Merkur Slant HD vs. barberpole slant

**meglad** · 05-01-2009, 08:41 PM

Ok, you slant lovers are wetting my appetite for a slant. The question is which one. How do they shave differently? I love my HD, like the size and the way it shaves with a RI personaa blade. Also shave with a futur usually on a 2 setting. How much closer and cleaner wiill a slant shave? I have a progress in the mail so RAD is at a high fever. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

**andy hopper** · 05-01-2009, 10:35 PM

Ok, here we go.. I own a Merkur Progress, Futur, Slant HD(short handle) and new Slant Barber Pole(long handle). I have just started a rotation with them last week. I'm using Gillette 7 o'clock SharpEdge, Astra Platinum and Irdium Super blades.

I must first say that this is subjective and my personal opinion. I find all the Merkurs fine products. I personally like the long handles. I shave the back of my neck and find the long handle gets the job done. I had my progress turned into a long handle Mergress! Yes I will have to buy the new Long Handle Progress too(RAD).

So far I have found that the Slants shave very very close. I was shocked by the deference. Its like doing the Gillette Slide move all the time!!! I did not fine them overly aggressive or hard to handle. My side burn cut is easy and so is under my nose. You just have to hold the handle a little off center for a horizontal line. Blades do Matter....

**DunEdinRanger** · 05-02-2009, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by meglad

Ok, you slant lovers are wetting my appetite for a slant. The question is which one. How do they shave differently? I love my HD, like the size and the way it shaves with a RI personaa blade. Also shave with a futur usually on a 2 setting. How much closer and cleaner wiill a slant shave? I have a progress in the mail so RAD is at a high fever. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

In order to get a shave as close as the Slant, I had to set my Futur to 6.

I have a Slant HD and a Barber Pole Slant, and I feel the Barber Pole is a better razor since the added weight means absolutely no pressure, and I find it shaves quicker than the HD.

**Brodirt** · 05-02-2009, 08:17 PM

Slant w/feather...nothing is closer. YMMV indubitably.

**New2DEShaving_Montreal** · 05-02-2009, 08:24 PM

Barberpole is amazing...try it if you have thick whiskers or if you skip a day. Great shaves.

**Gafer** · 05-03-2009, 07:08 PM

It's subjective. I have an HD Slant and a Vintage Slant that is really light weight. I hold both of them near their balance points so a longer handle would just get in my way. If you like an HD then I'd get the HD slant not the barber pole.