I've been using this long handled version of the Merkur Progress for almost a week now and even though I've got small hands I find it's much easier to wield than the regular-length handle version (which I've had for about a year). The Merkur blade which came with it, although it gives a reasonable shave, doesn't come up to the standard of a Feather blade, which gives me a much closer shave than other blades MensBiz sells and lasts far longer before needing a replacement. There's about a half inch difference in the length of the handles of the regular and long handled versions but even though it's not a great deal, it's amazing the difference the extra length makes. It's a fairly aggessive razor but it's adjustability enables a first time user to set it at it's least aggressive and increase the blade angle/exposure to suit. I've got nothing apart from some bathroom scales with which to weigh both versions of the Progress, and the calibration of the scales is such that an accurate weight comparison can't be made. Weighing one against the other in both of my hands, they both "feel" about the same weight. To be sure, they're both hefty razors and little, if any, pressure is necessary to give an excellent shave. The weight of the razor itself is all that's necessary. All in all the Progress long handle is a very fine, precision made German piece of engineering. It's a joy to use. Highly recommended.