MERKUR FUTUR 701 Adjustable Double Edge Safety Razor - Bright Chrome | Adjustable Razor With Dial | Made in Germany | Plastic-Free | Snap-On Cap Design | Straight Bar

I'll be honest - I have used double edge razors in the past but prefer the simplicity of the cartridge type razor (Gillette Mach 3 Turbo). For me, nothing beats the idiot proof shave offered by the cartridge. I have never had razor burns with it. the only issue of course is the occasional ingrown hair, which can be quite painful. The other issue is that of cost.My experience with DE razors wasn't that great - prior to this Merkur, I had a fixed settings razor. Getting cut, or a razor burn was common. In short, it wasn't used a whole lot.After reading a lot of reviews of the adjustable razor, decided to splurge and try that out. My first attempt was at level 4 - and it was no better than the fixed razor. After that initial disappointment, I gave it another attempt - this time at the lowest level. And I was immediately impressed. I was genuinely surprised by how smoothly that went. I get a shave as close as a cartridge blade, with almost no razor burn. I do have to go slowly, let the weight of the razor do the work as opposed to applying hand pressure. This has made shaving somewhat less of a pain. And no razor burn. I am using this razor with the Derby Premium blades (approx $10 for 100 blades) so it's a very cost effective solution.Overall, I am very pleased with this razor; the build is very nice (I got the chrome edition), the heft is substantial which makes it easy to control. The price is definitely on the higher side, but I think you get what you pay for - a quality product which should last me a long time. And I think within a year I will recover the cost in savings on blades.

I've been using a DE safety razor for some time now, and recently purchased this as an upgrade from my prior 3-piece razor that was made of chrome over brass that most are. My past razor snapped at the handle/head where its threaded after dropping it on the tile floor and is now unrepairable and useless. This razor appealed to me because of its stainless steal construction. I am a man with large hands, and I appreciate the size and weight of this razor. Pay NO attention to reviews that the smooth handle is hard to change adjustments with, and that the blades are difficult or unsafe to change. Some users users want to "pull the top off". If you simply read and follow the well-illustrated instructions, it advises that when changing blades to push from the bottom with your thumb and finger one side at a time to release the top from the spring-detent. This is much simpler and faster than any 3-piece or butterfly DE safety razor, and definitely safer than a 3-piece. I have the chrome plated version and love it. It is slick but not too slick or dificult to manage, even after treating my face with pre-shave. If this might present a problem for some, one should just dab some shave soap on their hands after lathering up, wash/rinse their hands, dry their hands and razor and that should do the trick. I have had no need to make changes to the blade adjustment once I found my 4.5 sweet spot. I recommend starting in the middle at 3.5 and going up/down from there. Also, some say that the size of the head of this piece makes it difficult to shave under the nose. I have not found this as a problem with proper skin stretching techniques that are unknown to younger shavers. Enjoy this German-made work of art for your face, it deserves it!Oh, btw, the neck of this razor is too big to fit in the hanger of some razor/brush hanger/holders.I love to use:Proraso white pre-shave, shave soap, after shavePersonna (blue) or Feather blades

There are many razors in the market - beautiful, well made, butterfly loading, adjustable / non-adjustable, slanted blade - many costing upwards of $250, some in the $1K+ range, so at under $80 this Futur is a bargain. I watched a few YouTube reviews. Most rated it as aggressive and scary; one complained that the the pop on/off head was jiggly. In my experience, none of this is true - or better put, it wasn’t my experience. I set the adjustment to ‘1’ (mild) for my 4-day stubble, which was quite noticeable. After the usual pre-shave protocols, I began my shave. Slowly, no pressure whatsoever (this big razor has heft, so let it do its job). Two passes were all that I needed for a true BBS shave. No nicks or even weepers or razor burn. The blade used is important. I avoid Feather as being overly aggressive; when I master my technique, perhaps then. I use Astra, Gillette, Persona for the tine being. 5-star rated.