Slant Bar- Loading the Blade

[katz]

I wrote to Anne Rothstein:

Ms. Rothstein,

I am writing to you with a question regarding the proper blade alignment of the Merkur Slant HD (37C & 37G) and the Merkur Barber Pole Slant (39C - my favorite razor!).

Recently, it has cropped up on Badger & Blade that some people feel the correct way is to have the blade parallel with the Slant Bar, while others, myself included, feel the correct way is to have the blade parallel with the head of the razor. Another way of asking the question is, "Should the blade be aligned to have a constant blade gap, or should the blade gap be greater at one end than the other?

Would you be so kind as to resolve this issue for us?

I am enclosing links to photos, as hopefully, that will help in clarifying matters:

Link 1: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=48908&stc=1&d=1241052395
Link 2: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=158714&stc=1&d=1303355267

Thanking you in advance for your assistance and time,

- Lou

And received this in reply:

Thank you for your email.

You are correct, the blade is to align with the top (head). This is how you load it easily: hold the top upside-down, place the blade over the two nubs and the thread of the top, then place the handle part (also upside-down) over it, and screw together. That way, the blade also aligns automatically with the top.

I hope I could help.

Best regards,
Anne Rothstein
MERKUR

Simple & easy - I feel they should include these instructions with each razor; imagine how many folks out there are in the dark on this one.

 

[aceofhearts]

I wrote to Anne Rothstein:

Ms. Rothstein,

I am writing to you with a question regarding the proper blade alignment of the Merkur Slant HD (37C & 37G) and the Merkur Barber Pole Slant (39C - my favorite razor!).

Recently, it has cropped up on Badger & Blade that some people feel the correct way is to have the blade parallel with the Slant Bar, while others, myself included, feel the correct way is to have the blade parallel with the head of the razor. Another way of asking the question is, "Should the blade be aligned to have a constant blade gap, or should the blade gap be greater at one end than the other?

Would you be so kind as to resolve this issue for us?

I am enclosing links to photos, as hopefully, that will help in clarifying matters:

Link 1: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=48908&stc=1&d=1241052395
Link 2: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=158714&stc=1&d=1303355267

Thanking you in advance for your assistance and time,

- Lou

And received this in reply:

Thank you for your email.

You are correct, the blade is to align with the top (head). This is how you load it easily: hold the top upside-down, place the blade over the two nubs and the thread of the top, then place the handle part (also upside-down) over it, and screw together. That way, the blade also aligns automatically with the top.

I hope I could help.

Best regards,
Anne Rothstein
MERKUR

Finally! My confusion has melted into understanding. BIG THANKS!

 

[mblakele]

Lou, thanks for sharing that information. I've tried to transfer it to the wiki at http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php?title=Slant#Blade_Alignment - could you take a moment to review it? If you spot any problems and aren't sure how to fix them, please PM me.

 

[Darjeeling Express]

Used post 41's method this morning with the rebranded Pomco. 2d go with a Shark Stainless. Flawless shave. Lou, thank you for all of your follow through on this.

 

[Doodi1]

I think the improper blade alignment is the reason I'm not getting the shaves I was expecting from my 39C. Thank you all for your help and follow-up on this matter. I have been aligning the blade with the head (slant bar) and holding it in place while screwing on the top. This method gives me an even blade gap, which is probably defeating the whole purpose of the slant bar?!

 

[nvpliers]

I wrote to Anne Rothstein:

Ms. Rothstein,

I am writing to you with a question regarding the proper blade alignment of the Merkur Slant HD (37C & 37G) and the Merkur Barber Pole Slant (39C - my favorite razor!).

Recently, it has cropped up on Badger & Blade that some people feel the correct way is to have the blade parallel with the Slant Bar, while others, myself included, feel the correct way is to have the blade parallel with the head of the razor. Another way of asking the question is, "Should the blade be aligned to have a constant blade gap, or should the blade gap be greater at one end than the other?

Would you be so kind as to resolve this issue for us?

I am enclosing links to photos, as hopefully, that will help in clarifying matters:

Link 1: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=48908&stc=1&d=1241052395
Link 2: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=158714&stc=1&d=1303355267

Thanking you in advance for your assistance and time,

- Lou

And received this in reply:

Thank you for your email.

You are correct, the blade is to align with the top (head). This is how you load it easily: hold the top upside-down, place the blade over the two nubs and the thread of the top, then place the handle part (also upside-down) over it, and screw together. That way, the blade also aligns automatically with the top.

I hope I could help.

Best regards,
Anne Rothstein
MERKUR

I had some questions on loading the Slant, but searching around B&B, I found this great post that cleared this issue up for me. Glad I didn't start a new thread, but I did want to post this thank you to DunEdinRanger.

 

[MHBru]

Great thread which appears to provide a definitive answer regarding blade alignment in my 37c. I will use the same method i use in my 34c. Its just a shame they cant manufacture them w tighter tolerances.