Added: 4 years ago
From: mantic59
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  • What is the razor on the far left?

  • I don't get it so 1 is safer then the max number? I just got my grandpas really old adjustable razor, have no clue how to use it.

  • @H4rdstyl30wns yes that is correct. 1 is the most mild setting

  • Ok. This will likely be a multiple post. I bought a Merkur Progress a year ago, and for the life of me, it destroys my face... BUT, all razors do, even the 5 blade ones, so I've just given up on my face and use clippers to keep it short. However, I just now, for the first time, tried it on my body, and it is the smoooothest way to take care of body hair. I used nair on my chest to get rid of the bulk from about 6 months of not shaving, and used the Merkur to clean up the rest, and it was so...

  • @VLGEMProust comfortable that I decided to try it on my nether region. I know it sounds dangerous, and I've only ever used a 5 blade down there, but I always cut myself one time and then take it really gently. Anyways, I used my regular face lather, Jermyn street for sensitive skin down there and it was buttery smooth! I took my time at first cause I knew it's probably sharp enough to perform a vascectomy, but even on all the wrinkly surfaces it was great. Not a single cut, and I really did go..

  • @VLGEMProust to town on it. So then, at this point, I was so happy with how comfortable it was that I had to test it elsewhere. I'm a 24 year old man, and I just shaved my frickin legs, albeit, just my thighs cause I ran out of hot water in the shower, but still. I didn't use it on my pits cause I just use clippers to keep them short, but I suspect that it would be just as comfortable. I never exceeded a 1.5 - 2 setting on the Merkur to avoid cuts. That's about all folks.

  • My 18 years old son is starting in DE shaving. He uses one razor (Parker) and I use another razor (Muhle). Now I am interested in an adjustable razor ad I am going to buy a Mergress. The question is: should the razor be exclusively personal or I can share it with my son, with some care ? I have not found this in your videos. Have you alredy dealt this subject ?

    Best regards

  • @SANDOROSAN my personal opinion is a razor should be personal.

  • Comment removed

  • I like the style of your video.

  • Mantic my man - you are the KING of wetshaving videos! I just whent back to this video, because i recently picked up the Future againg, after having it lay on the shelf for a couple of years.

    Your videos are second to none the best instructional wetshaving videos out there.

    Thx again my friend.

  • I don't pay attention to the little lip on the head of the Futur and don't send the top flipping across the room. I carefully remove it with my thumb and index finger on either side.

    I'm glad to see you're still making videos. No matter how experienced I become I always pick up new ideas and tips.

  • Hi Mantic 59

    What's the diffrence between a fatboy adjustable or a slim adjustable razor? I have a gillette slim adjustable razor from 1961. Its shaves pretty well. I have no experience with the fatboy razor, but is there a diffrence between these razors?

    I also got a milady razor from 1917. its made for women, but I tried tot shave my face and it works pretty well for a men too and gives a smooth shave :)

  • Hi Mantic 59

    What's the diffrence between a fatboy adjustable or a slim adjustable razor?

  • This may sound like an elementary question but, what are you adjusting? Why would you want to adjust?

  • Hello Mantic, I've read that setting of Progress is not stable, that is: every time you change a blade, you have to adjust the setting to something different to achieve the same aggressiveness. Have you experienced this too? Are Gillette adjustables more stable? Thanks.

  • @egarrulo i have not experienced this.

  • Thank you for this information.It's very informative.

  • gosh the superman clip brings me back a few years when I first watched it !

  • mantic59, your videos encouraged me to buy one of those safety razors. So I bought Merkur progress and I am happy to say that razor burns and little pimples are now history. I`m also impressed how smooth shave I can get... The only thing that bothers me is, that small edge of the blade is looking out on the both sides - where the nick is - is that normal? It can be quite awkward when shaving under the ear or chin.

    So thank you and keep up the good work!

  • @heterokromatin it depends on the manufacturer, some are designed that way, some are not.

  • Hi mantic59.

    I like your vids very much,how many others also.

    My question is :Why you prefer more the progress,and not the Fat Boy.

    Its a closer shave,smoother,better handling?

    sry,for my English.

