I think I am ready to try a slant. I am not crazy about Merkur quality based on my short ownership of a 34C and a travel razor. They seem "cheap" compared to similar EJ models that cost less and are absolutely beautiful in craftsmanship. So, based on that I am wondering if there is another slant out there besides 37C. I mean the 34C I had was not a bad razor and worked very well, but next to EJ DE89BA with a barley chrome handle it just looked sort-of unfinished and crude. I wouldn't mind if it cost less, but EJ has models costing a lot less than 34C and are absolutely beautifully finished. The travel Merkur I had did not survive a fall from the height of my face to the floor. I mean I know I am not supposed to drop razors, but it happens and I think a $45 razor should survive a mishap like that. My Gillettes would (and some did) and EJ DE89 fell once also. But they all stayed intact and remain functional. The Merkur's head suffered a broken thread post. In general I just am not that crazy about the Merkur products I have seen so far. It is very surprising coming from Germany and all. Anyway, so in my quest for a slant I would like to know if there is another easy option other than 37C. If not, I will certainly give 37C a try. I am curious about the action of the slant. I do the slide with my regular razors, so it's a bit like using a slant.
Considering a slant. Options?
- Thread starter vferdman
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Vladimir, Most slants were made by Merkur and sold under different names. I have discovered that vintage Merkurs seem to be better quality than those of today. Check on Etsy. I saw a couple of Hoffritz Slants on there the other day. If you have no interest in a Merkur made slant, Tradere is putting one out before years end.
To the best of my knowledge, Merkur is the only company currently manufacturing Slant razors. They have 2 models, the 37C (37G in Gold finish) and the 39C, same head with a longer, heavier handle.
You can find many other brands of slants from the vintage arena ... Hoffritz, Pomco, Fasan, Merkur, others ... but catching one on BST or eBay is tough unless your timing is spot on.
You are right about Merkur's quality and finish. It leaves a lot to be desired. But I find few razors that shave better than my 34G, 39C and Progress. They may not be pretty to look at, but they are workhorses. Nothing else is as easy to use, totally foolproof, works on any kind of skin and is the right tool to use if your last shave was yesterday or last week or last month.
My "deserted island" razor is a Merkur HD. If I also had an EJ89L along for the ride, I would use it to reflect sunlight to attract a passing ship, but when the ship came to pick me up, I would be freshly groomed with a Merkur HD shave.
You can find many other brands of slants from the vintage arena ... Hoffritz, Pomco, Fasan, Merkur, others ... but catching one on BST or eBay is tough unless your timing is spot on.
You are right about Merkur's quality and finish. It leaves a lot to be desired. But I find few razors that shave better than my 34G, 39C and Progress. They may not be pretty to look at, but they are workhorses. Nothing else is as easy to use, totally foolproof, works on any kind of skin and is the right tool to use if your last shave was yesterday or last week or last month.
My "deserted island" razor is a Merkur HD. If I also had an EJ89L along for the ride, I would use it to reflect sunlight to attract a passing ship, but when the ship came to pick me up, I would be freshly groomed with a Merkur HD shave.
Oh, really? This is good news!
I jumped on the Tradere handle when it was on intro-sale, but I stopped following the thread when the OC heads and complete razors came out. Guess I'll have to pop back in there and see what's up with Slants.
- Thread starter
- #5
I am not categorically against Merkur. In fact, my experience with 34C (HD) was that it was a good shaver, just not finished like a $45 razor. My vintage Gillettes are every bit as good at shaving and so is the EJ DE89 and they have a much better look to them. It's not so easy to find a really "bad" razor out there. It's not rocket science after all and the technology is over a 100 years old. It's just when I buy a German tool I normally get a very, VERY good (albeit expensive) piece of equipment. Not so with Merkur razors. They are just very ordinary but at a premium cost. If I knew then what I know now, I would not bother with any of the new razors at all and buy old Gillettes instead at a quarter of the cost. A simple $10 Gillette Tech of old shaves every bit as well as the 34C, so what exactly is the point? Slant is a different animal and to my knowledge there is no old cheap slant out there, so I will get whatever I can and pay accordingly. However for a normal DE razor Merkur is not going to be in the running for me unless I stumble on an amazing deal.
