noob to slant de razors few questions

[saj]

hello people so im a noob to slant razors and i have a few questions if you could answer for me please

so looking at slant razors i'd assume theyre aggressive, are all slant razors aggresive or are there mild ones out there too?

do slant de razors come in both open and closed comb?

sorry to sound thick but i've seen a parker semi slant online, so what is a semi slant? is it the same as a standard slant de razor?

are slant de razors food for headshavers? if so, which slant razor would you recommend?

thanks saj

 

[saj]

just had a look at connaught shaving and the fatip slant razors look really nice,
but im a bit confused looking at them, there seems to be the fatip picolo slant, the fatip originale and finally the fatip gentile slant,
can someone please explain what the differences are?

btw those fatip slant razors look amazing in both silver and gold

 

[WetShaveVet]

What I have used are mild. Feeling at least. Merkur 37C and Ikon X3. They can be deceptive because that slicing action can be so efficient. Don't use any pressure and you will be fine.

There are closed comb and open comb available. Fatip came out with a open comb slant this year. There is a thread here somewhere and I swear it seemed like hundreds raved about it. It must be good. It was one of if not the biggest new razor launch I have ever seen here.

The Parker Semi Slant so far as I can tell is just a slant.

You don't sound thick. It's good to ask questions. There is a lot to learn and that makes it fun. I have been doing this for over 40 years and I still learn things here.

 

[Sweeney_]

just had a look at connaught shaving and the fatip slant razors look really nice,
but im a bit confused looking at them, there seems to be the fatip picolo slant, the fatip originale and finally the fatip gentile slant,
can someone please explain what the differences are?

btw those fatip slant razors look amazing in both silver and gold

The fatip piccolo and originale are the same exact slant head (open comb slant), just different handles. The Originale has a thicker diameter but it's hollow so a bit lighter. The Piccolo has a smaller diameter handle but it's solid so a wee bit heavier.

The Gentile slant is simply the closed comb version.

cheers

 

[Ivo4u2]

There are

open and close comb slants

there are slants with a sloc profile (Yaqi)

there are basically two different slants

both have tilted head (slanted) making you shave on an angle which you can do with a normal razor (Gillette technique).

and some have torqued head which counter bends the blade these are considered real slants where the former could be seen as semi slants

just as with normal razors there are mild and agressive ones. Material also seems in play and weight just as with normal razors.

some have very restricted top cap triangular build in shaving angle which makes if you follow that guide very effective cuts.

but since I tried several slants on my journey and prefer heavy normal adjustables that part of the discussion is for the torqued specialists.

 

[saj]

What I have used are mild. Feeling at least. Merkur 37C and Ikon X3. They can be deceptive because that slicing action can be so efficient. Don't use any pressure and you will be fine.

There are closed comb and open comb available. Fatip came out with a open comb slant this year. There is a thread here somewhere and I swear it seemed like hundreds raved about it. It must be good. It was one of if not the biggest new razor launch I have ever seen here.

The Parker Semi Slant so far as I can tell is just a slant.

You don't sound thick. It's good to ask questions. There is a lot to learn and that makes it fun. I have been doing this for over 40 years and I still learn things here.

which fatip slant was the one with the rave reviews specifically do you know mate?

never had a merkur so will consider it

 

[saj]

The fatip piccolo and originale are the same exact slant head (open comb slant), just different handles. The Originale has a thicker diameter but it's hollow so a bit lighter. The Piccolo has a smaller diameter handle but it's solid so a wee bit heavier.

The Gentile slant is simply the closed comb version.

cheers

thanks for clearing that up mate, i appreciate it

do you have any personal experience with these fatip slant razors?

 

[saj]

There are

open and close comb slants

there are slants with a sloc profile (Yaqi)

there are basically two different slants

both have tilted head (slanted) making you shave on an angle which you can do with a normal razor (Gillette technique).

and some have torqued head which counter bends the blade these are considered real slants where the former could be seen as semi slants

just as with normal razors there are mild and agressive ones. Material also seems in play and weight just as with normal razors.

some have very restricted top cap triangular build in shaving angle which makes if you follow that guide very effective cuts.

but since I tried several slants on my journey and prefer heavy normal adjustables that part of the discussion is for the torqued specialists.

hey what do you mean by sloc profile? sorry dont understand

so which slant razors you tried mate?

 

[Sweeney_]

Sure, I have both the Piccolo and the Originale Slant. It's a great razor that I would characterize as more efficient than aggressive due to the lack of blade gap. The blade sits very close to the comb similar to a Gillette Old type OC.

I also have the regular fatips, OC and gentile and can get a close, smooth comfortable shave with any of them but the Gentile (closed comb) versions are slightly milder imo.

You should visit the "Fatip slant" thread, a lot of knowledge and Fatip users can give you great input there.

 

[Ivo4u2]

hey what do you mean by sloc profile? sorry dont understand

so which slant razors you tried mate?

Sloc refers to the open comb top cap
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Doc double open comb also exists not sure if there is a slant version

i used a ikon x3 ss torque and a paa Alluminium slant. Imho the x3 was better. Since I prefer other razors I flogged them.