    Best Regards

  • @TheGiulia2011 I am not really sure why I prefer the Progress, it just gives me a better shave than I can get with a Fat Boy. But many people prefer the Fat Boy too.

  • I own the antique safety razor on the far left. It was passed from my grandfather , yo my dad, to me.

  • Is there any main difference between the Futur and the Progressive. Was thinking about getting the Futur.

  • @krisby05 the obvous difference is size, the Futur is much bigger than the Progress. Lots of people love the Futur but its a bit too big for me. The Progress bows the blade quite dramatically, while the Futur tends to hold the blade fairly flat.

  • When is a single blade old-fashioned razor better than a new multiblade?

  • @Austyg Better balance, control and adjustability plus it looks way cooler.

  • Excellent videos! Many thanks. I own a Gillette adjustable (the leftmost on the video) as well as a gold plated Merkur (which I haven't I haven't tried yet). Thanks for the tip to "loose before adjusting" the Gillette. I have fairly sensitive skin, low density facial hair distribution, and mutliple direction roots. Good platinum blades and good preparation provide me with an excellent shave at level one.

  • Mantic59, what is the cartoon at the beginning of this? I know it but I can't think of the name. It's driving me crazy!! Please help! :)

  • @ftb01 Superman: The Mechanical Monsters, from 1941. Its in the public domain and available at archive(dot)org!

  • Mantic, what number do you shave with while using your progress? Thanks

  • @MOVIE5T4R I start at about 2.5 for my 1st pass then raise it to 3 or so for the rest of the shave. I back down to 2.5 for any touch-ups.

  • I splent some time watching your videos. Thanks for all, every piece is informative and useful (for me, as a beginner).

    Have you ever deeply tested/reviewed a Merkur Futur?

    Thanks in advance!

  • @Professzore I use the Futur once in a while but not "deeply."

  • @mantic59

    May I ask your personal opinion? Just in a few words. Thanks!

  • great videos!, i have recently made the switch to a brush and quality cream, and am looking for a safety razor. But i am curious, how come you dont use a straight razor?

  • @AvocadoBaby1212 I find straight razor use & maintenance to be a little too fussy for my taste. Strictly personal preference!

  • great videos!, i have recently made the switch to a brush and quality cream, and am looking for a safety razor. But i am curious, how come you dont use a straight razor?

  • What do you suggest? Use one the single blade or a 5 blade? In all honesty, I don't feel like I'm getting a better shave with a 5 blade, that I prefer the 3 blade one. Is it safe to go use a 1 blade?

  • Congratulations! All your videos are very well done.

  • I'm new to using a safety razor. I just purchased the Merkur Progress (longer handled) model. Amazingly, there were really no instruction on how to use the adjustable knob. Regards to the adjustable knob, am I to understand "1" is the most gentle shave while "5" is the most aggressive? Believe me I have a great deal of respect in handling this well-crafted razor and for a novice safety razor user I have not really cut or nicked myself (OK, 1 or 2 spots on my neck, but I'm still learning.)

  • what does "seasoned user" mean?

  • It's the same as ''experienced user''.

  • That you are covered with salt and pepper, i guess.

  • Having watched nearly all your videos many times you have inspired me to start shaving "properly".

    I have just started shaving with a safety razor and its so much better than the old cartridge rubbish. I have just purchased a Merkur Futur.

    But on my neckline I am still getting bumps and irritations after shaving "against" the grain, even when lathering properly and doing everything you have shown in your videos. Can you give me any pointers to stop this happening?

    Thanks again!

  • ingin24- you probably need to dial down the Futur when you're shaving your neck.

  • Today, I received my first Vintage Gilette "Fat Boy"...

    Yes, I watched these Vids several times, but wth I did everything wrong :(

    I didn't "unlock" the TTO to adjust and more worse I started to shave with "Level 5 to 7.....

    Now my skin burns like hell.....

    I think, it will be better to start at 1 as a beginner.... A hint to everybody:

    Don't think 1 is for Pussy's !!!

