First DE will be a slant...*lik OMG my faze iz gone*

[schwartr]

Im sure the slant is not the first choice for new DE shavers but thats how I roll- Fast and out of control (in other words Im an Idiot).

Is there any advise you all can give me before I exsanguinate myself and spend eternity in hell serving the dark master who forged the vile-soul-stealing-slant HD razor??

I have watched mantics videos and have a good feeling about what Im doing, but since Im starting off with the slant I know my soul will be sucked into the Palace of Dis where I will spend eternity placing toilet paper on my shredded face while I watch other receive a BBS shave the first time....

[cleancut]

Get yourself a Styptic Pencil and some bandaids.

[john.crissman]

I really think if you are a masochist this is the way to go! Get a Feather blade - let it rust up nice and good and then finish off with some 95% alcohol!

Honestly - develop your techique with a few other razors prior to going to the slant. I am really glad that I did.

The edge of the blade does not sit parallel with the safety bar, therefore the cuting edge is very aggressive at one end and less aggressive at the other. There is a very good chance that you can earnestly do some real damage.

Enjoy the shave, it is not a thrill ride.

[morijinal]

Can't say we didn't tell you.

Get a Merkur HD (straight bar) and save the slant until you are a guru.

--cheers

[Chuckaluck]

Im sure the slant is not the first choice for new DE shavers but thats how I roll- Fast and out of control (in other words Im an Idiot).

Is there any advise you all can give me before I exsanguinate myself and spend eternity in hell serving the dark master who forged the vile-soul-stealing-slant HD razor??

I have watched mantics videos and have a good feeling about what Im doing, but since Im starting off with the slant I know my soul will be sucked into the Palace of Dis where I will spend eternity placing toilet paper on my shredded face while I watch other receive a BBS shave the first time....
just take it SLOW! my mistake on my first slant shave was a bit of overconfidence; I got through the left side of my face easily, I let my guard down and got SLICED on my right side, it BIT me!. It bled like a gusher, (dummy me did not have a styptic pencil) and I have a scar the size of a pencil eraser:sad:on my mug. I am going to hone my skills on a regular HD before going to the slant. the guys on this site are real good at giving advice. I wish I would have listened to them.

[schwartr]

I really think if you are a masochist this is the way to go! Get a Feather blade - let it rust up nice and good and then finish off with some 95% alcohol!

Honestly - develop your techique with a few other razors prior to going to the slant. I am really glad that I did.

The edge of the blade does not sit parallel with the safety bar, therefore the cuting edge is very aggressive at one end and less aggressive at the other. There is a very good chance that you can earnestly do some real damage.

Enjoy the shave, it is not a thrill ride.


Well that was the plan, except I use 99% alcohol...
But seriously, how does blade exposure make a razor more aggressive than less? Its hard to imagine with out actually seeing it or giving it a try.

[SMOKE]

It's really best to look at them side by side....but this is the best I can do:

A "standard" DE has a safety bar that provides a nice distance between the edge of the bar to the cutting edge of the razor. The slant has MUCH more blade exposure, and not much buffer in the way of a safety bar. Like I said earlier, you could probably peel a tomato with a slant.

Regards,

[ouch]

Despite its reputation, the slant can deliver a very smooth, comfortable shave. Don't be afraid, just go slow and easy.

[Dharion]

Get yourself a Styptic Pencil+1 This neat thing is gonna help you. On the other side you may as well enjoy it.

[Sabledog]

But seriously, how does blade exposure make a razor more aggressive than less? Its hard to imagine with out actually seeing it or giving it a try.

On "normal" razors, the aggressiveness is seen as the distance between the bar and the blade; closer to the bar like a Tech gives less exposure and less cutting edge and therefore less aggressive.

The trick with the slant is the edge is kinda twisted and the amount of blade exposure and angle changes through its length.

One thing everybody is trying to warn you about is that there are a lot of variables that make a good shave. Proper pre-shave, having a blade that works well for you, proper lather, proper angle, pressure, wrist technique etc etc. You don't get these variable right without practice and the slant is not seen as a good practice razor.

This is a bit like learning to drive a car with a manual turbo -sports car [insert model here]- in highway traffic.

[SMOKE]

This is a bit like learning to drive a car with a manual turbo -sports car [insert model here]- in highway traffic.

While bleeding profusely from several areas on your face and neck.....

[Mainecanefan]

I started with a Slant and truly enjoy it. Now, I bled quite a bit the first week and freaked out some co-workers and the wife but since that time, I have been fine. Just go slow. You can't set speed shaving records with that razor right off.

[morijinal]

You can say what you will about a slant - that it's a great razor when used properly, and it is an overstatement to say that it is 'death to noobs'.

After reading this post I feel even closer to my Merkur HD. The razor that gives me close, smooth shaves beyond anything experienced prior with any other razor.

