I know it's been beat to death, but I have "issues" with the slant bar...

[awa54]

Flame me if you want, but I have to ask again whether others out there have the same issues with the slant as I do and if so whether they have conquered those issues.

My primary difficulty with the Merkur Slant-bar (standard HD style handle, a 37c I believe), is excessive abrasion. This seems to be fairly consistent; I have tried several different blades and soaps as well as altering angle, using oil, pre-shave, etc. all to no avail...

I get a very good to excellent shave with the slant, but for the *apparent* closeness it seems like I get more of a "scraped" feeling than with other razors. The only clear indication that the slant may be giving me a "better" shave than any of the other razors in my stable is that in the evening my shave still feels a bit closer than with the "others", however at the time of shaving and through most of the day it doesn't feel any different.

For reference, with my regular rotation razors (R89, 11c, fat handle Tech and late 1960s black handle Flare tip), I am able to get a DFS in three passes (WTG, XTG, XTG) and experience no significant irritation.

Any thoughts or suggestions, or is this just a case of the slant not being for me?

 

[gus1942]

Flame me if you want, but I have to ask again whether others out there have the same issues with the slant as I do and if so whether they have conquered those issues.

My primary difficulty with the Merkur Slant-bar (standard HD style handle, a 37c I believe), is excessive abrasion. This seems to be fairly consistent; I have tried several different blades and soaps as well as altering angle, using oil, pre-shave, etc. all to no avail...

I get a very good to excellent shave with the slant, but for the *apparent* closeness it seems like I get more of a "scraped" feeling than with other razors. The only clear indication that the slant may be giving me a "better" shave than any of the other razors in my stable is that in the evening my shave still feels a bit closer than with the "others", however at the time of shaving and through most of the day it doesn't feel any different.

For reference, with my regular rotation razors (R89, 11c, fat handle Tech and late 1960s black handle Flare tip), I am able to get a DFS in three passes (WTG, XTG, XTG) and experience no significant irritation.

Any thoughts or suggestions, or is this just a case of the slant not being for me?

I use 37c and 39c with no issues. So smooth I use longer strokes than with some other razors. My blades are Feather, Astra SP, Gillette Black, and Personna meds. I face lather with sticks, usually Arko, and always cold water shave.

Gus/BOTOC/Arkolyte

 

[fcdiscus]

Maybe it is just not your cup of tea? Happens.

 

[Robert45]

Unsolved mystery...the world is full of 'em. Unlike Gus 1942, I use short strokes when I shave with my 37c.

I use a tallow based shavng soap and most any blade and I get close, comfortable shaves. As I said....a mystery. Good luck with your challenge!

 

[Copierguy]

While I enjoy a slant shave from time to time, it's not my every day razor. But I have had times over the last 3+ years of DE wet shaving when a "light would come on" to illuminate some aspect that I thought I was doing one way but in reality I was doing different. Pressure and angle come to mind as examples. This razor may or may not be for you, but one approach could be to use it on weekends only and aim for comfortable. Once you master that then work on getting a close shave.

Also when loading the blade sight straight down from above the cap to see if the blade edge is parallel with the cap edge.

 

[awa54]

Pressure and angle come to mind as examples. This razor may or may not be for you, but one approach could be to use it on weekends only and aim for comfortable. Once you master that then work on getting a close shave.

Also when loading the blade sight straight down from above the cap to see if the blade edge is parallel with the cap edge.

Hmm, that's what I have been trying for; true zero pressure, and attempting to feel the angle at which it begins to actually cut, rather than assume that it's the same angle as other razors (which it isn't as far as I can tell). At first it gave me weepers and an actual nick (my first since returning to DE), so my current state of affairs is already an improvement... Oh, and mine aligns blades well, I do however check it every time I load, or loosen/tighten a blade to make certain everything is lined up.

I guess the only real solution is to pretend I'm starting fresh and not expect any particularly great shaves until I have logged a few months (or at least weeks) of shaves on the slant-bar. ...not really sure I'm up for that when the alternative is a month of perfectly comfortable shaves from my 11c

 

[crfcom]

There are many who are fans of the slant, and many others who don't agree. I haven't used one, and probably won't, until I see something close to a rational and somewhat objective reason to do so. I've yet to see any rational explanation why a "slanted" bar is supposed to be superior to a straight one. I fully believe that you could design some sort of "S" shaped safety bar head, and a percentage of the market would embrace it as the only way to wet-shave. I'm not saying there's no advantage to the slant bar, I'm just noting that I've looked, and haven't seen a logical reason for it to be superior. All I've seen is subjective statements that they're the best. To spend my money on something that looks like it was pulled out of a mold somewhere too soon, I would need good reason. It's not like I'm not getting great shaves with straight safety and open-comb razors.

