Open comb or slant?

**antsjack** · 10-07-2009, 06:16 AM

I have a Merkur 15 Open comb and get very good shaves with it, better than my 2 super speeds (that might get sold soon). I am thinking of getting an 11c HD open comb or a slant bar. Has anyone got experience with both open combs and slants who can advise me?

**talibeard** · 10-07-2009, 11:27 AM

I have a Merkur 15C and 25C as well as a slant; completely different head and shave.
The Merkur OC are rather mild shavers while the slant is much more aggressive; nothing to be afraid of but definitely on the other side of the spectrum.

**slantman** · 10-07-2009, 11:55 AM

I have had both. I am partial to open combs because I think they shave great. When you load up a slant you have to pay attention to how the blade sits because you can have too much exposure one end and not enough on the other. Also with a slant you can't rush it or you can get a nasty cut. Great for leisurely weekend shaving

**Luc** · 10-07-2009, 12:47 PM

I think you should try both.

As mentionned up here, good razors, work differently. I prefer open combs but that's me.

**antsjack** · 10-07-2009, 02:01 PM

Thanks for the responses!

**talibeard** · 10-08-2009, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by antsjack

Thanks for the responses!

So, what is it gonna be ?

**antsjack** · 10-08-2009, 02:32 PM

MMmmm given that time is a bit pressed at the moment in the mornings I might go for another open comb. Does anyone have experience with both the 25c and 11 or the open Muhle? I have a 25c which I like, but prefer shorter handles. How does the 11c and the Muhle compare to the 25c?

**talibeard** · 10-08-2009, 02:58 PM

I (as well as a lot of other guys) made reviews on those razors.

Never used the 11C but it has the same short thick and heavy handle as the 34C (HD) and the 37G (gold plated slant) which is not to my liking (YMMV), mostly because I prefer the weight of the razor towards the head and not somewhere in the middle.
The Mühle OC has the same head as the Merkur 25C but the handle is thicker and a little bit shorter and also lighter. Oh, and the Mühle makes my Merkurs look like 2nd choice; overall craftmanship is definitely on a higher level. That doesn't make the Merkurs bad btw, but I do find the Mühles better on all levels (again YMMV!!)

Anyway, my reviews on the 25C and the new Mühle R-41.

Good luck picking the right one!

**huntmol** · 10-08-2009, 03:34 PM

I much prefer the Merkur 11C to the Slant. Not sure exactly why, but I didn't really care for the way the Slant shaved. I eventually sold it, but my Merkur 11C is still one of my best DEs

**dpmtherrien** · 10-08-2009, 06:16 PM

I've tried both, and for me the slant has too thick a head. I find it too bulky for me, and I don't care for the shave it gives. Now the open comb is a wholenother animal. I really like a thinner head on a razor, and for me the Merkur 1904 has it all. The HD runs a close second. I get a much better shave from the open comb than from the slant. Keep in mind that thats just me, you'll have to find what works best for you. Good luck.

**stuff495** · 10-09-2009, 04:57 AM

I think you should try both, otherwise you'll never know. The BST/WTB forums here are an amazing resource; if you buy used, you can pretty much sell for what you paid when experiments don't work out.

I wasn't impressed with the slantbar (short handled). I just don't get it. As far as I could tell, it was just an angled head, and I can get the same effect by holding a normal DE at an angle. However, it's harder to make the slant cut straight for trimming sideburns, etc. It was more aggressive, but it didn't give me closer shaves. Yes, the blade gap was pretty big … but if I wanted a big blade gap, I'd get a Progess and set it to 15. I sold my slantbar after only 3 shaves.

I just got an 11C in the mail yesterday, and have used it once, but I like it so far. It's got a fantastic handle, and a very slim head that can cut under my nose with no problems.

Good luck!

--Vincent

**T Rick** · 10-09-2009, 07:08 AM

Just a thought, have you considered a vintage Gillette? Something intrinsically cool about shaving with a 70, 80 or 100 yr. old razor...

**antsjack** · 10-09-2009, 10:25 AM

I thought about a vintage open comb, but can't be bothered to sterilize it

**barman** · 10-09-2009, 02:56 PM

Go with the slant. Once you learn to use it you'll never look back.

**Hughies_online** · 10-09-2009, 02:58 PM

I have both and use both in my rotation. If you choose one or the other, you will still be happy with your decision.

**Silky Glide** · 10-09-2009, 03:17 PM

I use both slants and open combs (I have a collection of each including both Merkurs discussed). The technique between the two types is slightly different but with both, I am able to get a nice close shave. I expecially like to use an open comb when I have a couple of days growth going because it seems to handle this better and I like the feel of the comb on the stubble. The only way to really know is to try both - if you find you prefer one over the other, you will have no problem selling on the BST for close to what you paid for either.

**Miles** · 10-09-2009, 04:29 PM

All this debate is giving me an itchy RAD finger...

**antsjack** · 10-19-2009, 09:16 AM

In the end I went for an 11c to complement my 25c. It gives me equally as good shaves as the 25c, just a different experience. I think it might be time to sell my safety bar razors, some super speeds.

**talibeard** · 10-19-2009, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by antsjack

In the end I went for an 11c to complement my 25c. It gives me equally as good shaves as the 25c, just a different experience. I think it might be time to sell my safety bar razors, some super speeds.

Nice to see another happy OC shaver!