Thanks for the video! The Viking Crusader got me with the asymmetrical head. I ordered it immediately after finishing your video and it will be here the day after Thanksgiving.
This razor came out in 1955, which makes it both retro and current. It pre-dates the Gillette Fatboy and Slim. There is a reason why this razor has been in production longer than any other D.E. razor that I am aware of. Versatility, efficiency and affordability. I've tried numerous razors since I got into D.E. shaving, from the ridiculous expensive to the dirt cheap. This is the only one I now use.
Hi Mark- Nice overview of some adjustable razors; thank you! I have a Fatboy, Slim and a Rockwell 6S. All are great in their own way. I do tend to gravitate towards the Rockwell 6S pretty consistently as a daily shaver, though. Well, I hope your week is off to a good start and all the best, Mark!
Great info ! Fun to watch ! Good job Mark ! I am looking forward to getting Vikings Blade adjustable in the future. My favorite “go to” when I’m not straight razor shaving is the Chieftain. The weight and quality VB puts out is fantastic. Thanks ! 👍🏼
Nice review Mark! I own a few adjustables and do like using them periodically. I like the closeness of shave of the Futur but I do find it a bit bulky. I do prefer a razor with more weight overall though. I purchased the Model T from Rockwell over a year ago but still am waiting for it to arrive. I think it's in the style of the Slim so it will be interesting to see how it measures up. Have a great week!
Thanks, Shawn.:) I've had my eye on that Rockwell Model T.:) It promises to be a something special. :) Excellent to hear you have one coming soon!:) For those interested n the Rockwell Model T: rockwellrazors.com/products/rockwell-model-t
Hi Mark. Interesting presentation of adjustable safety razors. I wanted to point out that the Merkur Progress is a real oldtimer. Remember that it came out in the same year as the famous Gillette Fat Boy (1956)! In difference to the Fat Boy, the Progress is still in production nowadays, what I find quite impressive. And I'd like to mention that the Progress is also available with a longer handle (in the same design).
Patrick, thanks for the additional information.:) Very helpful!:) After posting, I realized that I failed to mention the longer handled version! So glad you commented.:)
Hey mark I loved this review I have a Gillette slim adjustable and fatboy and Gillette black beauty and a Rockwell 6c and the clone of the futur I always shave with 4 to 5 days of growth I love the adjustable razors have a great week
Hi Mark. Another great video! I was just wondering, how do you have your adjustable razors set between shaves. I know that some people like to remove the blade between shaves, but that seems like too much of a hassle for me. I have the Gillette Fatboy and Slim Adjustable as well as the Parker Variant and I would leave the adjustment loose on them. Unfortunately on the Gillette razors I have at times forgotten to tighten them the quarter/half turn and ended up with nicks and cuts before realizing I forgot to tighten it down. I was just wondering, do you know if there is any downside to leaving them fully tightened between shaves. I'm not talking about weeks, just maybe a day or two. Anyway, great job on your videos. I hope I can get some of your or your viewers wisdom. Take care.
Ivan, a great question. I may use in a MMMB to discuss this and allow viewers to add their comments. In a nutshell, I leave things loose. I don't tighten things down on my TTO razors when not in use and never leave a blade in. The variant and Progress are different animals.
Great video! I didn't know about adjustable razors until... today, I think. I'm on my way to Amazon to purchase the Vikings Crusader, I believe. Thanks again!
Hi, Jordan Adams, I'm very glad to hear you enjoyed the video.:) I used my Crusader Ragnaar edition yesterday and had a an absolutely wonderful shave.:) I used a Vikings Blade Cayene Hot blade and kept the settings toward the mild end. Really nice result.:)
@@MarkSzorady I ordered the Crusader along with a blade sampler pack so hopefully I'll find a good combination. I've been using a Weishi Nostalgic for around a year now with Astra Platinum blades, and it does a nice job, but I'm still dialing in. I had to use a Mach 3 on vacation, and I realized that I need to have another safety razor for travel :)
Great comparison, as always. Once y hv a chance to try the Mergress, its the finetuned 34C with noticeable improved shaving, but stainless or brass knob instead bakelite.
Thanks, Achim.:) For sure, I'd like to try a Megress sometime in the future.:) Although I like the adjusting knob on the Progress, I'm open to trying new things for razors.:)
chgofirefighter That’s cheap for an item that you enjoy every day and you can pass onto your son. At the same time I see people spending +$1000 on an iPhone/Samsung that lasts for max 5 years.
I read that the Progress has a variant with a longer handle - called the Progress 510 I think. I thought about that one but ended up going for the Merkur Futur instead, just for something a little different.
I also enjoy using my Gillette Slim on occasion (made in 1964 as well), it's a very elegant razor, perhaps Commander Bond would venture beyond 6 on the dial, but I just ain't brave enough.
@@Lawful_Rebel I'm always tempted to dial up my adjustable and with sometimes disastrous results. I've got to learn to be content with keeping the razor in the mild zone.:)
Which razor do you think is the best: the Merkur Progress or the Gillette Slim? I'm really thinking about getting a Slim. Do you recommend buying from a place like Razor Emporium or a place like ebay that sells vintage razors?
