Merkur Futur Adjustable Safety Razor Shave and Review 

Watching this in 2019....This is how I shave...No Gillette for me

This isn't shaving, this is an event!😎

I love mine. I've been shaving with it for almost 4 years now. I use feather blades and have setteled on the number 4 adjustment. I like that I can adjust it for a less aggressive shave if I have some irritation. I'm not too crazy about the slick handle. I always dry my hands off between passes. All and all, my favorite razor.

I'm just getting into the double edge shaving experience and I got the the Q shave razor that looks almost the same as futur at a fraction of the price. Works great! I really like that you can adjust the aggressiveness. Thanks for the videos!

Awesome tutorial. I just got a Merkur Futur myself (+ Feather blades), and I followed your advice. My first shave went pretty well, only about three tiny cuts that healed right up a few minutes later. I can't yet say it's the best shave I've ever had, but it's still pretty damn good, and I imagine my technique will improve the more I use it.

I bought a Merkur Futur after having seen you talking about them and they are genuinely a fabulous razor, nice weight and feel. I love the deep section under the blade as I found other razors got clagged up with soap and hair. I was slightly concerned about the “slippery look” of the razor that people mention but it’s surprisingly grippy in use. I actually bought the matt chrome one with the intention that if it was slippery, I’d knurl it up on the lathe! Anyhow, brilliant piece of kit and I really appreciate your shaving vids.

Thank you so much for providing these videos. I got a Merkur Future around the holidays on the recommendation from a friend who also struggles with razor burn, but I've only had limited success until now. Thank you a thousand times over!

Excellent tutorial. Clear and concise. The guy knows his stuff!

I bought the Merkur Futur a couple weeks ago. Love it! Ditched my Gillettes. One real hazard, though, is the unwrapping of the Feather blades. The waxy paper is a chore to undo and I've nicked my fingers each time when doing so.

your shave videos are the only ones worth watching. thank you for helping all of us

I use the Futur but found the chrome handle a little slick to hold on to with wet or soapy fingers. I went by the pharmacy and got a foot of surgical tubing, and cut it to match the length of the handle. Made a BIG difference.

Thanks again Geo. the Merkur Futur has to be the best razor ever. Just a delight to use

Just got the same DE razor. Thanks for the awesome tutorial recommendations!

Hey Geo - I ordered a merkur futur from Shavenation after watching this video, must say it arrived right on time with excellent packaging. Can't wait to shave with it, I am a big fan of yours and love your videos. Keep it up!

I just bought one last week. I watched your video and I thought I was ready to go but I was cutting myself a lot. I'm going to take my time and practice a bit because I'm terrible at this. It takes time to learn.

You are the reason I started wet shaving. --CC

Thanks for the video! I recently bought this razor and have been learning to shave with it. I think the hardest part for me right now is getting a good lather (oh and not slicing my neck to pieces!) However, I have to say that your video at least made me more confident, so thanks for that!

I see my Mekur is on its way to PR! Thanks Geo! I can't wait man!

It's 2021, and your videos are still relevant! good job :)

I use the Futur with a Feather blade, and TOBS Sandalwood , absolutely perfect shave every time.

Geofatboy you are an awesome host! You are very detailed and articulate. You make me want to spend alot of money!

I got the Futur after watching this. It's my first safety razor, and I will be trying it for the first time tonight. Wish me luck!

Hello Again Geo, I'm a young shaver, I've been shaving from time to time in the last 1 year and half, just when i thaught my hair was too long or it bothered me. and I was shaving with a 2 blade razor, and I was getting alot of ingrown hairs and pimples. and just a few minutes ago I tried my father's safety razor and it's awesome, no cuts, and i really don't have to go over it alot of times, I will definitely shave with it from now on ;)

Brother, I gave up on disposable razors 13 years ago and I don't regret it! Initially the cost was alot more just to get started because I had to buy a razor (I went overboard and bought several...several vintage Gillette DE razors, and a Mehaz razor, and a clone Merkur Futur razor), shaving mug I "inherited", shave soaps, a stand, a badger brush, and some safety blades I picked up from the dollar store, along with some Old Spice aftershave. I probably spent around $125 but over the years I know I've saved hundreds of dollars not having to buy cartridges and disposable razors. I usually get my blades from Amazon or Ebay once a year for around $15 to $20, and I'm "good to go" for a year! My grandfather had a Gillette twist to open just like mine and now I understand why he used these razors. Older generations of men knew this was the way to shave and I'm glad I joined their ranks over a decade ago! Great video tutorial!

Really liking that Futur. I think that will be my next razor for sure. Thanks Geo!

