The slant is out to kill me!

**banzaitoyota** · 07-05-2008, 06:25 PM

Loaded a feather in the slant..

My neck is on fire!!!! No cuts or weepers just burning

Where do I correct my technique?

**Mottern Man** · 07-05-2008, 06:29 PM

Easy, take the Feather out or stop using the Slant.

What is your normal razor/blade combo?

If you are coming from a Tech with Merkurs, then you may be in over your head right now.

How long have you been DE shaving?

I would not suggest a Slant to one who is just starting.

**soapbox** · 07-05-2008, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by Mottern Man

Easy, take the Feather out or stop using the Slant.

What is your normal razor/blade combo?

If you are coming from a Tech with Merkurs, then you may be in over your head right now.

How long have you been DE shaving?

I would not suggest a Slant to one who is just starting.

MM is totally correct, and he's not being elitist or mean-spirited with these suggestions, I promise you. I haven't put a Feather in my Slant yet, and I really like my Slant.

**john.crissman** · 07-05-2008, 06:46 PM

I prefer a Derby in my slant. I am not comfortable enough with my technique to use a Feather + Slant combo again. My first two experiences were like yours.

**Mottern Man** · 07-05-2008, 06:48 PM

Originally Posted by soapbox

MM is totally correct, and he's not being elitist or mean-spirited with these suggestions, I promise you. I haven't put a Feather in my Slant yet, and I really like my Slant.

If you don't have problems using a Feather in, well say an HD. Go ahead and give it a shot in the Slant.

May be hell or it may be the greatest shave of your life. What do you got to lose?

**1969Fatboy** · 07-05-2008, 06:52 PM

I am still trying to master the slant. I get close shaves with the derby but still a few weepers. Will try to experiment with more forgiving blades I guess.

**CrowdedBrewer** · 07-05-2008, 07:07 PM

banzaitoyota,

Sorry about your pain.

This is obviously best guess, but I'd say pressure. All the threads that I have read about the Slant caution against using too much pressure, er, make that any pressure.

Originally Posted by banzaitoyota

My neck is on fire!!!! No cuts or weepers just burning

Got that "I think I shaved my skin off" feeling? I came pretty close the first two times out with my new Slant.

Less Pressure = More Better.

Good Luck,

Scott

**DunEdinRanger** · 07-05-2008, 07:39 PM

I would have to guess too much pressure. You have to go over very very lightly on the neck, especially across the grain. When you do so, you can almost hear the individual hears being sliced off.

**BroJohn** · 07-05-2008, 08:36 PM

BainzaiT --

You may think you've got it down, but this sounds like a poor blade angle, probably in combination with too much pressure. Review what you're doing, go to a more forgiving blade for now.

Slants give a great shave, but they are unforgiving to the unwary.

-- John Gehman

**neilxvx** · 07-05-2008, 09:29 PM

If you have a small amount of cuts but a red/raw face, then I'm going to put money down that it's pressure, and possibly incorrect angle. A lot of people seem to be weary of trying Feathers, and also weary of trying Slants.

My advice, is use the advantage of the slant. You see the blade is further out from the head of the razor, which allows you to work the angle more. Try to make the blade get closest to parallel to your skin, while still being able to cut into the whiskers. This is why I think Straight Razors worked so well for me. I can make the angle exactly how I want it.

Now, I promise I don't want to be rude or come across like a prick, but I think all this talk about not using a slant or feather because you're not ready is just silly. (unless of course you JUST started.)

If you have the slightest doubt in the back of your head about your safety while you're shaving, then you're creating problems for yourself. You MUST get the thought of cutting yourself out of your head. You're not going to get cut! If you can put a Derby in a regular HD, or a Feather in the same razor, or a Derby in a Slant, then YOU CAN PUT A FEATHER IN A SLANT AND BE FINE. You see, in the modern age of DE blades, most blades, even Merkurs are preeeetty sharp. In the grand scheme of razors, they really aren't THAT different. What's different is your confidence after hearing about the dreaded Feather blade and the mean old Slant. Preparation, technique, and confidence can overcome anything.

Now, I sincerely apologize if the above paragraph(s) make me sound like a prick, but I'm just having a little fun and I don't mean anything by it. But I hope what I'm saying will get through to some people because I meant every word of it.

**jss** · 07-05-2008, 10:24 PM

Whatever you decide to do from here on, proceed with patience..

**jon619** · 07-07-2008, 04:00 PM

I too had bad experiences with the Slant at first, but now the 39c (heavy slant) is my go to razor. I haven't tried the Feather's in it yet - that's an adventure for tomorrow morning, believe it or not. The slant itself definitely requires more attention than the HD did - can't really let your mind wander...

**DunEdinRanger** · 07-07-2008, 04:03 PM

Are you sure the blade was loaded properly? You should have an equal amount of blade showing on both sides of the head if you look straight down. Not sure why I didn't mention that earlier...

**burnwood** · 07-07-2008, 04:22 PM

no,no,no. the slant is trying to kill you. you are correct.

**DunEdinRanger** · 07-07-2008, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by burnwood

no,no,no. the slant is trying to kill you. you are correct.

The SLANT is your friend! It will give you the closest, smoothest shaves you ever had.

**soapbox** · 07-07-2008, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by DunEdinRanger

The SLANT is your friend! It will give you the closest, smoothest shaves you ever had.

Shhhhh, if he thinks the Slant is trying to kill him, he might give it to Beaker on the cheap...

**banzaitoyota** · 07-07-2008, 07:01 PM

QUIT COVENTING MY SLANT!!!!!!!!!! :)

I will venture again with the mighty feather loaded assasin!

**soapbox** · 07-07-2008, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by banzaitoyota

QUIT COVENTING MY SLANT!!!!!!!!!! :)

I will venture again with the mighty feather loaded assasin!

That's the spirit. Go nuts...carefully, padawan.

**DunEdinRanger** · 07-07-2008, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by banzaitoyota

QUIT COVENTING MY SLANT!!!!!!!!!! :)

I will venture again with the mighty feather loaded assasin!

Ah yes, the blade Endcycle (iirc) describes as "Pure Concentrated Evil"

**endcycle** · 07-07-2008, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by burnwood

no,no,no. the slant is trying to kill you. you are correct.

That's the spirit!!

Originally Posted by DunEdInRanger

Ah yes, the blade Endcycle (iirc) describes as "Pure Concentrated Evil"

Yep.

EDIT TO ADD:
That said, I've had 2 great shaves in a row with a feather over the last 2 days - but it's only because I first sacrificed a goat in its honor and used the blood for my lather. (blood+proraso is not the best scent ever)