Ready to Upgrade: Slantbar or Feather AC?

[Mycon]

My daily shaver has been the Merkur HD for several years now. I still get great results most days, but I think it's time to go more aggressive. I have some extra cash to place a shave order, and along with a refresh of creams/soaps I think a new razor is the ticket. I would like some opines on which
Here's my current line of thinking

Merkur 37C Slant DE
Pros:
Cost- Both the razor itself and the blades are relatively cheap. I just made the switch from Feather to Personna Blues, and I love them
Almost identical shaving technique
Cons:
Basically just a modified HD
I already have trouble getting the mustache area due to the size and shape of a DE razor

Feather AC:
Pros: Straight razor (or close enough)
No need to buy a strop, hones, or having to send the blade out for maintenance
Blades are thicker than DE (advantage to the Shavette too)
Blades have more uses in them than DE

Cons:
Cost- the razor itself is more, as are the blades.
Entirely new technique and learning curve

 

[Mick]

I get a close comfortable shave with both of my slant head razors (39c and 37c)

There is no learning curve. Just pick it up and shave.

You will spend a few weeks to a month getting comfortable with a shavette before you get even halfway close to where you are now with a DE.

I'd say get BOTH

Or you could get an inexpensive shavette like a Parker to see if you like it. They use DE blades broken in half so you already have the blades and the razor itself is around $20 +/-

http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Parker-SR1-Barber-Straight-Razor_p_933.html

If you get a feather AC there are other choices of blades besides Feather. Kia, and Dorco make disposable straight blades also

 

[FaPat5]

That's not quite true about the feather blades. Think you can also use dorco and kai blades, not just feather blades

 

[Mycon]

Ah, I wasn't entirely sure about that one. I meant to add that as a caveat, but forgot. Thanks for the info!

 

[Horned Owl]

I dont own a slant so I cannot compare them. But I used DEs and got myself a AC to try it out and have never regretted it. Excellent shaves, no hassle and joy to use. I'd recommend it. As have been pointed out, you can use Dorco and Kai blades in the Feather AC without problems. You can also use the Feather blades in a Kai holder. The two top shavers for me are the Feather AC DX and the Kai Captain Excelia.

 

[chilliman64]

Merkur slant all the way - I'd recommend this to anyone regardless of what the other alternative is

 

[Snuff-Belgium]

Personally I find the merkur slant a very good razor but the AC is something else, after getting one a few years back I even don't use my straights anymore. Out of all the shaving gear that I have these are my favorite shavers. Once you learn how to use them you can get easily 15 shaves out of a blade. Start with no pressure, low angle, somewhat wetter lather. But there are those who don't seem to like this razors as they find them very unforgiving (as with all shaving apparatus it's a YMMV thing, I don't find them unforgiving). They are not really cheap, You might wanna go for a Feather RG model or a KAI Captain model or even the really cheap Korean CJB model, they all use the same blades and the end result of the shave is the same but if you find out it isn't for you it will make a difference in your wallet.

 

[santamariasteve]

Key words in your email: "go more aggressive"

Hmmm

Don't overlook razors from yesteryear, such as a Gillette Super Speed Red Tip or a Schick Injector Type E, which probably can be purchased for a modest fraction of the cost of a Merkur Slant or a Feather AC.

They will give you plenty of aggression!

 

[eth]

It depends on what you really want. A Slant lets you shave with a familiar, but more aggressive tool. A Feather AC is a completely new experience and skill to learn. I went the shavette route (two half-DE shavettes and two Sextoblades), because I wanted to learn something new. Now I can get a shave as good as any DE razor with a half-DE shavette, but lately I've been reaching for my R41 because it's more convenient.

The other day I bought a CJB on the BST, and I'm very eager to try out the kamisori style of razors. I wonder if this will be my main shaver once I climb the major part of the learning curve.

 

[Head Rigger]

I get a close comfortable shave with both of my slant head razors (39c and 37c)

There is no learning curve. Just pick it up and shave.

You will spend a few weeks to a month getting comfortable with a shavette before you get even halfway close to where you are now with a DE.

