Slant bar

[london]

I've been using a DE for almost a year starting with a Merkur 33C then a 1965 slim adjustable and a 1961 Fatboy. I wanted to take it up a notch so I got a Merkur 37C Slant bar after read than it was closer to a straight, so far the results are no better than my 33c which is still my go to razor, should i be using the same blade angle as the 33C ?.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Regards,
London

 

[TonyJ]

I have 39C and it is not on aggressive side of my razors. It leans much more towards to mild size like my 23C (same like your 33c but longer handle). Closer to a straights? Absolutely not, according to my experiences from straights. You can try different angles and blades. Slant is a great razor even that it is not giving me a closest shave of all but it takes many kind of blades with irritation safe action.

 

[Triad]

Dont know why people make the slant out to be aggressive its not your fatboy and slim cranked up will be more aggressive.

 

[TonyJ]

Lots of advertising and blue eyed comments without truly comparison, perhaps

 

[PFP_Dad]

I find the ideal angle to be a bit flatter with my slants than with my old gillettes (Handle more parallel to face). I prefer to think of it as efficient rather than aggressive though my bakelite slant gives far better shaves than my 37c.

 

[london]

So the slant bar is not much more than hype. I've ordered a unseen deal for whipped dog lets see how that goes.
Regards.

 

[dpmtherrien]

The slant is a very nice razor, but it takes a few times using it to get it down. I say this as one who had tried the slant 2 times before, and found that I didn't care for it. The only thing was I was not using it to its true potential. I was using way too much pressure, and my angle was off. By doing that I was not using the slant the correct way, so I concluded that the slant was not for me. Having sold that slant, and then trying one again several months later, and again not using it right, I also sold that one and concluded that I was done with slants, and that they were not that great.

Approx 2 years later I started looking for something different in a DE, and I looked at the slant again, not for the 3rd time. This time I researched the slant for some time, found the correct way to use one, and ordered one again. When this one arrived I felt I was ready to put it to the correct use and I now found that using it the right way, the shave was excellent. Keep in mind that the slant gives a different shave, not necessarily a better shave. When used correctly the slant will deliver one find shave.

 

[Predict]

Slant isn't close to a straight at all. you want something more effective? Go for a straight or an aggressive de razor, fatip, r41, futur, progress......

 

[dieselfuel79]

It's different for everyone.
I have both slants from Merkur, and the 39c with the added heft works best for me.
I also have a FaTip grande, which is in desperate need of a heavier handle. Then I think it would feel more efficient to me.
But for now, my sledgehammer is in 1st place.

 

[N2theBreech]

There were a few threads earlier about installing the blade in a slant. Something to consider if you decide on a slant.

1-twist the blade slightly as you tighten it so the blade edges are parallel to the edges of the cap.

2- Pop the blade in and let it naturally fall into place as you tighten it. The blade edges will be parallel to the slant bar.

I doubt someone would choose #1 unless advised to. I saw the advice and that's how I did it from the time I started. I recently switched from #1 to #2. I didn't notice a tremendous difference, but I think I will stick with #2. I "imagine" that it's slightly better. Plus, it seems to make sense, the blade edges are the same distance from the bar so it's equally aggressive (as measured by blade gap) along the length of the blade.

I'll also second PFP_Dad's suggestion that the angle be a lot flatter than other razors.

 

[gus1942]

There were a few threads earlier about installing the blade in a slant. Something to consider if you decide on a slant.

1-twist the blade slightly as you tighten it so the blade edges are parallel to the edges of the cap.

2- Pop the blade in and let it naturally fall into place as you tighten it. The blade edges will be parallel to the slant bar.

I doubt someone would choose #1 unless advised to. I saw the advice and that's how I did it from the time I started. I recently switched from #1 to #2. I didn't notice a tremendous difference, but I think I will stick with #2. I "imagine" that it's slightly better. Plus, it seems to make sense, the blade edges are the same distance from the bar so it's equally aggressive (as measured by blade gap) along the length of the blade.

