What's the big deal with a Slant?

[Mad Dog]

I just don't get it.

I've been DE shaving for a year now, and have come to love my EJ DE86L. My only complaint with the Jagger is that it takes forever to get a BBS. And I confess I'm a bit OCD that I need to achieve BBS, which usually takes me 3+ passes on the EJ. There's a lot of touch-up and going over the same areas again and again. But I finally do get there without any irritation.

So all the hubbub about Slants convinced me to try a 37C. I know its aggressiveness is debated but it's supposed to be an efficient razor, meaning fewer passes to get the same result. Well, 2 weeks in, and it still takes me the same amount of passes and the same amount of time to shave every day. I've gone up to Feathers (hated them) and down to Red Personnas (my normal blade), and am now trying it with a Bic blade. The Bic is about as sharp as I can tolerate without getting a rough shave.

Please tell me this is just part of the learning curve with the Slant. Do you get to a point where you start seeing real efficiency with a slant in terms of time and speed? Or am I better off looking at something more aggressive, like a Fatip or R41? I'm just tired of the 30 minute shaves, 15 of which are just repeated passes over the same areas.

 

[Shave_Rat]

I've got a 37c on my shortlist of things I want to buy, so I'm curious as to the answers you get on this one now. I also was under the impression they were more effective with fewer passes...

 

[Teddyboy]

The slant seemed to work very well for me right off the bat. However, my goals and expectations are far more moderate than yours. A quick suggestion would be to try and find, then maintain the angle of the blade. It is a great little tool.

In your case, I would go the way of the Fatip b/c it sounds like the slant won't give you what you want-i.e., cutting the shave time in half. However, I would never recommend the R41 as I think it is overkill for most folks.

Another possibility would be the Futur, or even better the Progress. At higher settings I would expect it to be far more aggressive than the DE86L and the slant..

 

[ras120]

I never noticed a shred of difference in efficiency from the slant over other solid guard bar razors like the 34C.

With all due respect to the slant lovers, I think the "scything action" of a slant is greatly overrated.

 

[noahpictures]

It sounds like you need a more aggressive razor. I'd go with the R41, then straights.

 

[Omak]

I only just purchased my slant, 37G and plan on giving it a go tonight!

 

[Go West Young Man]

The slants cut hair differently, and some people find that it works better for their skin.
I don't think it's any faster or more efficient, though. You'll still need as many passes as with a regular razor.

 

[mmack66]

The Slant works awesome for me, and I still perform a 3-pass shave, though at the end of the shave, I have near BBS. It usually takes me 15 minutes or so for a shave.

 

[Attila]

I also found that it works great for me (the 39C). Sometimes finding how much pressure you need to exert makes a big difference with razors. Though we are not supposed to exert any significant pressure there is still a small amount at certain angles that you need to do to get an extremely smooth shave (if that is what you want). Of course this has been debated many times in many places but the amount of pressure I use at certain times made a big difference in my use of any razor, including the slant. It is currently my favorite razor and seems to give me an extremely close shave with very little effort and is very agreeable to my skin. Timewise, maybe it's saved me a little bit of time over some of my other razors, but the smoothness and comfort is what I value the most. For reference, I use Feather blades but the slant (to me) seems fairly forgiving with blade choice. As in all things YMMV. But if after a time the slant is not working for you, you will be able to sell it very easily on the BST and perhaps try one of the more aggresive razors suggested above. Good luck! FYI, it takes me about 15-20 mins for my shaves.

 

[Galhatz]

How about shimming your razor?

 

[Mike_P]

I just don't get it.

I've been DE shaving for a year now, and have come to love my EJ DE86L. My only complaint with the Jagger is that it takes forever to get a BBS. And I confess I'm a bit OCD that I need to achieve BBS, which usually takes me 3+ passes on the EJ. There's a lot of touch-up and going over the same areas again and again. But I finally do get there without any irritation.

So all the hubbub about Slants convinced me to try a 37C. I know its aggressiveness is debated but it's supposed to be an efficient razor, meaning fewer passes to get the same result. Well, 2 weeks in, and it still takes me the same amount of passes and the same amount of time to shave every day. I've gone up to Feathers (hated them) and down to Red Personnas (my normal blade), and am now trying it with a Bic blade. The Bic is about as sharp as I can tolerate without getting a rough shave.

Please tell me this is just part of the learning curve with the Slant. Do you get to a point where you start seeing real efficiency with a slant in terms of time and speed? Or am I better off looking at something more aggressive, like a Fatip or R41? I'm just tired of the 30 minute shaves, 15 of which are just repeated passes over the same areas.

I laughed when I read your post. But only because I too use an EJ alternating with a Tradere SB normally. Recently I started using one of my collector razors. A perfect vintage Hoffritz. (Also made by Merkur) I couldn't find the 37G I wanted so I figured I'd use the old guy.

