for beginners or advanced safety razor users due to its mild – medium adjustments.
The Progress does have the ability to work well for beginners or advanced safety razor users due to its mild – medium adjustments.
Blade Replacement & Adjusting Levels
The blade replacement on the Merkur Progress is more old-fashioned in a sense compared to the Future, which may not be a bad thing.
The Futur does have a great top on it for opening and releasing the top section that’s more futuristic in its look and function, which is really cool. The Progress has a two-piece design similar to other two-piece razors that have a top head and threaded pole.
While the blade adjustments are made when turning the white knob on the bottom of the Progress handle and for removing the head, the Futur is adjusted easily under the head at the top of its handle.
Blade alignment – I have found a difference between both the razors here, and I hope I am not just being picky. The Futur just aligns perfectly when the blade is placed in the head, but the Progress has to be aligned (it has markings for this), and I have noticed misalignment when not paying attention to the markings.
Bulky Razor Heads
Both the Merkur Progress and Futur have quite bulky heads on them, which is impossible to avoid and not a design flaw. They have to change blade levels, which requires more metal, I reckon.
The Futur is slightly bigger than the Progress, though. I have seen users reporting that the bulkiness of the Futur affects shaving under the nose; however, using a technique of pushing the nose to the left and right sorts this out easily.
There is more mechanism within the head section of the Futur that makes blade replacement easy and contributes to the size of the head. We can’t have everything perfect and expect miracle engineering- well not yet anyhow!
Weight & Balance
Both of these razors are heavy buggers. The Futur is still 26g heavier than the Progress long handled model at 126g for the Futur.
If you like heavy razors ‘which i prefer and many others do‘ then you are on to a winner with either of these, but if you like them light then you most definitely will find the Futur way too heavy.
In the use and review articles for both the Merkur Futur and Progress I mention how the head-to-handle weight balance ratio seemed perfect to me. They both kind of lean against the face and support the shaving strokes nicely.
Handle (length & grip)
I have already mentioned that the Progress has a standard and long-handle version. The overall length is very similar for the Futur and long-handled Progress, with the Futur having an extra 4mm.
If a user already uses and enjoys shorter handles (kind of standard in size), then the Progress could be a good match for them if the aggressiveness of the Futur is not required.
Both the large scalloped line-type design the Progress has and the indentation on the Futur provide adequate grip, in my experience. Even though they are not knurled or have any engraving, they are surprisingly easy to hold without any slipping.
There have been some consumer reports about the handles on both these razors being slippy, mainly about the Futur.
The handle on the Futur makes it look more modern than most razors. This is favorable to those that like contemporary rather than traditional.
There have been some consumer reports about the handles on both these razors being slippy, mainly about the Futur.
Some buyers of the Progress dislike the whitish-colored knob, which I admit is not that attractive, but it’s functional. I wouldn’t sweat this if the razor works very well, which it does.
Shaving Performance
Both razors give a super close shave. The weight of the Futur was great for me, but overall the milder blade settings of the Progress would make me choose the progress over the Futur.
There is definitely a bulkiness feeling with the Futur. However, it should not be a game changer of whether it is a good razor or not; if a user wants those settings and the design, then the bulkier head should be fine.
Which Razor Costs More?
It’s probably obvious to most of you that the Merkur Futur costs more than the Progress. Well, this is the case in the UK and Europe; the Progress is considerably cheaper; however, in the US, they cost about the same (Futur matt finish is the cheapest).
- Futur (approx costs) – Chrome finish = $72, Satin/Matt finish = $62, Gold chrome = $114.
- Progress (approx costs) – Short handle = $72, Long handle = $79.
Check out the latest prices in your own country. As mentioned, in the US the prices seem equal, and in Europe, UK, and other places, there is quite a difference.
Final Thoughts – Who are they both best suited for?
Both are excellent adjustable safety razors that have a design and features that one user may prefer and another dislike. These choices to make are based on personal preference.
However, on a practical level, the aggressiveness and blade gap is the main decider. If you like mild razors, then you have to go for the Merkur Progress…….the Futur doesn’t do mild.
The mildness – medium and above settings of the Progress can make it a great choice for those new to wet shaving with safety razors, and advanced users can also enjoy the various settings with the Merkur traditional design.
The Merkur Futur is a great option for intermediate and advanced safety razor users that will get the use out of the higher and variable settings (blade gaps). Thick growth is something the Futur loves getting stuck into.
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