New Merkur Progress...What Setting?

**airhead** · 05-17-2008, 05:23 AM

I have been DE shaving exclusively for about 1 month using my Merkur HD and a Gifted Super Speed (From taco bell). I love both razors, but "Razor Acquisition Disorder" kicked in, and I purchased a Merkur Progress at a local shop.

After a few sleepless nights contemplating whether or not I should send in the unused razor for Mer's mod, or just go ahead and use it, I've decided to give it a go...

What setting should I start with? Can anybody give a rundown on what setting is most like the HD, I think I want to try to go slightly more aggressive than that.

Thanks in Advance, as Always.

**Perfect_shave** · 05-17-2008, 05:29 AM

Its hard to say what setting is similar to the Merkur HD as alot of Progress's settings are different to other Progresss. Start with a low setting, depending on your beard type and skin sensitivity. Something like a 1.5 should be ok. The Mer modifiication is brilliant, highly recommended.

**hamelfarm1** · 05-17-2008, 05:34 AM

Yeah, I was gonna say between 1 and 1.5 as a starter. You might also find that one edge of the blade is slightly more exposed than the other which puts a lot of people off but, even though it's by flaw rather than design, I quite like it cos I do the first pass with the more exposed edge and the second pass with the more closed exposure for a milder finish. You may even find that one side of an edge is more exposed than the other side, giving an almost slanted effect - an awful lot of Merkur razors aren't as exacting as older DEs and the Progress is particularly iffy when it comes to the accuracy of the blade angle.

**airhead** · 05-17-2008, 05:39 AM

Copy. Thanks.

I find that the HD is more aggressive than my Gillette SS, but that doesn't seem to be the consensus around here really? BTW, I have a very thick and tough, wirey beard...

**Tris Hussey** · 05-18-2008, 04:48 PM

Awesome. I just got a Merkur Progress this week and ShaveTutor recommended starting low and working up.

Saddly I had it at 2.5 and put it UP to 4.5. No wonder I bled more.

**Tris Hussey** · 05-18-2008, 04:52 PM

BTW, if you want to see the pictures of my first shave (set at 2.5) here they are: http://www.manscaping-101.com/mansca...r-first-shave/

Believe me, you don't want to see the second try (leaving to turn my razor down).

**drandall** · 05-18-2008, 09:12 PM

after some fiddling, i find that 2 is a good setting that seems about equivalent to the aggression of a merkHD.

i can't imagine shaving much higher than that without risking blood loss

**tm3** · 05-19-2008, 04:46 AM

imo 3 is about the same as the HD, but the two razors feel quite different because of the different head shapes.

i've experimented with a lot of settings, and currently my favorite is first pass at 1, next at 2, last at 2. i also like three passes at the lowest setting which seems to give just as close a shave with zero nicks.

going from 1 to 2 to 3, or 1 to 2 to 4, is also interesting.

i like the adjustability, especially while learning DE technique.

**mantic** · 05-19-2008, 06:27 AM

My suggestion for new Progress users (FWIW, IMHO, YMMV, etc.):

Put your blade-of-choice in and dial all the way down (lower numbers on the dial equals "down"). Now turn the dial one-half turn (on my Progress that's about a 3 but again YMMV). That is the highest setting you should attempt for at least the first month or so of use. Personally I would dial down at least one full number.

Resist the temptation to "dial it up to eleven!"
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akaD9v460yI[/YOUTUBE]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VClPqPMro4[/youtube]

Welcome Airhead and Tris! BTW, Tris is a training guy for B5 Media, a big blog hoster.

--Mark

**rodd** · 05-19-2008, 09:06 AM

I love my progress on 1.5. I get great shaves anywhere on the dial, but 1.5 seems like a sweet spot.

**Tris Hussey** · 05-19-2008, 09:36 AM

Hi Mark, thanks for the welcome. Yeah the shave with the Merkur set to 1.5 yesterday. Wow, just amazing. One nick, no weepers.

No turning back now.

**thevelvet** · 05-19-2008, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by Perfect_shave

Its hard to say what setting is similar to the Merkur HD as alot of Progress's settings are different to other Progresss. Start with a low setting, depending on your beard type and skin sensitivity. Something like a 1.5 should be ok. The Mer modifiication is brilliant, highly recommended.

+1 Everyone pretty much uses a different setting for what they find best on their beard. Just play around with it and see whats best for you. You can always go up or down on each pass.

Jarmo P · 05-19-2008, 10:33 AM

Setting Progress about 3, when you have it as 1 zeroed. More if like mine it is 1.6 as zeroed. I cannot get as good shaves as with my HD, but all in all not a bad razor. A bit too heavy on head compared to 34C it is though.

I would not waste money to get a new knob since I rather like that creamy colored knob. IMO an adjustable can never be as good as a fixed head razor.

Jarmo

**Duggo** · 05-19-2008, 04:39 PM

This is only a theory of mine.

Here's my theory. You have to find "just the right setting." If the setting is too low, you'll have to go over and over it. If you do that too much, perhaps you'll get irritation.

I'm guessing you would.

If you use too high a setting, then, you are looking at the possibility of nicks or worse.

I think it might be a question of either a) reaching a compromise, or b) finding that "sweet spot."

I think it also depends upon how gentle (or not) you have to be with your skin. the #3 setting on my Progress, gives me similar results to my HD. Parts of my skin can take that level of aggression, others can't. I think that's what it boils down to, for me anyway.

Of course, it goes without saying, (but you know I'm going to say it anyway,) YMMV on this one.

I usually use 1 to 1.5 on the first pass.

I would suggest you start at 1 and work your way up.