Me either. I did buy several Ming-Shi Futur clones, to give family members. They look and work like the Originals, and they were $7-$11 at the time I bought them.
I have the Parker Variant OC and thought I was doing something wrong because it's too aggressive for me on setting 1. Tried it again with another blade, don't recall which and it was still just too aggressive. No real issues while shaving like nicks, but my face was on fire all over when running the alum block afterwards. It is now sitting in a box. I'll probably sell it. Haven't sold any razors before, not sure the best way to go about it. Maybe someone else would have a better experience. I know there are some out there that want the most aggressive thing possible because often aggressive razor are also very efficient.
Set it aside for 5-6 months; work on your technique. Then try again. Many shavers have been pleasantly surprised that a product or item that "didn't work" is actually quite good.
The Muhle R89 and Edwin Jagger 89 are both good options for ~$20. Then there are the $12~$15 FaTip razors to consider. CONUS they cost s a lot more generally though which is why mine all came out of Europe or the gently used market.
I had the progress and have both versions of the parker variant. The parker is better made with much better tolerances, the coating glides much better. IMO it is a superior produt on all aspects.
Can't speaker for the others but the Progress if you buy used may not perform as others describe. There is some variation in how the head is designed depending what molds where used to make the razor unless they've changed them again what is considered a modern one would have been made around 2016ish "don't quote on me on the exact date" and newer. The modern ones are much more user friendly than older versions. I own both modern and a few vintage ones and can say with some dialing in they can easily be daily shavers if one wants since they can get you well across the BBS finish line if you want to.
i like my progress,hope it lasts,wish they made in brass or ss though.isn't parker also pot metal?i use other razors too so should last.friend lent me parker tto and my face will never be the same!!!(just kidding but i hated it)
