Heading for a slant

[Drewser]

Well, looks like a slant is probably in my future. This morning I shaved with my Merkur Long Handle Classic loaded with a Feather (my go-to combination). But tried, out of curiosity, rotating the razor slightly while maintaining the same stroke direction thereby creating a scything effect with the blade. Man oh man, that was a wicked close shave, with actually less irritation that normal- no aftershave burn. None. Nada. Damn near BBS with only a 3-pass WTG, 2XTG.

My main curiosity was that while my beard is not particularly dense, my facial hair itself is quite think and wiry, and it tends to grow along the skin, especially on my lower neck. Even with top-end prep it's tough to get a shave with zero tug and very close, which is exactly what I got this morning.

So, I'll keep up the experiment for a week or two, then have to decide between the 37C and 39C. Mostly because it's an excuse to buy another razor , but it's also tricky to keep the razor head angled from the stroke direction (which might actually get easier with practice).

I also heard that open combs are good for those of us with facial hair that grows right along the skin...

 

[planto]

Open comb or slant, both are good for getting all those pesky hairs that tend to lie down against the skin.If you are used to a long handle then i would recommend the 39c slant, i have one in my rotation (as well as a few open combs), and it is fabulous.

 

[mr. s]

I was lucky enough to have a brother that had a nice Merkur 37c that I could borrow. The thing did WONDERS with a feather. From your description we have similar facial hair although mine is quite thick. I have learned that aggression is my friend. I also used my adjustable set on very high for the first time and had similar results. My next razor to try is the Merkur futur!

 

[Jesse G]

SLANT IS KING

I shave with a Merkur HD Long-Handled slant and it is phenomenal.

The first time I touched it to my face and began cutting hairs I just smiled because I knew that shaving was about to get so easy from then on. The slant with feathers just slays.

 

[Jesse G]

Also, the slant is wonderful for around the neck. Something about the curve of it just makes it more suited for it, IMO.

 

[raisindot]

I've got 2; the Chessman NOS Merkur short-handled Slant and just got a 39C (or whatever the long-handled one is called).

My own .02 says get the long-handled. Slants are finicky beasts and slice up a chunka skin if you're not careful. Even with gentle pressure and a not-so-sharp blade I always get weepers that I don't get with my other razors.

Jeff in Boston

 

[pauls51]

After being part of the World's most PIF'd slant, I must say that the Slant is an amazing shaver..... Mows down stubborn stubble like no-man's business!

 

[DavidP]

+1 on a slant. I have similar neck hair and it does a great job of ATG shaving without weepers or ingrowns. Straight bar razors (open comb or normal) tug like crazy down there!

 

[dpmtherrien]

Just a few words of advice from someone who tried the slant, actually 2 of them, and found that it just didn't do it for me. The slant gives a different shave, not to be confused with a better shave. I just didn't care for the slant at all. I found that using my 1904 or my HD, and doing either the J-hook or the Gillette slide really took care of any problem whiskers, with the end result being a BBS or at least a DFS.

By all means give the slant a shot, but keep in mind that doing some of the advanced shave tricks with another of your favorite razors just might be all you need. Good luck.

 

[grizzly]

I've been letting the guys at work try my super speed followed by my slant w/feather. All of them, including myself, are impressed with the performance of the slant. The slant just glides across my face. I did get some weepers in the beginning but haven't had many lately.

I'm exhausted, if my post doesn't make sense I apologize.