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You wont be disappointed. Rich thick lather and absolutely no scent! When you receive it and give it a try let me know what you think.I‘m looking to try Stirling Naked and Smooth based on your recommendation.
You wont be disappointed. Rich thick lather and absolutely no scent! When you receive it and give it a try let me know what you think.I‘m looking to try Stirling Naked and Smooth based on your recommendation.
A few items:
First, today I received my Merkur Progress adjustable razor. I have a fresh Gillette Silver Blue in it ready to go for tomorrow. My first impressions are generally favourable -- good heft, I like the length of the handle and feel of the razor generally. I admit, however, the adjustable numbers don't seem to follow a clear delineation. I installed the blade tightened it up a bit and then looked for #1...but the thing is, you can keep turning the handle -- there are no clicks or clear indications you are on the scale....it is all relative. You can turn to #1 and keep turning again until you are on #1 again...so where is the real and true #1. Or maybe the goal is to turn it tight to to #5 and then work down. Who knows...I will experiment tomorrow. Anyway....the proof is in the pudding as they say and a shave in the morning will tell the story.
Ok...so...the Merkur Progress. Lets see, what can I say. This was my first shave with this razor so to be fair I would need a couple of weeks with this in the saddle to pass a fair assessment. The following are some initial thoughts.
I used a Gillette Silver Blue blade....good old reliable. The first thing I notice is when you insert the blade and lock it in there is an unusual feature with the plastic locking device. The locking device can make several full turns before it is fully tight. So it is hard to know where the relative "progress" adjustable feature begins and where it ends. So what I did was I turned it until it was fully tight, then eased back on the dial until it was at 4. The scale is between + 1 and 5. To me this is not the best engineering. It would seem to me that something more definitive would be more appropriate. For example the Gillette adjustable razors start on 1 and end on 9. There is no dickering about this...because there is no where else to go -- its 1 through 9. The Progress could be tightened for at least 2 and a half full turns before it is fully tight, so the adjustable feature could be used at any point along the way. Not the best and most endearing feature of this razor. I don't mind that there is no definite click of the specific numbers (its a sliding scale), but I would like to know when the adjustable feature begins and ends. The way I loaded and locked seems to work fine and I will continue to do it this way. I pity the newbie who puts in a blade makes one full turn of the locking device and then sets it on 1 or 2 --- bloodshed for sure. And by the way, no instructions in the package.
I will say, however, that the #4 setting (based on the way I found the adjustable numbers) provided a clean smooth shave. I like the balance and heft of the razor. The head of the razor seems disproportionate to the rest of the razor -- in other words, its top heavy.
I will continue to use this razor until my Parker Variant arrives and then alternate between the two for a few weeks.
I will hold off until I pass final judgement.
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For those of you who follow me you know that I like to cycle through a variety of brushes -- boar, horse, synth, and badger. But lately I find myself reaching for my boars more than the others. I know the big advances that have been made with synthetic brushes, but the feel still feels unnatural. And I know badgers and horse brushes are good old reliable type brushes, most people preferring badger more than horse.
But the boar brush was part of my daily shaving routine for the first 45 years of my shaving life and I now know why. A solid performer, inexpensive and a consistently good lather. And best of all it is a natural fiber. One brush used exclusively can last for years. I can work a great lather from all my brushes or any type, but the 6 boar brushes I now own could last me the rest of my life. I may consider starting a cull of the others.
Very excited to hear your thoughts! The variant was my second DE, and I have been thinking of pairing it with Tiger blades. Wonder what number you’ll use on itHere is my shave kit for the coming week starting Sunday.
Pre: Proraso white preshave
Razor: Parker Variant/Tiger blade
Brush: Assorted boar
Soap: Soap Commander Integrity
Post: Lucky Tiger, Hawkins & Brimble ASB
Moustache wax: Badger
My Parker Variant arrived yesterday so this week I will do a comparison with the Merkur Progress. Already I prefer the grip and feel of the Variant. Let's see how the week goes.
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The Parker Variant is turning out to be a very nice shaver. Paired with a Tiger blade it is an absolute delight. I have mine set on 4.5 and it is just right for my face. I will write a more detailed review later this week.Very excited to hear your thoughts! The variant was my second DE, and I have been thinking of pairing it with Tiger blades. Wonder what number you’ll use on it
I wanted to get the silver one like this, but only was able to get the graphite one.
BEAUTIFUL BRUSH btw