Merkur Progress First Shave - German Razor!

Today we are taking a look at my new razor, the Merkur Progress.
Got it from a seller on Ebay. Thanks Groomingking1
Came with Merkur blades and pre shave oil.

[@MisterRz]

That B-roll was hilarious man 😂🤣 I'm so happy that finally more content creators are making reviews of the progress.

[@flitch77]

Good job. your funniest and quirkiest video so far. Loved the cut away to tell us not to listen to the German guy. Classic. And I had a good chuckle while you shaved. Not at you, but in a "oh yeah, I have done something like that too" shared experience way. Hope the next shave goes better with the Progress. Cheers and have a lovely week

[@Heiko-shaves]

I am glad you like it.

[@Wicked-Whiskers]

Hi Heiko, love your videos, must say that my only "flaw" of Progress is that once I figured my prefered setting - I don't adjust it any more 😊 #4 all the way Keep up with good work, wish you all the best!

[@Heiko-shaves]

Thank you.

[@D18.21]

I'm a setting # 4 guy as well. Paired with a persona platinum chrome de blade. I reduce the setting to 1.5 for a bbs glass like finish. Fantastic razor.

[@saguarosmart4100]

Don't worry about it Heiko, I'm sure most people who own a Progress have made that mistake before. It's easy not to pay attention to this small detail. I'm sure with practice you will enjoy the flexibility of the progress.

[@Heiko-shaves]

Thanks, i hope i won't do it again.

[@melteds3008]

Good review of the progress razor.

[@Heiko-shaves]

Thanks

[@utsavdey-ef8so]

Based on your content, I have a feeling your channel will grow pretty quickly. All the best 👍 from India

[@Heiko-shaves]

Thanks, that is very encouraging. It is a lot of fun too. Especially the community exchange of tips and tricks here in the comment section. I might have started an Instagram or Facebook group as a companion piece.

[@razormichl2004]

nice review👍

[@Heiko-shaves]

Thanks.

[@JimG7755]

Hey Heiko! You are definitely not an idiot! I have done the same with my Progress, just simply not paying attention. The Parker Variant has the exact same set up. Both are very good razors in my opinion. Use this video as a learning experience. Thanks for the video! JimG

[@Heiko-shaves]

Thanks, I will hopefully not make the same mistake again. I might have to try the Parker too and the Pearl Flexi .

[@JimG7755]

@@Heiko-shaves You'll like them both! Just make sure you purchase a new version Flexi. The original models had blade gap issues. I haven't purchased the open comb version yet, I am waiting to see more reviews to ensure quality control.

[@juanvillalobosVII]

Hola HEIKO, miro siempre tus videos, no me fije si lo hiciste puede ser que lo has hecho y no me percate, pero debes hacer coincidir la muesca que tiene la tapa del cabezal con la base que está unida al mango, en uno de sus perfiles tiene dichas marcas y ambas hay que hacerlas coincidir, sino no tendrás un ajuste correcto de la maquinilla y por ende la encontrarás más agresiva y tus afeitados no serán del todo placenteros con esta súper fabricación ALEMANA, yo tengo esta misma maquinilla pero con el mango más corto y es una súper maquinilla, está entre mis favoritas…

[@Heiko-shaves]

Yes, I made that beginner mistake but figured it out later. Thanks for your comment.

[@MisterRz]

and and the punchline was just priceless 😂🤣🤣👌

[@Heiko-shaves]

Thanks, glad you like it.

[@avelmakridis6392]

Hello. Great & funny video. Just to help you with the adjustments. If you look carefully on one of the sides of the top cap there is a line. This line has to be aligned with the little line on the base plate. The the numbers will aligned perfectly with each adjustment. Try out & tell me what you think 😉😉😉

[@Heiko-shaves]

I will let you know the next time with the Progress. I realized my mistake at the end of the video though. We got to take the Progress out for another shave.

[@gzamps89]

2.09 is hilarious 😂

[@Heiko-shaves]

Glad you like it. I am just experimenting with things. Thanks for the feedback.