What I found funny, is I do the same thing as you with the 3 passes and touch up, doin my best to obtain the BBS. After using the slant for a few weeks, I've found that the first pass, maybe 2, are a lot better, but it's just getting me to the same point as the EJ. Lots of touch up is needed and by the time I'm done, it's just almost not worth it.

In an effort to keep everything the same, I've only used Feather blades and MDC and MWF as soaps. Maybe that's my problem and I'll try with some different blades.

So basically, what I'm saying... I'm in the same boat as you in regards to everything you've said!

 

[TonyJ]

I just don't get it.

I've been DE shaving for a year now, and have come to love my EJ DE86L. My only complaint with the Jagger is that it takes forever to get a BBS. And I confess I'm a bit OCD that I need to achieve BBS, which usually takes me 3+ passes on the EJ. There's a lot of touch-up and going over the same areas again and again. But I finally do get there without any irritation.

So all the hubbub about Slants convinced me to try a 37C. I know its aggressiveness is debated but it's supposed to be an efficient razor, meaning fewer passes to get the same result. Well, 2 weeks in, and it still takes me the same amount of passes and the same amount of time to shave every day. I've gone up to Feathers (hated them) and down to Red Personnas (my normal blade), and am now trying it with a Bic blade. The Bic is about as sharp as I can tolerate without getting a rough shave.

Please tell me this is just part of the learning curve with the Slant. Do you get to a point where you start seeing real efficiency with a slant in terms of time and speed? Or am I better off looking at something more aggressive, like a Fatip or R41? I'm just tired of the 30 minute shaves, 15 of which are just repeated passes over the same areas.

What's the big deal? Nothing but diffent look. Overrated like feathers. Overrated for aggressiveness. Mild like your EJ or just slightly more but not enough to jump on the medium shelf.Which passes are you using? I stopped to using wtg+xtg combo before atg. Now only wtg+ atg daily and rarely when too hastily then touchups. Try permasharps if you like to try blades. Futur or progress might be good to try or parker 3 piece models like 45R/48R/91R. Fatip was more aggressive but disappointment for me so not a big hooray for that thing. R41 is most aggressive but needs different angle and longer learning curve. I have all mentioned razors +39c slant and like them all in different reasons

 

[maxman]

I find the slant a much closer shave with the same amount of work (1 pass).
It seems to be very smooth too.
But I'm no scientist, so I can't tell you why.

 

[Shave_Rat]

Even with those that see no difference in the shave, I'm keeping it on my list of want to gets. lol

 

[BigBull]

Slant? Have no idea have never tried one but wanted to read the responses.

It sounds like you need a more aggressive razor. I'd go with the R41, then straights.

+1

R41....longer learning curve.

I disagree. I recieved incredible shaves from the r41 on first try, and find that the hype surrounding this razor is WAY overblown.

 

[Agravic]

IMHO:

Efficiency: R41 > Fatip > 37C > EJ89

Time: Fatip < Slant or EJ89 < R41

R41 is a ruthlessly efficient but my cautious and careful passes with this toothy beast are well warranted.

Fatip offers me the best ratio of speed:efficiency

 

[Mad Dog]

What's the big deal? Nothing but diffent look. Overrated like feathers. Mild like your EJ or just slightly more but not enough to jump on the medium shelf.Which passes are you using? I stopped to using wtg+xtg combo before atg. Now only wtg+ atg daily and rarely when too hastily then touchups. Try permasharps if you like to try blades. Futur or progress might be good to try. Fatip was more aggressive but disappointment for me so not a big hooray for that . R41 is most aggressive but needs different angle and longer learning curve. I have all mentioned razors +39c slant and like them all in different reasons

That's a good point. With my EJ, I cannot do ATG without WTG and XTG first. I haven't tried a WTG/ATG with the Slant. If I can do that comfortably, then we're talking efficiency. Otherwise, I may keep playing with it for awhile to see if it improves, and if not, maybe a Futur or Fatip is in my future.

 

[Mad Dog]

How about shimming your razor?

I've been meaning to try this......may do this weekend with the EJ.

 

[TonyJ]

I disagree. I recieved incredible shaves from the r41 on first try, and find that the hype surrounding this razor is WAY overblown.

I agree your first statement. I recieved and am still recieving great shaves from R41 in WTG. ATG took a bit longer to realize that it need different kind of angle than other razors.
I disagree your last statement.
That razor is absolutely not for everyone because of it's aggressiveness. IMO it's too hard thing for light type of beard guy's. Different way of aggressiveness than futur or progress in high settings.

 

[JaggerDragger]

For me I find that the 39c works great, it has not reduced my shaving time though as I still do 2 passes. I find that the 39c is just easy and gives me a very close irritation free shave. It has been a great purchase!