MERKUR Progress 500 Adjustable Double Edge Safety Razor - Standard Handle Adjustable Razor With Dial Made in Germany Plastic-Free Closed Comb Straight Bar

I have two Timeless .95's, RR .84's, Rockwell 6S, and Karve’s with A through G plates. You know what razor I am reaching for every day? The Merkur Progress. I have had this razor for 4 years, used it a few times when new, then put it away, then went down the rabbit hole of chasing "grail" razors. After spending a fortune on everything new plus dozens of vintages, I revisited the Progress several months ago, only this time I loaded a fresh Astra SP, and proceeded to have one of the best shave experiences ever.Why? It's easy to get a "good" shave, but to use a razor daily as I do, it has to have a unique combination of smoothness, forgiveness and efficiency. Most razors have one or two of those characteristics, few have all. The Progress does.Smoothness: the ability of a razor (in combination with the blade you're using) to feel comfortable. It doesn't "hurt". You don't get the sensation of pulling or roughness. It simply cuts through your stubble with minimal effort. The post shave feel is completely absent of irritation and discomfort.Forgiveness: the ability of a razor and blade to tolerate minor errors in technique. Unforgiving razors punish minor lapses of technique with cuts and weepers. The Progress is forgiving in a way that is disproportionate to its efficiency (more efficient razors as a general rule, tend to be less forgiving).Efficiency: the characteristic of a razor and the blade in use, in combination with blade aperture and exposure, to cut stubble effectively on initial strokes, close to the skin. Inefficient razors require more "work" to provide a close shave, often causing users to go over the same area more times than is necessary, resulting in irritation. An efficient razor minimizes this effect.I normally load a new blade (recommend Astra SP) and keep the Progress at its lowest setting (knob turned all the way clockwise). I don't feel the need to increase blade gap at all. I use blades two or three 2-pass shaves (plus touch up) and the result is just a great, great result. Close, smooth and lasting. Don’t over-use blades; they are cheap enough and you deserve the best a blade has to offer, which in most cases is its first 2 or 3 uses when it is at maximum sharpness.Obviously if you are a brand-new user of DE razor systems, you will go through a period of time developing good technique, particularly if you're coming from the horrid, gazillian blade cartridge systems. Take your time, learn your face, use quality soaps, brushes and post shave routines, and you will experience the joy of shaving, not the chore of shaving. Happy shaves :)

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.

After 10 years with a 'non adjustable' Merkur HD, it finally started to rot. Chrome delaminated and Zinc rot. Not ideal, but not bad given its life in my shower. I found after a while that I preferred using it loosened 1/2 turn. More aggressive cut, but shaves cleanly in 1 pass with no irritation this way.I ordered this to replace the old one thinking it would be the proper way to achieve what my backing off 1/2 turn did on the old one. In some respects, I suppose that is true. In others, I kinda miss the old way of doing it.When I got it, I paint penned in all the numbers and the alignment marks on the blade retainer. This worked well enough. But, I never had to care about this with the old razor.I found '4' is about as close as I could muster to match my old way of doing things. Its consistent, and it really isn't BAD. But I prefer my old shave. Not aggressive enough? Dunno. But 3 and 5 were not as good as 4, and 4 is not as good as the old way.Fit and finish are good, and it *is* a nice razor. But if I had it to do all over again, I'd just buy another HD and keep backing it off 1/2 turn.2023 (final) update: After a year, my favorite setting was 5+1 = 6 using Gillette Silver Blues. I just retired it.For comparison I think it shaves similarly to a vintage Gillette Fatboy. But the old Gillette is as good or better than this in some respects. No re-alignment during butterfly blade change. Adjustment is easier and has a broader range of aggressiveness. No pot metal. The weight of the Merkur is nicer, and it is a bit easier to clean. Price was about the same for both.My daily is now a Razorback Gamechanger .84. RR is cheaper and all stainless. It's heavy with excellent knurling. Blade changes are not directional. It isn't adjustable in the traditional sense (you have to buy plates), but I prefer it to any setting I found on the Merkur adjustable.I still think the HD / 34c is the best value, with an excellent shave and first timer friendly. If they made it in all stainless, that is about the only thing that would talk me into a 5th razor.

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've been using the Merkur Futur razor every day for the past 5 years and have loved the precise shave I could get with it. But I always had a nagging feeling that I should have gotten the Progress instead. Feeling like splurging, I decided to get myself a late Christmas gift this year and I couldn't be happier.First, the German precision is no joke with Merkur razors. Everything fits together with precision, and the adjustment mechanisms turn smoothly, but are tight and do not slip during use.On reason I originally opted for the Futur was a fear that the Progress's plastic adjustment knob would feel cheap. I doesn't. It feels as solid and well-made as the rest of the razor. Additionally, I find that the Progress is easier to adjust with this knob placement and fluted handle. Adjusting the Futur mid shave always scared me as the smooth finish required me to hold the head of the razor to get enough of a grip to turn it. That is not a problem with the Progress.While the Progress can be used safely by a beginner, I would not recommend it. This is more because it's adjustable than because it can't be set to a very mild shave. I (like many) found that adjustable razors just introduce too many variables when starting out with wet shaving and prevent one from mastering their technique. Once you're ready to make that step and fine-tune your shave, the Progress is an excellent option.

