Slant Bar vs. Adjustable Razor

[Btnaig]

I am considering getting a new razor and I wondered what to expect between these two razor types. 2 years ago I got started with a Merkur HD and it worked but didn't give a great shave. At Leisureguy's advice I got a Merkur slant as my second razor and absolutely loved it! (I ended up giving my Merkur HD to my wife to shave her legs) The difference was amazing. My first pass had next to no resistance and the aggressiveness of the slant worked great. So lately I've been looking at the adjustables, especially the Progress and Futur. So I wonder how a slant compares to an adjustable: which is more aggressive and which gives a more comfortable shave. I know everyone is different but I wanted to hear from someone who has owned both razors.

Thanks.

 

[The Accountant]

I own the following three razors - Ikon Slant, Mergress and Gillette Fatboy. I like all three; however my vote goes to the Slant as giving the most comfortable shave. This not to say I don't get good shaves from the adjustables; I do. But the Slant gives me a better shave in two passes and some cleanup than I can manage with the adjustable razors.

As always, YMMV. I look forward to other replies to this thread.

 

[Neffarious]

I have 4 razors. Ikon Slant, Fatboy, Slim, Weber. The ikon is my daily driver. The Fatboy and slim are for head shaving. The weber is for whenever i don't feel slanty. I use the slim for travel too as it is the least expensive of the bunch. I get the best shave from the iSlant, then the weber then the adjustables. The difference is pretty minute tho. I could use any of them for whatever and it would be ok.

 

[Icebear]

I've a 37c, a Mergress (2 actually: long and short knob), and ikon Slant. The 37c has been banned into a drawer because the iKon slant is just so much nicer and does give me a better shave. It is more efficient. The Mergress will always be one of my top razors quote[whenever I don't feel slanty] but these are completely different animals.

I can't really answer the question about aggressiveness. Cranked all the the way open the Mergress is definitely aggressive but the iKon slant will also bite you if your don't pay attention.

 

[redinmtl]

From what I hear the Futur is one of the most aggressive razors out there...even at lowest settings. Seems to be a very polarizing razor, you don't often see someone say "it's ok"...they either love it or hate it. Slants and adjustables shave very differently so it's really hard to say which is better or more comfortable..it is very much a case of YMMV.

I can say I have a 37c and 3 adjustables (a slim, an executive and a fatboy) and i love them all but when i'm in the mood for an adjustable the fatboy really is an amazing shaver. If i had to recommend an adjustable that would be my choice...they are sought after razors with good reason IMO.

 

[infotech]

I was in your shoes a few years ago. I went from HD to SLant to Futur.

The Futur is more aggressive than the Slant simply because you can adjust the gap to be wider. It doesn't matter if I haven't shaved in a week or shaved the morning before I can get a great shave in three passes with it set to 3.

The other morning it was set to 5 for some reason and I nearly took my cheek off mainly because I hadn't adjusted the angle, but it is a beast.

 

[striker6]

I was in your shoes a few years ago. I went from HD to SLant to Futur.

The Futur is more aggressive than the Slant simply because you can adjust the gap to be wider. It doesn't matter if I haven't shaved in a week or shaved the morning before I can get a great shave in three passes with it set to 3.

The other morning it was set to 5 for some reason and I nearly took my cheek off mainly because I hadn't adjusted the angle, but it is a beast.

I started with a Merkur 33C, then 37C HD Slant, R41 and finally Futur... The Futur is the ONLY razor I'm using these days. It is most definitely more aggressive than the Merkur Slant (never tried Ikon). The most striking characteristic, which happens to work for me, is the weight of the Futur. It's got some heft to it and it helps with my coarse beard. I was struggling for a comfortable daily razor and it works perfectly for me since you can adjust it based on how much growth you have...

DISCLAIMER... YMMV

 

[mikemullin6]

I tried a 37C for a short time and just didn't like it - seemed too aggressive but that may have been my poor technique. In any event, I recently sold it. Since then, I've been trying several OC (Bostonian, Sheraton) along with various adjustables (slim, Fatboy, Megress XL) and I find all of them to be easier to work with than the slant and, at the same time, give very satisfactory service.

Like most things in these fora (you like that plural for forum?), you'll find a wide range of opinions.

Good luck!

 

[redinmtl]

I started with a Merkur 33C, then 37C HD Slant, R41 and finally Futur... The Futur is the ONLY razor I'm using these days. It is most definitely more aggressive than the Merkur Slant (never tried Ikon). The most striking characteristic, which happens to work for me, is the weight of the Futur. It's got some heft to it and it helps with my coarse beard. I was struggling for a comfortable daily razor and it works perfectly for me since you can adjust it based on how much growth you have...

DISCLAIMER... YMMV

One arrived in the mail for me yesterday and have not tried it yet but you are right it really is heavy..all around a very big heavy beast of a razor. I had heard it was heavy but I was still taken by surprise! Really looking forward to giving it a test drive, glad to hear you like it

 

[mhensley]

I've been using a 37C for several years, and just bought an Ikon Slant. I loved the 37C, but I have to admit so far (2 weeks) I love the Ikon Slant even more. Main differences:

1. The Ikon has a rounded head, and I find it easier to find the proper angle with it.
2. The Ikon is a 3-piece; the Merkur is 2-piece. I can't think of any advantage to either, but that is a difference.

FWIW, I use Feather blades in mine.