The blades I have on hand to put in it: Gillette 7 O'Clock Yellow Sharp Edge Gillette 7 O'Clock Green Super Stainless Gillette 7 O'Clock Black Super Platinum Gillette Silver Blue Gillette Platinum Astra Green Platinum Derby - Extra "Super Stainless" Feather HI-Stainless Voskhod - Teflon Coated Those are my current choices. You can also please recommend a blade for this that you think is the best which I don't own and I will maybe order it and test it out. I will be using this razor a lot this spring and summer.
I say take one of each, stack 'em up, and try them all at once. Seems like it would fit right in with the modern view of shaving. *this answer is purely sarcastic, and the poster is not responsible for any harm said comments could cause*
Derby. Serious as a heart attack. Start there. You don't need more blades, all of those labels will work.
Derby is probably the smoothest of the blades you own. The suggestion was based on the razor's apparent geometry. Honestly, any of those blades will work.
I will start with your suggestion. You have more experience by far at this old-school shaving than I do. Derby it will be!
Depending on the prep you employ and/or hair type you may eventually decide to use a sharper blade, but Derby should be nice and smooth while you are figuring out the best shave angle and all that jazz. Let us know what you find out!
That's what I was thinking too, but have put off using this razor until spring opened up. 'Now' is the time to use this gear. I will start with the Derby and then move next to Voskhod. From all the reviews on Voskhod and on the reviews about slants my estimation is that these will pair very, very well together. (That was all 'theory' though. I'll find out soon enough which blades best with this on my face.)
Hey Straight Razor Dandy, The Stirling Slant seems to have about 2-3 twists at the end of the normal tightening which affects the angle of the blade. How much do you tighten the knob once you hit the first part of the final resistance? The blade angle is heavily affected by how tight the knob is turned and I have got to think this will affect the shave aggressiveness.
If you turn it very far, it is as aggressive as a muhle r41... Seriously. I turn it until it gives resistance and then about another 1/4 turn...But no more.
I would used Perma-Sharp Super as I get at least 7 smooth shaves on my RazoRock German 37 Slant (YMMV) as the head is very similar to a Merkur 37C and your Stirling Slant razor
I have been using the similar RazoRock German 37 slant every day since March 5th. Getting terrific results with the blades I've used so far. (Astra SP, Rapira LUX, Shark and Personna red). That little twist makes a world of difference. Keeps the blade more rigid.
First slant shave was a success! I managed to shave and make it out with a smooth face and no cuts. This shave kit gave me the best shave so far. I'm really happy with the Turquoise setup I put together. Exceeded all my expectations.