Merkur progress or Parker Variant?

[Tdotts]

How come?

Well I hesitated to say. When I had the Variant the lack of blade rigidity bothered me and I felt it didn't give a good shave. I know they are said to be the same and appear to be but I don't seem to get the lack of rigidity or chatter with my progress. Can't explain why and people can debate it but it is what it is for me

 

[Maponis]

I have both and like both I prefer the progress just used it today on 3 with a 7’Oclock yellow 2nd use and bbs shave I would love to have a mergress they are supposed to be nice but I’m not ready to part with that much for that particular razor yet

 

[THall]

I use my Variant with a Merkur top cap. Better under the nose like the Progress, smooth, more aggressive per setting and looks pretty darn sharp.

 

[Shaver Nath]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Can anyone tell me where to get a Mergress and how much do they go for?

 

[Billy T.]

Here

 

[W8lkinUSA]

I have finally looked at the Parker Variant razor. I love the 4'' Graphite Gray and am so tempted to purchase it.

 

[W8lkinUSA]

@OP --
In case you are interested, I came across this interesting thread last night as I was looking at pictures of the Variant. It compares your two razors of interest.

Parker Variant

 

[THall]

@OP --
In case you are interested, I came across this interesting thread last night as I was looking at pictures of the Variant. It compares your two razors of interest.

Parker Variant

I’d be careful posting links to other forum sites here on B and B.

 

[W8lkinUSA]

I’d be careful posting links to other forum sites here on B and B.

Sure thing. I wasn't aware of existing forum wars..

 

[ZSHAVEGUY]

T

I have both and prefer the Progress for the following reasons

-it goes a lot lower in aggression level and I can use it above my lip. The Variants I have start at about a 3 on a Progress
-has a chrome finish that slides better than brushed metal
-the head on the Variant is taller and harder to use under my nose
-the shorter length is preferable to me

I used to a have Progress years ago but I replaced it because the blade wasn’t lining up straight. I bought a new one last year and it’s great. I read Merkur updated their molds.

I would say the Variant is like Parker trying to combine Merkur Futur and Progress in to one model.

Thanks for the tip. I have a variant coming in and I'll be sure to try it on setting one first.