  • My father just gave me my grandfathers adjustable Gillette like the first one in the video not sure the exact model name but I'm so excited also gave me his old badger hair brush and soap mug...nostalgia...is that the word?

  • I bought a Merkur Vision recently, and I still experience some irritation-but only on my neck/jawline. (I've been using Proraso Shave Soap for Ultra Sensitive Skin)

    I find that I can shave against the grain on my face with virtually no irritation, but my jawline and neck seem to be extremely sensitive and tend to develop small red rash dots (not so much bumps).

    Do you have any tips for neck/jawline irritation? I would love to get that close shave that I see you have, without the irritation.

  • jdp3805- Yes, try dialing the Vision down for the areas on your jawline and neck. Also see my Advanced Shaving Techniques video.

  • there are so many different adjustable and standard safety razors. does price affect how good of a shave? or just how fancy and what type of metal the handle is made of? what would you recommend for a first time user?

  • 0100110101001011 - I don't think price affects the shave too much, as long as the razor is well-built. I would not recommend the Vision for the first time user; the others are personal preference.

  • Just bought my first Futur, and I cant wait to use it!! Hey Mantic, what do YOU rate the Futur at?

  • jamesbow76- The Futur is very good! Just be sure not to dial it above half-scale until you are very comfortable with it (and you may never need to anyway).

  • can anyone let me know if you can adjust any of these razors to leave 1mm of stubble? and if so which model? please click reply so i can find out. ty.

  • i did the dial up method on my passes with my gillette adjustable and it worked. not only did i get a close shave, even with a dull blade but the shave lasted more than 12 hours. thanx mantic.

  • i have the vitage gillette a friend of mine selldet to me for 2 us dolars

  • Thanks so much! I''ve got an old "slim" model passed down from my late Nonno. Being the young buck (22) that I am, I have been waiting to learn about these razors so I can try using them.

    Thanks again!

  • My favorite ist the Merkur Futur with Feather blades - works well for me :)

  • What is considered the best or finest safety razor ever made? The Rolls Royce if you will.

  • jessmspencer- I don't think there is a generally-agreed-to "finest" razor. Seems like everyone has their favorite!

  • Thanks I really like my Gillettes but am ready to try other vintage razors and add to my collection...by the way thanks for talking about all of the shaving topics you have...great videos.

  • 7:13--woah!!

  • Hello matic59- I have a random question. Can you please tell me if a Merkur 11c is considered to be more aggressive than a 34c? How does the comb on the 11c facilitate in a wet shave? Thanks.

  • binties- I have not personally used an 11c but the general consensus is open-comb razors like the 11c are more aggressive. Open combs are historically used on multi-day, heavy beard growth (like if someone shaved only once every couple weeks).

  • The futur is an interesting tool. It has an incredibly heavy handle, with a light head. Very awkward and prone to slip when gripped with a wet hand. This razor sports an impressive range of adjustments and is highly effective -- but it is strange to use, and not much entertainment or elegance to it. The blade loading and unloading mechanism is TERRIBLE, as it is cheap, and quite dangerous. Some are quite fond of the Merkur futur, but it is my opinion the Merkur Progress is a much better razor,

  • Hi Mantic, love your videos!

    I like the Progress, I got one after seeing this vid. I have noticed a custom model called the Mergress is available. Have you tried one of these?

  • raymondoriver- I haven't tried a Mergress but they look really cool!

  • Where can I buy a Mergress? Lee's Razors lists them as "out of stock".

  • LorenzoNW- The only other place I know of is from "Mer" himself. He's active on both the shavemyface and badgerandblade forums.

  • JustGuess500- Yes, the blades are standardized.

  • I'm planning on switching to a safety razor and I have one question. Are the actual razor blades standardized so they work in all the different models?

  • How often should one change the blade in a safety razor? 5 shaves, 10 shaves?

  • lucascarr21- This is a very frequently asked question but I'm afraid the answer is "it depends." The biggest variable is the brand of blade, followed by how tough your beard is. A very rough rule of thumb is 5 shaves, give or take.

