Merkur Slant or Feather All Stainless?

[Sir Walter of Mount Royal]

Poll deliberately vague.

There is reason for this. Don't ask. I won't answer.

[Sledgehammer39]

I picked the Slant.. It will be easy for you to see if you will like the slant head or not after some use. It's cheaper and easier to get your money back if you don't like it or not.

[rockviper]

It all depends on the question (hence, your vagueness I surmise). Best shave, cheapest, most over/under-hyped. What a tricky guy you are :001_tongu

[Werner]

The Feather All Stainless is a beautiful razor, but for me it's way too expensive. If it was more reasonable priced I would already have one.

[talibeard]

Neither actually. The Feather is well made but too mild, too heavy with the balance not how I want it and too expensive. Besides I never fell for the all stainless hype. The Slant has the same kind of weight and balance issue for me and I am simply not convinced by the quality of the Merkur offerings; all my Merkurs have (little) quality issues that I don't see with my Mühles, Gillettes and even Lord razors. My 50-60 year old and used vintage 'Gladweg' looks better than a Merkur with less than 5 years of use.

Not saying either of these razors is bad but at the same time they both are unable to flare up my RAD.

[KM-instructor]

The Feather All Stainless is a beautiful razor, but for me it's way too expensive. If it was more reasonable priced I would already have one.

When you really think about it, $170 bucks for a Feather is actually cheap, considering the incredible build quality , that even Gillette can't touch, fit and finish, it is a precision shaving instrument, and when it is in your hands you really feel like it is, also one of the only razors you can buy that is fully autoclavable, it will last for a complete life time without errosion or any form of rotting to the materials used as it is medical grade stainless, so IMHO the feather is quiet remarkable also the shave is not to shabby either.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/shane1000m/Razors/60ca43ca-1-2.jpg
.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/shane1000m/Razors/3ac74324.jpg

[Angry__Panda]

I have to agree with KM. Stainless, pure, beautiful. Plus, I am pretty sure those guys know what they are doing over at Feather :) . I love their blades and have been trying my damnedest to not buy one of these or their artist's series "straights." So that's my vote :) . I look forward to knowing why I voted heh.

[Sir Walter of Mount Royal]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/shane1000m/Razors/60ca43ca-1-2.jpg

Not easy to fake printed text on a curved surface. A touch of 3D Transform (http://www.myjanee.com/tuts/3dtransform/3dtransform.htm) would have made it a lot more believable. You need also to move the original text a little bit, so everything is truly centred.

[dalecooper51]

I'm in the neither camp.

Not a fan of either razor. The Feather is a bit mild for my tastes (was able to test drive one a friend had) and I wasn't overly impressed with my slant and ended up PIF'ing it.

IMO, there are far better choices then either razor.

[KM-instructor]

Not easy to fake printed text on a curved surface. A touch of 3D Transform (http://www.myjanee.com/tuts/3dtransform/3dtransform.htm) would have made it a lot more believable. You need also to move the original text a little bit, so everything is truly centred.

Was just for fun:001_smile took 30 seconds to do.

[Copierguy]

I was not sure the Feather could live up to the hype after my first shave or two. Then I figured out the steeper angle thing and it has been all love since. This razor may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if I could only have one, it would be the Feather AS-D1 with a Feather blade.

Never tried the Merkur Slant……….

[Artes]

I have the Feather and I love it. I use Feather blades and it gives a smooth and very close shave.

[saliavin]

Vintage Slant!! One Feather AS costs more than everything I have bought..2 brushes,blades, 7 razors(including a POMCO slant), and a few soaps/creams.

[dpmtherrien]

I think the price for the Feather SS is way out of line, and for what I've read its quite a mild razor.

Why not look into an open comb? I think you'd be much happier, and you'd save a lot of money.

