Yaqi Avanti. A Stainless Progress, finally....

[GlazedBoker]

My opinion - and only mine - each to their own - the Avanti pretty much exemplifies why I boycott Yaqi - such a shameless copy. Okay, this is based on a classic razor that's been kicking about for decades but their copies of - for instance - Blackland razors could potentially put off the manufacturers that are spending money on R&D and innovation. Their copy of the Progress even has the wee triangle alignment mark on the cap. Since I'm making myself unpopular - I don't get the fetish for stainless steel razors - most of my favourites are aluminium - that's just my choice - but you commonly read posts saying - It'll last a lifetime - yes, so will aluminum if you look after it. What are you planning to do with the razor? - cheers - I.

With all due respect but, you answered your very own question. Choice or preference doesn’t need to be explained nor justified for you to understand or accept one’s reasoning for said purchase. It’s a hobby and opinions are varied from one extreme to the other. Most importantly, they’re all subjective with no wrong or right answer. I don’t question your position on your preference of aluminum over another alloy because in the greater scope of things, it’s irrelevant and honestly, it’s none of my business which just really means that I simply don’t care. No one deserves an explanation nor are they entitled to one. Personally, I’ll never question an individuals choice. It’s their right to do and go about as they please.

A good evening to you.

 

[GlazedBoker]

A good shave from the Avanti last night. I started on setting #3 but, about 3-4 strokes in I did feel that the Bic blade was beginning to lose its edge. I went up from there to setting #4 and eventually finished the shave at setting #5. I coaxed the blade right to the end and it delivered a near BBS finish though, I did give myself some skin disturbance as I buffed around the chin removing some stragglers. The heat gremlins hung for a bit but, were gone after a nice bracing splash and about 30 mins or so. I will say that the shave was still quite comfortable as the Avanti helped me in holding the blade rigidly and still giving a relatively smooth feel on both face & neck. Wasn’t a complete BBS but, it certainly was a DFS+ for sure, minus the heat.

Next on the shave menu will be a shave comparison. I’m looking forward to seeing the OG Progress show its pedigree against the Yaqi newcomer.

Great shaves to all…

 

[GlazedBoker]

Put the Merkur Icon up against the fledgling upstart and I'll be honest, it was a lot closer than I thought it would be. Both gave me a really close & comfortable shave that had me at BBS in 2.5 passes. The shave was later in the evening yesterday at roughly 6:30pm. And as of this writing it's now 6:00am the following morning and my face still feels as smooth and whisker free as when I shaved. The feel in hand was nearly identical between the Progress & Avanti as they are similar in weight though, the Progress is lighter by a couple of grams against the Avanti. During the shave, one can't tell the difference which is which if you were blindfolded at the start. Shaving wise, they're a lot more similar than different whilst I did feel a slight bit more of blade feel or presence with the Progress and at equal settings, the Progress was more aggressive. To me it was almost about a half to two thirds ahead of the Avanti in equal settings providing more tactile feel of the blade on skin over the Avanti. I made no compensation for the less aggressive feel of the Avanti against the Progress and both were set to #5 and finished on both at setting #3.5 once the shave was to my satisfaction.

All in all it was simply a fantastic shave from both. In terms of aesthetics, make up, quality of look & feel, the Avanti feels like the more polished and premium looking razor and that's a fact because, it is. Blade alignment is precise and a non issue with the Avanti and not so much for the Progress as mine has to be fiddled with a bit to get equal alignment and blade exposure on both sides. No biggie but, a flaw nonetheless and it has to be noted. Another is the ease of movement on the adjustment dial on the Avanti over the Progress. Obviously, the Progress is an older model and the threads show significant wear where the chrome plating has deteriorated over use & time. So, the feel on the Progress is not as smooth or quiet compared to the Avanti with its superior alloy construction.

I'll do another shave face off but, this time with the Mergress before putting in a total summation on how the Avanti fairs against the legendary Progress/Mergress.

Great shaves to all...

 

[OrangeSport]

Put the Merkur Icon up against the fledgling upstart and I'll be honest, it was a lot closer than I thought it would be. Both gave me a really close & comfortable shave that had me at BBS in 2.5 passes. The shave was later in the evening yesterday at roughly 6:30pm. And as of this writing it's now 6:00am the following morning and my face still feels as smooth and whisker free as when I shaved. The feel in hand was nearly identical between the Progress & Avanti as they are similar in weight though, the Progress is lighter by a couple of grams against the Avanti. During the shave, one can't tell the difference which is which if you were blindfolded at the start. Shaving wise, they're a lot more similar than different whilst I did feel a slight bit more of blade feel or presence with the Progress and at equal settings, the Progress was more aggressive. To me it was almost about a half to two thirds ahead of the Avanti in equal settings providing more tactile feel of the blade on skin over the Avanti. I made no compensation for the less aggressive feel of the Avanti against the Progress and both were set to #5 and finished on both at setting #3.5 once the shave was to my satisfaction.

All in all it was simply a fantastic shave from both. In terms of aesthetics, make up, quality of look & feel, the Avanti feels like the more polished and premium looking razor and that's a fact because, it is. Blade alignment is precise and a non issue with the Avanti and not so much for the Progress as mine has to be fiddled with a bit to get equal alignment and blade exposure on both sides. No biggie but, a flaw nonetheless and it has to be noted. Another is the ease of movement on the adjustment dial on the Avanti over the Progress. Obviously, the Progress is an older model and the threads show significant wear where the chrome plating has deteriorated over use & time. So, the feel on the Progress is not as smooth or quiet compared to the Avanti with its superior alloy construction.

I'll do another shave face off but, this time with the Mergress before putting in a total summation on how the Avanti fairs against the legendary Progress/Mergress.

Great shaves to all...

View attachment 126210

I think that's convinced me... a better finished Progress in superior material