Any other DE razor that bends the blade like a Merkur Progress?

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After having used over 40 razors, I have chosen the Progress as my daily razor.
Unfortunately, I am having some issues with it and I don't know if it can be repaired nor can I afford to purchase a new one, especially seeing the hefty price hikes recently.

Are there any other DE razors out there that bend the blade as much as the Progress does?

 

[Buzz_Kill]

I have read that the Gillette Super Adjustable is similar, very close in settings. And that if you like your progress you will like a super adjustable.

If it is just the blade angle/bend you are looking for I have read that the Merkur 45 Bakelite has the same blade angle as the progress, but it is like shaving with it set to 3 or 4

 

[alex2363]

A adjustable from Gillette...

 

[kcb5150]

Have you posted what the problems are somewhere?

 

[Invicta]

I found I had to adjust the razor angle after many weeks with the slant bar and then returning to the Progress. Also the bigger head took some getting used to. By the third shave I was back in the groove. Yes, the Progress does put a lot of bend in the blade but it is a very good razor.

 

[nav]

I have read that the Gillette Super Adjustable is similar, very close in settings. And that if you like your progress you will like a super adjustable.

Ive had a Super Adjustable (I assume you are referring to a Black Beauty) and the blade bend was no where near the Progress.

If it is just the blade angle/bend you are looking for I have read that the Merkur 45 Bakelite has the same blade angle as the progress, but it is like shaving with it set to 3 or 4

WOW a 16gram razor...how do you prevent applying too much pressure? If it gives a blade bend like the Progress, that's great. I am concerned about the weight and the inability to adjust to my preferred Progress setting.

A adjustable from Gillette...

Ive had them all (slim, fatboy, black beauty) and didn't really like them. The vintage Gillette's don't have a blade bend that even comes close to the Progress so unfortunately, vintage Gillette's are not for me.

Have you posted what the problems are somewhere?

I haven't because there was a thread where the user had the same problem as me and the responses to that thread didn't help the user as the problem was not known to anyone. Basically, it's where one side of the razor has more blade gap, making it more aggressive. I have had my progress for 2 years and have never dropped it, never bumped it. Merkur sent me a replacement top plate and it hasn't helped, it is still uneven. I don't even know how something like this could be possible but if I look carefully, I can see the difference in the blade gap!!

No matter what method I try to load the blade, it's still uneven! I never cared that the numbers never alligned properly etc etc as it never affected the shave but now, the shave is being impacted and there is no way to fix it and I can't afford another Progress, so i'm a bit stuck...and very disappointed with Merkur!

I found I had to adjust the razor angle after many weeks with the slant bar and then returning to the Progress. Also the bigger head took some getting used to. By the third shave I was back in the groove. Yes, the Progress does put a lot of bend in the blade but it is a very good razor.

The Progress has been by far the best razor for me. I have fairly coarse stubble and very sensitive skin and the Progress always gives super close shaves and doesn't irritate my skin like pretty much every other razor.

 

[Buzz_Kill]

It sounds like you will just need to buy another Progress. Its the only one you will be happy with. No amount of saved money makes a difference, if you don't end up with what you want.

 

[nav]

It sounds like you will just need to buy another Progress. Its the only one you will be happy with. No amount of saved money makes a difference, if you don't end up with what you want.

This is true but for such an expensive razor to go bad after just 2 years makes me reluctant to now spend even more on the same razor (recent price hikes).
I thought I would explore other options.

Surprisingly, the bakelite 45 has me interested. It seems the 45 has the crazy blade curvature of the Progress and I can't find a negative review about it. It's cheap enough that I may be able to purchase one as another Progress is currently out of budget.

 

[alaskazimm]

The Mergress conversion that Mer does may be a possibility for you. I have one and it's a great razor. He replaces the plastic knob and does a tune up on it. I may be worth it to send him your Progress and see if he can fix it for you.

 

[cichlid7777]

mine works fine

 

[nav]

The Mergress conversion that Mer does may be a possibility for you. I have one and it's a great razor. He replaces the plastic knob and does a tune up on it. I may be worth it to send him your Progress and see if he can fix it for you.

I have no problem with the original plastic knob and the calibration of the numbers doesn't bother me at all so the Mergress is not for me. I don't think he can fix a fault like uneven blade exposure. I have tried every method of blade loading to see if I can get it to even out but no go.

mine works fine

I have no doubt it does as did mine for two full years until the uneven gap presented itself. I have cleaned the razor. I have tried every method of blade loading. I tried the new top plate Merkur sent me...nothing! Still uneven.

 

[Buzz_Kill]

Well, I wish you the best of luck. Maybe some of the more experienced users can point you in the right direction. Most of the stuff I know about other razors I have learned through reading on here, and reviews on dealer sites. I have only used 2 different safety razors myself.

 

[hillbilly pick]

It sounds like you have your mind made up. You can let Mer take a look at it since he is the resident Progress expert!!! Or, you can buy a new one and have exactly what you want.

 

[nav]

It seems the only other razor with a severe blade bend is the Bakelite 45. Reading reviews, it actually seems like a very worthy shaver. At 1/3 the price of a Progress, I may have to give it a go...it's pretty much all I can afford at the moment.

If shipping costs weren't so high from Australia, I would send it to Mer but two way shipping would equal the cost of a Bakelite 45.

 

[kingfisher]

The Bakelite is the answer for sure.

 

[nav]

The Bakelite is the answer for sure.

I guess it's looking that way.
Could you share your experiences with the Bakelite?

I have read some people comparing it to medium aggressive razors like the HD or Progress at #3. Others compare it to a Tech?...this was kind of a surprise as a Tech would take me 8 passes to get a DFS!

 

[kcb5150]

I don't think the bakelite has a metal threading in the handle so IDK about durability long-term

 

[wquiles]

The Mergress conversion that Mer does may be a possibility for you. I have one and it's a great razor. He replaces the plastic knob and does a tune up on it. I may be worth it to send him your Progress and see if he can fix it for you.

Mergress with the short/small knob on left / Futur on right:

 

[tm3]

How uneven is it? My progress is also uneven, maybe 1mm or so. I have found that by holding the ends of the blade as I tighten down the head that I can reduce the offset some.

alternative #2 might be notching the blade slots a bit to offset the blade some.

alternative #3 might be only shaving with one side of the razor.

 

[adam833]

This is a common problem with merkurs, It happened to my bakelite as well, after a while the blade will not align correctly unless you really put time and effort into aligning it corectly. Its a shame cause I like their razors. I have read many other posts with others with the same problem on other merkurs