Big mistake. Painting the numbers would cost the factory 50 cents or less, which I GLADLY would pay.Yep, the 50s model had red numbers, they stopped painting them somewehere around the 70s, I think.
Big mistake. Painting the numbers would cost the factory 50 cents or less, which I GLADLY would pay.Yep, the 50s model had red numbers, they stopped painting them somewehere around the 70s, I think.
Even on setting 1 with very sharp blades it is a bit more aggressive than, say, a Tech. The reason is it has a very specific blade curve and angle. Also the particular guard cutting.I was planning on starting at level 1. I shave every day and use mild razors with sharper blades. My goal with the Progess was to see if I could do the in-between, say a 1.25 or 1.5 to really get specific mildness. It can do that, right?
Thanks for the heads up. I have the bakelite 45 and it has a severe angle. I read the progress has a similar steep angle. Intense for sure!Even on setting 1 with very sharp blades it is a bit more aggressive than, say, a Tech. The reason is it has a very specific blade curve and angle. Also the particular guard cutting.
Yes, the blade curving is somewhat similar in the Progress and the Bakelite, but even with a very sharp blade the Bakelite is like a kitten compared to the Progress with the same sharp blade on setting 2. I have the Bakelite since it was released.Thanks for the heads up. I have the bakelite 45 and it has a severe angle. I read the progress has a similar steep angle. Intense for sure!
Yes, the blade curving is somewhat similar in the Progress and the Bakelite, but even with a very sharp blade the Bakelite is like a kitten compared to the Progress with the same sharp blade on setting 2. I have the Bakelite since it was released.
Well I appreciate it. I will do my own testing this week after my Progress gets here and I will share my thoughts. My needs are probably different from yours and we'll see if it can do what I need it to do.Haven't tried the Progress @1 yet. I like aggressive shaves. And I don't have a 34C anymore. But I wouldn't be surprised if at setting 1 the Progress is slightly more aggressive. It's the different head geometry. The 34C is made to be mild. No wonder many users here on the forum recommend it to newbies. And I wouldn't recommend the Progress to newbies. Especially at the higher settings it could be as dangerous as the R41 for inexperienced users.
I shaved with the Progress twice. Even on setting 1, it's pretty aggressive...
...This is not the mild daily shaver I am looking for, but it's great for the collection.
The first few shaves with my Progress were a bloody mess. It was unlike any other razor I have in a fairly extensive collection.
A dozen shaves later and I'm not as scared of it as I was when I first got it. Takes some getting used to, the pressure and angle required, but I'm now able to get nick free shaves with no irritation. Hope you stick with yours and don't let it languish as a collection piece.
I shaved with the Progress twice. Even on setting 1, it's pretty aggressive. Not sure if it's the shape of the safety bar or the blade gap, but it's not mild even on setting 1. My face is smooth as a eunuch's, like hair never sprouted from my face at all. It's probably the closest shave I've ever had but I've got lots of pink and red marks on my face.
This is not the mild daily shaver I am looking for, but it's great for the collection. The knob looks like bakelite and looks much better in person, not like a crappy plastic afterthought. It does indeed ooze style!
Next stop, Edwin Jagger!
I used a Gillette Rubie.Told you so. It isn't a mild razor at all. But there is something very important here. What blade did you use on setting 1?
Too sharp. Just switch to a not-so-sharp blade and you'll see the difference.I used a Gillette Rubie.
I just got some Derbys with my Edwin Jagger. I've avoided them and can't recall if I've used them before. The first Progress shave was with German Wilkinson Sword, but they're not far from Rubies, at least not far enough. I will try the Derby Extra Dull. Thanks.Too sharp. Just switch to a not-so-sharp blade and you'll see the difference.
I have several Merkur razors...Progress, Mergress, 45 etc. I love my stock Progress and certainly the hot rod Mergress. I will be honest that I don't use them past 2 or 2.5. My preferred blades for them are the Voskhod or Personna Lab Blue. If I could make a suggestion though pick your fav blade and stick with it in your Progress. You'll get your technique with that razor sorted quicker IMO.
The Voskhod is my "reference" blade and it goes into every razor I get with the exception of SE of course. I know what it can do and it can't. I do however have 46 different blades in my stash that covers everything from mild to wild. Blades I will never run out of.Voskhod sounds like a good move. I came to love the Rubie in milder razors, but both the progress and the 45 bakelite are really too aggressive for that blade unless I am shaving a full beard. And unless I just want them to sit there as display pieces, I gotta figure out how to make them work. A milder blade seems like the way to go. I'm open to finding a new favorite for those.