 

[retturn2blades]

I think the rationale for slants is the guillotine effect. For me, a razor is only worth so much work, and energy, and time to master. The tough razor crossroads: to continue or to sell/trade/toss?

 

[RaiserLiebe]

There are many who are fans of the slant, and many others who don't agree. I haven't used one, and probably won't, until I see something close to a rational and somewhat objective reason to do so.[snip, snip]... I'm not saying there's no advantage to the slant bar, I'm just noting that I've looked, and haven't seen a logical reason for it to be superior. All I've seen is subjective statements that they're the best. [snip, snip] It's not like I'm not getting great shaves with straight safety and open-comb razors.

I agree, much of what is posted is opinion, which of course, is all YMMV. Or it is so over the top that it is not useful (threads going on endlessly on whether the blade edges are torqued to a true helix or not,; or whether the blade is held more rigidly, or not).

If you are interested, read http://shavenook.com/thread-the-slant-concept. It is a good attempt to cut through some of the fog, and present "why it works." It's less than 5-10 minutes to read, and worth it (to me).

Personally, I get great shaves from the 39c and Fasan bakelite slants, so I am a fan. I still use other razors too, but get my closest and most comfortable shaves from my Slants.

Cheers!

 

[Gordy2]

I am a fan of the Sledgehammer which with very little pressure will give me a great shave with no irritation. I do not use it on a daily basis, but only with a 2 or more day growth. I use a moderate straight stroke for all three passes. No J-hooking, Gillette slide or buffing. A good blade such as an SI, Med Prep, Poly-Silver, Feather, Permasharp, and Blacks works best for me. At times I have had trouble with Yellows pulling or sticking on jaw whiskers so I have quit using them in the slant. I consider this one of my top five razors, but, as usual, YMMV.

 

[gus1942]

There are many who are fans of the slant, and many others who don't agree. I haven't used one, and probably won't, until I see something close to a rational and somewhat objective reason to do so. I've yet to see any rational explanation why a "slanted" bar is supposed to be superior to a straight one. I fully believe that you could design some sort of "S" shaped safety bar head, and a percentage of the market would embrace it as the only way to wet-shave. I'm not saying there's no advantage to the slant bar, I'm just noting that I've looked, and haven't seen a logical reason for it to be superior. All I've seen is subjective statements that they're the best. To spend my money on something that looks like it was pulled out of a mold somewhere too soon, I would need good reason. It's not like I'm not getting great shaves with straight safety and open-comb razors.

Subjective? Your comments are totally subjective, which is fine. However, to really offer a true oblective opinion, you probably will actually have to shave with a slant. In my 50+ years of shaving, I feel that I have formulated some objectivity in my evaluation of razors. The slant is one of my alltime favorites.

Gus/BOTOC

 

[banditman]

My primary difficulty with the Merkur Slant-bar (standard HD style handle, a 37c I believe), is excessive abrasion. This seems to be fairly consistent; I have tried several different blades and soaps as well as altering angle, using oil, pre-shave, etc. all to no avail...

I get a very good to excellent shave with the slant, but for the *apparent* closeness it seems like I get more of a "scraped" feeling than with other razors. The only clear indication that the slant may be giving me a "better" shave than any of the other razors in my stable is that in the evening my shave still feels a bit closer than with the "others", however at the time of shaving and through most of the day it doesn't feel any different.

I use a Hoffritz slant (made by Merkur, same as 37C) daily and have had similar experience with abrasion when shaving the neck. After much work on the problem, I believe I narrowed the cause to technique: blade angle. Even when I was convinced it couldn't be technique it was. The solution became one of 1) focus on angle in the trouble areas 2) making sure the wrist was locked and 3) shaving with short strokes on the problem areas. Now I'm getting consistently smooth shaves without irritation.

One nice thing about slants is that they make just about any blade usable so you're probably Ok there. I'd recommend sticking with just one blade type and continue to use a decent quality soap or cream while you work on this. Limiting the variables should help you zero in on the fix.

 

[saliavin]

I guess the only real solution is to pretend I'm starting fresh and not expect any particularly great shaves until I have logged a few months (or at least weeks) of shaves on the slant-bar. ...not really sure I'm up for that when the alternative is a month of perfectly comfortable shaves from my 11c

Good idea! I have a Pomco that gave me great headshaves, but the area just under the chin was a mystery. I decided that I would use the slant for a week straight, and if it didn't come to me then I would sell it. Well, five days in (same brand blade & software) I had the unconscious epiphany and the chin was smooth. I haven't had a problem since. I really wanted it to work on my chin because the performance was stellar on the back of my head. Give it a fair shot, and if it still gives you trouble move on. I have a couple razors I have passed on because they haven't been able to make the cut.

