MERKUR FUTUR 702 Adjustable Double Edge Safety Razor - Bright Gold, Adjustable Razor With Dial, Made in Germany, Plastic-Free, Snap-On Cap Design, Straight Bar

I've had a 38C for the past decade that was my primary razor. Needless to say I loved that razor - I recently dropped it however and it changed the angle of attack on one side that was causing significant razor burn - so I needed a replacement. I have a 34G but it's a bit too small and not heavy enough for what I was accustomed to for a 3 pass BBS shave. I love the gold and so rather than replacing the 38C which only comes in chrome, I tried the Futur and couldn't be happier. It's nice to be able to increase the blade gap for a more aggressive shave should you want but I typically keep it on a 3 which seems just a bit more aggressive than a standard 38C gap.Fantastic shave and fantastic razor. BTW I'm using Tabac soap and Personna Med preps which have recently been replaced by the Accuthrives.

I absolutely love this razor. I've used it all the way up to adjustment level 4 thus far. It has given me a problem free, buttery smooth shave that just seems to glide along my face. I previously owned a Merkur 34c which though very well made, I felt it sucked for the price. Shave not close enough even when I used feather blades.This razor gives me a much, much closer shave than the 34c. I've used feather blades with it and they are very sharp but rough. Personna blades are just as sharp but very smooth. The Merkur Futur combined with a Personna blade gives me the perfect close, comfortable shave. I will admit I wish the handle had knurling on it but the smooth handle did not give me any grip problems even when wet.The head is extremely wide so it can be a bit difficult at first to shave the hair underneath your nose but you can get it with the right angle. No problems shaving anywhere else on my face with this razor.The pop off handle is easy to use, just place your one finger on either side of the safety bar and pull upwards. To change settings I can twist the neck of the handle or place a towel around the head, then twist the head around to the specified setting. All in all this is the best double edge razor handle I've ever used and it will be my go to shaver from here on out.1/20/2015 Update: I finally built up the courage to try this razor on setting 6 which is the highest adjustment. Shave was still buttery smooth, but much closer than on lower settings. I normally only use a six blade razor on my head because they have always cut the closest.Well after seeing how well this razor did on my face with level 6 setting, I decided to try it on my head with the level 6 setting. Wowsers! This razor gave me a closer shave than even my six blade razor is capable of. I can't tell you how astonished I am by that. Now I have one razor for my face and head. And it shaves very, very close with no sign of razor burn in either area. What a great product.

If I had used the Merkur Futur as my first DE razor I wouldn't have bought another razor. It is THAT good. The Muhle R41 is purported to be slightly sharper than the Merkur, but I have used the Futur on setting 6.5, dialed all the way to the stop, and personally I don't want anything more aggressive. It shaves insanely close on setting 6, but I routinely use it on setting THREE. As with ANY DE razor - use the lightest touch possible. This is a HEAVY razor so let the weight of the razor do the work. The only negative is that the head of the razor is large, which makes shaving under one's nose difficult, but not impossible. The positive side of this is that the Futur's head also conceals the razor blade's overhang. One Youtuber said that the Futur is a flawed design and extremely dangerous, to which I say, "BS." It is a poor craftsman that blames his tools for his mistakes. Is the Merkur Futur an aggressive razor? Yes. Is it dangerous? All DE and SE razors are dangerous if used incorrectly or without giving them the proper respect. Is the Merkur Futur dangerous to load? Absolutely not if one uses caution and common sense. Personally, I have not cut or nicked myself once with this razor. I was amazed at the initial shaving results that I achieved and with the razor's audible feedback. It sounds like one is raking dry leaves when shaving a three day growth. This razor is generally NOT recommended for beginners, BUT I think that if one sets the razor on setting 0.5, learns to use ZERO pressure, and learns their beard growth pattern....this may be the first and only razor that they'll need in their lifetime. Lastly, let me say that the gold finish on this razor is simply beautiful. This razor is a German work of shaving art. I'm glad that I bought this well made, beautiful, close shaving razor. It is heirloom quality.

I have been shaving with this razor now for about a few weeks it had a very steep learning curve. But on setting 6, it is sharp enough that it will be the smoothest closest and shave of your entire life. The only way to get a closer shave is to sit down on the Demon Barber of Fleet street's, chair and let him go at you with his friends. But I would not recommend that.

I’ve owned a half dozen merkur razors over the years and thought why not upgrade to the futur? Looks and feels great but the setting dial leaves too much space, resulting in nicks and ingrown hairs. Also the gold plating rubs off almost immediately. Don’t waste your money on this.