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

Niiiicce!! That was quick. You give me hope. Although, I will admit that I’m on the East Coast (Jersey). One never knows with the vaunted delivery service of the USPS. As they say, hope for the best, expect the worst. 

Look forward to reading your thoughts on the Yaqi Avanti… 

The razor's machining and mirror finish are pretty good. No blade misalignment detected. The spring or connection feels quite stiff, that is good. The only issue I noticed was that the dial point is slightly off-center. Although the handle feels somewhat slippery, I experienced no issues with slipping during my shave. Using setting #3 for the first shave, I found it has a positive blade exposure, a very efficient shave without any irritation or cuts. Overall, my initial review is very positive.

Slightly off-center dial point:

Thanks for the post. Was that with or without a blade inserted? And does it still have that smooth or glide like feel from the original Progress? Close, not close?
Thanks in advance amigo.

Also, I just received notice that mine is out for delivery today. You were spot on with estimated delivery before the weekend. 

With the blade, it's the point, not the plus sign, and you can see the point doesn't align with the handle groove. However, this isn't a significant issue. I focused the razor closely to find any faults but couldn’t find any other ones. There are some light machine marks under the top cap and over the shim plate, though they are in hidden areas. Compared to far more expensive razors, this one is extremely well-finished.

I haven’t used the Merkur Progress in a long time. The only thing I remember is that I never got as good a shave with it as with this razor. It seems to hold the blade more rigidly, significantly enhancing performance. However, I might be wrong since it's been a long time since I used the Progress, and I sold mine quite a while ago

The razor's machining and mirror finish are pretty good. No blade misalignment detected. The spring or connection feels quite stiff, that is good. The only issue I noticed was that the dial point is slightly off-center. Although the handle feels somewhat slippery, I experienced no issues with slipping during my shave. Using setting #3 for the first shave, I found it has a positive blade exposure, a very efficient shave without any irritation or cuts. Overall, my initial review is very positive.

Slightly off-center dial point:

Thanks for the post. Was that with or without a blade inserted? And does it still have that smooth or glide like feel from the original Progress? Close, not close?
Thanks in advance amigo.

Also, I just received notice that mine is out for delivery today. You were spot on with estimated delivery before the weekend. 

With the blade, it's the point, not the plus sign, and you can see the point doesn't align with the handle groove. However, this isn't a significant issue. I focused the razor closely to find any faults but couldn’t find any other ones. There are some light machine marks under the top cap and over the shim plate, though they are in hidden areas. Compared to far more expensive razors, this one is extremely well-finished.

I haven’t used the Merkur Progress in a long time. The only thing I remember is that I never got as good a shave with it as with this razor. It seems to hold the blade more rigidly, significantly enhancing performance. However, I might be wrong since it's been a long time since I used the Progress, and I sold mine quite a while ago

Great post and again, thank you!

Just a quick post and a few pics to get a point or two across. The Yaqi Avanti arrived yesterday in 8 days from China. That’s pretty darn good as I’m on the East Coast here in the States which is nearly half way around the world. Not bad at all. As CK89 has posted previously, fit and finish are good to excellent on mine. The movement is quite smooth and uniform throughout its whole range of adjustment. Yes, there are alignment markings on it just as with the Merkur Progress. I am fortunate that the alignment sets up right up at the + sign with the blade installed. Exposure & alignment of the blade once installed is perfect, at least for me as I’m eyeballing here. Blade is clamped nicely and supported fully end to end. Weight is nicely present and balance/weight bias is closer towards the head with the fulcrum point about 1/2” - 5/8” from the bottom of the base plate to the handle. It really does have a premium feel & look to it that if one were not told that it was manufactured in Asia, you’d think that Merkur or one of the higher end artisan makers produced this kit. Very impressive. Also, this thing has some real range. I mean, it can go from 1 to 5 then fully around again to nearly 1 again and just slightly past it before the top cap starts to feel like it is losing a hold on the blade. The blade gap is very impressive and it is going to be a heck of a treat taking this potential beast to its shave performance limits. Not that I need to shave at a theoretical #11 setting but, a couple notches past the #5 setting just to see if it still maintains smoothness, ease of use and tolerable effectiveness within and up to that range is intriguing.

A few pics below….















Standard #3 setting




Standard #5 setting




5+3= #8 setting




5 + 5= #10 setting

I am fortunate that the alignment sets up right up at the + sign with the blade installed.

Great write-up Gus.
My understanding is that Yaqi delayed the release in order to sort out the alignment issue.

They are currently producing quality adjustables, absolutely no doubt about that.

