Merkur Progress

[efsk]

One of the more iconic razors available is the Merkur Progress. Since the early 1950s, the 500 series has been available basically unchanged, changes in finishing excepted. Some other variations, notably the 800-series, have long been discontinued.
Based on an original patent by Walter Busch, of Walbusch-fame, see

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, imho this sets the gold standard for adjustable razors.
To start with, I'd like to show you the very original Progress 500. Back then, numbering started with 0, and details were painted red.

 

[gvw755]

My contribution to this thread is a vintage gold Progress. When I got it, the numbers were worn out as the head markers. I bought some red enamel model paint to highlight the areas and then @efsk told me that maybe the numbers were not red on the original.

 

[efsk]

Not to worry @gvw755 your razor certainly looks real good like this. Red and gold are a good combination.

 

[Snuff]

I'm not the specialist but have seen several with red paint in the past, looks good.

 

[The King]

Beautiful examples of the Progress.

And although it might be a detail, for me the red markings might be a big help when shaving.

I shave without glasses and with the current Progress it is not possible for me to see what position it is in. That's why I made my own markings on the plastic part with a black pen.

 

[UnShaven]

Nice examples of the progress, i have only the new version in possession but it is a nice shaver

 

[efsk]

Something special. Also coming from the start of the 1950s, thus starting at 0, and details painted red. Obviously, most exciting is the broken case. No, wait, the bakelite baseplate.

 

[efsk]

1980s/90s Progress, gold with brush:

 

[efsk]

FdR-gress. Merkur Progress with metal, magnetic, knob especially made for the

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.

 

[The King]

Beautiful forum safety razor with a nice adjusting knob.

 

[gvw755]

I lurked on FdR for too long and so missed out on that one.

Would have looked good with my gold Progress.

 

[efsk]

Progress 800/830 depending on case, of which I have none. Made in the 1950s, possibly longer but that is uncertain. Made out of pollopas, a polymer similar to bakelite. Top dial.

 

[benedetto]

Also for some years now I have been interested in this type of model .. I believe that together with a few others this razor deserves a particular interest. I'd like to know more but despite my best efforts my research is at a dead end. Here are some models from my collection:

Merkur Progress N°800-830 *​

*The razor has never been used but its packaging is not the original one (if any collector has an extra cream-colored merkur packaging it would help me complete this set ).

Merkur Progress N°500 Two sets of several years (the one with number 0 and older) both NOS.​

Merkur like others at the time also provided safety razors to companies that requested them. These sets were given to loyal customers as Christmas gifts ... Solingia was a company that produced steel and household metal objects.

I hope to be able to find other Progress models, but even these find them in excellent condition is not easy at all.

Benedetto.

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[The King]

What a beautiful specimens and what a pity that they have now abandoned the red marking.
Now I always have to put on the glasses when I have to set them to the right number.

 

[gvw755]

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Send your Progress to me, I am a master at painting the numbers and the head alignment marks red.

 

[The King]

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Would you like to attach one of those nice steel FDR adjustment knobs?
And do you clean it for me?

 

[Clouds]

The 830 package and instructions (In German on the opposite side)
I'm not sure if the three blades formed part of it. They are labelled 0.06 / 0.08 / 0.10 respectively so I' guessing those would be their thicknesses?

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[efsk]

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that's right.
Great looking set you got there, do you intend to shave with it, as it's looking NOS?

 

[Clouds]

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I shaved with it yesterday. I'll keep the blades unused.
Now you guys are going to start on me about the soap again

My thoughts:
I think that I'm more used to a Progress than I realize because I found the weight a little off. It feels top heavy. I also tend to prefer heavier razors so I probably applied a bit more pressure than I would normally. Other than that its a typical Progress shave, which I find great.
Its not making it into regular rotation only because of its rarity.

 

[widu]

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Hi
I was wondering, how much can cost this lovely razor?
Cheers! Guido