Slant Advice? Will it be like Cabin Fever?

**Elecid** · 06-13-2010, 12:31 AM

So, I have purchased a 37C Merkur Slant from a member here on the forums, but I have never shaved with a slant before, and I am a little nervous. I don't want my face to look like the girl's legs from Cabin Fever, if you've seen the movie:

When I get it, should I attempt to shave ATG? Do you folks do ATG with slants, or is WTG/XTG okay?

It's likely a YMMV, but I'd like to hear your input, especially regarding the three blades I intend to try in it:

Gillette superthins first, derbys second, feathers third. I take it these are (respectively) medium-sharp, mild, sharp. I have a pretty thick beard and sensitive skin.

Thanks!

**PhatMan** · 06-13-2010, 01:03 AM

Elecid,

At least for me the Slant likes sharp blades; I use Feathers.

Personally, I don't find the Slant too aggressive; with light touch and correct angles you will be fine.

ATG with the Slant is fine, though I would start with WTG & XTG for a few days until you get the measure of the razor.

Good luck

Best regards

Russ

**dpm802** · 06-13-2010, 01:35 AM

My SledgeHammer Slant is my favorite razor. It accounts for about half my shaves, and gives me BBS in 2.5 easy passes every time. I go WTG all over, XTG along the jawline/cheeks, and then ATG all over. The razor does fine in any direction, but you might want to keep to just WTG passes the first couple of days into your learning curve.

The slant does its best work when it has a lot of stubble to work with. I use it for times when I have a 3-day or more growth to harvest. Since you say you have a thick, coarse beard, you should be OK to shave with it at least every other day.

If you've got good technique with whatever razor you're using now, you should be OK.

Try a few dry runs without a blade to learn how it handles on your face. Check out The BALANCE POINT Method in the ShaveWiki for a new idea on how to hold your razor.

The maxim of NO PRESSURE is never more true than when using a Slant. Let the weight of the razor do the work.

After experimenting with 2 or 3 other blades, I wound up using Feather exclusively in my 39C. For the blades you are trying, I'd suggest you start with Derby first, then Super-Thin, then Feather.

**kevtex** · 06-13-2010, 05:53 AM

I would suggest using your gut when it comes to how many passes to try with the first shave. The great thing about the Slant is the feedback it gives. There's no shaving with it and then noticing afterward that you may have gone to far. It will let you know right away if you need push it for another pass or two. I'm able to get BBS in two passes with a little touch up on my lower neck but that's after a months worth of using. Let us know how the shave goes, I think your going to like it.

**JPDyson** · 06-13-2010, 06:08 AM

After DE shaving for 4 months, I picked one up and it was a no-brainer to use. Got a great shave at once. Take care to load the blade parallel with the head cap.

**Blue_2** · 06-13-2010, 06:22 AM

Originally Posted by JPDyson

After DE shaving for 4 months, I picked one up and it was a no-brainer to use. Got a great shave at once. Take care to load the blade parallel with the head cap.

I'm sure YMMV is always the case, but I had the same experience with a 39C. I aligned the blade properly (I went with a Shark) and used my normal three passes. Very nice shave indeed and decent feedback.

**c0ry** · 06-13-2010, 06:28 AM

For the record, Cabin Fever was a fun little movie.

I always shave ATG with my slant and never had a cut with it. It looks a lot scarier than it is. I use Crystal blades.

**Perished** · 06-13-2010, 06:31 AM

Bought myself a slant just the other week... Fantastic. No cuts, lovely and smooth shave every time.
I use either a feather blade or orange gillette.

**Walter Sobchak** · 06-13-2010, 06:46 AM

I agree with the others. The notion that the Slant will leave you bloodied and near faceless is very much overblown. It may not be a great razor for a complete noob, but if you can use another DE without harm, you can use a Slant. It's a great razor and gives top notch results. Use it with the same rules that you would use any other razor. I think you'll be relieved and surprised at how tame it really is once you take it for a spin.

Oh, and as another post pointed out, take care to load the blade properly (i.e. parallel). And I agree, Slants like sharp blades...but then again, I haven't found a razor that doesn't like sharp blades.