  • Another great video. Since watching your first tutorial, I have become a great fan of safety razors. I now own a Merkur Futur, that I bought last week. I was trying to find some tutorial to explain how to use the adjustable mechanism and how to take the most of it. And after just one google search I was watching your video and happy once more to find your help. Thanks a lot for your videos.

  • Thank you for posting you video's. They're funny and informative.

    Stefan

    The Netherlands

  • what are soem stores can you buy striaght razors or Safety Razors

  • comedyguy21- Unfortunately there are few "bricks and mortar" stores in the US that carry these razors. Art of Shaving stores have them but they're priced quite high. I've seen razors in cutlery stores and stores that specialize in things like swords and knives, but I'm afraid you're going to "have your fingers do the walking."

  • im 16 and just started shaving on 1/14/08 i got a $10 moch3turbo by gillet anytips?

    Would appreciate it thanks

  • kidcooker- Check out my "Introduction to Traditional Wetshaving" video series on my channel.

  • How often do you replace a blade? one shave? two? Any helpful rule of thumb or does it vary for every person?

  • Guit7Jazz- It very much depends on the brand of blade and how heavy the beard is. A very general rule of thumb is about a week.

  • s12pendler- Yes, apparently I was pronouncing it wrong earlier.

  • is it harder to perform the advance shaving techniques with the progress as it bends the blades?

  • dumpling9999- No, not for me anyway.

  • all safety razors bend the blade don't they?

  • more or less =)

  • mantic,

    i just bought a merkur vision, but it didn't come with any directions (with text, just pictures). on the adjustment, which way is more aggressive? when there is more of a gap between the blade and the safety bar, or less of a gap?

    thanks.

  • emeraldknightdoc- More gap is more aggressive.

  • P90XBringIt asks if I could do an advanced techniques video as mentioned here (I accidentally hit "remove" instead of "reply"!)- I've already done such a video, check the video list on my channel.

  • I just ordered a Merkur Futur online. I've been using a cheap DE razor from Boots (similar to the wilkinson sword). Can't wait for it to arrive!! Great video

  • I enjoy the Gillette adjustables over Merkur razors. Merkurs are very slippery in the hands, and I can't adjust them mid shave safely. The plated ones are completely unsafe to adjust mid shave while the satin finished ones offer only slightly more grip. I have visions of slicing my palms everytime I try to adjust them. What I've found works best (far better then an adjustable) is I start my shave with a long handled Merkur HD, and my final passes are made with a Merkur Slant.

  • You make excellent instructional videos. Good job! I have the Merkur Progress and am pretty satisfied with it. I notice I get a comfortable shave with the setting on 4 with most blades but I have to take it down a notch to 3 with the Feathers.

  • I'm want to get an adjustable razor. I'm interested in the future. For what kind of user is the futur?

    I'm looking for a razor to complement a straight razor.

  • New DE shaver here. Should I really loosen the Blade on my Gillette before I make any setting adjustments? I really like the videos thanks.

  • dbtoe- Some don't have problems adjusting the Gillettes, but most need to slightly loosen the TTO, make the adjustment, then re-tighten the TTO. It seems to make a bigger difference at the higher settings.

  • Great video man. Hopefully with my next pay cheque I'll get a safety razor. I used one for a month or so when I was about 15, I don't think I even cut myself. :D

  • This is awesome. i was hoping for a tutorial on adjustables. I just bought my first razor and I think it's that gillette fat boy.

  • Another great one.

  • I've read on some forums that the Futur doesn't hold the blade tightly, so it actually "rattles around" a bit while you're shaving. Not sure I like the sound of that. Has anyone experienced this?

  • I read that too...I have the Futur and it is as noisy as my Vision and my simple Wilkinson.

    It shaves as close as the Vision, but is a little awkward to adjust due to the location of the dial.

  • I'll stick to my standard Merkur classic :)

    btw is that a new water closet?

  • kbrinks- Yes, different WC this time.

  • I need to get my Gillette Slim back. :)

  • I cant believe how much work you put into making these videos. Thanks for your time and effort.

  • Second that.

  • Subfightr and fijjibo- Thanks! I think its one of my better efforts.

  • Good video. Thanks for sharing!

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