I enjoy a slant shave now and then but you can do the Gillette slide to proximate a slant shave. It's not the same, but you need not invest in any new hardware.
I went from an EJ89 to a Merkur slant. I was going to get one anyway, when someone knocked my EJ from the back of the toilet IT broke, same place as yours. So I'm not sure one is more durable than the others.
I have a tough beard and I'm glad I went to the slant.
I have a tough beard and I'm glad I went to the slant.
Official slant-aholic here. 39C is awesome. Awaiting my 37C.
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If quality is what you want wait on the Tradere
Ziglar
The gold slant has been discontinued.
I dunno...I bought one of the Chessman NOS Merkur Slants awhile ago and thought that its finish and durability weren't spectacular. The finish on the handle stared spotting immediately and the head wasn't particularly clean the 'spots' never came off. I sold it and got a 39C, which, for me, works just fine and looks great.
My favorite of the Merkur vintage offerings is the travel slant head that I then put on another handle. See this old thread: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...r+slant+travel
I have been using a bunch of different slants lately
and this one shaves nicely and the last eBay sale was at around $40.
Yes, we are working on one for release later this year.
I have been using a bunch of different slants lately
and this one shaves nicely and the last eBay sale was at around $40. Yes, we are working on one for release later this year.
- Thread starter
- #15
Great discussion, guys. Thanks. I am not sure I can afford the Tredere razor. I am in this to shave, not to invest. As has been pointed out the Gillette Slide emulates the slant action and I use that technique all the time. This is why I want to try the slant. I'll just keep an eye out for a 37C or 39C and pick one up to try. I am still very much in the (advanced) beginning stages of wet shaving, but far enough along to understand where my likes and needs are taking me. I have not tried an open comb yet, so that may be on the list also, but I get very good shaves from the razors I already have, which are vintage Gillettes and EJ DE89. I also tried Merkur 34C HD and it was about the same as the EJ DE89 in performance, but I found fit and finish to be sub-par, so I traded it away. In hindsight, I wish I did not because it was a good tool and the only two piece razor I had. Oh, well... I mostly find myself using one of the Super Speeds I have (one 40's, one flare tip) and the EJ gets a turn now and then, but my face seems to prefer milder razors. Again, I am still exploring a little and will probably try an OC and the slant.
I also have a tough beard and went with the merkur slant. Really great shaves.
Your face will be pleased with the surprisingly gentle close shave of the Merkur slants. I have both the 37c and 39c and like both.
On the quality issue, I think you have to realize that any razor dropped from face height is subject to significant damage if it lands the right way. I've seen at least three threads where different folks have dropped their DE89's and had them break at the screw. This happens because threading any kind of object both weakens it, and causes force concentration at the edges (and valleys) of the threads. Both of these realities make it very susceptible to breaking if dropped. Both the Merkurs and Muhles are made from Zamac, a pretty cheap and low strength zinc alloy. You'll fair a little better with vintage Gillette three pieces as they're made of brass, and bit more able to tolerate a drop because they're more ductile. But of course, those aren't slants 
. As far as I know, the vintage Merkur/Hoffritz aren't any higher quality, and are made of Zamac as well. I'd just get the 37C and be done with it. I have the 39c, and it's great. The plating isn't as good as my Muhle R41, but it's a totally usable razor.
. As far as I know, the vintage Merkur/Hoffritz aren't any higher quality, and are made of Zamac as well. I'd just get the 37C and be done with it. I have the 39c, and it's great. The plating isn't as good as my Muhle R41, but it's a totally usable razor.
Slant's are very good razors!