 

[Chester]

I use a Hoffritz slant (made by Merkur, same as 37C) daily and have had similar experience with abrasion when shaving the neck. After much work on the problem, I believe I narrowed the cause to technique: blade angle. Even when I was convinced it couldn't be technique it was. The solution became one of 1) focus on angle in the trouble areas 2) making sure the wrist was locked and 3) shaving with short strokes on the problem areas. Now I'm getting consistently smooth shaves without irritation.

One nice thing about slants is that they make just about any blade usable so you're probably Ok there. I'd recommend sticking with just one blade type and continue to use a decent quality soap or cream while you work on this. Limiting the variables should help you zero in on the fix.

This is really good advice.
-- Chet

 

[crfcom]

Subjective? Your comments are totally subjective, which is fine. However, to really offer a true oblective opinion, you probably will actually have to shave with a slant. In my 50+ years of shaving, I feel that I have formulated some objectivity in my evaluation of razors. The slant is one of my alltime favorites.

Gus/BOTOC

First, I'm not aware that I offered any opinion at all on the effectiveness of a slant anywhere in my post, subjective or otherwise. Read it again.
What I said is that I've not read a logical explanation from anyone as to why a slanted bar would be more effective than a straight bar. And I still haven't. Including yours, though you claim you have such objectivity. You follow that with the same kind of un-objective endorsement as the others I'm talking about, which is that the slant is one of your alltime favorites. That's nice, but its not an explanation of any kind.

 

[retturn2blades]

Objectivity is hard to come by. Few of us are clean.

 

[crfcom]

I agree, much of what is posted is opinion, which of course, is all YMMV. Or it is so over the top that it is not useful (threads going on endlessly on whether the blade edges are torqued to a true helix or not,; or whether the blade is held more rigidly, or not).

If you are interested, read http://shavenook.com/thread-the-slant-concept. It is a good attempt to cut through some of the fog, and present "why it works." It's less than 5-10 minutes to read, and worth it (to me).

Personally, I get great shaves from the 39c and Fasan bakelite slants, so I am a fan. I still use other razors too, but get my closest and most comfortable shaves from my Slants.

Cheers!

I enjoyed the article, and thanks for the link. I can see what the author is trying to explain. Its interesting that he opines that a slant will not shave any closer than other head designs, and that he feels that its greatest asset is in the comfort of the shave. The mechanics he explains would seem to offer that promise.
Its very hard for me to buy into the idea that a slant, or any other razor, can be any more comfortable than my 2010 R41, or my Tradere OC, or my DE89 with a Polsilver blade. I mean, when you don't ever have to do any more than WTG and XTG to get a BBS shave and no nicks or weepers, how can anything be more comfortable than that?
If the slant is actually better for anyone, I would have to think it must be a guy with a wiry, heavy beard, and sensitive skin. Strangely enough, the very combination the author says he wouldn't want to see the slant's appeal limited to. Even then, a Cobra Classic is a convincing performer, as is the 2012 R41 with a new blade and no pressure on the head.
My feeling after reading his example of the guillotine to illustrate the effect the slanted blade has, is that those blades actually had no sharpness at all, or even an edge, and so the slanted attack angle focused more force on less blade edge as it cut through it's victim's neck. My suggestion would be that a really sharp blade edge would eliminate that advantage and that the same thing could be said about a slanted head razor compared to straight bar razor. The one with the sharpest blade will shave the smoothest and closest.

 

[crfcom]

Objectivity is hard to come by. Few of us are clean.

True.

 

[RaiserLiebe]

I enjoyed the article, and thanks for the link. I can see what the author is trying to explain. Its interesting that he opines that a slant will not shave any closer than other head designs, and that he feels that its greatest asset is in the comfort of the shave. The mechanics he explains would seem to offer that promise.
Its very hard for me to buy into the idea that a slant, or any other razor, can be any more comfortable than my 2010 R41, or my Tradere OC, or my DE89 with a Polsilver blade. I mean, when you don't ever have to do any more than WTG and XTG to get a BBS shave and no nicks or weepers, how can anything be more comfortable than that?

You are welcome.

Also, you are right. The Acquisition Disorders, and the desire to "keep up with the boys using aggressive razors" rear their ugly heads in me periodically. But really I am getting great shaves with the current rotation and occasionally i am sensible enough to see that. For a very pithy and humorous statement of this, read this: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/302548-Stupid-Flyweight-Newbie-Mild-Tech?highlight=
TopGumby says it better than I ever could.

Gosh, when I read about all the people who seem to think bleeding everyday is the norm I just cringe.
Cheers!

 

[Robert45]

I use my 37c because I can. I don't think it shaves particulary closer than my other three razors. I just enjoy using it for variety just like I use various brushes, soaps and AS.