I'll also second PFP_Dad's suggestion that the angle be a lot flatter than other razors.

By flatter, I assume you mean a more shallow or lower blade angle of the blade to skin. I agree, but one probably won't have a problem with the slant. They almost automatically find that angle. Slants are that good and easy.

Gus/BOTOC

 

[shave~extacy]

The slant is not hype.... my sledgehammer shaves beautiful. I think some are misunderstanding the concept is all. If I perfom a gillette slide with my R89 does that razor all of a sudden become an aggresive shaver? The sledgehammer is mild in terms of blade exposure/gap compared to the aggresive side of the spectrum.

 

[cfender]

I have had a different experience than others. Here's the razors I've used in the order of aggressiveness. Mild to Aggressive.

Gillette Super Speed Red Tip
Merkur 23c
Gillette Fat Boy on 9
Merkur 37c Slant
Muhle R41

I only use the R41 now. Everything else feels to mild.

 

[ingrownhair]

I've used my 39c sledgehammer exclusively for 6 months now. I only have Gillettes to compare it to (fatboy, red tip, superspeed), but right now I will never go back to the others unless I need to. Two pass BBS shave (could probably get by with one pass) every time. I agree with the others above that the slant automatically (in general) finds the correct angle.

 

[ZackP]

I'm pretty sure the blade should be parallel to the top part of the razor when looking at it from the top. Definitely a good razor. Gives a smooth shave quicker than my other razors, and also allows less passes (sensitive skin hates more passes than truly needed).

 

[Brushstick]

I for one am having real difficulty with the slant. I wouldn't say that I have overly sensitive skin, in fact I'd say it's average, but my slant irritates the hell out of my face. I can't see how people can say that it isn't aggressive and say the blade needs to be parallel with the cap, just look at the blade gap!
I get a far better shave out of my 34c, but I wish this wasn't the case. I would really love to be able to use the slant in my rotation and I can't bring myself to part with the slant, even though I hate it, lol. I seldom ever get cut by the slant, but my skin feels very irritated and the blade always feels like it's 'digging' in.

 

[Col Wilburforce Buckshot]

I only own two razors (and I have used both for a long time), a Super Speed and a Hoffritz slant. I never get irritation from the Super Speed but occasionally I get a "razor rash" from the Hoffritz.
Same neck
Same blade
Same hair growth pattern
Same technique

Something about them must be different.

 

[lt114]

I've used my slant, the 37G, for about a year now. For me it's a great shaving, and very efficient, razor.
Check to make sure the blade is aligned with the top plate and not the comb of the razor. There are tons of threads about this on the forums.
Not aligning the blade correctly could lead to irritation and a less than stellar shave. The way I do it is: hold the top plate upside down and let the blade fall in. Then, slide the handle on the top plate and screw it down, while holding the razor in the upside down position. The blade will correctly align itself every time without any extra fuss.

 

[Brushstick]

That's how I align the blade already, I still find it causes me irritation and cuts no differently to a 34c. I'd actually say (at least for me) it's worse.

 

[cessnabird]

The Slant is a very efficient razor, it was designed that way. It technically doesn't offer the "aggressive" blade gap like some cranked up TTO's or the new R-41, but it is a close shaver and does require more attention to technique than some other razors. I find it comfortable, efficient, yet very unforgiving if you let your mind wander. The Slant does seem to necessitate a slightly different angle, I suppose shallow would describe it. It does take some time getting used to. I actually hated mine the first 3-4 times I used it, but once I got the hang of things it became one of my go to favorites. I think every shaver should try one for a few weeks and see if it's for them or not. I own the 37c "short handle" btw.

EDIT: in regards to loading the blade, it loads just like any other razor. Load the blade straight like you normally would, twist to tighten the blade down and the slant lines it all up automatically. I don't understand what other people mean by loading the blade differently in the slant, it sounds dangerous to me. Once you have it tightened down, just check both edges to make sure they have the same and aligned blade exposure, once again, just like any other razor. Hope this helps some. Jeremy-