Progress vs Futur - what to get

run_Forrest_run

I'm going to get my first DE razor so I'm a DE newbie.

Looking on Shaving.ie, I'm doing my list (for my xmas pressie from the missus) and I was going to opt for the Progress based on such positive reviews.

However, what's the story with the Futur, I see it's closely priced to the Progress Long Handle version so what are the differences in terms of performance, build quality, ease of configuration etc..

I see the Futur has a snap on head allowing easier blade changes, is it any easier or is it just marketing talk? I also hear (from mantic59) that sometimes the setting up of the head on the Progress can be tricky if the 'triangle' isn't aligned properly.

The Futur looks sh*t hot in fairness while the Progress has more of a retro look.

Along with a badger brush, some Proraso creams and I keep hearing things here about Skin Food so I'm adding that to my list too!
Oh, and I'm also going to opt for a selection of blades to try out different ones, or of someone can advise me on a good one then fire away, I'd be a heavy stubble ape really!

Do ye tend to use Razor stands? I can see the need for a brush stand alright but is a Razor stand really worth it? The razor will be kept in a drawer out of reach from little hands anyway so not sure if it will be kept on a stand anyway.

oscarBravo

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

Oh, and I'm also going to opt for a selection of blades to try out different ones, or of someone can advise me on a good one then fire away, I'd be a heavy stubble ape really!

The two-of-a-kind pack that Chris sells is an excellent idea, it lets you get a feel for how different blades suit you. Some people swear by Feathers; I swear at them. I like Derbys and Personnas.

Do ye tend to use Razor stands? I can see the need for a brush stand alright but is a Razor stand really worth it? The razor will be kept in a drawer out of reach from little hands anyway so not sure if it will be kept on a stand anyway.

If it's going to be in a drawer, I wouldn't bother. I use a combined razor/brush stand for neatness. But yes, a brush stand is a very good idea.

Amalgam

The Futur is handy to change a blade with, but just as handy as a TTO (turn to open), no better or worse.

Not the best razor to get for starting out, if you are fond of some nimble footwork around the upper lip and off to the sides of your nose, the Futur has a head that doesn't make that area of your face easy to cover.

I'm not too keen on the Progress handle, if it had the handle of the Merkur HD (cross hatch pattern grip) and similar, it would be perfect.

It is hard to pitch an opposing opinion to your choices, as they're both 'ok razors', but equally, both have little quirks that might barely annoy, or drive you bonkers.

run_Forrest_run

Amalgam wrote: »

The Futur is handy to change a blade with, but just as handy as a TTO (turn to open), no better or worse.

Not the best razor to get for starting out, if you are fond of some nimble footwork around the upper lip and off to the sides of your nose, the Futur has a head that doesn't make that area of your face easy to cover.

I'm not too keen on the Progress handle, if it had the handle of the Merkur HD (cross hatch pattern grip) and similar, it would be perfect.

It is hard to pitch an opposing opinion to your choices, as they're both 'ok razors', but equally, both have little quirks that might barely annoy, or drive you bonkers.

some good points there, thanks. I didn't consider the size of the head on the Futur, I'd say it could be something that may drive me nuts!

Well I'm open to any suggestions, as I said, this will be my first DE razor so ease of use is paramount, I can always progress to other razors once I perfect the craft.

What about something half the price, the Edwin Jagger DE89L? It's probably not adjustable right?
I just don't want to spend money on something that I may not need and could have happily done with something a bit cheaper once it provided the same level of quality and performance.

oscarBravo

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

What about something half the price, the Edwin Jagger DE89L? It's probably not adjustable right?
I just don't want to spend money on something that I may not need and could have happily done with something a bit cheaper once it provided the same level of quality and performance.

That's my current razor and I absolutely love it. No, it's not adjustable, but that suits me just fine. It has a nice weight to the head and I think it's just downright pretty.

Amalgam

If you are an eBay user, I would recommend a Schick Krona. They are very very undervalued at the moment, for the shave that they give. Price typically around $5 to $15 US dollars.

The best deals will come from mooching around bric-a-brac listings, the prices from dedicated safety razor eBay merchants will be a good deal higher.

A smooth TTO (turn to open) Safety Razor with a sturdy tapered handle and a low profile razor head.

A lot of the razors have nearly mint heads, the chrome\finish on them seems very sturdy.

I currently shave with a Schick Krona from 1966.



That's the head of mine.

Here's one boxed on Flickr, to give you an idea of what to look for.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23048044@N04/3624057620/

You also get them with military green and grey and white coloured trays, instead of red.