Thanks for doing this review. I like this one better than the one that you did before with this razor. you're making my RAD flare up!

Great review. I love this razor. I'm lucky I can go against the grain for much of my face and finish in one pass. I used my Futur this morning with Prosao menthol shave cream and got a BBS shave that is still close at 8 pm! In the 1960s all the men in my barracks in the army used DE razors (Gillette mostly) and time wasn't a problem, though it don't think anyone made more than one pass. I have a heavy dark beard but I use this razor on 1 or 1.5 at the most. If you haven't tried DE shaving try it! The razors and blades are better than they were in the 1960s. Remember, all beards and all faces are different.

Thank you for this! best shave I've had

The Blade Runner font made me laugh. So relevant!

I wished this model had a but of super fine knurling but man is it well built. Used mine for about ten years or close to it now bough from you ages ago.

I agree to Assurbanipal, i am german and i can say, that this isn't the german pronounciation. But no Problem, it's not important how to pronounce it, it's just a great and informative video which helps a lot to get into shaving like a real man :D greatings from Germany

Hey man, thanks for the excellent video, I bought some Taylor's of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Cream today and I am waiting for my razor and gel in the post, I will be watching this a few times as it really is a brilliant video, two thumbs up!

I have never had the need for a setting of 4. That is a pro's setting..... LOL . I have gone up to 2 but found 1 ideal with no irritation. Shave daily. Sometimes twice. Great review.

Thx Geo. You inspired me to shave with a safety razor. Maybe with some more practice i will try a Straigt Razor. Thx

awesome brush + awesome bowl + awesome razor (chrome) + awesome blade + awesome geo + awesome shave = awesome video.

Hey, Geo. This video encouraged me to buy the Futur. HOLY SMOKES! I just got the razor in the mail today, and this one nice razor! Can't wait to use it tomorrow. Thanks for the vid.

Thanks GEO for the heads up on the bowl ! No big deal on the T&H cream I got enough trumpers,tabac,Taylor,proraso,vintage blade creams,AOS to get me by lol the Limes skin good is yummy!

I'm highly considering this razor and a shave bowl from you. I have used a DE before but it was to light and I feel like I'm using pressure to compensate which is giving me razor burn sometimes.I want a new DE but I don't know if I need a more aggressive razor or less aggressive razor. I think this will fit perfectly into what I need. I used to watch your videos all the time and your the reason I got into straight razor and DE shaving. I can't use straights as well because of a severe car accident I got into when I was 11. I have a big scar on my face that I tend to cut into. That's the least of my worries because I lost a leg in that accident. But I found I don't only save money but shaving became a relaxing experience not a chore. It's so much better taking a good brush and lathering up some nice warm TOBS cream and applying it to your face. And slicing off hair so cleanly...It's a beautiful thing. I still miss my first Gillette DE. That gave me the best shaves. Sorry for the long comment. Thanks a lot for the videos. Take care!

Your face-shave prep is outstanding - I'm taking notes lol. I think I need to spend more time conditioning my skin - thanks a ton!

Keep up the good work. You are doing a great job, luv your vids :)

Love this razor - on a 3 pass shave it's perfect, you can avoid nicks and irritation by changing the settings through the passes. My settings are 5/3/1 for a perfect BBS shave. Well worth the price - buy it, you wont regret it...

I have the same Edwin Jagger razor and got sick of it, I bought the Futur today and it gave me the best shave I have ever had. Even the old blades that sucked on the Edwin Jagger worked like magic in the Futur. You could make it more aggressive on your first pass, then lower it on your second pass, I didn't need a third which cut my shaving time in half.

Man I love that shaving cream. It's definitely my favorite.

Oh boy! That is quite a demonstration ! I guess this method is only feasable during the weekends... :-)

Tank you for his tutorial! Greetz from germany

Waiting for my Futur to arrive tomorrow. Can't wait to shave with it. Btw, you forgot to clean the runways in the beginning :)

Great video Geo, keep them coming buddy !

Thanks a lot for this amazing and detailed video!

Great video. Inspiring and informative!

I bought one 6 years ago because of your video. wow you look so young here.

Still current and up to date here in 2021. Good video there Geo. Thanks

Hi Geo Another great video and it's nice to see you devoting a whole video to the Futur. That's a good tip to dry your hands prior to adjusting it; thanks for that. My Futur is still providing fantastic shaves and I wouldn't have considered it if you hadn't done your earlier video on it; so thanks for that as well. Have you noticed the very large blade gap on even the smallest setting of the Futur? It looks a little intimidating but this gap doesn't seem to relate to...

