Looking for info on the Merkur FUTUR safety razor? This hands-on review will help you decide if you should buy it.
Anyone interested in the world of safety razors has probably heard of the brand Merkur. In this review, we take an in-depth look at their FUTUR razor which has adjustable settings that allow you to get a closer shave.
If you’re a safety razor beginner, read on to learn if you should use the FUTUR or opt for a more traditional safety razor.
Quick Take
Overall, the FUTUR is a high-quality razor, but it’s overkill for a beginner. You can find much cheaper safety razors (even from Merkur) that have more length and grip on the handle, and don’t have the adjustable blade settings (which beginners don’t need anyways).
Pros
- It’s a high-quality razor from a reputable brand
Cons
- The handle is short and slippery
- The higher settings are for very close shaves and are best avoided by beginners
- It’s double the price of some other safety razors from Merkur
Click here to check out the Merkur FUTUR, or read on for the full review.
About Merkur
Merkur was founded in Germany in 1896 by Emil Hermes. The name Merkur comes from Mercury, which is the Roman name translation of the Greek god Hermes.
It’s surprisingly difficult to find detailed information about the history of Merkur, but it appears that they were acquired by the company DOVO in 1996. What I do know is that they’re very well-known for making razors.
When you’re looking for a safety razor, you’ll undoubtedly see the name Merkur come up. I did, and that’s why I tried out their FUTUR safety razor.
The Merkur FUTUR Adjustable Safety Razor
The Merkur FUTUR is a safety razor that has adjustable blade settings that let you opt for a closer shave.
Having never used a safety razor before, I thought the FUTUR might be a good one to start with. While no disasters occurred, I did find that there were some things about it that weren’t optimal for me.
I will say that the razor feels great in terms of weight and build quality. It’s a high-quality razor, no question about it. It even comes with a blade, and I found installing it to be straightforward.
It has a polished chrome finish that looks great, though the handle is quite slippery. It would be nice to have a textured handle that could be gripped more easily.
The handle is also short. A short or long handle on a safety razor is a matter of preference, but with the full length of the FUTUR being around 4.5″, the handle feels tiny to me.
Then there are the adjustable blade settings. Basically, by turning the handle, you can select between 12 different settings. Setting 1 results in the least close shave, though it’s still a very clean shave.
As you move to the higher settings, the blade rises and turns to a more outward angle. These adjustments make the blade stick out from the razor more which allows the blade to touch your skin more aggressively (for lack of a better term), therefore resulting in a closer shave.
While this feature could be great for people that are experienced with safety razors, it’s unnecessary and, in fact, somewhat dangerous for beginners.
The lowest setting is already a very close shave, and the higher settings can lead to getting several cuts on your face if you’re inexperienced with safety razors (trust me on that!).
FAQs About Merkur
Here are the answers to some common questions about Merkur.
Is Merkur Made in Germany?
Yes, Merkur products are manufactured in Germany, as they have been since the company was founded in 1896!
Is Merkur a Good Brand?
Merkur is a great brand! For more than a century they’ve been a trusted name for shaving products.
Who Owns Merkur Razors?
Merkur was acquired by the company DOVO in 1996 and is still owned by them.
My Recommendation: High-Quality But Not Great for Beginners
Between the short and slippery handle, the unnecessary adjustable settings, and the high price, the FUTUR really isn’t a great safety razor for beginners.
It is a very high-quality razor, I just think something like the Merkur 23C is a much better option for guys who are looking to try wet shaving for the first time.
Questions? Comments? Leave them below!
I think this review completely misses the mark on the Futur.
The Futur is a monster in terms of size and weight compared to all other safety razors – making it incredibly unwieldy to use.
As for the aggressiveness, when tuned to the mildest setting it still is worlds apart from most other safety razors – making it fairly niche, even if you are a seasoned salt when it comes to wet shaving.
Additionally, there was no mention in this review of the head size on the Futur. It is ginormous compared to the heads on the other line of Merkur razors. This makes it so tough to shave around the nose with accuracy.
Did you even use this razor Graham? There isn’t a single picture in the article other than hands on a desk – not very convincing…
I have owned the Merkur Futur for a long time (since I dropped my Merkur Vision and broke the head off, only to find it discontinued). The main feedback I have is that, for me, it is pretty aggressive on all settings, amd with thinner blades there seems to be a lot of flex and chatter which gives a fair amount of irritation. I always use Feather blades which seem thicker and sharper for minimal passes.
I’d recommend the Feather Double Edge Safety Razor for beginners or really any skill level. It has a longer handle that I think makes it easier to use than the shorter stubbier handles. Butterfly opening makes it easy to change out blades. The Feather brand blades are great quality too. Bought my razor on Amazon in 2015 and still using it today.
That’s a great suggestion! I’ve found that the handle is very short even on safety razors labeled as “long handle,” but that Feather actually looks long.
I have used a Merkur Futur, and a Merkur 23C for the last seven years. They’re both great razors. The Futur feels far heavier, and is certainly more slippery to grip – you can’t just pick it up and set about shaving thinking that you’re Zorro! The 23C is easier to use for a beginner, and gives a good close shave. The Futur will shave closer, but as you say it’s not really for newbies. Using a good shaving cream makes a big difference to the quality of your shave. I also use some old vintage razors, including a Rolls. Those are a whole other level of skill/danger.
Thanks for your comment! I use the 23C, and it is much easier to use than the FUTUR. The FUTUR is really well-built, and the design is clever, but it’s definitely overkill for beginners. Buying a good cream and brush has been very helpful, as well as using a pre-shave oil (a small amount of coconut oil for me). There’s been somewhat of a learning curve with using a safety razor, but it feels rewarding and gives a very close shave! I feel like it keeps the art of shaving going.
Certainly agree with your comments, and the points you make in your review. I very highly recommend that newbies start with a shaving cream rather than a soap. Shaving cream is much more forgiving than soap; less razor burn, and the blade glides much more easily particularly if you’re after a very close shave.