MERKUR Progress 510 Adjustable Double Edge Safety Razor - Long Handle Adjustable Razor With Dial Made in Germany Plastic-Free Closed Comb Straight Bar

This is my 3rd adjustable razor and 4th Merkur. I have a Vikings Blade Emperor and a vintage Gillette Fatboy. I really love the adjustable razors. My thoughts are they can be dialed in better for each user and once you find the perfect blade for that razor it’s as good as it gets. I started with this on a setting of 1. I’m up to 4.5 and that’s as high as I’m going because that just a sweet spot for me. So far I’ve only used Astra SP blades for 3 shaves each. Tomorrow will be #3 with the current blade and it’s off to the next blade to see if the shave is any better which frankly will be difficult to achieve. I have never tried a Merkur future but this blows away the VB Emperor and I like the weight a little better than the Fatboy. I’m also a big fan of the Merkur 37c slant but I think the shave with this is just a little better. You don’t need special instructions (at least one review suggested) to reassemble. Look at both sides of the head and it will be self explanatory. It’s not that hard to know when it’s tight (from another review) just tighten until it feels snug then look at the setting. It’s on one at that point. As for disassembly, really, how hard is it to take anything apart? I started wet shaving long ago in the early 80s and learned (sometimes the hard way) with my dad’s Fatboy (now the one I own) and at this point probably own 25 DE razors and actually use 5-6 of them. I’d have to say at this point this is right up there with my 1955 SS red tip as one of my favorites. This could be a great razor for a beginner so long as you start low (1 would be good) on the setting and work up. The weight as I said earlier is fantastic. Zero pressure and it’s spot on with a good blade. Love the balance of this razor and the bright chrome finish is gorgeous. This will continue to be my daily razor at least until I find the perfect blade match and after that it will get lots of turns in the rotation. I really don’t see it being replaced at all unless Jagger or Muhle does a similar product with their head design. So if your looking for a adjustable my advice is simple, get this one unless you don’t own a slant bar yet. That should be every newbies 2nd razor. This should be #3. It’s fantastic and you can’t go wrong with it.

I own 9 double edged razors ,and this, combined with a feather platinum tipped stainless blade works great. All of my razors including the Merkur 180 long handle , Edwin Jagger De89, Merkur Futur do a good job on the first 2/3rds of my face. My neck is a different animal altogether. I never really noticed how hair grows at different angles and thickness in different areas of the face until I went old school wet shaving. I always left stubble on my neck no matter what I did or what blade I used (mostly Feather stainless platinum). My Gillette Pro glide did no better but I never really checked. In and out in one pass and done. Now wet shaving is more of a science. You really get to know your face and beard. This is the only razor that could get my neck just on both sides of the trachea. These whiskers grow sideways or horizontal and my neck gets razor burn quite easily. So a need a sharp effective razor that can do the job in 2 passes and this does it with no problem when dialed on the 2.5 setting or sometimes 3. Beyond 3 with a Feather blade the nicks start to come. Its still not 100% baby smooth in that area but significantly improved. We all know with wet shaving their are all sorts of variables such as pre shave prep, shaving cream, wetting with a good brush and hot towel, showering before shaving or even while showering if you have a mirror there. I've tried most of it and in the end the Progress is a winner. Size adjustability build quality weight distribution all contribute to a nice close shave. Before you even shave you'll know what I mean. After you shave there is no question about what razor comes on your next trip. This is the best all around razor. I will try the slant razor next. I like the Futur but its big and I won't even think about the Vision until they bring it's bulk down. I can go in setting one for most of my face and between 2-3 for my problem neck area. Solves my shaving crisis. Thanks Merkur this is a remarkable shaving instrument.