Michael G

I started with the Futur, because a Sunday magazine described it as "the Porsche 911 of razors," but I would not advise you to get one. It is a heavy, clumsy razor. As a beginner, I found myself dealing with razor burn, cuts and patches of stubble under my nose. I might try it again now, with a year's experience of DE shaving, but I certainly would not recommend it as a starter razor. I sold mine on eBay and bought a Progress with the long handle, and it is a beautiful razor to use. As I got more accustomed to it, and tried different blades including Feathers, I have got better and better shaves.

run_Forrest_run

Michael G wrote: »

I started with the Futur, because a Sunday magazine described it as "the Porsche 911 of razors," but I would not advise you to get one. It is a heavy, clumsy razor. As a beginner, I found myself dealing with razor burn, cuts and patches of stubble under my nose. I might try it again now, with a year's experience of DE shaving, but I certainly would not recommend it as a starter razor. I sold mine on eBay and bought a Progress with the long handle, and it is a beautiful razor to use. As I got more accustomed to it, and tried different blades including Feathers, I have got better and better shaves.

that's exactly the feedback I need on the Futur, sorry to hear you had grief with it but yep, that's the Futur off the list. So it's either the adjustable goodness of the Progress or the fixed reliability of the Edwin Jagger DE89L. Just as well it's for my Christmas present, I have plenty of time to decide

Fingers Mcginty

Amalgam wrote: »

If you are an eBay user, I would recommend a Schick Krona. They are very very undervalued at the moment, for the shave that they give. Price typically around $5 to $15 US dollars.

The best deals will come from mooching around bric-a-brac listings, the prices from dedicated safety razor eBay merchants will be a good deal higher.

A smooth TTO (turn to open) Safety Razor with a sturdy tapered handle and a low profile razor head.

A lot of the razors have nearly mint heads, the chrome\finish on them seems very sturdy.

I currently shave with a Schick Krona from 1966.



That's the head of mine.

Here's one boxed on Flickr, to give you an idea of what to look for.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23048044@N04/3624057620/

You also get them with military green and grey and white coloured trays, instead of red.

From a hygene point of view how did you clean it when you received it?

Amalgam

Just a rub with some isopropyl alcohol, being careful to avoid the plastic, just in case.

Then a steep in some hot soapy water. I wouldn't really have a big concern about it, to be honest.

Second hand shaving brushes on the other hand.. if the situation arises, I might go off and enquire about Barbicide, as there, the bristles can cause some serious skin eruptions, under certain conditions.

MediaTank

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

that's exactly the feedback I need on the Futur, sorry to hear you had grief with it but yep, that's the Futur off the list. So it's either the adjustable goodness of the Progress or the fixed reliability of the Edwin Jagger DE89L. Just as well it's for my Christmas present, I have plenty of time to decide

To echo what everyone else has said - the Futur is not for beginners. It's big and clumsy and becuase of the satin finish it does not grip well. I would go for an adjustable razor over a fixed one any day. If you buy the Progress it will be the only razor you'll ever need. Just make sure to set it to the lowest setting when learning to shave.

run_Forrest_run

MediaTank wrote: »

To echo what everyone else has said - the Futur is not for beginners. It's big and clumsy and becuase of the satin finish it does not grip well. I would go for an adjustable razor over a fixed one any day. If you buy the Progress it will be the only razor you'll ever need. Just make sure to set it to the lowest setting when learning to shave.

cool, thanks for that. Progress in the lead so.

strangel00p

My first safety razor was a futur. thought it was ok but not great. Tried a vintage gillette superspeed and the difference was amazing. I'm going to recommend this guys website as he was a gentleman to deal with when my order went missing in the post.

http://safetyrazors.co.uk

DeadSkin

I'm a relative noobie to DE shaving also, I made the choice to go for the Progress, deciding factors for me were, it was adjustable & the length of the handle.

I was concerned that if I went with a shorter handle first, it may turn me off DE shaving.
Being adjustable, I just wanted that option so I could experiment.

I have struggled a bit with the Progress, recently I have had some alignment issues and the grip isn't the greatest.

I'm currently in the process of elimination for my next razor to draw direct comparison with the Progress.
Blades, I have tried quite a few now, but I always fall back to perma sharps or red personnas.

Anywho, good luck.

Michael G

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

Do ye tend to use Razor stands? I can see the need for a brush stand alright but is a Razor stand really worth it? The razor will be kept in a drawer out of reach from little hands anyway so not sure if it will be kept on a stand anyway.

I bought this (for my Progress) and it just looks good. I soak the little bowl, which is full of soap, in the sink with my brush. Here it is: http://www.shaving.ie/products/Muhle-Nickel-Stand-with-Bowl.html

Smart Guy

I have a selection of razors and in the beginning I was very fixed on the progress but an option you have not looked at is the merkeur vision which is adjustable. Personally I think it is best.

run_Forrest_run

Smart Guy wrote: »

I have a selection of razors and in the beginning I was very fixed on the progress but an option you have not looked at is the merkeur vision which is adjustable. Personally I think it is best.

d'oh, just when I was beginning to make a decision :eek:
Cool, I'll check it out, thanks.

Yikes, 99 euro and it looks as clunky as the Futur! I'm not willing to spend 100 bucks on my first DE razor I'm afraid.

MediaTank

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

d'oh, just when I was beginning to make a decision :eek:
Cool, I'll check it out, thanks.

Yikes, 99 euro and it looks as clunky as the Futur! I'm not willing to spend 100 bucks on my first DE razor I'm afraid.

Smart move. It's a very difficult razor to use as a newbie - more so than the Futur. Plus they suffer from alignment issues (I've had two )

MT

Michael G

MediaTank wrote: »

Smart move. It's a very difficult razor to use as a newbie - more so than the Futur. Plus they suffer from alignment issues (I've had two )

Yes, I tried the Vision as well and regretted it. (It was particularly expensive because I dropped the first one and broke it - which would be almost impossible with a Progress - and got another one.) It is big and awkward and I found the satin finish hard to grip.