Adjustable Razors

On the subject of adjustables, I've always liked the short- and long-handled versions of the Merkur Progress, and as well as the plastic knob versions, I've got the Digress from Scotland with a brass knob, and a Mergress from the USA, with a stainless knob.

Both the "modded" razors were, at the time, available only as a complete razor, and rather more expensive than the base razor. In the last few days, I see that the Shave Nation proprietor in the USA, who posts on Youtube as "geofatboy", has introduced replacement knobs in brass and stainless steel. These are called "Opgress" and can be bought separately or with the razor (short handle only, at the moment). The cost is US$ 50.00, and they are easily installed by the user on an existing short-handle Progress. They look pretty good, but don't have setting/index numbers. This is obviously a disadvantage in use, as the index collar moves when changing a blade, and a certain amount of eidetic memory will be needed to get back to a preferred setting, unless the user marks the ring/knob. It does make user installation easier, as a certain amount of trial and error is needed to get the gap, index number and dot lined up at the start low setting after any dismantling; which I learnt through bitter experience.

The link to the vendor is here:- Shave Nation Opgress and the YT installation video here:- Opgress DIY installation.

I've no vested interest here, and haven't ever bought from Shave Nation, but I have seen an awful lot of posts over the years from people who like the Progress but detest the plastic knob.
 
On the subject of adjustables, I've always liked the short- and long-handled versions of the Merkur Progress, and as well as the plastic knob versions, I've got the Digress from Scotland with a brass knob, and a Mergress from the USA, with a stainless knob.

Both the "modded" razors were, at the time, available only as a complete razor, and rather more expensive than the base razor. In the last few days, I see that the Shave Nation proprietor in the USA, who posts on Youtube as "geofatboy", has introduced replacement knobs in brass and stainless steel. These are called "Opgress" and can be bought separately or with the razor (short handle only, at the moment). The cost is US$ 50.00, and they are easily installed by the user on an existing short-handle Progress. They look pretty good, but don't have setting/index numbers. This is obviously a disadvantage in use, as the index collar moves when changing a blade, and a certain amount of eidetic memory will be needed to get back to a preferred setting, unless the user marks the ring/knob. It does make user installation easier, as a certain amount of trial and error is needed to get the gap, index number and dot lined up at the start low setting after any dismantling; which I learnt through bitter experience.

The link to the vendor is here:- Shave Nation Opgress and the YT installation video here:- Opgress DIY installation.

I've no vested interest here, and haven't ever bought from Shave Nation, but I have seen an awful lot of posts over the years from people who like the Progress but detest the plastic knob.
To be fair the plastic knob in the photo's put me off buying one for ages because it looked so cheap and tacky but once I got the razor in my hand I found it to be much better looking. I wish I had brought it ages ago but fully understand the love it or hate it issue.
ps love Geofatboy videos. :)
 
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To be fair the plastic knob in the photo's put me off buying one for ages because it looked so cheap and tacky but once I got the razor in my hand I found it to be much better looking. I wish I had brought it ages ago but fully understand the love it or hate it issue.
ps love Geofatboy videos. :)
I see that Executive Shaving are selling the complete modded Opgress/Progress razor. It's still my view that an adjustable razor which depends on moving the top cap by some method (as distinct from different plates per Rockwell, or different gaps each side, per Zeppelin) but which doesn't have indexing marks, is not going to be easy to reset to preferred settings.
 
Got my PearlFlexi at the weekend, I have a Mekur Progress which I love. Having read about early issues with the Pearl I waited until reviews became more positive, nevertheless I was apprehensive as I have bought razors in the past that just don’t suit me. It came with blades made in India as below, popped one in as I thought these are obviously recommend by Pearl. Started to shave and thought oh no this is a bad razor very poor shave. Next day tried an Asta platinum and guess what perfect shave, love it. Just a heads up in case anyone has a similar experience
 

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I have a Merkur progress and a Pearl flexi, for me it can depend on the blade, the Merkur you can us any blade, the Pearl I find needs a better quality blade Merkur, Feather etc.
 
Intially I used to just stick to one setting and that's that but tbh I didn't really enjoy adjustables and see all the fuss about adjustables, especially for me using one setting just felt like a box standard de razor

however now I enjoy playing around with the settings choosing whatever I fancy

Tbh the black beauty long handled imo I reckon is one of the best adjustables for head shavers, due to its weight and long handle

I could see why daily shavers would enjoy adjustables

I can't think of an open comb adjustable though off the top of my head
 
My refurbished Gillette Slim arrived today. I'm looking forward to experimenting with the settings - different for passes, different for more sensitive areas of the face.
Do you go up the settings as you go through the passes, or reduce the setting as you're reducing the amount of stubble? I suppose I'll find out soon enough as I start to experiment!!
I can't see the point of using it on a single setting for everything! Even if I come to the decision that different settings for different amounts of growth, something should be changing!
 
the way i think of it, the first WTG pass you want to mow down as much as possible in the one pass, to reduce irritation, so i use a Futur and go level 3 WTG. Then i go ATG on level 1, as the futur is aggressive and actually gets very smooth in that first pass. For me, just those 2 passes then some pick ups on neck, gives me a BBS. I use Wilkinson sword blades, very smooth they are due to the Teflon coating
 
Years ago I had some sort of DE adjustable. I recall that there was so much backlash in the mechanism that nothing was reproducible, even moving the rotation in the same direction when adjusting. Can't remember make.
 
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