Merkur Futur 700 Review

KEY FEATUR​​​​​​​​​ES

• Strong opinions about the unique design and overall look; nothing else quite like it on the market
• Functional adjustable razorhead has 6 settings allowing the user to easily replicate aggressiveness for future shaves
• Solid, long handle but bulky razorhead
• Excellent weight distribution
• Distinct design comes in brushed chrome satin, gold plated chrome or chrome finish
• Unorthodox method of changing blades requires user to “pop” the top off
• Smooth finish all over, no knurling or texture

Everything You Need to Know
About the Merkur Futur 700

The first thing that jumps out about the Merkur Futur has to be the design. It is sleek and very modern. And while we do think it is important for you to like the look and aesthetics of your safety razor, don't get too focused on the look. You should still require excellent performance out of it too. You probably aren't buying a safety razor to just be an art piece for your bathroom.

There are elements of the Futur that are first-class, like the adjustable razorhead and superb weight distribution. But there a few drawbacks to it as well, in my opinion, like the lack of grip, overall bulk and inferior blade replacement design.

I have found there's really not a lot of middle ground when it comes to opinion  about the Futur from fellow wet shavers: guys either love it and it's their go to razor or they won’t even consider it as an option. Let's figure out where you fall on the spectrum and whether or not you should use your hard earned money to buy one.

Specifications

• Double-edge, closed comb safety razor
• Adjustable razorhead with 6 settings on the dial
• Comes in three designs: brushed chrome satin, gold plated chrome or chrome finish
• Manufactured in Germany
• Weighs 4.3 ounces
• 4.3 inches in length

Expected Aggressiveness

One of the key features and selling points of this versatile safety razor is the user’s ability to easily adjust the aggressiveness. There are some other adjustable safety razors out there, but Merkur really did an excellent job of making it easy to figure out exactly how aggressive you want the razor and then replicate it time after time. How so?

Well the numbers on the handle’s dial make it really easy to figure out how aggressive your setting is. But what’s just as important though is that once you figure out what setting you like, the numbers on the dial make it easy to repeat that setting for future shaves.

Lots of wet shavers can get lucky every once in awhile and get the setting right on an adjustable, but the Futur makes it very simple to know exactly what you’re going to get without just eyeballing the aggressiveness setting.

If you're looking for a razor that offers a wide range of aggressiveness options, the Futur definitely covers the entire spectrum. As I said, the razor has 6 “settings”. Using the mild to aggressive scale of 1 to 10, the #1 setting on the Futur is very mild at maybe a 3. The #6 is very aggressive at about a 9 because there is a good distance between the razor and the closed comb.

I usually steer beginners away from purchasing an adjustable head, but this is one of the few that you can consistently get the same aggressiveness once you know your best setting. And since it's a closed comb razor, you can certainly get a very mild shave from the Futur if that’s what you want.

So although it probably wouldn't be my first recommendation for beginners, it isn't overly difficult to learn how to use. Overall, the Futur really does an awesome job of offering excellent versatility from mild to very aggressive. Pretty much any man should be able to find their desired aggressiveness setting on it.

Size and Weight Distribution

The size and weight of the Futur each have benefits and drawbacks. Because of the lack of grip, which we will get to in a minute, the long handle helps to make sure it feels secure in your hands. However, it’s not just the handle that is long. The entire razor just seems a little big and bulky.

At 4.3 inches long, it’s definitely one of the bigger safety razors on the market. Unfortunately the head is just too big for my liking though. I find it's not quite as easy to maneuver around my nose and ears as with others. It's not overly difficult, but it does take a little more focus.

And while I'm not thrilled with the bulky size, I do really like the weight distribution throughout the razor. It weighs in at about 4.3 ounces, which is on the heavier end for a safety razor, and that weight really helps it deliver a great shave. Remember it's all about letting the razorhead do the work for you when you're wet shaving.

It’s not just heavy though, the weight is distributed really well and has a great center of mass just below the head for excellent balance. The weight is not too concentrated in the head or the handle.

