Let's talk about slant

With a fan, back scratcher and toothbrush built into the design. No thanks, I will skip the latest offering from Gillette

Joke stolen from Dollar Shave Club advert

 

The slant does allow a user of conventional angle safety razors the ability to switch types without having to radically change razor stroke methods.

I get along well with my 39C Sledgehammer and this thread may remind me to use it a little more often.

 

Now I'm concerned about using my Slim on 5, so these are probably too aggressive for me, but I'm curious, is there a special technique to slants that allow you to use them for something other than a cheese grater for the face?

 

I had the Ikon 102 and didn't really like it. For whatever reason it just didn't do a very good job on my beard. I do have a vintage Sonnel slant that I like a lot.

 

Ive had a quite a few Slants over the last couple of years,but cant say I cared for the shaves, Just NO comfort for me, Ive had Hoffritz, merkur, Mulcuto, Ile De France, Somefa and a couple of others, I sold them all, but kept the majority of my DE and SE collection, (A bit of an exaggeration me calling it a collection I suppose) as I use straights ONLY now.

I dont mind aggressive razors, I have British Red tip, Fat Boy and Slim set to 7 which I find perfect, I had the 2011 R41 which I liked more than any slant, but that also lacked the comfort for me but was better.

 

My only slant is the iKon 102. It's no longer available. It slides through my whiskers smoothly and effortlessly. It's not getting much use since the Mongoose came to roost, but it's a keeper.

 

There is also the Above the Tie Slant— another stainless razor with a price comparable to the Ikon.

 

is the r41 still around?
consider getting rid of it?

 

I dont have my R41 any more, not sure why I sold it, I believe the 2013 model (Current model) is very good more comfort than the original (2011 model) as its a bit milder but still an aggressive razor and looks wise the same and price wise is a bargain really at £26
I know this tread was a slant thread sorry about that, They are not for me, but each to there own

http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/dueling-mühles—r41-comparison-2011-2013.35787/

Above is a very wrote comparison by Kevin about the two different models, granted its NOT a slant but aggession wise same category and cheaper if you are buy it new so worth keeping in mind (the 2011 model on ebay is now quite high in price as its no longer made, when they are for sale that is)

 

I am torn between the 39 Slant or 25 Open Comb to try out next. They both appeal to me.

 

I started a thread on another Forum entitled: Who needs a slant?
This is how it began:

The title was to get your attention.
I have been replicating the slant with my Feather AS-D2 recently and am achieving my closest shaves ever. I see no reason to even pick up my 37C anymore.
Anyone else out there use the slant technique with a normal DE or even a straight? (It is my impression that straight shavers apply this technique, am I correct?)
Long story short, I achieve FAR superior results angling my AS-D2 than I ever did/do with my fixed slant bar razor.

 

Most slants, including 37C, got a problem, in my opinion (YMMV). When a blade is twisted, it seem to be difficult for the manufacturers to get the angle even all along the edge. With 37C, there is a huge difference in the angle from the left side of the edge to the right side of the edge. The angle will be (if slightly exaggerated) both steep and shallow in the same stroke.

I am not surprised you get better shaves with AS-D2, if you imitate the slant by either holding the razor at an angle or doing the "Gillette Slide". By doing like this, you are able to fine-tune your angle to perfect all along the edge.

I am also getting good shaves when I imitate a slant, with any razor. However, it takes a little bit of extra effort, so when I designed my razor head I made the whole head to be tilted. Like this I do not need to think about keeping the blade at an angle comparing to the direction of the stroke. iKon 102 also seem to use this approach, they tilted the head rather than twisting the blade. I think this approach leads to better razor, but this is probably also a YMMV thing.

So I think slants could be good, even for you, if made with tilted head, but I acknowledge what you say is true: any razor, with proper technique, is able to work as a slant.

 

I guess I'll bump this thread. One of the things I read was that by twisting the blade it becomes more rigid. IDK.

 

I've actually read the opposite, that vintage are milder. I have a vintage on the way, we shall see.

I have only tried 37C and 39C before. With a feather blade there is no resistance and no irritation. An above the tie slant is on my wish list to try next.

 

At B&B I actually read Merkur recently made a change to their slants. The updated version is milder than the previous. Maybe the updated version is more like the vintage one?

 

Perhaps conflicting reports are because "mild" and "aggressive" are subjective terms. Kind of like "hot" when it comes to peppers. I eat jalapeños out of the jar no problem. My wife swears they are used to make napalm.

 

Agree. My point is that some folks will consider both the regular SS and Red Tip mild without the acknowledging one is milder than the other, thus conflicting reports.
I, for one, do not find the Red Tip aggressive. While not as mild as the regular SS, I would still consider it mild.