The razor that when I make a mistake and cut myself (has to be a pretty dumb mistake with the HD) the cut will never be deeper than .5mm.

And finally, the razor that introduced me to DE shaving.

I have read a lot about other models, but all that research has only confirmed that the Merkur HD is the only razor I will ever need to own.

[GarageBoy]

GO SLOWLY- do not rush, if it does not feel right, put it down, examine, then go again

[petekalo]

how did it turn out?

[Jim]

Relax and enjoy it- let us know how your shave turned out.

[huntmol]

starting off with a slant?!

all the reviews I read scared me away from that thing, at least at first.

I'd like to try one eventually but for now I'm happy with my HD.

[Peter Dimas]

If you're gonna be truly hard core you need to do it while driving and talking on the cell phone at the same time.

:behead:

Peter

[hamelfarm1]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the Slant these days being advertised by many stores as being perfect for the beginner and those with sensitive skin?

I have sensitive skin myself and wonder if I shouldn't pick up one of these beauties.....

[schwartr]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the Slant these days being advertised by many stores as being perfect for the beginner and those with sensitive skin?

I have sensitive skin myself and wonder if I shouldn't pick up one of these beauties.....
I have not heard that. All I hear is how much of a blood letting monster it is and that it should only be used by people with a minimum of 10 years wet shaving experience.

I have used it only a few times so far but each time it gets better and better. The last shave was near perfect with zero irritation and no nicks. I love the slant/sharp combo right now.

[SMOKE]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the Slant these days being advertised by many stores as being perfect for the beginner and those with sensitive skin?

I have sensitive skin myself and wonder if I shouldn't pick up one of these beauties.....

You are correct about some sites describing this as an "easy to use" razor. Lee's is one of the few places I've seen that give an honest description, clearly stating this is not for beginners. I was suckerd in by an add and bought the Slant for my first DE shave. While awaiting it's arrival I was combing the net for tips on DE shaving, and came across many "warnings" about the Slant. I also discovered B&B at that time.
While remaining a lurker for some time, I read and read...Choosing the Tech for my first DE shave. IMO a wise choice. I moved on to the SS, but still found the Tech to be a great razor. To this day I use a Tech regularly, but a red tip SS is my primary shaver.

Just looking at the sheer blade exposer on the Slant should be enough to warn noobs of what this razor has the potential to do. I did not use mine until I was very comfortable with my technique. It does shave extremely close and is a fine razor, but the slightest pressure, the twitch of a hand, or just plain bad technique and you will pay in blood. At the least, it will burn you up good if used with any pressure.
I now use the slant specifically for shaving my head.
As advertised, it does handle contours very well, which makes for a great head shave.

Sorry for the long winded post...In short, not a razor for the noob, or anyone else who has not fully learned that technique is everything, and good technique only comes with practice.
Save yourself the frustration (and blood) that is inevitable if you rush into shaving with a Slant.

Just MHO.

Regards,

[schwartr]

On the other hand, people do rush into the slant and seem to be fine. I only had 3 practice shaves with an SS before using the slant and its a huge improvement. Of course I believe most of the improvement is due to technique.

[BroJohn]

schwartr --


Here's a re-run of an old post I made. It was for a new wet shaver who was starting out using a slant.



Welcome to B&B!!

Starting with a Slant is a little unusual, but ok in the long run. You'll just have to be attentive (as you should be in any case).

I wouldn't consider the Slant as 'aggressive' necessarily; the only thing is that the slant pretty much requires good technique. The slant induces a twist to the blade, and this results in more of a shearing action during the shave that provides an exceptionally close and smooth shave.

Generally, the results when using a slant are 'amplified'. A slant 'amplifies' the shave of an experienced shaver and affords a truly exceptional shave result. OTOH, a newer shaver with tentative technique, poor blade angle, inappropriate pressure, inadequate beard prep, &c, has his experience 'amplified' as well. In this circumstance, the slant can be very unforgiving.

For this reason, the slant is regarded by most as a poor choice for a new or inexperienced DE shaver, tho some have indeed started out with them and successfully made the transition.

Just be sure to embrace accepted practices, prep well, take your time, and you'll experience about the best shaves possible.


-- John Gehman

[Laz]

You can say what you will about a slant - that it's a great razor when used properly, and it is an overstatement to say that it is 'death to noobs'.

After reading this post I feel even closer to my Merkur HD. The razor that gives me close, smooth shaves beyond anything experienced prior with any other razor.

The razor that when I make a mistake and cut myself (has to be a pretty dumb mistake with the HD) the cut will never be deeper than .5mm.

And finally, the razor that introduced me to DE shaving.

I have read a lot about other models, but all that research has only confirmed that the Merkur HD is the only razor I will ever need to own.

+1