The unfulfilled promise of a slant razor

[ivan_101]

“Try a slant razor” they say, so I started off with the relatively mild Parker semi-slant.

First of all Parker semi-slant is not relatively mild. It is mild.

You don't need a slant for closer shaves. If you want to only do 1-2 passes and get BBS you need a razor with more exposure and more gap. It doesn't matter if it will be a slant, a solid bar or an open comb.

Stay away from the Merkur 37. The current batches have been made milder than the ones 10-15 years ago. They even changed the teeth on the guard. I'd also advise to stay away from the Fatip slant, as even with 3 passes and a very sharp blade I am far from BBS. With the Parker semi-slant I can get a BBS.

Razorock Superslant might work for you but you need L3 + or L3++. Even the solid bar will do the job. Be warned though. My L3+ has a gap of 2.00mm.

 

[Iridian]

Is it really about 2mm gap?
I just looked at my L3++ OC and it didn't seem to be that much, but I trust your measurements.

The thing is, slants cut smoothly. If not: just try a Wunderbar or a SuperSlant, they show nicely how slants works.

I hope for the OP that he will find the magic of slants. They are not only slanted but many are torsioning the blade, making the edge rigid and the Superslant/Wunderbar clamp down on the blade particularly well.

It makes for a supremely easy cutting experience, a great shave as long as one can avoid slicing into corners of the face. I once sliced away quite a bit of skin on my chin. But that also happened smoothly, didn't even notice it right away.

 

[ivan_101]

Is it really about 2mm gap?
I just looked at my L3++ OC and it didn't seem to be that much, but I trust your measurements.

The thing is, slants cut smoothly. If not: just try a Wunderbar or a SuperSlant, they show nicely how slants works.

I hope for the OP that he will find the magic of slants. They are not only slanted but many are torsioning the blade, making the edge rigid and the Superslant/Wunderbar clamp down on the blade particularly well.

It makes for a supremely easy cutting experience, a great shave as long as one can avoid slicing into corners of the face. I once sliced away quite a bit of skin on my chin. But that also happened smoothly, didn't even notice it right away.

The gap is not the same throughout the edge. That is because of the torque. L3+ has 2.00 at one end and 2.05 at the other. Measured by me with feeler gauge. And I am not talking about the open comb.

 

[JPO]

In my opinion, any DE razor can shave like a slanted razor. You just need to slant your stroke. No magic involved. Just lead slightly with one corner of the blade.

 

[blitz11]

You've probably been told that slanted razors create a "guillotine" effect that slices through stubble more easily, and I used to believe it, but this is simply untrue, and nonsensical if you think about it. The blade itself would have to be cut at a slanted angle to actually create any slicing action, which it obviously isn't.

Slanting (technically applying torsion to) the blade is a design crutch used to increase blade stiffness on imprecisely constructed razors, specifically the chrome-plated brass models which were pretty much the only available DEs until fairly recently. They do not increase aggression or efficiency, but people generally found them to shave better because the more rigid blade would have a tendency to chatter and flex less.

But now we have so many razors that are precisely constructed out of steel, aluminum, titanium, unplated brass, etc that hold the blade rigidly without needing to twist the blade that slants really provide no real benefit today.

So no, in the current environment high quality slants are nonsensical, maybe if you insist on buying a cheap Merkur or something like those plastic PAA things, but as an actual shaving tool they're not beneficial and people recommending them now are stuck in an old mindset.

To add to this

The guillotine is efficient because an oblique cutting angle, compared to a cut at 90 degrees, applies the cutting force to a small surface area. This is beneficial for large items like a gourd, melon, or, in the case of medieval execution, the neck. With something as small as the human hair, the benefit is imperceivable.

 

[JPO]

A slanted push cut at this scale should not reduce the required cutting force. However, a slice cut, which doesn't need to be slanted makes a big difference. Try doing this with a slanted razor.
An effective slice cut with e.g. a straight razor can enable you to use an edge that is allot more mellow, without getting any tugging. A straight push cut needs a sharper edge.
The more proficient you get with straight razor or DE razor, the less you rely on sharpness and gimmick equipment, like slanted razors.

 

[JTiberiusHenson]

gimmick equipment, like slanted razors.

I used the word "crutch" because torsioning the blade does add rigidity, but modern designs with decent blade clamping accomplish this by torquing the blade inside the cap along the short axis. Razorock's marketing for the Superslant is partially honest in this regard, but they repeat the same claim about "slicing", which, as you said, can be done at least as effectively by just angling the handle.

 

[spacemonkey42]

Any suggestions for a slant razor that one can actually buy as June 2024 that might fulfill the promise of a 1 or 2 pass BBS shave?

BBS = perfectly smooth in all directions
To get a BBS, one needs to shave ATG
Thus a 1-pass BBS would mean you'd go straight into ATG and cut every whisker perfectly in 1 pass

That seems you might be setting nearly impossible expectations and setting yourself up for disappointment.

 

[Old Hippie]

In the end, it's another style of razor. I'm not particularly fond of plain DE razors, but that's me. I'll also say I'm not all in on the milder slants like the Parker. The best mild slant IMO is the Rex Konsul, mainly because it's adjustable so I can get a good shave in most conditions. It's still in my stable; the Parker is long gone.