I use the #2 setting so far and find it shaves close enough to have a satisfying shave with no nicking even when moving at a quicker pace. Handling the razor was nice and the weight made for a satisfying natural grip for me.in my opinion, this razor would be a good choice for beginners and experienced shavers alike. The price was higher than what I normally pay for a razor base, but considering I can use any brand's razor blades which allows for cheaper blades, the good quality of the material, and the adjustable functionality, I am happy with my purchase and will be recommending it/purchasing it as a gift to my fellow shavers.My only problem with the razor was that it did not provide information on how to install/replace the blade, which someone new to the products wouldn't know how to do. There are videos showing how to do so online though so it isn't a problem, just something i would recommend the manufacturer included on the inside of the packaging for future models to help new users.

As a long time 34c user i didnt expect much from a razor that just add the option of adjustment. But as you can guess i was wrong. The razor feels much less likely to "bite" as you know the 34c can on a third pass. It seems that the progress flexxes the blade a bit more and it comes out making the blade feel more secure. I started out on one and quickly found that is not enough, turned it up to 2 and the feel and the sound were just right. I tried 2.5 and it could really cut but it seemed like i was starting to feel the blade a bit much so back to just past 2. And in finally something that most dont mention. The sound of this razor on the skin is amazing. Its not the high pitched click purr of hair being cut. its more of a high popping sound. The skin feel when shaving with the progress is very solid. You can feel the blade but its not doing damage. Ill add more in later shaves.Update, After getting used to it i opened it up to 3 and i have to say if you cant do against the grain like me you will love this razor, just watch your angles cause at that gap it can drag if your not carefull but wow. I always had one trouble spot where my neck muscle stands out irritation no matter what i did but this time i hit it accross the grain with just a bit of the Gillette slide and its as smooth as against the grain. love the razor

So I've tried pretty much every DE razor known to man in my quest to find anything "better" than the RazoRock Game Changer .68. This includes several adjustables like the Gillette Fat Boy/Slim/Super, Rockwell, Rex Ambassador, etc. All of them have left me disappointed.I decided to give this a try on a whim. I know it's "just" a Zamak (pot metal) razor but I'll be damned if it doesn't give an outstanding shave.The first time I tried it I loaded up a Feather blade and started at setting 1.5. At first it felt like it was going to peel my face off but I realized it just felt different than what I'm used to with the Game Changer. When I was done with a three-pass BBS shave, I did my usual witch hazel splash, followed by a Stirling Soap Co. aftershave. I was expecting quite a bit of burn like normal but, again, I'll be damned if I didn't have LESS burn than usual!I've shaved with it a couple of times since then with repeatable results: a BBS shave and less burn than I normally get.I'm sold. If this one ever gets Zamak rot, I'd definitely buy another.

Excelente maquinilla, acabado muy bonito, los niveles exactos, no es agresiva, ajusta a tu mejor sensación y listo, vale la pena la inversión.

Barbeador sensacional! Barbear incrível e o acabamento perfeito.

Ho deciso di acquistare questo magnifico rasoio per sfizio, essendo già possessore di un Parker variant che giudico un filo superiore nel taglio con gap alti (personalissima opinione), e devo dire che questo con il manico corto per le dimensioni delle mie mani e del viso lo trovo efficacissimo e mai troppo aggressivo semmai, a regolazioni massime, profondo. Indiscutibile la qualità per il rapporto con il prezzo (preso su Amazon a 47!!!! euri) e bello il design che ormai resiste da oltre mezzo secolo. Se qualcuno mi chiedesse se è adatto ad un neofita per quel che se ne dica su siti o su Youtube dico di si e vengo a spiegare. I regolabili, in quanto tali, danno la possibilità a tutti esperti e non di utilizzare il setup che ritengono migliore e per un neofita è il top poiché man mano che prenderà dimestichezza e la pelle con il pelo si abitueranno ad un taglio diverso e più deciso potrà decidere di aumentare il gap. In definitiva il neofita potrà acquistare solo questo e andare avanti per tutta la vita....per noi scimmiati invece...beh.. conviene acquistare un bravo domatore di primati😂😂

Whoever is in the wetshave knows about this razor.Adjustable perfections and beauty.There's nothing else to say.I love it.

Out of the package, the razor seems slightly dirty. Wiped it with alcohol to appreciate the shiny chrome. Tried it with a fresh Astra Platinum (Green) blade on the no.2 setting for 3 passes. Feels smoother than the Parker Variant, which took inspiration from this razor. Smooth shave with a hint of blade feel. Pleasant experience. I'd say this razor would perform well as a daily driver.