Which DE razors have steep learning curves?

[Teddyboy]

My recent foray into the idiosyncratic world of the Merkur Progress made me wonder which razors do other BBers feel present a somewhat steep learning curve. And why. "Steep learning curve" being defined as figuring out a razor, which when new, cannot just be pulled out of the box to obtain a great shave.

In my case, after opening the Progress for the very first time to put in a blade and then retightening the knob, the numbers did not "re-zero." It makes no sense to me. It becomes difficult to reproduce your own shaves, let alone advise someone else as to preferred levels of aggressiveness. The numbers on the handle become merely decorative indices of hoping it will right itself one day. How can an experienced company like Merkur, create something so sloppy? By the way, I acknowledge that it gave me a very good shave. But I do not know where on the aggressivenss scale I was dialed into.

P.S. I may get a Mergress face lift, but for now I am perplexed. By the way, who do I contact for a Mergress make-over?

Thanks for listening.

 

[Mick]

The most difficult to master (and the most frequently re-sold on BST) are the mildest and most agressive models (Feather AS-D1 and R41 2011)

The reason being.....

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/290392?p=4095085#post4095085

 

[acesn8s]

My recent foray into the idiosyncratic world of the Merkur Progress made me wonder which razors do other BBers feel present a somewhat steep learning curve. And why. "Steep learning curve" being defined as figuring out a razor, which when new, cannot just be pulled out of the box to obtain a great shave.

In my case, after opening the Progress for the very first time to put in a blade and then retightening the knob, the numbers did not "re-zero." It makes no sense to me. It becomes difficult to reproduce your own shaves, let alone advise someone else as to preferred levels of aggressiveness. The numbers on the handle become merely decorative indices of hoping it will right itself one day. How can an experienced company like Merkur, create something so sloppy? By the way, I acknowledge that it gave me a very good shave. But I do not know where on the aggressivenss scale I was dialed into.

P.S. I may get a Mergress face lift, but for now I am perplexed. By the way, who do I contact for a Mergress make-over?

Thanks for listening.

When you put the razor back together, did you make sure that the triangle aligns with the notch?

 

[Teddyboy]

No I didn't...but I shall. How did you learn about this? My razor had nothing in the way of instructions.

 

[Mick]

The only reason for the markings is to make sure that the alignment numbers are consistent. Turning the head 90° will make the numbers off by 90°.

As for who to contact about converting your Progress.

Contact the OP of this thread. They are the manufacturer

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/10173-Mergress-Merkur-Progress-Upgrade

 

[acesn8s]

No I didn't...but I shall. How did you learn about this? My razor had nothing in the way of instructions.

Mine came with a small sheet of instructions.

 

[Chester]

The only reason for the markings is to make sure that the alignment numbers are consistent. Turning the head 90° will make the numbers off by 90°.

Funny, for my Hoffritz-branded Progress, the notch and triangle need to be on opposite sides for the numbers to line up.
I think it got dropped at some point, creating this "feature".

Yet, I figure if you're able to screw down the cap all the way and the number on the dial is "1", yer doin' it right.
-- Chet

 

[JeffE]

To me, the hardest one to get trained on was the Pils, because it's so sensitive to the angle at which the blade meets the face. I would also say that the R41 is difficult to master -- but not for me, because after turning my face into burger two or three times, I just sold mine!

 

[Henrik]

With the above comments you will do fine mate. ..After that you will likely come over to the other "side"."
Jump in it´s nice here

 

[Jakpro]

This thread discusses the alignment: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/272360-aligning-the-dial-on-the-merkur-progress

Here is a decent video on the Progress:

 

[Monkeyboy]

Feather AS was difficult for me, seemed like I had to get the angle just perfect for it to work.

 

[Ski-Patroller]

As long as you put your Progress together the same way each time (preferably the correct way) the numbers will be consistent for you. Doesn't really matter if someone else's 2 is your 2.5 It won't be off very much though anyway.