MERKURProgress Adjustable Safety Razor, MK-500001

I hadn't used a safety razor in many years but, after a lot of research (actually, by my wife), received this as a birthday gift in the hopes it would help clear up what had become persistent issues with ingrown hairs and severe rosacea-like redness on my face over the past couple years. I suspect that masking during the pandemic started the redness issue, but have no way of verifying that. In any case, I had tried every combination of electric and 5- down to 1-blade cartridge razor, including my old standby Gillette Sensor Excel, shaving cream/lotion/gel/soap, and post-shave treatment with no success in repairing my skin. No joke: a week or two wet shaving with this razor immediately eliminated all but the most occasional ingrown, along with most of the redness. I'm getting a great, close shave with no irritation at all. Everyone needs to find what works for them, but in case anyone wonders, here is my routine:* I load the handle with Merkur blades. I know there are a lot of comments by others that use different brands, but the Merkur works for me and, even with my heavy beard, the blades last about 3 weeks each.* When installing a new blade, I tighten the screw of my Merkur Progress Adjustable all the way down, then back it off by 1/4 turn to get slightly more aggressive. I get a very clean shave with no irritation this way. Tightened all the way, i don't get a clean shave.* I warm my skin in the shower, then wash my face with Acure Ultra Hydrating Green Juice Cleanser. With the cleanser still on my skin, I wet a badger hair shaving brush, then gently go over my face in circles - both directions - rinsing my skin when done.* Next, I use Gillette Pro shaving gel, rubbing it onto my face in circles, enough to get under my stubble. I tried several different types, but this rehydrates well, so i can reapply a bit after the first pass and protect my face for a light second pass of the razor. I wish this was unscented, but I've finally gotten used to the smell.* I lightly hold the short razor handle and gently pass the razor over my face and neck in long single strokes, taking care not to press in - rather, letting the weight of the razor do the work, then rinsing after each pass. After my whole face and neck has been gone over once, as mentioned above, I reapply a thin layer of leftover shaving gel and do a super light pass to get really close.* When I'm done showering, I lightly pat dry my face, trying to leave it a little moist until I can put on post-shave treatment. For that, I spray on either Acure Seriously Soothing Rose Water & Watermelon Hydrating Mist or Osea Sea Minerals Mist. When that is mostly soaked in, I put on a tiny amount of Osea Atmosphere Protection Cream. I hate pretty much anything on my face, but these leave my skin soothed, smooth, and hydrated without feeling greasy. Even in the low humidity where I live, my face feels and looks great all day.A pretty long review - and not all about the razor - but I hope this helps anyone trying to improve both the quality of their shave and also their skin. For anyone intimidated to try a safety razor, don't be. Follow the tips above on how to hold and use the razor and you'll be fine. If you go with this or any adjustable, start at the least aggressive setting (most tightened down), then back that off gradually until you find a shave and comfort level that works for you - it will only take a couple times. Finally, though some shavers create an angled guillotine-style blade, don't try to pull the blade at an angle; doing so is how you get nicks and cuts. Pull so the blade makes "blunt" contact with your skin and you'll be a convert in no time.

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.