[@boostedbliss07MK5]

I was enjoying the fake sign so it worked! I’d love a T2 vs Merkur progress. Winner vs fatboy showdown series!

[@Heiko-shaves]

That is in the realm of possibility.

[@MisterRz]

Oh I didn't know about your dad, so sorry to hear that he has passed away.

[@Heiko-shaves]

Yeah, he died fairly young. Already 27 years ago.

[@MisterRz]

@@Heiko-shaves so sad man, may he r.i.p.

[@Shaverboy516]

I saw the mistake right away, keep in mind the Parker Variant works the same as you need to line up the triangle and line on the top cap.

[@Heiko-shaves]

Lesson learned. If I ever try the Parker I will hopefully remember.

[@Shaverboy516]

@@Heiko-shaves The Parker in my opinion shaves a bit more aggressive on all setting compared to the Merkur. I like the Merkur a bit better.

[@Heiko-shaves]

@@Shaverboy516 in that case I might stay away from it. I think the Progress has sufficient aggression for me. I hope Parker or Pearl can loan me some review razors because I can't buy all of them. Will see what happens. That Razor Emporium loaned me a Rex is still beyond awesome.

[@Shaverboy516]

@@Heiko-shaves Yes if you like the feel of the Merkur, the Parker may not suit your skin type, and Matt from RE is very nice to send you a Rex on loaner. I don’t have that razor due to the hefty price tag, looking forward to your thoughts on the razor.

[@boostedbliss07MK5]

@@Shaverboy516great info. I would like the progress better based off your info then.

[@MisterRz]

You've probably didn't put the line on the triangle my man 😄

[@Heiko-shaves]

KZbin viewers are very observant. I wish I would have caught it.

[@alessandrocerioli2151]

So..once solved the misaligned "issue" has changed your judgement ?

[@Heiko-shaves]

The misalignment was not the razor's mistake. I installed the top cap the wrong way. The only effect this has is that the adjustment marks don't line up as they should. Regardless of my mistake the Progress is a great razor.

[@alessandrocerioli2151]

@@Heiko-shaves I noticed and to be honest I would have expected a small booklet to explain how to load it...howevrr I am enquiring as I am considering and I wonder if better or at least conparable to a Gillette Slim.

[@boostedbliss07MK5]

I love the retro look of the progress! I like the short handle version. You should try the Parker variants. They are like a revamped progress. You & other great channels have motivated me to start my own channel. I did a review of the new open comb Parker variant vs the closed comb. I also have a progress vs Parker variant video. Here is the new open comb vid kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6bVmXanosx9gLssi=D5r5oI0bj8aEwczq

[@Heiko-shaves]

I'll check it out!

[@Stubblemeetssteel]

⁠@@Heiko-shavesthat would be great!👍

[@Birodalom1]

This razor would be perfect with a more knurled handle and a metal knob instead of a plastic one.

[@Heiko-shaves]

Merkur has been making this razor since 1955. I am surprised they haven't updated it slightly with more knurling. But it is also one of their best sellers, maybe that is why they don't change it.

[@clemmc37]

I've made the same mistake with mine....lol

[@Heiko-shaves]

Glad I am not the only one. Now I have to give the razor a proper run for its money.

[@rutkowsky1000]

DONEWIDEO

[@rutkowsky1000]

LINEUPTRIAGLE

[@Heiko-shaves]

Later in the video I realized my mistake. Total newby move. 😉

[@jmw3938]

I’m late to this party, I know, but I reckon the Progress is junk. I bought mine from a reputable store in Australia, but can’t get it to give me a smooth or comfortable shave - and yes, I lined up the arrow and the notch (and watched YT reviews of the bloody thing). The problem is that the blade doesn’t align properly, no matter what I do. So it sits among all the razors I never use. My Merkur 34C also has blade alignment issues. It’s disappointing, but I sure won’t be buying any more Merkur products. Unusually for a German product, I think the company has QC issues. Oh well. 👍🪒

[@Heiko-shaves]

That is unusual. I have two progress and several other Merkur razors and none of them have any alignment issues. If the blade isn't sitting in the head straight, I would contact Merkur and get a replacement. I bet they will make it right.