I just received my first ever Merkur Progress from BST. It is a vintage razor that used to be all gold, but the handle came off and the previous owner had the razor sent to Merkur for repair and Merkur had no gold handles left since they no longer make Progress in gold. So, the handle is chrome and the rest of the razor is gold. This is actually really cool looking. However, this makes no difference on the shave. And the shave with this razor was nothing short of amazing. I used a brnd new Astra SP blade and started with the mildest setting to get acquainted. This was actually very effective for the first pass. More than I thought it would. Second pass was done set at 2 and did another WTG just to see how 2 is different from 1 on this machine. Well, it's different and by a good amount. Still very mild, but a lot more bite. Pass 3 XTG I started on 3, but dialed back to 2.5 as 3 was a bit too much. I finished the shave with AGT at 2.5 and some parts on 3. I got a BBS the likes of which I have not gotten in a long time. There was a little irritation on the neck where I experimented with 3 setting. The audio feedback from this razor is unlike any other razor I have ever used. One can almost shave with eyes closed (I wouldn't). It's not just the sound, the sound changes as the whiskers are cut. It's hard to describe, but it has a very unique audio feedback. It is wonderful in that sense. In general I found the handle to be slightly slippery, but nothing terribly bad. I would have preferred a little texture on the handle, but that's a minor gripe. All in all this is the best razor I have used yet. My experience includes EJ DE89 with Barley Chrome handle, Gillette Super Speeds and Techs, Merkur 37C slant and Gillette "New" long comb and short comb. This Progress blew by all of them (and I liked them all a lot!) in a single shave. I'll have to wait and see how it settles into my den, but it's amazing on a first try.
My first experience with Merkur Progress
- Thread starter vferdman
- Start date
Congratulations on your new to you Progress. A Mergress sits in my shave den, they are really nice razors.
Congratulations on the Progress! They are fine razors, and really do have a uniquely great shave.
Mergress is my absolute favorite! And I have tried just about every razor on the market.
IMHO the Progress sits right up on the top of the heap with all modern day razors. Enjoy!
Progress is a great razor compared to vintage as well as modern implements.
Glad to see another fan of these great razors.
My Progress was a real surprise. I bought it as a back-up razor to my Futur. The Progress has knocked the Futur off the top spot.
Progress is on my tops list as well. I have 5 of them in different "configurations".... I.E. all customs
- Thread starter
- #10
Wow! How and where do you customize them? My only minor gripe with this razor is the handle. I don't care for it's shape and profile. I would have preferred a handle more like on the 34C. Heavy, round and knurled. I don't like the valleys created by the ridges. They "force" me to grasp in the valleys instead of where I really need to be. A round (cylindrical) profile does not suggest any preference for the grip. And of course the slipperiness is a bit annoying, but again, minor gripes and I am sure there are customizations to address that. The head is where the magic of this razor is, I think. It look unique m it sounds unique in use and it certainly provides a uniquely wonderful shave. I need to find me a Mergress with a knurled cylindrical handle. I think the balance could be a touch more towards the bottom (like on Mergress with that metal knob). Turtle, do you think you could post some (detailed) pictures of your Progresses? I would love to see the possibilities. Mine is a vintage gold tone unit, so I am not sure I want to modify it too much. Maybe in a subtle way, but would want to retain the general look of it. Like a thicker round knurled brass (or gold tone) handle would be awesome. I am pretty good with my hands, but I am not sure I can remove the handle easily. Is it press fit? As I mentioned before, the handle was replaced by Merkur for the previous owner and it is nickel (or chrome) colored. Here are the pictures of this beauty.
I agree about the handle. It's the only soft spot in this design. Instead of covering it with gold, making it look weird, I would of changed the handle.
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- Thread starter
- #13
Yes, if it were me I would have put a different handle on it.
- Thread starter
- #15
Something like this maybe
Wow! I LOVE IT! Who did this?
I only own two adjustable razors - the Progress and the Futur. Must confess I have never got along with either: fixed heads are a lot less hassle in my experience.
Can you sell me that one please mSomething like this maybe
)That Two tone looks hot, I like it )
Turtle is going to sell me is BRW Progress)
) Turtle is going to sell me is BRW Progress
)
Something like this maybe
Turtle, I need to get one like that - so 5 questions for you
1. Where can I buy it new ?
2. Who makes it ?
3. How great is it to hold during your shaves
4. Does it perform as great as it looks ?
5. What is the price ?
