Best Slant

[Roughneck12]

I am in the market for a slant razor and there are a few choices. Merkur, Ikon.
Which is the best? I have been wet shaving for a few months and have a fairly normal skin and beard.
Thank you for the advice.
Dan

 

[dfoulk]

I have the Merkur 39c and it's excellent and much less expensive than the Ikon Slant. The 39c gives you a heavier handle than the other Merkur slants. Both the Merkur and the Ikon are excellent and will do a great job for you.

The 39c cuts effortlessly and gives an excellent shave. It cuts so well that it almost feels like you forgot to put a blade in it. From what I've read the Ikon shaves just as well so it comes down to a choice of build quality and what you want to spend.

Do you want to spend $150 and get the Ikon or about $50 and get the Merkur.

Advantages to the Ikon is that it is all stainless, you also have the ability to change/upgrade the handle if you'd like, being that it is a three piece razor. You can also use the very nice handle it comes with on other razors if you'd like.

You cannot do this with the Merkur as it is a two piece razor. It is not all stainless and the build quality is not quite as nice.

I prefer the three piece design myself but is it worth the extra money to you? For example you couple pick yourself up a nice Weber all stainless steel razor and the Merkur 39c for less than what the Ikon would run you. Of maybe an R41 with the Merkur might be nice for even less when compared to the Ikon.

If your not opposed to spending the money and would like to own a really high quality razor then you might want to consider giving a good look to the the Above the Tie (ATT) Kronos razor before purchasing the slant. I believe that the ATT is the best high end razor out right now.

 

[AABCDS]

Merkur 39C if you like long handles or the 37C if you don't. I sold my iKon slant after only a couple of shaves.

 

[Triad]

Your gonna get suggestions for both i prefer the ikon its a little smoother, amazing audible feedback, and stainless

 

[vpayne]

You are going to get all kinds of answers & ultimately end up not getting what you're looking for. I'll contribute my share of confusion for you. I have had all three mentioned and found the trusty 37C Merkur slant is at least as good and more maneuverable than the others mentioned. the 37C is the only slant I kept.
FWIW.

 

[Roughneck12]

I was looking at the Sledgehammer. Long heavy handle. I am not overly price sensitive.

 

[skleice]

Love da iSlant

 

[coonskinner]

The 37C has done well for me.

 

[aar0n]

I'm trying to make this decision too. Recently there was a Massdrop group buy of the iKon and it was $99.99. My 23C has a long handle, but I'm thinking I wouldn't notice much difference and might like to try a short handle, 37C being ~$45 is appealing. With the iKon being at $150, I think it's too expensive.

I know eventually I will get the 37C. Just waiting for a time when I feel that I haven't recently made a bunch of online purchases. That will never happen!

 

[mhensley]

I have the 39C, and it was the only razor I used for 3 years. I bought the Ikon about 3 weeks ago, and I haven't used my 39C since. I did like the Sledgehammer handle, but I like the Ikon head so much better. I find it is easier to keep the right angle, easier to load the blade correctly (sometimes a problem with slants), and it just feels better to shave with. In addition, it looks like much higher quality manufacturing -- I suppose that's why it cost so much more.

My advice: try the Merkur first to see if you like slants. It works great, and I was quite happy with it. You can later upgrade if you find you are another one of us slant-lovers, and sell or PIF the Merkur. I've considered doing that with mine, but I'm still sentimentally attached to it. Maybe next year.

 

[Roughneck12]

I love the fact that if you don't like something in this community you can sell or trade. That's awesome.

 

[Roughneck12]

I just ordered both.

 

[mrb7]

I just ordered both.

So a review comparing and contrasting the two is forthcoming?

 

[JaxJim]

I just ordered both.

Excellent! I think there's a good chance that you'll end up keeping both. I have a Hoffritz (which I understand was made by Merkur-- it appears to be the same two-piece design) and an Ikon, and I wouldn't part with them. The Ikon seems just slightly more aggressive, but both deliver excellent, comfortable shaves.

So a review comparing and contrasting the two is forthcoming?

+ 1. I'll be watching for it!

 

[Triad]

I just ordered both.

Your gonna fit in nicely!!!

 

[Roughneck12]

Yup.I'm impulsive. Lol
I guess I will have to practice my rusty writing skills.

 

[Teppanyaki]

Originally Posted by Roughneck12 I just ordered both.
Your gonna fit in nicely!!!

+1

 

[StubbleTrouble]

I just ordered both.

That's the spirit!

 

[shanman]

I like the adjustable ones.

 

[Roughneck12]

I have a few adjustable razors already.