So while it may be a little bigger and bulkier than I prefer, the Futur still does a great job of delivering good weight and distributed in the right areas.

Grip

The Merkur Futur offers very little design features when it comes to grip. First of all, there’s no knurling. Anywhere. It’s smooth all over without any added texture or grittiness. Since there is no added texture or knurling, Merkur tried to help with the grip by adding an indentation at the top of the handle.

Well, I think think this indentation is meant to help with the grip, but it’s not going to help people that don't grip it at this exact spot. So if you don’t hold the handle at this indentation, it doesn’t help at all.

The long handle is great because it gives you options for how to grip the razor, but it just doesn’t do enough to recover for the lack of texture of knurling for me. Merkur clearly made the decision to go for design and aesthetics (smooth and sleek) with the Futur instead of stick with some of the classic functional design features.

And honestly, once you get comfortable with this razor, the lack of grip probably won’t be an issue. But grip is one of those things you don’t really think about until one day you can’t get a good grip for whatever reason and it can be very frustrating. Once you get the hang of it, the lack of grip shouldn’t be a problem. But if you’re clumsy and need all the help you can get, this may not be the best razor for you.

Durability and Maintenance

Every Merkur product I have ever used has been excellent quality and durable, and the Futur razor certainly lives up to that Merkur standard. It is made of brass but plated with chrome so if you take decent care of this razor and clean it properly after every use, it should last you for years.

However, there is one design aspect that I don't like. The Futur has a very unique blade replacement design. Instead of being a butterfly open or a three-piece design, you open the head by “popping” the top off.

The top of the head attaches to the bottom of the razorhead with two pins in the middle. First of all, I think it’s just not as easy to replace the blades with this design. Instead of just unscrewing a piece, you have to use force to pop a piece off while having to handle the blade.

Secondly, I think this will lead to more mechanical failures on the top. If you’re not properly detaching the top of the head and using the wrong angle or force, this could lead to a mechanical failure on the pins much easier.

The Futur is a solid product, but my only concern with the durability is with the pins in the top of the head. Not to mention this design just makes it more difficult to replace the blades. Personally, I wish they would have just stuck with a classic 2-piece or twist to open design.

Shave Quality

For some people, it’s hard to get past their first impression of the Futur. Most people either really like the design, or can’t stand it and won’t even consider buying it. Which is unfortunate, because although it certainly has its flaws, the Futur really does provide a great shave.

Once you figure out what aggressiveness setting works best for you, it is an excellent shave. The weight of the razor really does a great job of doing the work for you, just like it should. There's really not much else to say regarding shave quality that hasn't been discussed already.

The Futur performs exactly like you would expect a Merkur to perform. Buy some good blades, use proper technique, and you won't ever be disappointed in how great a shave this razor will deliver.

What Are Some Other Safety Razors To Consider?

Merkur Progress

The Merkur Progress is very similar to the Futur, except it has more of an old school design look to it. It also has an adjustable razorhead but is a classic two-piece, which we like. Unfortunately, it also has no knurling and it is a little shorter and noticeably lighter than the Futur. The Progress is a great option if you're looking for an adjustable that is a little lighter and has a more classic look.

Merkur Long Handle

Also known as the Merkur 180. Three-piece razor that is light at 2.2 ounces but is as great grip and length. The aggressiveness is right in the middle at a 5 out of 10. The reason we included this as an alternative option is because it is simply one of the classic safety razors. There’s not sleek design features, but it’s excellently designed for performance and durability.

Merkur Futur 700: Versatile, Sleek and Adjustable

The Merkur Futur is not for everyone. But its design is perfect for a small niche of men in the wet shaving community. If you’re looking for a great adjustable safety razor with a slick and modern design, the Futur is an excellent option. There’s definitely areas of its design we wish were better (lack of grip, bulkiness and razorhead design), but it still provides a great shave worthy of the Merkur brand name. If you like the design and are looking for an adjustable safety razor, the Futur may be just what you are looking for.