****UPDATED****** Was a little hesitant to go back and tray this razor with the Feather blades again. Previous experience was that the Feathers are just too sharp, FOR ME. HOWEVER, after doping some more research and discovering some on line recipes for homemade shaving oil, I decided to try the Feathers again after having very good experience with the Astras using shaving oil. The shaving oil makes a world of difference. Got a close head shave, with the Feathers., and with minimum nicks compared to past shaves with the Feathers. Bottom line, from my personal experience, lubrication is the key regardless of the razor you use, and shaving creams/foams offer minimum protection. Just a few links to shaving oil recipes. [...] [...] [...] Just a couple of personal points. I would add tea tree oil to any shaving oil just for antiseptic purposes, and it doesn't smell THAT bad.We have used tea tree oil around our house for years as a general purpose natural antiseptic fro all types of cuts, scrapes, abrasions, etc. No complaints at all. AND, from what I have seen in my personal case, the thicker the shaving oil mix (ie the more castor oil) the better. I am working towards a pure castor oil base and only a few essential oils for scent, antiseptic purposes, and skin nourishment. But mix to your own preference. *****Original Post***** Just received my Progress Adjustable one day ago, took the first shave with it and from what I saw with that first shave, this will be my day-in, day-out, razor. Just as background, I have purchased and still own AND USE, a Merkur 47c, and the 'Merkur Long Handled Safety Razor' model 180 ASIN: B000NL0T1G. I purchased and own, but no longer use the 'Perfecto Double Edge Long Handled Safety Razor' ASIN: B00SA7YS58, and the 'Extra Long Chrome Double Edge Safety Razor' ASIN: B013JGAKDI. I have also purchased and returned a Merkur HD 34C. I use Feather, Astra and Personna blades. As for the razors; -Merkur 47c – Was my go to razor. Very nice balance and weight -Merkur Long Handled Safety Razor model 180 – Only used occasionally. -Perfecto Double Edge Long Handled Safety Razor – Cheap/Bad Design, ergo bad shave -Extra Long Chrome Double Edge Safety Razor – Cheap/Bad Design, ergo bad shave -Merkur HD 34C – Good weight, handle too short for me Blades -Astra – Excellent all around blade. Good combo with the Merkur Progress Adjustable -Personna – Good blade. Needs extra effort to provide as close a shave as the Astra and the Feather -Feather – Sharp. Can provide an excellent shave, but requires being careful and takinig your time. All that being said. From the first time I started using the Progress, I could tell the difference in the shave. This razor is heavy and to some may seem bulky. Even though I like the heavier, longer handled razors, when I first held this one, I was wondering would it be too heavy and bulky. However upon shaving with the razor, I could tell this was going to be a good shaving razor. As I mentioned, the weight and bulk, will take some getting used to. I did not even consider ordering the shorter handle version, and I am glad that I didn't. As with the 47C, the heavy weight is easily managed with the longer handle. That was one of the main reason I did not like the HD 34C. Even the larger head on the Progress seems to work in it's favor, especially when combined with the sharper blades and utilizing the adjustments. In the past, I had trouble getting a close face shave with the 47C and the 180. Shave looked close, but beard was coming back pretty quick. And my bead is not that heavy. Shaved with the Progress loaded with an Astra blade and only need a 1.5 for my head and a 2 for my face. One of the closest shaves I have had since switching to the DE razors. Looking forward to trying with a Feather and a Personna blade. From my experience, if you have a DE razor and aren't getting the closeness in your shave your desire or you have a problem with nicks and cuts, this may be your solution. But as with all DE razor shaves, take your time, use a sharp blade, and LUBRICATE, your beard/head before shaving.

Edit Update; some reviewers point out the sound this razor makes as it is shaving, so during my latest shaves with this new razor, I also noted that there is indeed a sound of the razor cutting the whiskers. It's not just sound traveling through the face and bones into the ear, but it is audible outside of the face. This means once the whiskers have been shaved to smooth face, the sound will stop. What an ingenious design! The high quality of this MERKUR Progress Adjustable 2-Piece Double Edge Safety Razor, long handle (510 model number) was immediately apparent with first shave. The design/engineering, weight, adjustability of this razor are probably one of the best of all available. I purchased high-quality DE blades and I had tried them in my former safety razor (butterfly, non- adjustable, type), but the blades did not perform as expected. I have tried them in this Merkur Progress adjustable, and the difference is like night and day - the blades are indeed highest quality and that quality is brought our by this razor. The price is the best I have found (the same razor sells for $10-30 or more via other vendors). Sustainability - no further need for throw away plastic blades and handles; no need to further contribute to the massive global-scale plastic trash problems - as this Merkur Progress Adjustable razor will last many years and the blades are inexpensive as well. I purchased the long-handle version (since I've been using a long handle up to now), but because of the excellent design/engineering of this razor, it is balanced just right to facilitate correct angles and movements with just 2-3 fingers (the longer handle is for those with larger hands); so, save some money (to buy good blades, etc.) and buy the short handle version.With this razor, shaving is incredibly smooth; it's shaving bliss.

