Something similar to a Progress?

[Kirby]

I am building a 'Welcome to Wet Shaving' kit for a good friend of mine, but I'm a little hung up on the razor itself. My first DE was a Mergress and I love pretty much everything about it. I also picked up a Gilette Tech because it was originally going to be the razor in this gift kit.

Just to see how it was, I tried out the Tech a few times. I found that I really do not like how it shaves and it is not aggressive enough to get a close shave from. My friend has about the same thickness of facial hair as I (very thick) and I doubt the Tech would fare much better for him.

As much as I'd like to get a Mergress for this kit, I'm afraid the price is a bit out of my budget right now. I see used Progresses pop up on BST infrequently for a good price, but I'm typically half an hour too late. Is there another, easier to obtain razor (less expensive, not necessarily adjustable) that you would suggest and feels more like the Progress?

 

[Sledgehammer39]

I am building a 'Welcome to Wet Shaving' kit for a good friend of mine, but I'm a little hung up on the razor itself. My first DE was a Mergress and I love pretty much everything about it. I also picked up a Gilette Tech because it was originally going to be the razor in this gift kit.

Just to see how it was, I tried out the Tech a few times. I found that I really do not like how it shaves and it is not aggressive enough to get a close shave from. My friend has about the same thickness of facial hair as I (very thick) and I doubt the Tech would fare much better for him.

As much as I'd like to get a Mergress for this kit, I'm afraid the price is a bit out of my budget right now. I see used Progresses pop up on BST infrequently for a good price, but I'm typically half an hour too late. Is there another, easier to obtain razor (less expensive, not necessarily adjustable) that you would suggest and feels more like the Progress?

You could try and get a Gillette Super Adjustable or Slim, there are some shaver grade units still fairly affordable on ebay.

 

[Ski-Patroller]

A Merkur HD feels a lot like a Progress on 3 to me. YMMV

 

[dpm802]

You may have started with a Mergress, but you're an exception. Most newbies go with something like a Merkur HD or a vintage Gillette, and so should your friend.

Just because you feel the Tech is not aggressive enough for you is no reason to believe it won't be right for your friend to begin with.

Granted, the Mergress is a GREAT razor, but I wouldn't recommend it for a newbie. Especially not at the price it goes for, even used, its too dear to throw in to a free starter kit.

There's a good possibility your friend may not stick with wet-shaving ... I've given away several starter kits, and not one of my friends is still using it.

If he's still using the Tech after a few months, let him borrow your Mergress and a couple of other razors from time to time, so he can see the difference. If he likes it, he can get the upgraded gear on his own.