I've been using both a straight & DE razor for a couple of months now, but am intrigued by the slant. I haven't noticed any vintage slants out there(maybe because they didn't make them?), so I'm looking at buying a new one. I've heard good things about Merkur slants, but cannot remember model #'s or names. Can anyone make any recommendations on a good slant, regardless of make? Thanks!
Slant Recommendations?
- Thread starter edutton
- Start date
Just had my third shave with the Merkur 39C "Sledgehammer" slant -- it is incredibly awesome!
If you like heavy razors (113g, like the 38C "Barber Pole"), this is the one you want. If you want lighter (80g, like the 34C), get the 37C. TheSuperiorShave.com has the 37C in stock for $35 (including shipping), and provided me with great service when I bought the last 39C he had in stock last week.
A clear plastic one sold here on B&B a few days ago, and it was some kind of German vintage, so there are some.
Enjoy, and welcome to the Slant Lover's Club!
If you like heavy razors (113g, like the 38C "Barber Pole"), this is the one you want. If you want lighter (80g, like the 34C), get the 37C. TheSuperiorShave.com has the 37C in stock for $35 (including shipping), and provided me with great service when I bought the last 39C he had in stock last week.
A clear plastic one sold here on B&B a few days ago, and it was some kind of German vintage, so there are some.
Enjoy, and welcome to the Slant Lover's Club!
I use a silver coloured classic handled slant. While it's entirely a matter of personal taste, I find it a bit hard to see how that design can be improved.
Get the Merkur Slant (37c), it was introduced in 1932 and hasn't changed since. How much more vintage can you get?
And don't believe the scare propaganda. It's a perfectly safe and very close shaver.
And don't believe the scare propaganda. It's a perfectly safe and very close shaver.
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I'm starting to regret not getting the Mercur HD slant now. Mind you though, I've only got five DE shaves down now, but I have months and numerous Cutthroat shaves down. Would that have qualified me to start off with a DE Slant?
Mick
Mick
Remembering to shave
a) SLOWLY
b) with NO PRESSURE
qualifies you to use a slant.
It has a reputation for being "less forgiving", but I find it is much easier to get my technique right it. The somewhat flatter head helps a lot with the angle, and the "aggressiveness" makes it much easier to feel what I'm doing.
And it gives me a GREAT shave with fewer passes.
a) SLOWLY
b) with NO PRESSURE
qualifies you to use a slant.
It has a reputation for being "less forgiving", but I find it is much easier to get my technique right it. The somewhat flatter head helps a lot with the angle, and the "aggressiveness" makes it much easier to feel what I'm doing.
And it gives me a GREAT shave with fewer passes.
You try shaving fast and with pressure on a Straight and see how forgiving that is!
I might have qualified to start off wih a slant. Bugger! Now I'm going to have to order one and see...Bloody RAD!
I might have qualified to start off wih a slant. Bugger! Now I'm going to have to order one and see...Bloody RAD!
Every time I get fired up for a 39c--I somehow manage a great shave with my 38r keeping me wondering if I should even bother with anything else. Great shave today with a 4 shave old Derby no less.
Probably get one just to satisfy the RAD
Probably get one just to satisfy the RAD
+1
I've used the the 37C Slant exclusively for years and just recently acquired the 39C Sledgehammer Slant from a member. Both are great razors and shave very similarly. As far as I can tell, the weight of the 39C doesn't seem to make a ton of difference in the shave but, to me at least, feels good in the hand.
Just in case you're curious, here's a picture of a popular vintage Hoffritz (made by Merkur) slant that just sold in the B/S/T. The milky white handle is different and, I think, looks very nice. This is the one I'm keeping an eye out for.
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+1, I quite enjoy my heavy barber pole. Very good shave.
+1
I've used the the 37C Slant exclusively for years and just recently acquired the 39C Sledgehammer Slant from a member. Both are great razors and shave very similarly. As far as I can tell, the weight of the 39C doesn't seem to make a ton of difference in the shave but, to me at least, feels good in the hand.
Heavier razors certainly do feel better in the hand. I have really enjoyed my barber pole in terms of weight and shave.
- Thread starter
- #12
Thank you all for your recommendations! You convinced me to buy a Merkur 39C which I promptly purchased from westcoastshaving this morning. I'm a big guy with large hands, so I have a feeling that one will be right for me. I even had to upgrade my shipping to priority because I can't wait to see how it shaves. I guess if I don't care for it, someone here at B&B will be getting a discount on a nice slant. 
+1 on all this.
One thing I've noticed is that I can test my angle by putting the razor against my face and pushing it instead of pulling. The head has grooves that leave trails behind in my lather and depending on what the trails look like, I can adjust my angle and get a perfect shave every time.
That's the feature that makes blade buffing with a slant much easier for me than with other razors.
Thank you all for your recommendations! You convinced me to buy a Merkur 39C which I promptly purchased from westcoastshaving this morning. I'm a big guy with large hands, so I have a feeling that one will be right for me. I even had to upgrade my shipping to priority because I can't wait to see how it shaves. I guess if I don't care for it, someone here at B&B will be getting a discount on a nice slant.
You will enjoy using the 39C. I bought mine off of BST a few months ago and still can't believe how close it shaves. My other razors are not seeing near as much time in the rotation these days
I love my Slant so much I bought it in goooold. If you have a coarse, tough beard, you'll like the Slant.
I'm putting the gold one on my gift request list!
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