This razor does a great Job ! I have only had one shave with it so far, and I used The single Mekur blade it came with. I'm not a believer in a razor, being the only reason for a great shave alone. You have got to have a good blade to accompany also. From what I have read in review's. The Merkur blades are not that great, and the shave I got today was pretty damn good ! With the head on this razor being adjustable, I don't understand how it could not give a great shave. Unless your blade is real garbage. This razor did not come with the plastic case., so if you are looking forward to it ,you need to order from one of the other's that show it in the description. The finish on the razor is in excellent shape. I also read one review (here) that said the handle wasn't long enough. The handle is about 3,3/4" long , overall razor is about 4,1/8 in long with the blade tightened down. The handle is plenty long enough for me,. And I have large hands ! I would recommend this razor ! This is my fifth double edge razor. I have bought two that were in the $10 to $15 range They don't compare to this razor at all. I also have a Edwin jagger de89. And it does a great job also, but it can't compete with this razor because of it being adjustable . with the Edwin jagger you need to find the wright blade to match, you and the razor. With this razor you can just about use any blade you want. I also have a 100% stainless steel razor I just bought and have not used yet, as the Merkur progress and it arrived at the same time. If you can afford to buy this razor , I am sure it will pay for itself with the ability to buy cheaper blades alone. It seems to be built well enough to last a good amount of time. I would recommend this razor.

I first began DE shaving with a Merkur 34C in college in the 70's; I still own it and it still shaves and looks like new. I can't begin to count the number of blades that have passed through that razor! I also own a Futur and a 23C and a 34G. I'd always wondered about this strange-looking razor with that plastic knob on the bottom, finally broke down and ordered one. I almost always use King of Shaves for shaving and have for 20 years. Set on its lowest setting this razor cruised right through my beard like the Futur. I don't have a coarse beard and my skin's a little droopy these days so I found that 2.5 to 3.0 was the best with an Astra blade. Two things I really don't like about this, and why it would never be a daily razor: 1) slick as a whistle. I really didn't concern myself with the slick chrome finish, until the first time I used it. Any soap or lubricant at all on the hands and this becomes a handful. I found that for me I was most stable putting my pinkie on the bottom under the plastic adjuster. I don't like to think about dropping a razor-sharp device on myself. 2) it's very inconvenient to change blades. One has to twist that plastic adjuster through several rounds before a change in feel indicates it's finally loosening the head. I've seen others state that it takes 13 twists, but it sure seemed like more. And, of course, once a new blade is inserted, then it's the same number of turns to get it back. One is supposed to tighten it all the way--which is setting 1--then back off to the desired head setting. 3) for some strange reason, for the head adjustment to work properly, the head only goes on the razor one way. There's a triangle on one end of the razor and a notch on the removable head. They have to both be on the same side when changing blades or the adjustment system isn't proper. I don't regret purchasing this but it won't be in daily rotation. Razors, particularly DE and straight razors, are such a subjective purchase. Though I could use this daily, there are more convenient razors, including Merkurs, out there.

Ref uploaded photo. To avoid damaging the razor it is absolutely critical for the handle & head alignment to be correct. This razor was Delivered w/Wrong Alignment. Unfortunately, I shipped-out the next day and it is now logistically futile to return this item. Evidently it is risky ordering from Amazon. Pathetic. * * * * U P D A T E / 2014 JAN * * * * I'm stationed in the Philippines & AFAIK my Merkur is probably still being used in the province by an old barber I gifted it to last year. Sorry folks, I swore by Merkur in the past but for some odd reason whoever or whomever shipped this one to me via Amazon maybe had access to a bunch of "returned" defects. Besides the head misalignment upon opening the merchandise, the blade adjustment just seemed wacky each use; ie, it was prone to shaving nicks using one side but normal on the opposite side. My first Progress razor seldom ever nicked me -- 'wish I still had it. Almost launched this one into the China Sea during a joint exercise but kept it long enough to give it away to a local thereafter. Since then, I've been using Gillette Blue 3 disposables sold here but can't find them stateside. A buddy told me they're the same as Gillette's Sensor 3 disposables but wouldn't know how to verify it. I tried inserting a product link below for reference. Gillette Sensor3 Sensitive Disposable Razor 8 Count (Pack of 2)

Before this I ran the classic 3 piece for 15 years. Nothing wrong with the razor but wanted to try an adjustable. This razor is amazing. I'm used to feeling a slight tug with my classic. With this one I felt nothing. 1st pass set it to 1, second pass ATG to 2-3. Incredibly no razor burn on the neck area and no nicks. It was so easy compared to my old razor that it felt like you'd actually have to try to nick yourself. Unreal. I just wish I got this one 15 years ago. Another thing is it almost doesn't matter which razor blades you buy because it's adjustable. You can get it in tune if it's a bad razor blade which I think is so cool. Highly highly recommend