Can someone elaborate on the purpose and technique of a slant head?

**mikeypedone1** · 05-01-2009, 04:31 AM

Just need to know, how the techinque may vary.

**mdunn** · 05-01-2009, 04:35 AM

the idea behind a slan is that it cuts the hairs on an angle (like \ rather than _) so its a slicing, rather than pushing motion.

(think about trying to cut something, do you push straight down with the knife, or do you slide across) It makes it easier to cut.

Technique is pretty much the same. No pressure, watch your angles.

**ssilcox** · 05-01-2009, 09:05 AM

Also, the geometry of the head requires a slightly more horizontal-to-the-floor angle than with a regular Gillette DE.

**mars** · 05-01-2009, 09:38 AM

Doesn't cutting the hair at an angle make ingrown hairs more likely? I thought that was part of the reason why multiblade razors made people get ingrowns-- that they cut at an angle and tapered hair is more likely to get trapped under the skin than hair cut bluntly. Never heard that associated with slants, though.. What gives?

**danek** · 05-01-2009, 09:51 AM

I think the reason multiblade razors cause ingrown hairs is due to the "lift and cut", or "YANK!", process. A multiblade pulls the hair above skin level to cut it. Then when it recedes, it is below skin level - thus, very easy to grow under the skin when it starts out under the skin. A slant, or any single blade, cuts the hair at skin level, so the only direction it can grow is above the skin.

**kingfisher** · 05-01-2009, 10:52 AM

I never understood the "yank and cut" idea of a multiblade cartridge. If the first blade is actually a blade, how does it yank the hair instead of cutting it?

**Tommy_C** · 05-01-2009, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by mars

Doesn't cutting the hair at an angle make ingrown hairs more likely? I thought that was part of the reason why multiblade razors made people get ingrowns-- that they cut at an angle and tapered hair is more likely to get trapped under the skin than hair cut bluntly. Never heard that associated with slants, though.. What gives?

The reason that cartridge razors cause ingrown hairs is the "lift and cut" that can only happen with a multi-blade cartridge. When the whisker is lifted up and then cut off, it recedes below the surface of the skin. That's where ingrown hairs come from.

A slant, on the other hand, is still a single blade. Even though the blade is twisted, so it slices through the whisker instead of chopping it off, it still just cuts your whiskers off at the skin level (instead of below it).

I have used a slant for the past 2 1/2 months, and I can say that it gives the best shaves I have ever experienced. And absolutely no ingrown hairs or red bumps.

Try one. Trust me, you will not be disappointed.

**BobS** · 05-01-2009, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by kingfisher

I never understood the "yank and cut" idea of a multiblade cartridge. If the first blade is actually a blade, how does it yank the hair instead of cutting it?

The blades are sharp, but not as sharp as the DE's. There are lots of degrees of sharpness beyone just being able to cut hair.

That said, the DE blades may actually pull the hair out a little too, but there is nothing behind it to cut at a level below the skin line.

**Hando** · 05-01-2009, 01:39 PM

if i remember right (mach 3) the blades are set at a different angle within the cartridge head and are actually designed to lift and cut.

the illusion is that your getting a close shave because the end of the hair is now below the skins surface, this also compensates for the slight distance that the cartridges blades are kept away from your skin in the name of comfort

marketing bollocks

**danek** · 05-01-2009, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by kingfisher

I never understood the "yank and cut" idea of a multiblade cartridge. If the first blade is actually a blade, how does it yank the hair instead of cutting it?

Mind you, I'm not an expert, but to my understanding: each of the 3,4,5? blades of the cartridge is at a slightly different angle in relation to the skin. The (I think steep, and probably dull) angle causes the first blade to not cut the hair cleanly, but instead grab it. As you continue to move the razor, it's pulling those grabbed hairs before the subsequent blades (at a more proper angle) can cut them off cleanly.

Sometimes it pulls them above the surface of the skin and allows the stubble to recess back below the skin. And, sometimes that first blade doesn't gently lift the hair, it rips the sucker right outta your face.