Merkur Slant Bar, Purchased on eBay

[mojocracker]

I just bought an older Merkur slant bar on eBay. I paid around what the new ones retail for ($40). I am wondering if I paid to much or just copped a nice collector/daily shaver.

This one comes with a velvet lined chrome case and two chrome blade boxes full of Wilkinson Sword Blades. Does anyone know the vintage or have comments about this particular set?

Having been DE shaving again for the last six months, currently with Gillette Slim Adj. on 9, I am eager to try the vaunted slant bar.

 

[Iakona]

If it's in reasonable condition then you probably got a pretty good deal. You don't see a lot of vintage merkurs (at least not compared to the gillettes)

 

[bladeruner]

Great razor. My daily shaver and I hope it works out for you. Now I'm on the lookout for an open comb slant like the one used here. http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=155335.

 

[Haiku]

Sounds like a real deal to me. Especially since it has a box.

Enjoy it in good health.

 

[DE Shaver]

It does sound like you received a good deal, box and all.

 

[mojocracker]

I will definitely post the results of my shaving experience with it and the feather and probably also one of the swords that it come with.

-=mojo

 

[mindpurge]

Just remember, using a slant is a whole new ballgame.

Increase your angle (razor handle almost parallel to the floor) when shaving your cheeks, and apply same angle to the rest. It slants are darn good, but a perfect shave is a perfect shave, on a gillette fatboy or a merkur slant... the quality is the same, it's just cool to try different things.

RESPECT THE BLADE with a slant.

 

[granty]

Slants are great, but I tried it with a Feather and it's just a bit too rough for me. I find Shark super chromes to be almost as sharp, but smoother.

 

[mojocracker]

I have used my vintage slant for about five shaves now and here some random obversations:

1. The blade angle is significantly more downward pointing than my Gillettes and Jagger DL. This means the handle must be held much closer to the face to compensate. I find the angle by starting with handle parallel to shaving surface then moving up to the point where you hear/feel it cutting.

When worked at the correct angle it cuts aggressively and smoothly.

(I think MindPurge meant to say "perpindicular to the floor".)

2. The slant seems to dull the blade much faster than my other razors. (SS, Slim Adjustable, Jagger DL) This could be because I was originally using more than the ideal angle per above. I get three with the Slant and 4-5 with the others. I am shaving with platinum feathers, btw.

3. Amazingly, I have had ZERO nicks with this supposed blood thirsty razor. I have nicked myself with all my other razors at one time or another. Perhaps it is because I am more careful with but I also think it is because the slant is very precise when used at the proper angle. When I noticed the blade angle difference and compensated for it my shaving angle I was more aggressive in my shaving.

4. Got a nice BBS this morning with three passes. WTG, ATG, XTG plus touch up under my damn jaw bone.

Finally if anyone knows which years Merkur packed the Slants in these chrome boxes, I would love to find out what vintage this unit is.

Also, I tried to post a pic but could make the client work, so I will when I do.

-=mojo

 

[mojocracker]

Here is a pic of my Merkur Slant Bar. Can anyone tell me its year of production? It has given me smooth nick free results so far!!

Also it came with some old Wilkinson Sword blades with diagnol stripes on the wrappers. Not sure if those are original equipment or not.

I should try one and see how it compares to the feather plats.

-=mojo

 

[noahpictures]

That's a good deal. Thanks for the pic.