[Kevan]

As much as I love my Feather AS, you're comparing apples and oranges here, two very different razors. While the Feather is NOT as mild as people love to say (those who have both used it and not used it and thus judge it purely on price). But if price IS a consideration for you, then go for the Slant. Everyone should have a Slant in their collection. You can get the Feather later if you're still curious.

[KM-instructor]

I've read its quite a mild razor.



It is if you adopt your normal razor angle, but once that is changed it is one heck of a razor.

[jumper]

Was just for fun:001_smile took 30 seconds to do.

I think it was great! Eye catching for sure. Nice job of perking the thread up KM.

[noahpictures]

Weird question. :001_tt2:

[Koken]

This is a loaded question since you are asking to compare both ends of the spectrum, Merkur has major modern quality control problems and the Feather has none, I personally would not buy any modern Merkur but would buy the Feather. You can say the Feather is overpriced but I will bet you the Feather will look & perform better than any of the current Merkurs a hundred years from now...

[KM-instructor]

This is a loaded question since you are asking to compare both ends of the spectrum, Merkur has major modern quality control problems and the Feather has none, I personally would not buy any modern Merkur but would buy the Feather. You can say the Feather is overpriced but I will bet you the Feather will look & perform better than any of the current Merkurs a hundred years from now...

Well that was perfectly said, could not agree more, although i do like the older Merks, their quality is way better than the newer ones.

[jaworthen]

This is indeed an interesting question. I have a Slant and like it but find that it is pretty aggressive for me. I've got a Feather AS on the way, so I can't yet say for sure how it compares. However, if it's the combination of sharp and smooth that is often described, it will be the perfect fit for me in spite of the price tag.

[BigFoot]

I have never tried the Feather so I can't chime in there. I voted for the slant, my Merkur 37G gives one heck of a shave.

[InHotWater]

The craftsmanship on the Feather looks to be top notch to me. The box that they deliver it to you in is even impressive. Not meant to be a knock on the slant at all, I own a Merkur, and it is a well made razor, that gives great shaves. I have to say these are 2 unusual candidates for comparison, one would be a different style of razor ( blade angle), and one would be a pure indulgence type investment.

[KM-instructor]

Quality of build on the Merkur slant is substandard IMO, but it does shave very nicely.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/shane1000m/Razors/b3ff2689-1.jpg
The head is clean and shiney but it starts to deteriorate under that shiney cap, quality wise.

[htownmmm]

Slant-nothing else shaves like it.


marty

[marcel]

My vote goes to a vintage slant.

[Tuf]

My slant is put together OK and doesn't show any appreciable wear after several years of daily use. I have a heavy, fast growing beard and frequently shave two or more times a day. The slant served me well.

That said a few months ago I couldn't resist buying the Feather All Stainless with it's expensive stand. It is a lot of money for a razor. I have spent more money on brushes that will not likely last as long and I didn't feel like I got taken advantage of with either purchase.

The two razors shave very different. The slant will shave you no matter how you hold it. If you don't get the angle pretty close to right it can be pretty mean. It is a razor you have to respect at all times.

The Feather will shave you as well if not better with fewer passes. You do have to learn to use the razor, although the learning curve for me was short. One thing that is important with the Feather All Stainless is you have to know how to make proper lather or use an oil like the razor is really designed for. If you make dry lather that looks like it came straight from the tube this razor will not perform very well at all. With proper lather or oil this thing will shave closer and smoother than anything I have ever used. I haven't tried a lot of blades in the Feather but it does seem to like Feather blades above all others. Works for me as that is pretty much the only blade I keep anymore, at least in any quantity.

If I could only have one razor it would be the Feather and I would never look back or miss the others. Fortunately that is not the situation and I can have whatever I can afford. I could trim down to the Feather and a Slant Bar and be perfectly happy. In fact that is exactly what I have done. All my other razors have been put away for months with no plans as of yet of changing that. In fact it has been so long since I have used the Slant I have thought about putting it away as well.

