Mekur

Merkur Logo

I'll start the page with the Vintage Merkur Adjustables from around 1956 to the early 1960's.

Emil Hermes founded Merkur in 1896. He wanted to use his Surname (Hermes) but it was taken. Hermes was the Greek Messenger God, so he took the Roman equivalent - Mercury or Merkur. He registered the brand in Solingen where it still is today. The "Mercury" symbol is still on all their razors today.

They first started producing double edged blades and safety razors early in the 20th century.
The first reference to adjustables was in their 1956 catalog, so We believe that they started manufacturing them slightly before then. The image below the razors is a copy of the "Adjustables" page of that catalog.

Dovo took over Merkur in 1996.

The Merkur Progress is the longest running Adjustable razor, collecting them is a topic on its own - I am just scratching the surface here.
There are also the Modified Progresses, which are generally a change of Twist Knob and/or Handle.

Progress 500 Vintage Progress 510 Vintage Progress 520 Vintage Progress 582 Progress 830
Merkur Progress
500 (Vintage)
Merkur Progress
581
Merkur Progress
520 (Vintage)
Merkur Progress
582
Merkur Progress
800/830

 

Moving on a bit.
I've included the Vision here because although its more of a modern, it has also been discontinued by Merkur.

Progress 500 Vintage Merkur Vision
Merkur Progress
500 - Gold version
Merkur Vision

 

These are my Modern Merkurs.

Merkur Progress 500 Merkur Progress 510 Merkur Futur
Merkur Progress
500 (Current)
Merkur Progress
510 (Current)
Merkur Futur

 

The image below is a copy pf the "Merkur Progress" page of the 1956 Merkur Catalog
(Clicking on the image will open a full size version in a new tab)

The table below the picture is loosely translated as follows:

No. Description (Click on underlined to go to the page)   Price (DM)
500 Chrome Plated in Plastic Case 10 Blades 8,-
510 Silver Plated in Plastic Case 20 Blades 12,-
520 Gold Plated in Plastic Case 20 Blades 15,-
570 Chrome Plated in Real Leather case 10 Blades 23,-
571 Silver Plated in Real Leather case 10 Blades 25,50
572 Gold Plated in Real Leather case 10 Blades 28,-
580 Chrome Plated in Real Leather case 10 Blades 22,-
581 Silver Plated in Real Leather case 10 Blades 25,-
582 Gold Plated in Real Leather case 10 Blades 27,50
800 Pollopas in Plastic case 3 Blades 4,80
830 Pollopas in Cardboard box 3 Blades 3,-