Don't forget to get the angle of the razor against your face right.

Mantic59 has a web site and YouTube channel on traditional shaving 101.

https://sharpologist.com/ 

https://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59

[quote=RayR]I don't own a Merkur Progress, but everyone says it's an aggressive adjustable, so not exactly recommended as beginner's razor or for somebody that has sensitive skin. Don't toss it.

Those are RK brand blades that are made in India, I heard they are not bad, but I never tried them. Feather DE blades are extremely sharp, they induce fear in some inexperienced people. I never had a problem using them myself, but I was very experienced before I ever used one.
You should be fine with them in a Henson I would think since it is a mild razor.

How old are those ASTRA blades? They haven't been made in the Czech Republic in very a long time. Astra as well as most other DE blade brands that Gillette owns are made in St. Petersburg, Russia at the Petersburg Products Int. factory, although a few brands are made in India.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Gillette (this was before P&G bought Gillette) went on a buying spree, buying up popular trademark brands and factories in Europe. After the new St. Petersburg factory was opened in 2000, they closed the old factories including Astra Diu in the Czech Republic where Astra and Nacet brand blades were made, and consolidated production in St. Petersburg.[/quote]

The Merkur is indeed more aggressive, I'd never set it past 3 out of 10 increments.

I've had the Astra blades for a few years, I'm guessing five or more years ago.

[quote=RayR]Don't forget to get the angle of the razor against your face right.

Mantic59 has a web site and YouTube channel on traditional shaving 101.

https://sharpologist.com/ 

https://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59

[/quote]

This article explains a lot, the sharpest blade, may not be the right choice:

https://sharpologist.com/the-science-of-blade-sharpness/ 

So I ordered one of these things like... 10 fkn days ago. Shipping says it has been sitting in Austell GA for the last 4 fkn days.

FOUR DAMN DAYS IN THE SAME DAMN SPOT!

CS says... after 30 days they'll ship me a new one.

What. The. ****!

They prolly watching Bulldog football.

[quote=Gene363]This article explains a lot, the sharpest blade, may not be the right choice:

https://sharpologist.com/the-science-of-blade-sharpness/ 
[/quote]

That's true, there's a relationship between the razor and the razor blade.
Most people who are transitioning from cartridge razors to DE razors don't know that not all DE razors are the same as far as how aggressive they are and that blades from different manufacturers are not all the same as far as sharpness and smoothness. A lot of it is still subjective to the user, their beard type, skin sensitivity, and the proficiency of their technique.
Even those charts made by that engineer, Charles Smith showing the comparisons between the blade sharpness of different blades, well... numbers may not lie but a lot of people may still disagree with the numbers based on their own personal experience.

I was watching some YouTube shaving video reviews of the Henson razors and the general consensus from the seasoned DE users is "it's a mild razor", even the medium aggressive AL13-M aluminum model. For some people, using a Feather blade in a Henson might be just right, for others, it might still be too harsh for them. I would suggest that a newbie do a bit of research on what DE razors are out there and not choose one that is too aggressive or there will be blood.
Also purchase a blade sampler pack so they can get an idea of what works best for them in that razor.
The Henson being not an aggressive design looks like it is a safe bet as a good beginner's razor but you don't have to even spend that much if you don't want to for a good beginner razor if you forego the CNC machining bit.

Y’all make shaving way too damn complicated.

[quote=HockeyDad]Y’all make shaving way too damn complicated. [/quote]

It's a man thing.

Agree HD,youse need to get your MAN CARDS PUNCHED . 🤦

I wonder how many days before we have a "I castrated myself with a razor" thread?

[quote=DrMaddVibe]I wonder how many days before we have a "I castrated myself with a razor" thread?[/quote]

Would that be like DIY gender transitioning?

It's all relative, some folks are real aficionados and love to go to the ninth degree. Then there are those of us that simply enjoy something better than average and maybe even less expensive (me), that works very well. We can consult an aficionado who does all the research and testing. We benefit from their experience and they get to discuss something they really enjoy. It's a win - win situation.

Just like cigars, guns, food, movies, music etc, shaving has it's aficionados.

[quote=DrMaddVibe]I wonder how many days before we have a "I castrated myself with a razor" thread?[/quote]

Got the damn razor in the mail today. Will use it in the next couple days, but damn sure nowhere near my junk. Face shaves only... 🇨🇮

I got Treet platinum super stainless blades. We'll see how it goes. Hope it works out because I got 100 of them. If not, I'm only out $10 for the blades... and the razor might make a nice gift if I don't like it.

Treet Platinum's are made in Pakistan, I never tried those.

You shouldn't swear at your razor...it might bite you.

[quote=RayR]Treet Platinum's are made in Pakistan, I never tried those.

You shouldn't swear at your razor...it might bite you.[/quote]

According to the sharpologist article Gene posted in #43, they are some of the most consistent and one of 4 that article recommends. Which is why I figured I'd give them a go, first.

you manly girls sound like the sorority sisters at Betcha Cumma Crudelis talking about maintaining their bikini lines...


being retired has freed me from the everyday shave...tried a beard but hated the itch and the Papa Smurf look (mostly white beard)

If it's been three - four days I'll use my 16 year old Gillette Fusion razor with hand soap (gasp...yes...hand soap)...refill cartridges are very cheap at Costco/Walmart/Target...never suffered a cut with this so I've stuck with it...

2 or 3 days and I'll use a Panasonic electric....12 -14 year old and still gives a decent shave

The best part about looking at the replacement cartridges going down the shaving aisle at Walmart and Target is I never have to buy any. What is it, like $35.00 for 12 5-blade Fusion cartridges..something like that? Even half that price wouldn't
be cheap. And they're a PITA, getting clogged up with hair and soap.

No thanks, I can buy 100 DE blades for $10.00 give or take a few bucks, and they keep their edge longer and I never had a problem with clogging, or getting razor bumps. I think the most I've paid for 100 blades was $20 for 100 Feather Blades a couple of years ago when they were on sale. I don't use them that often so I still have most of them.

The last cartridge razor I used was a Gillette Mach3 and it was a gift. I tried it, but never bought a single replacement cartridge for it. It's sitting in a drawer or a box somewhere here with some old Trac2 cartridges and a Schick cartridge razor handle.

I don't have to shave every day, either, Al. And I don't. Every 3-4 days, usually.

However, As Ray said... replacement blades are cheaper. If you do it right you get a closer shave, and who wouldn't want a cool razor that lasts way, way longer and only requires cheap DE razors to make it like new each time?

I'm hoping this works out for me and I like the razor. Report to follow whenever I feel like shaving again. Maybe tomorrow... it's getting stubbly.

Maybe on the next vherf everyone can shave for each other!

Ya perv