Everyone has a preference and for me obviously it is the Feather. If you like another razor better for whatever reason than that is the razor you should use. I wouldn't let someone else's choice be mine without trying it out myself. I use other peoples recommendations to help me decide what to buy then after using the product I make my mind up based on how it works for me.

[Kevan]

I don't know about a vintage Slant. I mean I have one and it shaves wonderfully but the plating on the head sucks, to be quite honest. The only way it's superior in quality to a modern Merkur is the etched logo as opposed to the stamped one on today's models.

[Kentos]

When you hold the feather you will understand why it costs what it costs. Is it worth it? It is to me. If you buy and don't like it, hold onto it for a year and you can sell it for what you bought it for, since the price seems to increase every few months.

[AlanDanDaly]

For a close shave - Merkur 39C Sledgehammer Slant (loaded with a Feather blade). For sheer beauty,and as an heirloom to pass to your grandkids - Feather All-Stainless.
My favourite - daily use - razor is the Futur @ 6,rigged up with a Feather for closeness...simply CANNOT be bested!

[bkfist]

Having had 2 different new Merkurs over the last couple of years, and seeing the poor workmanship on both (A 34G HD which had machining marks, and a Futur Satin with machining marks, and the "unaligned head" that requires you to either shim the slider on either side of the head, or twist it to align the blade after every change.) I would NEVER, EVER purchase another Merkur product. Seriously, it looks like they have outsourced manufacturing to some lowest-bidder Chinese manufacturing plant.

If you go with the Merkur, you won't have to look too hard to find little divits and low-spots that look like dings in various places on the razor. No, the mailman didn't open up your razor and drop it a few times, that just happens to be what Merkur considers to be a top-quality product.

Also take note of the horror stories of plating coming off of Merkur razors, and instead of Merkur admitting they have crappy quality plating and poor quality control and replacing the razor for the person, they are claiming that his water ate the finish of the razor... What a joke! (Although I haven't had any plating issues on either razor.)

[Uplorry]

I will say go for the slant as the feather might be too mild unless you use their feather blades... Have you ever considered a merkur progress? I think it's one of the razors that I will recommend after owning one myself... Very versatile for what it does.

[rajagra]

Seriously, it looks like they have outsourced manufacturing to some lowest-bidder Chinese manufacturing plant.

Funny you should say that. Surgical instruments being sold to the UK and US marked "Made in Germany" are often made in Pakistani back-street sweat shops, and if they can get away with it then razors would be even easier to fake...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b012b0v5/Panorama_Surgerys_Dirty_Secrets/

[KM-instructor]

Having had 2 different new Merkurs over the last couple of years, and seeing the poor workmanship on both (A 34G HD which had machining marks, and a Futur Satin with machining marks, and the "unaligned head" that requires you to either shim the slider on either side of the head, or twist it to align the blade after every change.) I would NEVER, EVER purchase another Merkur product. Seriously, it looks like they have outsourced manufacturing to some lowest-bidder Chinese manufacturing plant.

If you go with the Merkur, you won't have to look too hard to find little divits and low-spots that look like dings in various places on the razor. No, the mailman didn't open up your razor and drop it a few times, that just happens to be what Merkur considers to be a top-quality product.

Also take note of the horror stories of plating coming off of Merkur razors, and instead of Merkur admitting they have crappy quality plating and poor quality control and replacing the razor for the person, they are claiming that his water ate the finish of the razor... What a joke! (Although I haven't had any plating issues on either razor.)

Could not agree more than what you have just said.
I'm not a Merkur hater by a long shot I like the shave I get.


I will say go for the slant as the feather might be too mild unless you use their feather blades... Have you ever considered a merkur progress? I think it's one of the razors that I will recommend after owning one myself... Very versatile for what it does.
I get a closer than close shave with my Feather with almost any blade setup, it really is a question of Technique, it appears to be a mild razor but the uncanny thing is it shaves so sweetly without any effort.

[bkfist]

Could not agree more than what you have just said.
I'm not a Merkur hater by a long shot I like the shave I get.



