Every time I search on eBay to see if any interesting slants are out there, I always come across the Slant Stroke razor. I learned a long time ago that even though the name says slant, it really isn't a slant razor. It appears to be your basic cheap bakelite safety razors from the 30s. I finally broke down and got one just to see why folks are listing these on eBay and why folks are buying them.
When it arrived today, it was your basic bakelite razor with the only unusual part being the trough type bar area not unlike the Parker Variant or the Timeless. The razor was very light, and the head had a brass screw which screwed directly into the bakelite handle (no brass insert). Blade alignment was good and so it was ready to shave.
When I started my WTG pass, it was very smooth and I had visions of it being similar to my Merkur Bakelite. When I felt my face after the first pass, that vision went down the drain. There were areas of stubble and other areas not shave as closely. It took me the full WTG, ATG, XTG plus touch up to get a good shave, which is something I have not experienced in a while from the razors in my current rotation. The good part is that this is a comfortable razor, and the bad part is that it is not very efficent. I am not sure if putting on a heavier handle or using a different blade will change the results by much. This will probably end up as my travel razor (now that I don't travel as much).
So all you folks looking for good bakelite razors, pass on this one and get a Merkur.
When it arrived today, it was your basic bakelite razor with the only unusual part being the trough type bar area not unlike the Parker Variant or the Timeless. The razor was very light, and the head had a brass screw which screwed directly into the bakelite handle (no brass insert). Blade alignment was good and so it was ready to shave.
When I started my WTG pass, it was very smooth and I had visions of it being similar to my Merkur Bakelite. When I felt my face after the first pass, that vision went down the drain. There were areas of stubble and other areas not shave as closely. It took me the full WTG, ATG, XTG plus touch up to get a good shave, which is something I have not experienced in a while from the razors in my current rotation. The good part is that this is a comfortable razor, and the bad part is that it is not very efficent. I am not sure if putting on a heavier handle or using a different blade will change the results by much. This will probably end up as my travel razor (now that I don't travel as much).
So all you folks looking for good bakelite razors, pass on this one and get a Merkur.