 

[Old Hippie]

so looking at slant razors i'd assume theyre aggressive, are all slant razors aggresive or are there mild ones out there too? do slant de razors come in both open and closed comb?

Hi Saj!

I shave my head with a slant all the time. Well...every time I use a slant! But to your questions...

Not all slants are aggressive, though many makers seem to assume that anyone who uses a slant is looking for an aggressive razor. I tend to prefer milder, but not TOO mild, razors. Finding a slant that is both mild and efficient is a true joy, and I have a few.

Slants, like other razors, come in smooth bar, scalloped bar and open comb varieties.

The two varieties of slant are "tilted" where the whole head tilts in one direction, and "helical" where the edges make an "X" when viewed from either face of the razor. Tilted slants are just a bent DE but they can shave very well. Helical slants put more torque on the blade, which results in more rigidity and often a better shave. This is less important now that we have stainless blades, but still there are benefits.

Some recommendations (in no particular order, just as I think of them):

1. Parker Semi-Slant. I'm not sure what's "semi" about it. It's a real slant, quite mild. Also inexpensive. I had one and it was a good solid workmanlike shave every time with no worries. I found it quite predictable. I gave it to my son as one of his starter razors; it's that mild and gentle.

2. Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements "El Fantasma" and other similar razors they've made lately. This is a very close interpretation of the classic Fasan Double Slant. It's much, much milder than the Fasan I have. I find that adding a shim under the blade helps, making the razor very mild and very efficient for me. Using one right now, as a matter of fact, and you can find more about it (and other slants) on the "Tilted Picnic" reviews posted (this year) here in the DE subforum and (last year) in the Brotherhood of Slant Shavers subforum.

3. Above the Tie S2. The S2 is their open comb version; the S1 is a smooth bar. ATT's S-series is one of the most innovative slant designs to hit the market. The S2 is, above any other razor I've ever used, bar none my Grail Razor.

4. The Merkur 37/39 razors are often described as "mild" but that's not always true. I find them quite good but not "mild." But I've never cut myself badly with one, so maybe I'm off track.

5. RazoRock Stainless Stealth Slant, Version 3. Not easy to find because no longer made, but they're out there. It's one heavy son-of-a-gun but still very mild and gives you an upper-body workout while shaving.

If you're looking to try one on, I'd say start with the Parker. It's inexpensive and of decent quality. You like that, pick up a Merkur. If you're really looking for mild check out the PAA offerings and read up on the Tilted Picnic. If you're an "all in" kinda guy, then order up an S2 or a combo with S1 and S2 plates (or just buy two razors!). I'd grab that razor to run from a disaster, but I'd probably get killed dithering over some of the others.

Not mentioned yet but eventually to be tested, the ATT X1 which is an AC (SE) slant. I can't tell whether it's a gimmick or a godsend without having one, but I'm leaning toward the folks at ATT knowing what they're doing. I'm tempted to say that as an AC razor it's not gonna be anything like "mild" but I've found a mild AC razor so who knows? More to come...

 

[saj]

Hi Saj!

I shave my head with a slant all the time. Well...every time I use a slant! But to your questions...

Not all slants are aggressive, though many makers seem to assume that anyone who uses a slant is looking for an aggressive razor. I tend to prefer milder, but not TOO mild, razors. Finding a slant that is both mild and efficient is a true joy, and I have a few.

Slants, like other razors, come in smooth bar, scalloped bar and open comb varieties.

The two varieties of slant are "tilted" where the whole head tilts in one direction, and "helical" where the edges make an "X" when viewed from either face of the razor. Tilted slants are just a bent DE but they can shave very well. Helical slants put more torque on the blade, which results in more rigidity and often a better shave. This is less important now that we have stainless blades, but still there are benefits.

Some recommendations (in no particular order, just as I think of them):

1. Parker Semi-Slant. I'm not sure what's "semi" about it. It's a real slant, quite mild. Also inexpensive. I had one and it was a good solid workmanlike shave every time with no worries. I found it quite predictable. I gave it to my son as one of his starter razors; it's that mild and gentle.

2. Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements "El Fantasma" and other similar razors they've made lately. This is a very close interpretation of the classic Fasan Double Slant. It's much, much milder than the Fasan I have. I find that adding a shim under the blade helps, making the razor very mild and very efficient for me. Using one right now, as a matter of fact, and you can find more about it (and other slants) on the "Tilted Picnic" reviews posted (this year) here in the DE subforum and (last year) in the Brotherhood of Slant Shavers subforum.

3. Above the Tie S2. The S2 is their open comb version; the S1 is a smooth bar. ATT's S-series is one of the most innovative slant designs to hit the market. The S2 is, above any other razor I've ever used, bar none my Grail Razor.

4. The Merkur 37/39 razors are often described as "mild" but that's not always true. I find them quite good but not "mild." But I've never cut myself badly with one, so maybe I'm off track.