Excelente video. Me ha gustado ver como funciona y toda la explicacion. Muchas gracias.

Amazed how good it does at first pass. I got some thick ass stubble and with regular razors it clogs half way through.

Very useful =) Thank you for this video !

An absolute pleasure watching your videos. You have given me a bunch of useful info. I just bought the Futur razor the other day and so far things are going well. I noticed you use the feather blades which I am learning are known to be better than the Merkur blades. I have a question about straight razors as I would like to start using one of those as well. Have you ever used a japanese tamahagane blade? Thanks again for your awesome and informative videos.

Wow, you've turned shaving into an artform! Great turtorial for those who have time, but I don't think that most people spend even a 1/10 of that time shaving. For me, its a matter of 60 seconds if that! I will, however, consider doing that shave if I have a special event and time to do it. Keep up the good work!

@mesa401 Totally man. I ended up using the rubber part on a mechanical pen. I never thought when buying it about the slickness. I just liked the chrome. I wish I would have purchased the matte finish.

This video taught me how to shave properly.

i love your vids, so instructional...

He makes shaving fun for me. 😁😁😁

Thank you for a great video!

Hi geofatboy, love your videos, including this one. They're part of what got me (and my RAD) started a while ago. The guy below wasn't very helpful with his pronunciation comment. I would know exactly which razor you're talking about, but if you're interested, it's pronounced "foo-too-ah" with equal emphasis given to all syllables. "R's" at the end of words in German are silent like in English English.

The Futur razor vents water extremely well. Very easy to clean while shaving.

@geofatboy It went well. Only one tiny nick on my chin. Have to admit I felt a bit shaky when I first started. It takes a little getting used to where the blade actually cuts, but it cut through my four day beard really well, AND it didn't even TUG or PULL. I have to say I love it more than any other razor I have ever had. I can't wait to try it with my lavender soap and feather de blades. Thanks again for opening my eyes, Geo! Wish you all the best.

Geo is the man!

...the aggressiveness of the shave (something to do with the exposure of the blade to the face, I imagine). Anyway, hope all is Hunky Dory (my favourite David Bowie album, incidentally, but that's for another time) with you and yours. Your videos just get better and better! Fantastic stuff. Thank you, Sir. David P.S. My RAD has got me scouring the web for a top-end vintage Gillette (such as a President or Executive) as somehow my life is bereft without a 9th razor in my collection! LOL!

I have been shaving wrong my entire life. The quick way with mach3 etc type blades, this seems much more personal and a good way to clear your head.

Great guide. Perfect.

QUALITY demonstration as always !!! Geo, I knew something good was coming. How'd you know I was in the market for a chrome FUTUR buddy? Hope you have 'em in stock, 'cause I want one. Unless you can talk me into the satin finish? Does the chrome Parker brush match close enough to the chrome FUTUR? I know they make a Futur brush, but don't see it on your site. Take care my shaving GURU.. YOU ARE THE SHAVING SOURCE, PERIOD!!!

@journeyonrrading, They last between 1-6 shaves, just depends on your beard thickness, how well you prep your beard, and even the blade manufacturer.

The best razor ever. Even at 4 or 5 you get a smooth and clean shave. The great thing about it is that you can adjust the blade exposure according to its sharpness. Great for beginners. Because many times people buy a non-adjustable with far too little blade exposure and get a crummy, unclean shave.

@gazza1286 Geo-Bowl arrived today - very prompt delivery from the US. many thanks Geo and the team.

I bought this razor in satin finish. Absolutely hated it! Knicked myself to the point I boxed it up and put it away and went back to using my cheap Pawn Stars razor. Finally decided to pull the Futur back out and try it on it's lowest setting. I now love this razor. To solve the problem with slicing my hand I put the hand between the thumb and pointer finger on my left hand. I pull the head down into my hand while rotating.

I liked your video Geofatboy, I really enjoyed it...thanks for the video Why is the price of Merkur blades is so high? It's really expensive

Great video Geo as always. Laughing at your pronunciation for "Futur" think you might be chancing your arm ( as we Irish say 😬) a little bit there. Nevertheless ur the best man. Cheers for taking the time to make the video. I'm adding this razor to my shaving war chest. 👍

Hey Geo! Another great, informative video! I've been trying to figure out which scent of skin food I want to get, either the sandalwood or the coral. I do love my woody scents, but rose is a rather unique men's scent (and I love unique things). Which do you prefer? And does the scent project at all, like if someone were to get moderately close to your face, would they be able to smell it ;) Thanks!

thanks for the vid, gonna check out the website

Hey Geo, great vid, definitely very helpful. Would you recommend the Futur for beginners or rather start with something more simple? Some say it's way harder to maintain than the traditional models. Cheers

I found that the easiest way to adjust this razor is by putting it in your palm and just turning the handle to your setting or you can also put a towel in your palm if you're scared of cutting yourself when adjusting it. Maybe its not the best way but is the easy way that works for me.