I'm also not a Merkur hater, I use my Futur about 5 out of 7 days, although I use a Gillette Old-Style open comb on the weekends if I'm travelling. I'm just pointing out that Merkur's quality is very, very sub-par considering it is positioning itself as a finely crafted German engineered/produced product. If Merkur's prices were about 1/2 way between where they are now and a Weishi, one wouldn't be able to complain so much about their quality control/manufacturing process, but at the prices they are charging for the quality of fit/finish, they should be embarrassed. At the very least, they should stand behind their products for those who have plunked down that kind of money for a razor.

I've been really tempted to get a Feather AS-D1 myself, and probably will do so sometime soon. I think I'll probably wait until the Chicago get-together (or if I make it to the Chicago area before that) so I can open the package and inspect the particular razor I will be purchasing, because at $!80+ for a razor, I will expect, and settle for, nothing less than perfection.

[Fencer]

Quality. Quality. Where for art thou Quality?

[KM-instructor]

Quality. Quality. Where for art thou Quality?

O Quality Quality, wherefore art thou Quality?
Deny thy Razor and refuse thy name;
Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn by flakey chrome
And I'll no longer be a Merkur of quality,
from a bygone era.

[KM-instructor]

Forgetting for a second the shave quality, here are some actual razor side by sides of the Slant and the Feather.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/shane1000m/100%20razors/1634b41b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/shane1000m/100%20razors/1dfde12a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/shane1000m/100%20razors/4c134eef.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/shane1000m/100%20razors/b714a00b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/shane1000m/100%20razors/ec84647a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/shane1000m/100%20razors/0db3d848.jpg

[Sir Walter of Mount Royal]

Very informative photographs. Thank you

[bkfist]

Forgetting for a second the shave quality, here are some actual razor side by sides of the Slant and the Feather.



Actually, from what I can see of your Merkur in the photos, it's definitely machined much more nicely than either my 34G or Futur.

Somewhere I remember seeing an episode of "How it's Made" or similar, where they were at the Merkur factory producing VISION razors...

The reason for the shoddy finish on the Merkurs is that they are zinc die-cast (think of a HotWheels car) and come out on a "christmas tree" with all kinds of slag and such stuck to the pieces... like a "punch out" plastic model, then tossed into a rotating barrel (or what it a vibrating barrel) with some steel shot to peed the zinc die-cast parts and remove the rough edges, then plated. (I'm sure the shiny chrome stuff goes through a very quck polish, don't remember seeing that in the TV show... If it was anything extensive or "craftsman-like" the shiny models would be significantly higher than the matte finished razors.)

[KM-instructor]

Very informative photographs. Thank you
Thank you.


Actually, from what I can see of your Merkur in the photos, it's definitely machined much more nicely than either my 34G or Futur.

Somewhere I remember seeing an episode of "How it's Made" or similar, where they were at the Merkur factory producing VISION razors...

The reason for the shoddy finish on the Merkurs is that they are zinc die-cast (think of a HotWheels car) and come out on a "christmas tree" with all kinds of slag and such stuck to the pieces... like a "punch out" plastic model, then tossed into a rotating barrel (or what it a vibrating barrel) with some steel shot to peed the zinc die-cast parts and remove the rough edges, then plated. (I'm sure the shiny chrome stuff goes through a very quck polish, don't remember seeing that in the TV show... If it was anything extensive or "craftsman-like" the shiny models would be significantly higher than the matte finished razors.)
I remember seeing that show, how it's made? or something like that, and after seeing it i checked my Vision (I Love that razor by the way) now by the naked eye that bad boy is flawless, but under magnification it is incredibly shoddy, if you look at the two holes underneath there is rough metal, also the finish is pitted, like I say though it is hard to see that with the naked eye.
See the holes and the pitted finish/
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/shane1000m/100%20razors/651462bb.jpg.

