I have never used a slant. I would like to hear any pros - cons and or advice as well what is the best slant out there. Thank you in advance. Semper Fi
I have two slants, the Merkur 39c "Sledgehammer" and the Ikon 102. The Merkur twists the blade while the Ikon has a tilted head, but a straight blade. I find both of them to be very efficient, comfortable razors. Some people would say they are "aggressive", but find them both to be as smooth as any razor I've tried. I'm not sure the slant aspect really makes a dramatic difference compared to a non-slant, but I consider both these razors in my favorites. I also have a Maggard slant which I did not like at all. In this case the it's aggressive, but not efficient. It's just a tough shave. I don't think you can go wrong with most slants. Herm
I also have 39C Sledgehammer. I don't use it though; I have only used my Muhle R41 (2011) for many years. There is nothing wrong with a slant, but some folks will say the slant is a cure for a problem that does not exist. The slant gives you a shave that can be had with adjusting the angle of your shave motion with any DE razor. I do like the heft of the 39C.
I don't think a " slant" razor is better than any other type of razor. I've had the " hammer " a Lutz slant razor and really no big deal with the shave compared to other razors.
I have owned a couple they were essentially the same model - hoffritz - . I was never able to get a good shave. It was always aggressive. But now I got a Pomco now and it shaved well for me today.
@Jorvaljr I don't mind an aggressive shave. I started out with a Fat Boy using a Gillette Platinum Then moved to a Feather blade. I really like the Feather. I guess I should try other blades but I don't mind the Feather at all.
I have the Maggard Slant and a Icon X3 head. Both shave well and are not as agressive as I was told. The Icon X3 is perhaps a bit more mild than the Maggard, but they both are great shavers. Not sure if they necessarily give better shaves, but I have found I prefer to use a different angle than a regular DE to try to avoid any irritation.
I was Slant Curious, but had it explained to me that The Gillette Slide gives much the same scything blade action.
I love slants. After several years "wasted" on many different razors, I have found I love mild slant razors. I might be in minority, but I still use the "Gillette Slide" technique, even with slants. I simply just get a bigger slanting angle, which I like. The disadvantage seems to be that most affordable slants require manual blade alignment. This also includes, my favorite iKon X3, with a midrange price.
I have an Ikon 102 as my first, and only, slant. To be honest, I am a bit disappointed; it is far milder than I thought (even after reading the reviews), and I don't really notice the "slant effect". A non-slanted razor like a Fatip OC or Gillette New gives me a more efficient shave. -- Pitralon forever - Real pens have a nib - If it doesn't tick, it's not a watch.
When I begun DE shaving, most blades were sharp enough to easily slice through my beard. During the last years my beard has become a lot more coarse. I do not know why, if it has to do with nutrition or other factors. Nowadays, even Feather blades tug unless I soak my beard for a long time. With this condition, the improved slicing action of a tilted/slanted blade helps tremendously. Depending on your beard type, you might not see any benefit of a slant razor over other. I mean, for most people any blade is sharp enough to slice without effort. I see a benefit of having a slant in two situations: For coarse beard, as it means less tugging For sensitive skin, as you can pick a slightly less sharp blade because of easier slicing. A slant razor will NOT automatically give a closer shave. The closeness of a shave is all about geometry and not if a blade is angled or not.
I have used a couple of slants, the Ikon X3 and PAA Bakelite Alpha Ecliptic. I find it enjoy them, and to me they are a bit different than a regular razor, not so much in how they are used are shave, but they feel a bit different to me. It is some fun variety, but I don't get any different results with a slant as with any other razor. Of the two, I do prefer the Alpha Ecliptic, which also happens to be only $20.
However, if the slant concept interests you, I suggest looking for a used Merkur 37C to give it a go. I have one slant (Hoffritz), which is a 37C, but all "gussied up". Great shaver indeed.
You are not alone. I vary it a bit. I angle the razor head, while still pulling straight towards the handle.
I tend to think slant razors are more novelty than truly a significant departure in shave results from a standard aggressive DE razor. I'm aware of the supposed benefits of the design (everything from angle to enhanced blade rigidity), but I'd be hard-pressed to distinguish either the feel or results I get from my big Merkur 39c slant vs my Muhle R41.
I picked up a RazoRock German 37 slant back in the Spring of this year. I rotate between a Fatip Grande OC and the slant. Might be worth a try as the RR is not expensive ($20.00). Works well with my current blade rotation. As has been said, it's not all that aggressive IMO. You want aggressive....go with a Fatip OC....or re-up. To my 68 year old mug, the slant feels mild yet efficient. There is some fiddling with blade alignment, but no deal killer. I do think the design results in a more rigid blade as the angle when cranking down the cap is more pronounced than a standard DE.
Soon as a loaner Blackbird goes back to the generous owner I've got a Lutz in the warm up circle. It'll be my first use of one. As to aggressiveness as noted by @McGrande a Fatip OC is very efficient and until you figure out the angle it will bite. This Luts is supposed to have two different blade exposures - a mild/aggressive option on one DE? I like a Fat Boy for that but I'm on setting nine all the time. Yup, this should be fun to try something new with a NOS Vintage DE.
