First Shave with Slant--Results and Questions

[beginish]

This morning I took my new Merkur Slant for its first spin. After the rush job I had to do yesterday with a Mach 3, there was ample stubble to work with. I decided to build as much room for error into the shave as I could, so I took extra time with prep, broke out the Penhaligon's BB cream and lathered with the Shavemac 177 (which is fast becoming my favorite brush). I installed a fresh Gillette Black 7 O'Clock blade in the Slant and set out to work. Respecting the Slant, I took my time, made 3 passes (WTG, XTG, ATG) and touched up. No nicks, no runs, no errors. I applied the Penhaligons BB ASB, and unlike most times, had no stinging. The shave qualifies as a DFS, and I'm pleased with it.

Some observations:


Compared to the HD, Mergress and 40's Super Speed, this is a much more aggressive razor.
As one would expect, each pass was clearing more whisker per cut than any of the razors above (all using the same brand of blade).
The Black 7 O'Clocks are very smooth and sharp for me in the non-Slants, and they seemed less so on both counts in the Slant--it didn't skip, but there was some tugging (perhaps I was shaving too gingerly in the first passes).
As many have said, the Slant is to be respected, and not feared. Good prep and careful attention to blade angle/pass speed can tame this beast.


Some questions:

The Slant bar creates a progressively greater exposure of the blade along the length of the razor head. When shaving straight N/S or E/W, should the perpendicular positioning of the razor head relative to N/S and E/W be based on the slant bar or edge of the blade?
Black 7 O'Clocks are plenty sharp and generally smooth. If I am getting slight tugging with them, should I try a sharper blade like a Feather or refine technique first?
The BB cream gave nice cushion, but was not as slick as the soaps I've been transitioning to. All things being equal (good technique and good blade), does a Slant shave better with soaps than creams?


Thanks!

Bob

[MinnMD]

Focus on the handle's angle and direction and pretend that it's a HD. Of course, pay attention to the blade around specific areas: sideburns, nose, and mouth.

MinnMD

[Tommy_C]

+1 to what MinnMD said.

I know it's a little disconcerting, at first, that the slant bar is....well...slanted, but you need to shave with it exactly how you would a normal razor. That's why the head is slanted: so that when you shave with it like a normal razor, the blade will be at an angle and then impart a slicing motion.

I think you actually addressed it in your question, though: don't worry about the slant bar, worry about the head of the razor.

[beandoc]

Some questions:

The Slant bar creates a progressively greater exposure of the blade along the length of the razor head. When shaving straight N/S or E/W, should the perpendicular positioning of the razor head relative to N/S and E/W be based on the slant bar or edge of the blade?


Thanks!

Bob

I just began using my Slant Sledgehammer a few days ago, and I came to realize today that there is a little bit of wiggle room with the blade before you completely tighten it down. I put in a new Feather (which worked MUCH better than the Derby I tried before, btw, but I digress), and the first time I tightened it, there was a significant difference in blade exposure. I loosened the head a bit, slightly turned the blade, and re-tightened. That seemed to fix the problem, so you might give that a try.

[beginish]

+1 to what MinnMD said.

I know it's a little disconcerting, at first, that the slant bar is....well...slanted, but you need to shave with it exactly how you would a normal razor. That's why the head is slanted: so that when you shave with it like a normal razor, the blade will be at an angle and then impart a slicing motion.

I think you actually addressed it in your question, though: don't worry about the slant bar, worry about the head of the razor.

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind for the next go around. I'm more concerned about the way the Black 7 O'Clocks weren't behaving to form, but I may have a bum blade or just require a bit more care with my technique.

[bokaba]

Make sure you use a light touch and be careful with any slicing motions

[beginish]

Make sure you use a light touch and be careful with any slicing motions

Very good advice.

I just finished shave 2 with the Slant, and the shave was far from comfortable (nice and close, though). I think that I will put the Slant on the bench for awhile as I improve my technique, and try again later. Right now, it's just not doing it for me and the issue with it likely lies with my software, not the hardware.