Shame really is the razors do perform so very well , and for the price you would expect flawless out of the box like Muhle EJ even Parker is nice, I have 100 year old razors that are pretty close to flawless and they have been used not only by me but have also been around for a long time, God know's where they have been over the years, the quality is first class as one would expect, so my point is if your going to spend your hard earned moolah on a new razor, should'nt you get quality? thats what you get from feather, it shows in what they have made, they have taken time to make a finely finished product, and Merkur seems to have just slapped them together without much care

[bkfist]

Thank you.


I remember seeing that show, how it's made? or something like that, and after seeing it i checked my Vision (I Love that razor by the way) now by the naked eye that bad boy is flawless, but under magnification it is incredibly shoddy, if you look at the two holes underneath there is rough metal, also the finish is pitted, like I say though it is hard to see that with the naked eye.
See the holes and the pitted finish/
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/shane1000m/100%20razors/651462bb.jpg.

Shame really is the razors do perform so very well , and for the price you would expect flawless out of the box like Muhle EJ even Parker is nice, I have 100 year old razors that are pretty close to flawless and they have been used not only by me but have also been around for a long time, God know's where they have been over the years, the quality is first class as one would expect, so my point is if your going to spend your hard earned moolah on a new razor, should'nt you get quality? thats what you get from feather, it shows in what they have made, they have taken time to make a finely finished product, and Merkur seems to have just slapped them together without much care

That's a huge amount of flashing left around the drain holes there... It's not going to affect performance, but it certainly looks like heck. I'll have to check my finish up closer, because I certainly never noticed *that* kind of pitting on my Futur. Over time, I suspect that pitting could lead to loss of plating, and since the base of the razor is zinc, and zinc is a sacrificial anode, the zinc will be eaten out from under the plating after time. (Zinc is what they attach to things like metal bridges, flood gates and such in wet/corrosive environment. The zinc will sacrifice itself, rather than let any of the other metals oxidize (rust).

The whole thing is, if a new Merkur is "user grade", they should be charging "user grade" prices :(

Also, just how much would it cost to put a single piece of tissue paper around the razor before stuffing them in the boxes, so that they don't come all scuffed up from being shaken around in those boxes half-way around the world... I'm not asking for a custom die-cut piece of foam in a presentation box... just a single piece of tissue paper.

[Sir Walter of Mount Royal]

Some observations about the progression of polls :



Slow lead, fast compensation
Gradually one option gets in front with a noticeable lead. Then, there is a sudden burst of votes for the losing option that evens out the results. The slow lead is supported by comments. The fast burst isn't. Seems like a lot of voters are making sure there is never a clear winner.
Comments differ significantly from poll results
A consensus is easily reached in the comments. There is a clear winner.
Long relevant comments vs short irrelevant comments
Most comments are supported by clear, precise, relevant arguments. Those comments are well developed and of considerable length. However, there is always an odd, very short comment that essentially says nothing but "I am against".

[KM-instructor]

That's interesting SirWoMR .
I think at the end of the day though it all boils down to, there being fans of both, both razors do give a great shave regardless of quality or not.

[Sir Walter of Mount Royal]

I think this shows that there is also a powerful psychological factors at work like jealousy and blind loyalty to brands.

But what I find most interesting is that some people, perhaps because of some weird sense of fairness, consider their duty to prevent the emergence of undisputed winners.

[man00ver]

Congratulations, lab rats! You've helped Sir Walter rediscover the "crab bucket theory" for the umpteenth time!

[franz]

So.... let me get this straight.

The three pages of feedback, tips, and sincere advice you solicited -- including detailed side-by-side closeup photos and an analysis of build quality between the two razors -- were just incidental to you testing your pet theory about polls and human psychology?

:blink:

[mmack66]

Ummm, both?

Short and relevant.

[Sir Walter of Mount Royal]

So.... let me get this straight.

The three pages of feedback, tips, and sincere advice you solicited -- including detailed side-by-side closeup photos and an analysis of build quality between the two razors -- were just incidental to you testing your pet theory about polls and human psychology?

