What was I afraid of?

[Ferengi]

I recently purchased a vintage Merkur Slant on BST. I received it yesterday in the mail. It was quite intimidating. I had read prior posts on the merits of the slant as well as those who had a bad experience with it. With a full day's beard which contains a fair share of gray, I approached this morning's shave with trepidation. I used Shave Secret under VDH lather and inserted a Red IP into my new shaver. Mentally, I repeated the mantra, "Proper angle, go slow, no pressure." From the first WTG pass I knew I had a winner. The blade cut cleanly with no drag! Two more passes XTG and ATG and I am satisfied that I now have a shaver that will give me a superior shave every time! Not a single nick, cut, or weeper! I won't neglect the other shavers in my collection but I know I will be reaching for the slant more often than not.

 

[Sailorman]

Ha ha. Same thing happened to me. I had that same razor for a month until I screwed up the courage to try it. So, with 3 or 4 days growth I figured what the heck, nothing else is going to tackle this jungle. I ended up with a 2 pass DFS. I didn't want to push it with a 3rd pass, but I got no nicks, burn or anything. Lately, I've added an ocassional 3rd pass, but 2 usually is good enough since I got more comfortable with it started using Iridiums. Now, it's #2 in my rotation just behind the DE89L. It's a great razor.

 

[Ferengi]

Yep Sailorman, I was completely blown away! I couldn't be happier. I like my Super Speed but it takes a lot of passes to give me the same result in one or two passes with the slant. This all started with SWMBO telling me to get another shaver because 13 (shavers) was an unlucky number. I bought a bunch more shavers of different eras but held back on the slant because it just intimidated me. I now have 20 shavers. I showed the slant to SWMBO today and she remarked at how beautiful it was. She asked if I had any more shavers on the way and I told her no and that the slant gave me such a superior shave that I don't feel the need to continue collecting. Now I can concentrate on SAD and ASAD I have a pack of Iridiums and I will try one in the slant when the current blade needs replacing.

Ha ha. Same thing happened to me. I had that same razor for a month until I screwed up the courage to try it. So, with 3 or 4 days growth I figured what the heck, nothing else is going to tackle this jungle. I ended up with a 2 pass DFS. I didn't want to push it with a 3rd pass, but I got no nicks, burn or anything. Lately, I've added an ocassional 3rd pass, but 2 usually is good enough since I got more comfortable with it started using Iridiums. Now, it's #2 in my rotation just behind the DE89L. It's a great razor.

 

[bigstick]

Yep Sailorman, I was completely blown away! I couldn't be happier. I like my Super Speed but it takes a lot of passes to give me the same result in one or two passes with the slant. This all started with SWMBO telling me to get another shaver because 13 (shavers) was an unlucky number. I bought a bunch more shavers of different eras but held back on the slant because it just intimidated me. I now have 20 shavers. I showed the slant to SWMBO today and she remarked at how beautiful it was. She asked if I had any more shavers on the way and I told her no and that the slant gave me such a superior shave that I don't feel the need to continue collecting. Now I can concentrate on SAD and ASAD I have a pack of Iridiums and I will try one in the slant when the current blade needs replacing.

unless you've had your shots, you could still come down with....SRAD! Imagine yourself feverish, and moaning "wadenbutcher" over and over and over

 

[Dave Deluxe]

I know I sure would like to try a Slant. Especially with all the good press I'm reading about it.

- Dave Deluxe

 

[Timestep]

Have been using a Hoffritz (Mercur) Slant for two years now.
The secret is in meticulous preparation.
And a LIGHT touch. Let the razor do the work.
Two passes suffice.

 

[luvmysuper]

Glad to hear you had such success! Congrats. It's a very good design, and has been around for a very long time, that generally means something, eh?
I don't know why the slant gets such a fearful rap, it's a good razor and nothing to be feared at all.
The Red Tip SS and Feather blades also fall into this "mysterious" category.

Any razor or blade can bite you if you're not careful, but the slant is really nothing to fear.

 

[mark_mw]

The Merkur slant was my second DE razor (arrived a day after my Parker 22-R) and has not been a problem - used it today as a matter of fact....

I have found this Henkles razor as one to fear!!!!!

 

[bigstick]

a snowblower for the face?

 

[Dubbya]

The Merkur slant was my second DE razor (arrived a day after my Parker 22-R) and has not been a problem - used it today as a matter of fact....

I have found this Henkles razor as one to fear!!!!!

There's a roller and a naked blade. That's not a razor! It's a lawn mower for your face!

 

[Ferengi]

The Merkur slant was my second DE razor (arrived a day after my Parker 22-R) and has not been a problem - used it today as a matter of fact....

I have found this Henkles razor as one to fear!!!!!

I must say, as far as fear factors go, that roller and naked blade on the Henkles puts the twisted head on the Merkur slant to shame!

 

[Ferengi]

unless you've had your shots, you could still come down with....SRAD! Imagine yourself feverish, and moaning "wadenbutcher" over and over and over

I could see that happening! It's a pity that my hand is too shaky to even consider a cut-throat (literally) razor But I might try one just for the hell of it. Maybe if I cut down on the 7 cups of coffee I drink daily I would have a steadier hand. Next to wet shaving, drinking coffee is my other vice

 

[bigstick]

try it after your first cup, but before the second. you should be steady enough. If not....don't call me, call the ambulance instead.

 

[Ferengi]

try it after your first cup, but before the second. you should be steady enough. If not....don't call me, call the ambulance instead.

Sound advice to be sure.

 

[mkevenson]

Good Post! Has Gillette made a slant in days gone by?

 

[JPM]

Congrats! I am a fan of the Slant myself.