To paraphrase about 80 per cent of the experts around here, whatever you use spend some time with it to develop your technique. If it's still a struggle, move on. Might not be the razor for you. Then the question is: The lady or the...I mean...go plain or go more aggressively slanted?

O.H.

 

[nemo]

Stay away from the Merkur 37. The current batches have been made milder than the ones 10-15 years ago.

You're thinking of the 37C ivan, those are the newer chrome ones (C=Chrome), when I say 37 I mean Model 37, the older ones -- nickel plated head and a silver plated handle like I showed in my foto. No scallops in the top cap. You know me, I'm all about vintage. Merkur 37, something to try, not stay away from ...

 

[Albert V]

I started put with a Muhle R89, similar to your EJ 89. Good razor but I had an itch for more efficient razor. So I picked up a Merkur 37C slant. I loved that razor and it was a very nice compliment to the Muhle R89 for heavier hair days. Then I got an itch to try an adjustable type razor and tried a Rockwell 6. A few weeks later I sold the Muhle and Merkur slant. Now when I shave on heavier days I use a higher number plate and can do in one pass with cleanup, what took me 2-3 passes. The more aggressive/efficient setting means less blade scraping from fewer passes so less irritation. My conclusion is a slant has its place among a set of razors but a good adjustable can be dialed in to do anything I need

 

[shave/brush]

I also think a Merkur 37c could be what you are looking for. It's worth a try.

 

[ivan_101]

You're thinking of the 37C ivan, those are the newer chrome ones (C=Chrome), when I say 37 I mean Model 37, the older ones -- nickel plated head and a silver plated handle like I showed in my foto. No scallops in the top cap. You know me, I'm all about vintage. Merkur 37, something to try, not stay away from ...

Sure, I was talking about the latest reincarnation. Not those vintage silver plated ones.

They changed it around 2015 as described here.

An updated 37C?

I've been shaving with a borrowed Merkur 37c for a while now and I really enjoy it, so I ordered a new one for myself from Amazon, at a really good price. On my first shave with it, I noticed it wasn't as aggressive as the borrowed slant, which is about two years old. Others here have used the...

www.badgerandblade.com

Made milder than the pre-2015. And I wouldn't be surprised if the old silver plated 37 is even more aggressive than the pre-2015 37C.

 

[Steve_in_CT]

I've used a few different slants over the years, including the Merkur 37C, Fatip Open Comb Slant (FOCS), Yaqi Top Agressive Slant, RazoRock SuperSlant L3, and some others I've forgotten. For me the SuperSlant L3 is the cream of the crop. All of them were good razors, but the L3 is remarkably efficient for such a smooth shaver. The only drawback is the the very large and somewhat ungainly head, but with some practice you can comfortably maneuver it into even tight spaces (like, for me, under my nose).

 

[ERS4]

In my opinion, any DE razor can shave like a slanted razor. You just need to slant your stroke. No magic involved. Just lead slightly with one corner of the blade.

I am with you.
Using the "Gillette Slide" and "J-Hook" techniques, you can turn all DE in your collection into Slant.

Overall, in terms of shaving efficiency and skin feel, I think the normal DE has done a good job.
Because these are affected by the gap and blade exposure.

The positive value of the inclined razor is to ensure smooth cutting and reduce the pulling feeling; of course, if the blade we use is sharp enough and the clamping rigidity is sufficient, we may not necessarily find its significance.
But if we are accustomed to using the same blade for more days, or trying to maintain the life of the blade like people in the 1930s, the difference will be more obvious.

 

[Phoenixkh]

I still have my 37C. It’s an OK razor for me but nothing special. I get 8 hour shaves with it, way less than my top razors. I routinely get 12 hour shaves with them.

For me, the ATT X1 AC Slant is an excellent razor. I’m hoping Shane at Blackland re-releases the X1. Matt, one of the former owners of ATT designed the X1 and uses it himself. It sure would be nice to see them back in the marketplace.

 

[BigJ]

My (admittedly limited) experience is that slants did not deliver better shaves. But that’s me!!

Others certainly have a markedly difference in outcomes.

 

[efsk]

Stay away from the Merkur 37. The current batches have been made milder than the ones 10-15 years ago. They even changed the teeth on the guard.

The 37 has changed a bit from the vintage model, but that does not make it a bad or less good razor. It still delivers a great shave and is close enough to vintage models, of which I have plenty to compare with, to carry its name with pride.

 

[Captain Howdy]

I really do like my EJ Chatsworth lined handle, so maybe trying a couple of different slant heads on it would be a better way to go. I took the head off of the Parker and put it on my handle as soon as I got it. Thanks.

EJ Chatsworth was one of my first razors. I quite like the handle. Nice and light, putting the weight towards the head of the razor, but achieves this without being absurdly short/thin.

 

[Chaucer]

Maybe it’s guillotine-type cutting, blade flexing, or moondust, but for me the FOCS delivers pleasant, close, and efficient shaves consistently, if the blade is sharp. I like KAIs, Feathers, GSBs, and some with it. It’s also a remarkable value.

Same results with my Above the Tie S1 (discontinued but available used from time to time). Perfect balance with the Kronos handle and similar smoothness and efficiency but almost 2x the weight of the FOCS (117gm vs. 65gm).