Lutz Slant Razor

[InfernoOrangeSS]

I was curious if any of you had ever tried one of these and can compare them to the Merkur 37c. I see them from time to time for sale NOS. I just wondered if they are worth having to shave with. I really like my Merkur 37c, but I would like to get a more vintage slant sometime in the future.
Many info you can share would be most welcomed.

 

[alex2363]

Lutz had a variety of models



here is a vid from B&B member kcb5150

 

[kcb5150]

For the straight razor guys, Lutz made some absolutely beautiful straight razors... Like seriously beautiful.

 

[MSstrahan]

The OP asked about the SLANT. I am curious, as well. Anyone try one?

 

[Zeppelinkarte]

The Lutz slant is an example of the generic Solingen head on a semi proprietary handle. There were many companies based in Solingen, Germany in the 1930s that manufactured DE, straights and DE blades. Two of the posts above show quite clearly that Lutz marketed a DE slant and made a straight razor. (They also made DE blades) Many of the compaies shared the generic Solingen slant head that is maybe the best slant head ever designed. Not particularly rich in manufactured excellence (plating, thickness, finish) but a very efficient head that shaves great. My guess is that many of the companies did not want to take the time to develop their own heads and simply used one that had been designed for many. They did vary the pattern on their handles, most using a hex shape. Their focus was making straight razors and I presume cutlery of all sorts. Whether Lutz, Sonnal, Ibsen et.al. it is a great shave that is mild but efficient and a little more aggressive on one side versus the other. Then their were other companies that designed unique heads and handles from the beginning. Mulcuto is one that comes to mind. Their head is the one Ikon borrowed for their slant. The Lutz is very nice. In my opinion, while the Merkur 37C is very nice, the generic Solingen head is a marginally better shave.

 

[InfernoOrangeSS]

When were the Lutz slants produced?

 

[kcb5150]

Zeppelin pretty much covered it. I like the fact that it is more compact than the merkur head.

 

[Zeppelinkarte]

When were the Lutz slants produced?

The 1930s I think.

 

[kcb5150]

I suspect they were produced early going by the packaging and the Germany branding vs W Germany, but they slipped one wrapped lutz multi sharp blade on the back of each cavalier blade pack and the graphics on that multi sharp wrapper are more 60s inspired. I think when they were sent out into the world by lutz, they were already nos. Lutz has gaps in their archives about what they sold and this is one of them. One of their reps actually inquired about acquiring one. Their current blade business intrigues me as they make a SE spined blade. I wonder what it would take to convince them to put a shaving grind on those.

 

[MSstrahan]

Thanks guys!

 

[InfernoOrangeSS]

Many thanks!
Does anyone know what they were constructed with? Brass base metal? Pot metal? Is that a nickle outer coating?

 

[kcb5150]

The base metal is definitely zamak. Germany seems to have a love affair with it. I'm guessing it was because of brass being needed for war efforts and zinc alloy needing less energy to cast, with which is probably helpful in a country that had issues acquiring energy sources. The plating is nickel I think. It is yellower and warmer in tone than my chrome razors.

 

[Zeppelinkarte]

The base metal is definitely zamak. Germany seems to have a love affair with it. I'm guessing it was because of brass being needed for war efforts and zinc alloy needing less energy to cast, with which is probably helpful in a country that had issues acquiring energy sources. The plating is nickel I think. It is yellower and warmer in tone than my chrome razors.

Yes

 

[InfernoOrangeSS]

From my reading, Zamak is said to be held to a higher standard than regular "pot metal". I wonder how true this is, and if Zamak is what is used today on Merkur razors. (I also wonder which Zamak was used, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7.)

 

[kcb5150]

It was used in all sorts of things, gumball machines, toy cars, figurines, lighting fixtures, etc. It can take more punishment than some people let on, though it will get zinc pest if the circumstances are right. Kind of like celluloid in that respect.

 

[newbilong]

I've recently bought on of the NOS Lutz slants off ebay and can confirm it's a lovely shaver. Nicely weighted with a superbly designed head. As smooth to drive as a Benz. It's now one of my top two or three razors.

 

[rxonmymind]

Lutz's isn't the only company with gaps in their history. Remember Solingen was heavily bombed during WWII and many, many records of mfg were lost then. Being that Solingen was a large mfg city it was the allies #1 spot to take out. Thus you'll have no record of such razors as my slant(Koenig) that shares a close resemblance to Merkur and since that company was sold to Dovo in 1996 and the owner of Merkur passed away last year all combine to make a perfect black hole. Bombing, sale of company, owner no longer around all make for lost history.
But take the experience of Zep. He knows slants and what he has on hand probably bears out what he said in that many shared the same heads.

 

[InfernoOrangeSS]

I've recently bought on of the NOS Lutz slants off ebay and can confirm it's a lovely shaver. Nicely weighted with a superbly designed head. As smooth to drive as a Benz. It's now one of my top two or three razors.

Grrrr...you have to say that and tempt me again?