Shidddd, I've never went pass the 1 setting with a Derby XTRA blade and I still get nicks here & there! But I do use extra virgin olive oil in my shaving cream for a smooth glide.

As a German I really have to say that we don't pronounce Futur like 0:31 at all haha

I like watching your videos for remedial shaving technique. They are always informative and I get something from them. However, I thought this was a review of the Futur, not a how to video. Would you please post a review with some pros and cons of the Futur?

Hi Geo, Got the Futur (FOOSHOO? ) for Christmas and loving it. Nicked myself a couple of times but got an Alum Block as you suggested. Can you recommend a razor stand which will fit. Your Geo-Bowl is on order. But will have to wait a while as I'm in the UK. Have a Great Day - Have a great Shave!

Excellent clip. You can hear the quality of a good setup...it chimes or rings a little as you take a pass. You sold me on buying one of these to complement my Edwin Jagger D89DBL - I went for the 'shaver porn' gold model. As for blades, I always say the sharper the better. I have to agree too that TOBS shaving cream is superior. It Lathers really easily and is super rich. I use the sandalwood as well and use the matching the Cologne - the smell reminds me of the barber shop I went to as a kid. f

Hi Geo. Thanks for your great videos, I've seen them all. I've been using a DE razor for some years now, but my skin gets very irritated when shaving the neck against the grain. So I'm looking for a razor that is less aggressive than my Edwin Jagger DE89. I was thinking about the Merkur Progress or the Futur. Do you know which one is less aggressive on the 1 setting (smallest space)? Any other recommendation for a not aggressive (new, not a used vintage) DE razor? Thanks! Regards Martin.

i tried the sandalwood Taylor of Old Bond Street and the first thing and Thought Has Been, ooooooh my god! my skin super clean, very soft, let a real luxury. before i shaved with Proraso and I got some cutting, but nothing major. Understand now why the sandalwood I is your favorite cream, I Understand you perfectly. I buy the "lemon-lime," but I see it more as the summer using it With The "pre-Proraso after shave for" an honor to meet you geo.

I get these from my local supermarket. They work fine for me.

I saw the Shavenation bandanas on your website for sale. I was just about to drop you a line and suggest that you sell those! Great minds think alike.

Wassup Geo. I'd just like to make a quick suggestion in adjusting the settings for the 'Futur'. The way I do it is, I place my thumb on the cap and cradle the base using my index and middle finger, you'll find this will give you a more stable control. (L/RHD) works well then twist to your desired number. Obviously do this with dry hands or even better set your desired settings prior to loading a live blade. Hope this helps mate. Be well Sir.

Great video...thanks!

Hey Geo, great vid! I have a question, when I shave after a few days of growth I notice that I have to go over one side of my face more times than the other as one side grows more hair. Is this normal or not? I thought I'd ask seeing as you are an expert in shaving! Take care dude!

Hey Geo, I've noticed that you never apply pre-shave oil, if not mistaken. Curious if it helps with the shaving experience or waste of money. Great vid

Can you make a video on how to make a nice lather from shaving soap?

A good/safe way to adjust the futur is by placing the head of the safety razor on a flat surface and just grab and twist the handle.

Great video. As usual on your channel. I got myself this Merkur Futur. I'm only beginning to use a DE safety razor. Which setting would you recommend me to use please? Greetings from Central Europe.

excellent video. I found this razor on knifecenter searching for a good razor to treat myself on my birthday in july. I came to RU-vid to see a review and you went above and beyond teaching me a proper shave. funny because i was also looking at sandalwood creme to. love the smell of sandalwood. what length badger hair brush did you use? your link in another comment only leads me to the home page of your site.

Geo, if I were trying to get a bit more aggressive from my 34c, would you recommend the Futur or a 37 (slant)? Thanks!

This video may have caused me to order the futur soon. I'm using the muhle r41 right now, and for the life of me cannot shave atg without getting tiny cuts, usually under my chin. It feels like the razor is tugging the hair as soon as I start to move it up. WTG and XTG are fine though.

Hi. Thank you for shaving video. I am watching your video everyday and learn a new thing. So is it proper razor for everyday shaving and still works for several years by shaving everyday?