I really like my Merkur progress. No doubt, it's an exceptional razor and has given me some wonderful shaves.:) But, I have a couple of Slims that are just outstanding.:) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-cN6JSLV15tw.html The challenge with buying on Ebay is finding a Slim in good condition at a fair price. Many sellers have raised their prices a bit knowing the razor is in demand. But, they can be found. For instance, check this one: tinyurl.com/u8bw2rx Razor Emporium, and from what I've seen of Matt's channel, has a lot of expertise on the Slim as well as many other vintage razors. Their made to order Slim is a great way of getting this razor in top-shelf working condition. Frankly, knowing that the razor has been inspected, vetted, plated, and guaranteed only insures that you'll have a Slim for many, many years to come. Each razor will give you a nice shave.:) But, do you want a brand new razor or a vintage razor? It's as simple as that. So it comes down to this: Buying a NEW Progress for $58.20. or Buying a used Slim on Ebay for $40.00 to $50.00 ( A few years ago, I recall seeing the Slim listed for $20.00 and $30.00). These will have some brassing/plating issues, perhaps faded numbers, etc. You'll have to really look over the pictures and read the description to determine the condition and mechanical operation. I have two, and mechanically, they are fine.:) They look good, but certainly aren't showroom floor ready.:) or Buying an inspected, vetted, re-plated, and guaranteed Slim from Razor Emporium for about $145.00. Here's what I did: I purchased a Merkur Progress used from a fellow wet shaver (a buy, sell, trade section of a wet shaving forum) who used it once (he determined it wasn't for him). So, technically, I got a brand new Progress at a reduced price.:) Then, I simply visited garage sales, yard sales, antique stores, and Ebay until I found a Slim at a price i thought was fair. (Also visit wet shaving forms' buy, Sell, Trade areas for Slims for sale, etc.:)) And, it sure would be nice to get a Slim from Razor Emporium sometime down the road.:)
@@MarkSzorady Thanks for the response. I appreciate the thought you put into your responses. I think I'm gonna save up for a Razor Emporium one. I need an adjustable razor because my skin is very sensitive under my neck and on the back of my head towards my neck. I like how the slim is adjustable, has the numbers on it, and complete with the barn doors. I wish Gillette would just make an updated version of the slim and fatboy and sell them.
@@ThaRedPitbull if you're looking fora TTO adjustable with barn doors,etc., why not take a look at the Vikings Blade adjustable razor offerings? Frankly, since getting my Emperor razor (I love the Meiji), I've abandoned my search for a Gillette Fatboy.:) Meiji: amzn.to/3apOBmo VIKINGS BLADE The Emperor Adjustable Safety Razor (Frosted Chrome): amzn.to/2RAsSzU Also, have you considered the Rockwell Model T? getrockwell.com/collections/featured-razors/products/rockwell-model-t I don't own one and cannot speak to it directly, but it's getting a lot of buzz.:) Yes, pricey.
Neyaz, you're welcome.:) India, from what I understand, has a very robust wet shaving market. Lots of companies manufacturing, developing, and marketing many products for the traditional wet shave.:)
Mike, it's very important to do your homework when getting a vintage razor. If purchasing off Ebay, look at all the photos closely and ask the seller questions. Does it operate smoothly? For Slims, does the adjustment collar operate correctly? That sort of thing. Antique stores sometimes get hold of these razors from estate sales. You'd be surprised at how little they sometimes charge. I purchased a like-new Gem MicroMatic pen Comb razor for only five dollars.:) But the warmer weather brings lots of yard sales, garage sales, estates sales, etc. Check these out. There could be a whole treasure trove of used Vintage razors for only couple of bucks. You really never know. Also, if a Gillette Slim is working fine internally, but doesn't look that great cosmetically (and the price is low enough), you can always have it re-plated. It's a bit of a gamble this way, but again, you never know. I'd start looking at Slims in the $35.00 range. That seems to be the "Buy it Now" price I'm seeing. Also, watch some auctions and see how the price is moving. You may hit on one that is overlooked by others and score a nice deal.:) Another really GREAT source is to join some shaving forums. Not only do you have some great conversations with some nice folks, these forums all have BUY SELL TRADE areas where members are thinning their shaving dens of excess gear they no longer use. You can also put out a WTB (Willing To Buy) message stating that you're looking for a Gillette Slim. You can name your price, condition, etc. You may get a response.:) The Wet Shaving community in many of these forums, I've found, have been enormously generous! These are true gentlemen.:)
Mark Szorady Wow mark look how far I’ve come! I’m practically an Expert Collector 🧐 💈I (obviously) ended up Getting that Slim Adjustable along with MANY MANY other razors. But Adjustables have a special place in my Shave Den. I don’t know , something about them really makes me want to pick one up everytime I Shave. My Adjustables 1964 Slim Adjustable 1959 FatBoy 1969 BlackBeauty Parker Variant I had that MingShi/Q-Shave Adjustable but it wasn’t for me. Didn’t like the bulky head nor the fact that the blade alignment was off so I PIF’ed it. I also was offered a trade not too far back from someone from across the pond. He literally wanted to trade me his *Rockwell Model T Adjustable* For my Gold Gillette Ball End Tech. It sounded too good to be true and it just wasn’t a fair trade on his part. Who knows maybe I should’ve jumped on it lol. But I noticed that people from the UK can’t get the razors that we get so easily
Lol way back when I was just starting out. I was just recommended this video to one of my buddies that is just getting into WetShaving and I remember making a comment and I wanted to see if I could find it and what I wrote at the time! There’s been a lot of growth from then till now! 💈😁🤙🏻💈 ~ Mike 🌹
I can understand the grip/handle having some drawbacks for you. A trick I've seen is, coat your fingers with a little bit from an alum block. It may improve the grip for you.:)
