Yeah, difficult to fathom ...
I used a 37C about 5 years ago. I figured it would be a perfect daily shaver for me as a DE, but at the time I was purely single edge (for shaving) and so as it wasn't part of a collection (I do like my Gillette New & Tech razors, as you know ... as a collection as well a for occasional shaving), I let it go.
Getting back into traditional shaving recently, it's been a return to double edge and I picked up another 37C. Well, my first impression was that it was like being kissed by a kitten, it was so mild. Maybe those years of single edge shaving have made everything feel mild or maybe it's that my technique is improved in all areas - prep, lather and shaving.
I got a note from
@Dave-the-rave who said that Merkur had indeed retooled about 5 years ago and a milder razor was born. I've not looked any further into it. Maybe he can cite sources?
Either way, I like mine. I hope you like yours, too.
Yeah, there's some talk about Merkur going into administration. I must say, I'm mulling over whether to get a Progress as well, but from memory I found the head too heavy and rarely faffed with the adjustment. I never really clicked with any adjustables and let my mint Fatboy and my birth year/quarter Black Beauty go.