:blink:

No.

I am only trying to understand why the poll result contradicts the analysis of build quality.

[Sir Walter of Mount Royal]

Congratulations, lab rats! You've helped Sir Walter rediscover the "crab bucket theory" for the umpteenth time!

So you think, the weird poll result can be explained by prevailing "if I can't have it, neither should you." mentality?

[franz]

No.

I am only trying to understand why the poll result contradicts the analysis of build quality.

Ok... You had me going there for a minute. :rolleyes:

[rajagra]

I am only trying to understand why the poll result contradicts the analysis of build quality.
The poll asks no question. So the result can't contradict anything. :arf:

[mmack66]

More folks have probably used a Slant, and regardless of occasional shortcomings in the Slant build quality, it can afford an excellent shave.


No.

I am only trying to understand why the poll result contradicts the analysis of build quality.

[man00ver]

Congratulations, lab rats! You've helped Sir Walter rediscover the "crab bucket theory" for the umpteenth time!So you think, the weird poll result can be explained by prevailing "if I can't have it, neither should you." mentality?

Me? No. But apparently you do (despite your obfuscation-through-oversimplification reply):


But what I find most interesting is that some people, perhaps because of some weird sense of fairness, consider their duty to prevent the emergence of undisputed winners.

[Sir Walter of Mount Royal]

Me? No. But apparently you do (despite your obfuscation-through-oversimplification reply):

Sincerely, it is the first time I have heard of the "crab bucket theory". I had to search on Wikipedia to know what you meant.

[talibeard]

No.
I am only trying to understand why the poll result contradicts the analysis of build quality.

Ok I'll buy that. But what are you after in this poll?

Suspense is not killing but I sure want to know.

[Godan]

Can anyone with the tool and skill measure the blade gap on the Feather?

[Copierguy]

Can anyone with the tool and skill measure the blade gap on the Feather?

I do not have the tool with me but found a measurement in texbilly's review (http://badgerandblade.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=148220&title=feather-all-stainless-de-feather-all-stainless-de&cat=44).
If texbilly says it, you can take it to the bank.

"The Feather comfortably accepted a .025" [.63mm] gage and would probably accept a bit more."

[Godan]

I do not have the tool with me but found a measurement in texbilly's review (http://badgerandblade.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=148220&title=feather-all-stainless-de-feather-all-stainless-de&cat=44).
If texbilly says it, you can take it to the bank.

"The Feather comfortably accepted a .025" [.63mm] gage and would probably accept a bit more."

Thanks. I read the review. At an estimated 64mm it is similar to an Aristocrat, but it certainly shaves differently.

[alex2363]

feather by an inch......

[bkfist]

Thanks. I read the review. At an estimated 64mm it is similar to an Aristocrat, but it certainly shaves differently.

Blade gap probably has less impact in the closeness & comfort of a shave than many other factors. Among the factors that will generally impact shave performance much more than blade gap are things such as:

Thickness of the blade cover... The thicker it is, and sharper the drop-off to the blade edge, the harder it is going to be to get a very low blade angle to the skin.

How much "bend" the head puts into the blade. Generally flexing the blade is going to stiffen it, making the blade more stable.

Weight of the razor. The more mass the razor has behind it, the more likely it will simply "mow through" tough hair. A lighter razor is much more likely to start skipping or hopping when it meets resistance.

How close the blade cover come to the edge of the blade. When there is a lot of blade showing, it's going to flex more, which *might* in some instances cause some "resonance" like a full hollow-ground straight razor that *might* help improve the shave if everything else in the razor is designed around that concept. (As in the Merkur Vision. My understanding, although I've never used one, is that there is a lot more blade edge exposed, and the razor produces more noise than any other razor, quite possibly from micro flexing or resonance of the blade. In "singing straights" it is thought that this resonance may help the blade chomp through hairs, giving a smoohter cut...