5. RazoRock Stainless Stealth Slant, Version 3. Not easy to find because no longer made, but they're out there. It's one heavy son-of-a-gun but still very mild and gives you an upper-body workout while shaving.

If you're looking to try one on, I'd say start with the Parker. It's inexpensive and of decent quality. You like that, pick up a Merkur. If you're really looking for mild check out the PAA offerings and read up on the Tilted Picnic. If you're an "all in" kinda guy, then order up an S2 or a combo with S1 and S2 plates (or just buy two razors!). I'd grab that razor to run from a disaster, but I'd probably get killed dithering over some of the others.

Not mentioned yet but eventually to be tested, the ATT X1 which is an AC (SE) slant. I can't tell whether it's a gimmick or a godsend without having one, but I'm leaning toward the folks at ATT knowing what they're doing. I'm tempted to say that as an AC razor it's not gonna be anything like "mild" but I've found a mild AC razor so who knows? More to come...

Wow thanks for the detailed response, appreciate it

Yea not sure why parker called it the semi slant, kinda confusing for a noob like me lol

What aggressive slant open comb would recommend?

I watched a youtuber using a slant open comb yaqi, looked like a seriously aggressive slant razor

 

[WetShaveVet]

which fatip slant was the one with the rave reviews specifically do you know mate?

never had a merkur so will consider it

It is called the Lo Storto and it is not an expensive razor at all.

 

[Chaucer]

Please don't over-think this decision. Just buy a Fatip Lo Storto FOCS--the one with the open comb baseplate and the hollow handle. It's about $40, cheaper than a tub of some high-end soaps. Mine is chrome-plated brass. There's also a gold-plated version. Choose your color. This razor has magic like no other I've tried.

BTW, I agree with Old Hippie about the Above the Tie S slants. They're spectacular. I prefer the S1, but the S2 is no slouch either. But they cost about $180 new, and I think they're discontinued.

 

[saj]

Please don't over-think this decision. Just buy a Fatip Lo Storto FOCS--the one with the open comb baseplate and the hollow handle. It's about $40, cheaper than a tub of some high-end soaps. Mine is chrome-plated brass. There's also a gold-plated version. Choose your color. This razor has magic like no other I've tried.

BTW, I agree with Old Hippie about the Above the Tie S slants. They're spectacular. I prefer the S1, but the S2 is no slouch either. But they cost about $180 new, and I think they're discontinued.

yea i really like my fatip oc razor and love the weight to it, its 100g so i am swaying towards getting the fatip oc slant just not sure which handle to go for, picolo or the other one

 

[Neilzebub]

yea i really like my fatip oc razor and love the weight to it, its 100g so i am swaying towards getting the fatip oc slant just not sure which handle to go for, picolo or the other one

Can't go wrong with either one. However, if you like a bit more weight to it then go with the piccolo.

 

[Benzadmiral]

My experience with slants has been uniformly positive. The vintage Hoffritz is a good heavy tool. The Fatip Open Comb Slant, also called the Lo Storto (Italian for "twisted one," I think!), is a bit lighter in the hand to me. Both slice off a 48-hour growth more closely and with less drama than anything else I have. I tend to save them for Saturday morning or evening shaves -- but if either one were my only razor, I'd be quite happy.

 

[Salty O'Rourke]

My experience with the Merkur is limited to the 39C with a barber pole handle - it's kind of meh. I think the Merkur 34 series is the same as the vintage Merkurs (and Hoffritzes/Coles/Pomcos, all the same razor really) but I've never used one.

I have a vintage Apollo slant that is great, but they're 1. hard to find, and 2. really hard to find in good shape. Mine has plating issues.

I have a vintage Krect slant, US made, that is either mild or I just haven't figured it out yet. It would probably benefit from shimming, as today's blades are just a bit thinner than the ones in the 30s/40s. The twist on the Krect razors is minimal.

I have a Schotz slant, also a US product, that is consistently in my top-5 DE razors. I lucked onto it by chance and I've only seen one other for sale in the past 10 or 15 years, so it's probably safe to say they are rare. Too bad, too, it's really a sweet razor. SOMEBODY SHOULD GET ONE (NOT MINE!) AND PRODUCE A MODERN VERSION.

I have a no-name German travel slant that is mediocre. I have a plastic slant from PAA that I find to be a bit harsh.

The take-away from all this? You pays your money and you takes your chances. Some slants are outstanding, some are ho-hum.

Check out B.O.S.S. and feast your eyes on all the possibilities - the pics start on page 2.

 

[gdawg55]

I have/had many slants....ATT S1, Merkur 37C, Ikon X3, Fatip FOCS. Out of these the ATT S1 was my favorite. Efficient and very smooth. The X3 is the mildest. FOCS was my least favorite....rough (no matter what blade I used). The 37C is a nice shaver as well....on the milder side, but still efficient.

 

[saj]

Finally got around to using the fatip open comb slant picollo de razor I got, it was efficient and nice not sure if it's more aggressive or efficient then the fatip open comb grande I got though

I found the razor very easy to use, very easy to find the angle and actually dont think you'd cut yourself easily tbh imo YMMV