**Silky Glide** · 06-13-2010, 07:04 AM

I have a collection of about 45 razors (everything from a Big Fellow to a Feather Popular) but my go to razor is my gold Slant HD. I developed my technique using other razors (I had lots of cuts in the beginning) but now I use this slant (or less frequently one of my other slants - an Ibsen, a vintage Merkur or a Barberpole) most of the time. I find that it gives me a close shave in 2 passes instead of 3. Like others have stated, sharp blades seem to perform better in a slant - right now I am working my way through a pack of Iridiums with great results. I tried some Treet blades last week first time results mediocre on just my second use, I found the treets to be pulling hairs off my face - it did not feel so good. I rarely get even a weeper anymore using a slant but I usually finish off with a salt block anyway just to tone things up. Take your time, use short strokes on the chin, neck, under the nose and other tight spots, and as others have suggested, let the weight of the razor do the work.

**DSB** · 06-13-2010, 08:23 AM

My slant is my "daily drive." I don't think you need to treat it any differently than any other DE razor you have used. It my take you a little experimentation to find the blade that works best for you in the slant, but that is true of any new razor.

Don't fear the slant -- I think its "aggressiveness" is a little overly hyped. It gives me a very close shave, but it will not eat your face. The slant does not work for everyone, but for me, it's a keeper.

**Elecid** · 06-13-2010, 09:04 AM

Inspirational words!

I am now less apprehensive. I have pretty good technique, I think, and I don't nick myself or get burn from my 23c, but the first shave after I put a feather in it was a little rough around my adam's apple, so I guess I'm not perfect (though it was fine on the second shave).

I guess I'll just jump right in, then, but wait a few on the ATG.

**Space** · 06-13-2010, 06:58 PM

Pancakes!!! Pannncaaakes!!!

**SiBurning** · 06-13-2010, 07:09 PM

Personally, I find the slant a lot less aggressive than an HD. It flows a lot more natural than any of my other razors, including a few mild Gillettes. It might be my technique, which tends to go with natural flowing curves rather than straight lines. It also works well if you're more focused on flowing the blade over your face rather than the head or safety bar. I think some people shave more straight lined and leaning off the safety bar, and they find the slants more aggressive.

**c0ry** · 06-13-2010, 07:16 PM

Used my slant today with some DR Harris Lavender. The shave was SMOOTH, even going against the grain on my lower neck--an area that almost always results in some level of dragging/pain, with my course hair. Slants really are great.

**DunEdinRanger** · 06-13-2010, 07:27 PM

The Slant is the standard by which all other razors are measured, at least in my book.

I think you go ATG, but just make sure you use zero pressure and have a very good, slick lather.

**Duncanh48** · 06-14-2010, 07:58 AM

The slant is a good razor, not one to be feared. Treat it with respect and it will perform well.

**Batman** · 06-14-2010, 01:57 PM

Don't fear the Slant. All rumors that it's a shredder are given by nimrods that do not respect the engineering.

Red IPs work well. I would recommend a few shaves before trying ATG - YMMV.

**bordeaaj** · 06-14-2010, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by Walter Sobchak

I agree with the others. The notion that the Slant will leave you bloodied and near faceless is very much overblown. It may not be a great razor for a complete noob, but if you can use another DE without harm, you can use a Slant.

+1

The Slant was as easy to use as my HD even when I was a newbie...I made the switch from HD to Slant/Feather combo about a week or two into DE with absolutely no problem. In fact, I use the Slant exactly the same way I use my HD...it doesn't need any specialized handling technique, whatsoever. Advice for comfortably using the Slant is no different than for any razor...good prep, slick lather, zero pressure, etc. Recently, one of my friends became interested in DE shaving and I let him try the Slant/Feather (pre- and post sterilization, of course). I was there to coach a little but he had zero problems with 3 passes and a polishing pass though he had never used a DE razor in his life. Now he can't wait for his own new razor to arrive. Not exactly sure why the Slant has such a fearsome reputation but it is clearly undeserved. The same goes for the equally fearsome rep of Feather blades. Many of us find shaves are less comfortable and more nick-prone with a less sharp brand than the sharper ones...probably due to the slightly increased pressure required to cut through the whiskers. I even remember learning way back in Cub Scouts (I was a proud Webelo) that a dull knife is much more likely to cut you than a sharp one for exactly the same reason. Recommending less sharp blades to newbies, while well meaning, seems a little misguided. In my experience, Slants and Feathers should be included as highly recommended starter options for beginners rather than as specialized tools reserved for grizzled, battle-scarred veterans. It sound cools to hype up my years of shaving experience like that...but feels more like self-inflating my empty suit.

Originally Posted by Duncanh48

Treat it with respect and it will perform well.

Pretty much goes for most any razor as I 'm sure you will agree!