Progress question

[dpmtherrien]

I've just received a new progress razor. Before I start to use it I have a question or two. I'll start with the lowest setting, but when I move up do you have to move a full number? Or can you just go up 1/2 turn or less. Also should I tighten it right down to the bottom and then start on the number 1? Anyone out there know the proper way to get started with this razor? Thanks for the advice.

 

[MrFusion]

Good questions. I don't have a Progress - yet. I will be watching the responses.

 

[summit_4000]

Once you load the blade, tighten the base down completely. Progress's are not known for being calibrated all that well. You should be close to '1' on the dial. I dial up from there. I found '2" to be a good starting point. For me, I get the best shaves using a Red IP dialed in around '4'. I found it took a little while to get find the proper blade angle after using the Merkur HD (34C). Once 'dialed in' , the Progress is a great shaver.

Congrats on your new razor acquisition and I wish you many good shaves.

 

[jkh]

You don't have to adjust the razor to "whole" values (i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). The Progress essentially provides an infinite number of adjustments. As opposed to a Gillette adjustable which has a discrete number of settings (1-9).

The dial on the progress does have enough friction to keep your current setting, but I have accidentally twisted the base when picking up the razor between passes which changed the setting. Just a reminder to check the setting each time while you are getting familiar with the razor.

The progress is my favorite razor, it shaves like a champ!

 

[PhoR]

When you put in a new blade, dial it all the way down, then loosen it up to your desired setting. As said above, this can be anywhere, doesn't have to be on a number.

Make CERTAIN that the marks on the side of the head line up (there's a triangle on the razor and a line on the head that matches up with the triangle).
You can accidentally put the head on backwards, and then the blade adjustments won't be accurate between blade swaps.

When I first got my Mergress (modified Progress), I shaved with it for a couple weeks at 1.
The shaves won't be particularly smooth, but you have almost as much chance to cut yourself as you would with a multiblade cartridge... so you can concentrate on the technique without having to worry about razor burn or nicks.

Now I generally start off with a with the grain pass on 4 using the Gillette slide on the sides of my face, then dial it back down a bit for some jhooking and I'm done...

It's a really great razor. Hope you like it as much as I do.

 

[michael.scheller]

I agree with everything above. My Progress when fully tightened stops between 1 and 1 1/2.

Mark / Mantic59 has a video dedicated to the annoyances of adjusting the Progress, but still contends that he's a Progress Lover.

 

[rdeakle]

Once you load the blade, tighten the base down completely. Progress's are not know for being calibrated all that well. You should be close to '1' on the dial. I dial up from there. I found '2" to be a good starting point. For me, I get the best shaves using a Red IP dialed in around '4'. I found it took a little while to get find the proper blade angle after using the Merkur HD (34C). Once 'dialed in' , the Progress is a great shaver.

Congrats on your new razor acquisition and I wish you many good shaves.

+1

I did the exact same. I started at 2, ended up at 4 where it stays. Mine tighten downs a bit below '1' though. You can adjust it to whatever setting you like, it doens't have to be at a while number.

Good luck! I hope you enjoy it.

 

[BullGoose]

I agree with everything above. My Progress when fully tightened stops between 1 and 1 1/2.

My Progress has the same calibration issue. Once I got past the minor annoyance I found that the Progress is my favorite shaver...BBS no irritation shaves every time.

 

[K9DVM]

When I load my Progress/Mergress, I squeeze the head and the "blade platform" together with my thumb and forefingers and then screw in the adjustment knob. This takes the tension off of the knob so that there is no friction between the knob and the shaft. I personally think this helps center the blade and I'm sure it prevents wear and tear between the parts. I then back of the adjustment to about a setting of 2.5. I took cooncatbob's advice and discarded the retaining ring. I hope this helps.

 

[instpasr]

I have a mergress that my son confiscated for his own use and a progress which I bought a knob off of Bob at Bob's Razor Works for. They both adjust down to about zero and I get BBS with a derby on a 3.5 setting. I too discarded that pesky retaining ring.

 

[VR6ofpain]

Progress and Vision are "infinite". So you can adjust it till the opening is the exact picometer value you wish.

 

[PhoR]

Progress and Vision are "infinite". So you can adjust it till the opening is the exact picometer value you wish.

So it's not adjustable to the exact yoctometre?
*throws away mergress...*