Bloody slant question

[scottb]

Hoping someone can help me out here--I have a Merkur 38C and really like it, got a slant (37C) and loved it, so I figured I would go crazy for the 39C.

I tried it for the first time tonight and ripped myself apart...honestly, worse than the previous 3 years combined. I can't figure out what I did wrong--lather was the usual, kai blade on 2nd shave, the only thing I know is that there seemed to be waaaay more blade exposed than any other razor I've used, including the 37c slant or a slim set to 9.

I am not the first owner of the razor, is it possible something is up with it? The only thing I noticed was an audible pop from the blade when I tightened the knob all the way. Outside of that, my only guess is that my technique plummeted for one abysmal and bloody shave. I can't detect anything obviously wrong with the razor.

All I know is that I was having a good time with the regular slant, have been using the barber pole handles for years now, and when I tried to put the two together everything went south. I don't want to throw in the towel so soon, but I need to figure something out.

[DE Shaver]

First, check to see if the blade is correctly aligned. Look down at the top of the razor. The edges of the blade should look even. If that is correct, then your technique will have to adjust to the new razor. The slant razor shaves differently because the blade exposure and blade angle changes along the edge. Use a more forgiving blade until you adjust your shaving technique.

[Radar O\'Reilly]

So you used the blade you put in there in another razor first? That could have affected the angle a little. I say try a new blade.

[Go West Young Man]

That pop is the blade twisting into place, you want to hear that.

[glassmtn99]

+ 1 on the Check Blade alignment.
Here is a very good thread on loading the blade into a slant: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=87841

Also the suggestion to use a gentle blade until you get the technique down is excellent.

eric.

[SpartanFan]

I would also say check the alignment. The slant I have has alot of play in it and can result in very different blade exposure. I take my time when putting a new blade in it.

[bob.e]

My first shave with the sledgehammer was harsh but now I use it regularly without a problem.

[scottb]

Thanks for the input fellas, keep it comin'. I plan on giving it another shot, but I have to wait a while to let everything heal.

[DunEdinRanger]

+1 on checking the alignment. I can vouch for that as it happened to me. My face must have been killing people, cause it sure was hurting me.

I would also suggest a new blade.

Can you post any photos?

[scottb]

Sure thing. Same blade as last night, although I tried to align it better:

97384
97385 97386
97387
97389

[dantodd]

Did it make the popping noise when you loaded the blade for the pictures tonight?

[scottb]

It did.

It only does this when the knob is turned as tight as it goes. Strangely, the bluebird I loaded in it for comparison did not pop. Haven't tried it with any other blades yet.

[Sammer]

I've never owned, loaded, or used a slant, but to my eye, the blade exposure in your pics seems a bit uneven. In that second to last pic for example, there seems to be much more blade exposed at the bottom of the pic than at the top. I don't know if that's how slants look when they're loaded, but if one of my regular DE's looked like that I wouldn't be expecting to be in for a pleasant morning.

[glassmtn99]

Your blade does appear to still be somewhat out of alignment. In the posted reference above, try the technique referenced by Stubblefield:


To get the blade to center properly in my slant I pull the exposed non-cutting edges up slightly while I tighten the head. Works every time.

eric.

[Go West Young Man]

Definitely not aligned right - in the second picture you posted, the lines of the blade, the guard and the head should be completely parallel

[DunEdinRanger]

I agree it does not appear to be aligned as it should. If I can I will take more photos and upload.

[DunEdinRanger]

Unfortunately, I did not take photos and am now shaving with the BP Slant.

I'm still smooth. I was *ahem* you know... f-a-c-e-t-u-r-b-a-t-i-n-g all day today and yesterday.

Yes, that's how close and smooth a shave I got. BBS. Maybe even Ultra BBS.