MERKUR Futur MK-70G, Adjustable Double Edge Safety Razor

There may be a better safety razor out there, but I will never know as I have found the best safety razor I could imagine and will likely stay with this type until my whiskers stop growing. This Merkur Futur arrived in perfect, brand new condition, with zero flaws noted anywhere on/in the razor. The razor is burly yet sleek -i.e. it's "manly". It's perfectly balanced heavy weight (1/4 pound), facilitates the shave processes. It is unmatched in design/engineering, production, quality and reputation (I have used other Merkur shave products); the shave may only be bested by a straight edge shave by a professional. One of the best aspects - is the dial adjust feature built into the razor; no need to remove the razor head and insert different plates, etc.; just dial up/down the desired shave strength. I purchased the brushed chrome version because I find it most aesthetically pleasing -it looks and feels as the highest quality - it also cleans easily, stray soap, other does not seem to stick to the razor (it is wiped down with a clean cloth after each use). To all potential users -beginners to experienced- GO SLOW, especially for the first shaves - this razor is made to shave whatever it is pointed at - if it's pointed/moved in the wrong direction - it will still efficiently cut whatever is in its path. Upon first use it felt very powerful/(aggressive as others say) compared to my other wet shave safety razors. I started with the lowest setting - 1, with a new (Feather brand) blade and the razor, because of its heavy weight and excellent balance, seems to almost shave by itself - the hand is only needed to guide the razor. Set aside a little more time than the usual shave requires, because this is requires focus (until one is accustomed to using it). CAUTION: two areas noted by others that required very careful actions: removing the razor head cap (to extract/insert a blade) and the adjustment function. Both of these actions can be accomplished safely without grabbing the the top/cap of the razor head. The adjustment dial can be turned by holding the razor just below the razor's head with one hand (two fingers) and the lower part of the handle can be turned with the other fingers. The razor head cap has a slight protrusion on one side that is used to lift the cap, from below, using a thumb (lift one side then the other from below. Never grab this razor from the top/by holding the cap from above - especially when a blade is loaded and your hand is wet. It is made to cut anything that is put into its path. I use this daily, with two passes per shave - as more, in my case, is not needed. I highly recommend this Merkur Futur wet shave razor to anyone; the high quality of service provided by Amazon and seller and the absolute best/lowest price for the highest quality are what you will get.

I absolutely adore this razor! I am a woman & dislike the pink tax, crumby shaves & stupid baby colors women's razors give. What are we 5?Men's razors tend to angle better & give a better/closer/longer lasting shave for all the curves & angles woman have for our various areas & intimate parts. I have wasted so much money on razors trying to find the best for me & not spend a fortune doing so. The Merkur Futur is THE razor above all razors.Prepping, post shave care is best for smoother silkier skin. It just feels better (or, not ichy or drying). Don't skimp bc time, money or any other excuse, things can be homemade that work just as good as store bought.I've had this bad boy over a year and I will never look back.I started on a one setting my first shave - legs, underarms, unmentionables. Now I'm at a 3.5 or 4.It's way easier if you get a good shave cream like cremo lavender is my go to. It works best with a shave brush. I got a heap boars bristle one on Amazon to start out but I plan on getting a much nicer one when this one wears out. It sheds but works rather well.I went to a community college near me that has either glass blowing or ceramic classes and commissioned them to make me a shave bowl with tiny groves at the bottom for ultimate lather & a little nitch to hold either my shave brush or razor depending on what I was using at the moment. Best 20 bucks I've spent in a long while.All the little things can add up initially but when you're paying $20 every 3 years give or take (depending on quality of blades) for blades, man it just works out!For women: get a big cup or bowl for warm water & sit on the side of the tub or if you are blessed with a little chair/stool sit down for legs and unmentionables. Add water as needed. If you start to dry off the razor will drag. While is doesn't normally cut you it can if it bounces too much. So lather on girl! It also helps you see and angle yourself & the razor correctly for less chance of nicks. If you do happen to nick yourself, use a stypid powder or pencil like Clubman Pinaud Styptic Pencil less than $2. Stings, but works beautifully.Take. Your. Time.Especially when you first start. Eventually you'll know which way to taut your skin and the angles will just be automatic.Another great razor for women and our curvy nature is the feather all stainless as-d2 razor. It's not adjustable & is triple the price but gives a beautiful shave & is good for sensitive skin. Is still prefer the Futur for it's adaptability.Blades: don't skimp. They're cheap enough to get the good ones. Merkur is great, the ones that come with work really well. Feather hi-stainless or Kai work really well too. I disliked shark, it dulled quickly and got bitey faster than I'd like. Feather might do this as well since it's the one of the sharpest blades you can get.Good luck, but you don't need it. This thing is amazing

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.