I was curious so bought two different slant razors and don't like them that much. You certainly could make an argument that I could experiment with different blades with them, but I don't want to do that. Overall I just find it pretty challenging to get a smooth shave with no irritation
I doubt that the placebo effect is the explanation for what is happening. I have maybe 1/2 dozen shaves on my first slant and I'm already eyeing another. Why? Because the amount of ingrown hairs I get has already been reduced by ~90%. Prior to the slant, even thinking about DFS was enough to cover the bottom third of my neckbeard-zone with angry ingrowns. Not anymore. Pre-slant? Don't even think about ATG. Slant? Small tests leave me feeling pretty optimistic.There's the whole "guillotine" cutting angle and what not. But here's the reality. Whereas a guillotine blade is at a 45 degree angle as it slices through a neck, a slant razor blade is only a couple of degrees off perpendicular. Couple that with a very small diameter lubricated whisker, I just cannot see how a couple of degrees off perpendicular can result in this unbelievably better shave. I think it's really people expecting this better shave that somehow clouds their judgement of the actual result.
I know this post probably won't be very popular, but I have been thinking about slants a lot since I purchased a Merkur after reading favorable things about slants here and from Leisureguy. There's the whole "guillotine" cutting angle and what not. But here's the reality. Whereas a guillotine blade is at a 45 degree angle as it slices through a neck, a slant razor blade is only a couple of degrees off perpendicular. Couple that with a very small diameter lubricated whisker, I just cannot see how a couple of degrees off perpendicular can result in this unbelievably better shave. I think it's really people expecting this better shave that somehow clouds their judgement of the actual result. Cognitive dissonance? I know there will be some who think I'm nuts or inexperienced, but I have only applied scientific logic to what is actually happening at the microscopic level, and to me it seems clear that a couple of degrees is not going cut a whisker any more efficiently than if cut straight on. Again, I know the argument seems clear when compared to slicing with knives, guillotines, and so forth, but this is a single wet, lubricated hair, that, compared to the size of the blade meeting it, isn't going to wield all that much different than to a normal razor angle. I am curious to know if others have had the same thoughts amongst all this hype. For me, I'll stick to my R89 and get perfect ATG BBS shaves.
Dantheviking
Slants can be simulated with any razor by keeping the razor tilted to one side. It definitely makes the slicing happening easier.
Whereas a guillotine blade is at a 45 degree angle as it slices through a neck, a slant razor blade is only a couple of degrees off perpendicular. Couple that with a very small diameter lubricated whisker, I just cannot see how a couple of degrees off perpendicular can result in this unbelievably better shave.
Dantheviking
The guillotine effect may have a bit to do with it, but I suspect the twist to the blade adding tension plays a larger part. With a standard DE I get a lot of blade chatter unless I use the sharpest of blades. That chatter is the blade flopping around and not cutting efficiently. I never get this with a slant.
I suspect that many people who have tried and disliked slants had trouble finding and keeping that angle. In my limited experience, slants seem to be far pickier about shaving angle. Too low and it gets aggressive; too high and it grabs/pulls hair/chatters. Either way, being even slightly off significantly impacts comfort and efficiency.Even with a slant, the closeness of the shave comes from these things: Blade exposure, gap and most of all skills in keeping the razor at the sweet spot angle.
I was part of a slant passaround. While it gave a good shave, I don't think it was any better than the one I get with my EJ de86. I only have a moderate beard though. From what I've read here misalignment of the blade can be a problem with slants as well. I had a tough time getting the blade in the passaround slant to torque down properly, it skewed so more of the blade edge was showing at one corner than the other on both sides. I was glad I tried one first, it saved me the money of buying one.
I was part of a slant passaround. While it gave a good shave, I don't think it was any better than the one I get with my EJ de86. I only have a moderate beard though. From what I've read here misalignment of the blade can be a problem with slants as well. I had a tough time getting the blade in the passaround slant to torque down properly, it skewed so more of the blade edge was showing at one corner than the other on both sides. I was glad I tried one first, it saved me the money of buying one.