Problem with Merkur Progress

[Harald]

Merkur Progress is one of my favorite razors. It gives me a very comfortable shave, but there is one thing that I am not happy with. It cuts differently when I flip over to the other side. Regardless of which setting I choose, it's more aggressive on one side, vice versa.

I have four Merkur Progress with the same problem bought at different places so it can't be a coincidence.
Does anyone have the same experience?

 

[Alex Jr]

Yes, specially at lower settings. On 1 my progress is more exposed on one side no matter what I do.

It’s less noticeable on higher settings, but it’s there.

 

[cakaguna]

I did when I had a few of them. I’d load the blade, put the cap on the handle - then press one of the tabs sticking out to either side… that presses the posts against the sides of the diamond cutout in the blade - that should center the edges on either side… then I’d lightly press down on the cap so that the blade stayed put while I tightened the screw.

eventually I’d just compress the head, forefinger and middle finger under the head, thumb on top cap pressing down - screw goes on faster that way, since the cap is compressed.

 

[DE Steve]

No issues with mine, perfect blade alignment.

I have the newer mold design with the small alignment arrow.

One of the best shavers I have.

 

[musicman1951]

This won't be helpful, but these kind of inconsistencies are what pushed me to buy the Mergress, which is essentially the same razor with a good tuneup.

 

[Harald]

Thanks for the answers and advice.
I have several razors and some are in the $250 price range. But there is something unique with merkur progess that makes my shave perfect. It is not a crisis that the razor does not have the same setting on both sides, but a little sad that merkur has not worked more with this problem.

Alex Jr, I have the exact same problem on the lower settings.

Cakaguna, I will try your advice. Thanks

Musicman1951, do you know if "mergress" is still in production?

 

[Alex Jr]

But there is something unique with merkur progess that makes my shave perfect.

Exactly. Even with that exposure thing I think it’s a great shaver.

It’s like my fatip, they are so good that I don’t care if I have to fiddle a little with it.

 

[nav]

I did when I had a few of them. I’d load the blade, put the cap on the handle - then press one of the tabs sticking out to either side… that presses the posts against the sides of the diamond cutout in the blade - that should center the edges on either side… then I’d lightly press down on the cap so that the blade stayed put while I tightened the screw.

eventually I’d just compress the head, forefinger and middle finger under the head, thumb on top cap pressing down - screw goes on faster that way, since the cap is compressed.

WOW squeezing the tabs works to align the blade??

I'll have to try this with my fatip, which sits unused due to blade misalignment.

 

[cakaguna]

Not squeezing - pressing the tab towards the opposite end. the blade can shift around on the posts before it starts to clamp down. You press it one way or the other so that the posts center to one side of the diamonds.

 

[wsfarrell]

Thanks for the answers and advice.
I have several razors and some are in the $250 price range. But there is something unique with merkur progess that makes my shave perfect. It is not a crisis that the razor does not have the same setting on both sides, but a little sad that merkur has not worked more with this problem.

Alex Jr, I have the exact same problem on the lower settings.

Cakaguna, I will try your advice. Thanks

Musicman1951, do you know if "mergress" is still in production?

A year or so ago I emailed the guy who made the Mergress (Eric Maier) and asked if he would turn one of mine into a Bling. I got no response.

 

[Captain H]

I have a Mergress that I purchased in 2011. The top cap does not sit level with the safety bar. Going that route is no guarantee of a tune up.

 

[tm3]

Merkur Progress is one of my favorite razors. It gives me a very comfortable shave, but there is one thing that I am not happy with. It cuts differently when I flip over to the other side. Regardless of which setting I choose, it's more aggressive on one side, vice versa.

I have four Merkur Progress with the same problem bought at different places so it can't be a coincidence.
Does anyone have the same experience?

If you look closely, mine is slightly off.

I don't notice it when I shave, and I set it at really low levels.

 

[Harald]

If you look closely, mine is slightly off.

I don't notice it when I shave, and I set it at really low levels.

Do you have a picture?

 

[tm3]

Do you have a picture?

No

 

[kaankkaraman]

Yes, there is a problem about blade alignment with Progress unfortunately. It is very nice head design with large efficiency selections but that problem makes Progress unusable for me.

And it is impossible to align the blade manuel correctly also.

 

[Edgelord]

I need to check both my Progresses. I never noticed this. I usually use both of them at 4 or 5, though.

They are more recent production.

 

[Harald]

Since there is not equal exposure on both sides, I always choose the side that feels most comfortable and that makes the blade duller on one side. I have quite dense growth and change the blades anyway after 2-3 times, but still frustrating.
The uneven exposure is not coming through well in the photos

It's possible I'm being nitpicky, but I also think it's sloppy that the the manufacturer don't start on the same character when it's turned down to the lowest setting. This also applies to the parker variant that start at setting 1.5.
But this is perhaps what makes this hobby exciting when there is something that will never be perfect