I’ve only put in two shaves so far with this newest offering from Yaqi. I won’t say that this is the greatest thing since the invention of the microwave. But, I will say that in the couple years that I’ve bought & used some of the adjustables made in China, this is in my short stint with it could possibly be the best that I’ve sampled/tried to date. Yes, it has some weight and the head is just as large as the razor it mimics but, once the shave begins all that is forgotten. The shave is both smooth and glides effortlessly across ones skin. No harshness is felt nor fear of any chatter during any point of my shaves. The blade is held & supported firmly in between that adjustable plate and top cap. It is every bit as good as the Merkur Progress while exhibiting a more stable & precise platform over same razor. Blade tabs are covered fully and the feel in hand is quite good. Just as with both of my Progress razors, I use alum across my fingers and suffer no issues of slippage during anytime of my shaves with the Yaqi Avanti. The fluting is nearly identical and the adjustment knob is a huge improvement in both feel, movement & preciseness. 

This is just a quick report as I intend to get another week or so of shaves before giving it the full run down with perhaps having a shave off against the well known and admired Merkur Progress & maybe even the Mergress as well. This is going to be a nice shave journey.

Great shaves to all…

Merkur Progress VS Yaqi Avanti

My first thoughts on the razor itself. It's well made, the polished finish is top class.I have no issue with the smooth handle. Been Stainless Steel, it will outlast the Merkur.
Most of the new adjustable razors coming out are "Gibbs" based and although I'm a huge fan of the Gibbs - this frankly is a breath of fresh air. Kudo's to Yaqi.

When I received the Avanti, I was asked how it compared to the Progress, so a shave off was always on the cards.

I have not used a Progress in a few months so couldn't really give an answer. A few days later, here we are.

On Friday I used the Progress. I set it at 3/4 of a turn and left it there for the whole shave
On Saturday I used the Avanti also on 3/4 of a turn and also held it there for the complete shave.

My initial thoughts directly after the shave was that were very similar in how the felt while shaving but that the Progress slightly more efficient. Roll on and about 12 hours later and I felt the stubble that had grown out and I then thought - well, well, well not really!! I used two very different soaps, neither of which I would put into a premium category and they would definitely affect the shave.

I then decided that for the next two shaves with them there would be only the one variable - The razor itself.

The only issue I noticed was that the dial point is slightly off-center.

Slightly off-center dial point:

This has been noticed even in high-end models like Rocnel Sailor Master Collection.

Remarkably good shave this morning with the Yaqi Avanti. Nothing new to report other than I went to setting #5 to begin the shave and finished it on #3.5 or thereabouts for a drama free 2 pass shave & simply a superb finish. The Bic Chrome Platinum performed brilliantly in this razor and just the overall feel and comfort level that the Avanti provides is, dare I say it, yes world class. But, that shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone as many of the shave products today, specifically razors of quality alloys are being produced with stricter standards & tolerances. Let’s face it, the competition is fierce in the premium razor field and within the adjustable realm it’s no different for one can argue that from an engineering aspect/perspective, it’s the pinnacle of razor production & innovation. Not saying that the Yaqi Avanti is at the top level of the premium adjustable shaver group but, it sure as hell shaves like one. 

Great shaves to all…

I jumped straight into this after my previous comparison. The only thing that changed between the two shaves was the razor and of course the blade was one shave older on the Avanti.

I used them with the intention of getting the best shave out of each one that I could, regardless of the settings. I started them both midway around - so at about 3,5 and increased from there for the next pass and again for the clean-up.
The Merkur ended up at 6 while the Avanti ended up at 8.

Setting for setting - It looks like the Avanti is about 1,5 setting behind the Progress.

Directly after the shave, I was not able to tell any difference so I decided to wait 12+ Hours before posting. After the wait, there was practically nothing in it but I felt that the shave with the Progress was very slightly better.

I jumped straight into this after my previous comparison. The only thing that changed between the two shaves was the razor and of course the blade was one shave older on the Avanti.

I used them with the intention of getting the best shave out of each one that I could, regardless of the settings. I started them both midway around - so at about 3,5 and increased from there for the next pass and again for the clean-up.
The Merkur ended up at 6 while the Avanti ended up at 8.

Setting for setting - It looks like the Avanti is about 1,5 setting behind the Progress.

Directly after the shave, I was not able to tell any difference so I decided to wait 12+ Hours before posting. After the wait, there was practically nothing in it but I felt that the shave with the Progress was very slightly better.

Interesting post and very informative. I to am going to put up the Avanti against the OG Progress and perhaps even against the Mergress just to see how they all compare from start to finish. Well done amigo and thank you for the post.