My guess is that unless everything is designed around that aspect, that exposed blade edge and it's noise probably don't affect the shave, as the Feather is reportedly whisper-silent in it's shave, yet incredibly smooth and silky.

The blade gap only limits the maximum angle that you can put the blade against the skin as a safety stop...

This is why even within adjustable razors, a given adjustable is give something like a Super-mild to Medium aggressiveness, and another model might be said to be Medium to very aggressive. I don't think that you are going to find any adjustable that is *truly* "Super Mild to Super Aggressive in it's range of adjustments.

This is also why two people can say they get a great BBS shave with a given adjustable and one says they have it set on 2, and the other person says they have it "wide open"... It's because the particular blade/skin/hair combination of the person who has their razor set to 2, has the maximum allowable angle of blade to skin at an angle that is optimum for a BBS shave. They could get the same exact shave with the razor set to "wide open" as long as they continue to keep the razor at the same angle on their face. It's the safety bar that prevents them from increasing the angle any further.

That person who shaves with it "Wide open" could, in reality, just as easily cut the safety bars off of the razor entirely, (providing that removing said safety bars wouldn't affect the rigidity of the head as a whole) because at the wide-open settings of the razor in question, they are exercising great control over the angle that they are keeping the head of the razor to their face.

[Sir Walter of Mount Royal]

Very interesting. I totally agree. Aggressiveness is a very vague concept and it isn't a function of a single parameter, blade gap.

There is also another factor that is linked to the head's shape : the surface of contact. The razor rests on the face, not on the blade but on an area composed of the top plate and the safety bar. The greater the surface, the smoother the razor feels. A straighter top plate (a thinner head) has a better surface of contact. If the friction doesn't increase too much, the razor feels smoother. This is why the Gillette Slim surprises a lot of shavers with its smoothness. It has the flattest head of all Gillettes of that era.

The Feather holds firmly to the blade in all corners. So, instead of flexing the blade, it holds it tightly to achieve rigidity. The blade angle is thus shallower : smoother shaves, but also less vibration (feedback).

As for the men that like "wide open" adjustable razors, I totally agree with you. They must hold the razor at a different angle than the shavers who love "mild" razors. They hold back their razors, keeping the blade close to the skin without as much need of the safety bar.


KM INSTRUCTOR, if it's not too much trouble, could you please publish close-ups of the heads in profile against a ruler. Something like http://badgerandblade.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=175370&d=1307416386&stc=1 but with a scale so we can make measurements and objective comparisons .
(http://badgerandblade.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=175370&d=1307416386&stc=1)

[Stubblefield]

To actually answer your question, which would I choose? The Feather I guess. I have shaved with the Slant and find it does not yield a great shave.

But: I'll take a Joris over either razor in a heartbeat. Why? Closer shave.

[Godan]

The vagueness and subtleties around the concept of aggressiveness and the individual adjustments to any blade and razor combination all contribute to making this a fascinating pursuit. Blade gap has a role, and it is one of the relatively few things in the mix that can be measured.

[KM-instructor]

man this Slant Feather poll thread is like being at the freakin horses.

[395migeon]

I own both, along with about 8 or 9 other razors. There is no questions about the superior quality of the manufacturing of the Feather AS over the Merkur slant. I've done my own shave to shave comparison with a Feather blade in both razors and the slant gives me the BBS over the AS hands down. The slant has become my go to daily razor.

[Doctor Love]

I chose the Feather because I personally like the shave I get with mine, especially with a Personna Med Prep Blade. I know quite a few don't like the Feather AS-D1 as they find it too mild. It's not too mild for me and the quality of the product is beyond reproach. An outstanding razor IMHO, YMMV.

I've read too many comments about Merkur quality, or should I say lack thereof. Machine marks, uneven blade exposure, etc. As a result I won't try any razor made by Merkur. I actually liked the Merkur blades until I started trying other brands. I tossed what Merkur blades I had left.

[Arctic]

I vote Slant. Sledgehammer Slant.