I live in Queensland. Over the last couple of weeks its been very hot / humid. I work physically so on getting home (usually between 3pm and 5pm) i need a shower right away, mostly just to get out of my sweat drenched clothes.

Usually, in slightly cooler / less humid weather the wet clothes problem isn't an issue so I shower and shave a bit later when its cooler.

The problem I have been having is shaving after a shower in humid weather isn't so pleasant. As its hot and uncomfortable. So shaving with my straight (which takes about 15mins) is just too long and uncomfortable for me. Now many would say, don't shave but I just love a shave, everyday if I can.

So I got my Merkur Progress out of the drawer, loaded it with an Astra, and set it on two (mild setting). Applied an Arko (Arko is my favourite in the heat) stick to my face and face lathered then and began to shave.

Immediately I noticed how mild it was, how little hair it was removing, which I though was strange. So I cranked it up a notch, but It still felt mild. So up it went. My progress is almost wide open. I do two passes one all downwards then a hybrid and I get a BBS in less than 10mins…. no irritation but one careless nick on my chin….

I guess I have got used to a straight and I used to think that a DE didn't compare, but once set to an aggressive setting it sure is every bit as good and quicker for sure…. I was always afraid to open up the progress before, but if you use it with no pressure and with as much care as you would a straight it is every bit as good in my opinion. It's just quicker thats all.


I always though I would never go back to a DE, but I guess I'm going to have to try a slant now….. lol


Looks like my rotation of razors is about to increase… DE's and Straights…. Happy days….