I'd say get BOTH

Or you could get an inexpensive shavette...

I agree with Turtle. You could get the Slant and a good quality shavette for the cost of the Feather AC.

While the slant is basically a modified version of the HD, to me it's still different enough to provide variety and a great shave.

The Weck Sextoblade has been highly recommended in many posts and is also a great option. It's inexpensive, fairly easy to find and simulates the size and weight of a straight razor. I found a set on ebay for a very reasonable price and use readily available Personna blades with them.

You could try this route to see if you want to invest more into the Feather or maybe go to a regular straight razor.

 

[Mycon]

I purchased a Feather AC SS folding razor about three weeks ago and I haven't regretted it one bit. It is a new technique, but it's a great shaving experience with great results (once you develop said technique) and less irritation. I have since picked up a non-folding Japanese style AC SS as well. If you can find a Feather AC SS on B/S/T then if you don't like it, you can always sell it for basically what you paid.

Ah, this was actually another question I had, but forgot to ask. Which do you prefer, the folding SS or the non-folding? The video that brought the Feather AC to my attention in the first place used the non-folding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ2Iuuwg_fI

Look at how easily it just peels the beard off of that guy!

 

[tm3]

How about the Cobra? Looks like a whomped up injector, uses the Feather AC blades.

There is an ongoing pass around that would allow you to try before you buy.

 

[PFP_Dad]

I would recommend neither. The slant is a great razor but Merkur's poor plating and construction bothered me every time I used it (sold it and kept my bakelite version). The feather is incredibly expensive especially as it seems most people recommend the DX head vs. the SS head (different shapes).

I got the CJB and it's been my go-to shaver for probably 9 out of 10 shave since. Can't go wrong for the price and the blades seem to last forever compared to DE blades (3x as long at least). It'll get you the most bang for your buck and if you still want one you can get a slant as well for the price of just the Feather SS.

 

[dparish1952]

I understand the Merkur Progress (or Mergress upgrade) cranked up to 5 is very aggressive (but I haven't used one). I have a 39C and am VERY happy with its performance, but in no way would I describe it as aggressive.

 

[gus1942]

Slant, by all means

 

[Mycon]

I guess I was unclear about something. While I do usually get a good shave from a DE, all safety razors bog down and clog incredibly fast from my stubble. I think that the slant's design might work a little better due to my passes (XTG, XTG) due to the slicing motion. It won't do anything about the clogging, but it may reduce tugging and get closer in fewer passes. The very way that a Str8 basically peels the beard off seems like it would suit me best, hence the Feather.

New question, if I get the Feather which head do I get? I've seen rave reviews for both the DX and SS. My go-to vendor has the SS, and my backup vendor has the RG (same as DX but plated brass) on sale for about the same price.

 

[ike000000]

I dont know about the Feather but i have a 39c. I was honestly let down by it and reach for my de89 more often than not. The blade never lines up and i feel like a get a better shave with one side than the other

 

[Member357]

Both excellent razors. Slant is much easier to use in my opinion. The Feather has much more of a learning curve, but if you're prepared to put the time in then it'll be worth the extra effort.
If you're not sure about spending so much money on the Feather, then the CJB as mentioned above is a very worthwhile substitute, but the finish isn't in the same league as the SS/DX or RG models.

As stated above though, for the price of the Feather, you could buy a slant and a CJB with blades....

 

[striker6]

I upgraded to a 37C HD Slant recently. I love it... It's great for my coarse beard. It's truly a unique, efficient and effective shave.

 

[Mycon]

So after counting my pennies, I realized that after making a couple of large necessary purchases, I don't have as much as I thought for a giant shaving order. I was all set to buy the Slantbar, but I decided to take a last look at the Shavette. For some reason, I never noticed the black and green holders before that take other blades. Does anyone know what those blades are like? If the green holder can use the Feather blades, then the choice is kind of obvious. Actually, at the lower price point I could get both the Shavette and the Slant. That way I could technically use my favorite blades (Personna Blues) in both. I also have a pack of the Feather AC blades that someone gave me as a mistake.