Now that is interesting quick accurate review of a large range of slants. I have 3 slant razors and they all have different degrees of aggression and efficentcys. Yaki slant offers lots of blade exposure (aggressive), Razorock Wunderbar slant has some blade exposure, mid >upper mid range but still demands a light touch (stellar results)and the RR German 37 slant nice mid range and I enjoy all three razors. The Yaqi slant takes really good technique, I like to ride the bar with a short handle & the shaves can be stellar.One slant to rule them all? Your forum handle should be "Sauron Shaves."
Well, you woke me up so here goes:
The Rex Konsul being an adjustable slant could theoretically stand in for just about any other one except for maybe the Yaqi one. So there you go; $350 and it's yours.
I don't really have any horse in the race, but just by accident most of us who tilt started out with non-adjustable slants such as the Merkur 37, RazoRock German 37, Parker Semi-Slant, Phoenix Bakelite Open Comb Slant (PBOCS), PAA "Monster" series slants, or a whole range of vintage from a diversity of makers. I'll be straight up and say that we started with nonadjustables because that was all we had (unless we had a Walbusch B5 lying around...)
I have a feeling -- because I would feel this if it were me -- that if you go straight to the Konsul you will always wonder whether you've got The One or maybe just One Slant That Only Rules Some Of Them. On the other hand, going the usual route means that you'll have some slants that you like and others that don't please you, BUT you will eventually arrive at least in the neighbourhood of that which you seek.
I love my Konsul. I love it so much that I have to enforce a rotation of shaving one blade out in the Konsul (6 shaves) and then shaving a blade out in something else before going back to the Konsul. That said, I have managed to find some very, very nice slants both vintage and modern. Really the differences between them come down to connoisseur points but suffice to say that I could have stellar shaves for the rest of my life without the Konsul.
I'm one of those who always starts in the midrange somewhere. Then I'll go up or down as it seems needful, or as my technique evolves to "tame" a razor that had earlier shown a few teeth.
To me -- let me repeat that -- to me the RazoRock German 37, Parker SemiSlant or Merkur 37C or 39C (short and long handle) are all good midrange slants. None of them really make my cranky old heart go pitty-pat but they're good slants, I've used all of them and still have a couple in rotation.
The PAA Monster series tend to be rather mild right out of the box for me, but I know a trick worth two of that and shim the blade. Perfection. Also, the Monster series is the cheapest version of the classic highly-helical slant you'll see, and a very good version it is, too. Besides, if you have El Fantasma it glows in the dark so you can have endless joy using it as a Christmas decoration.
The Fatip Open Comb Slant (FOCS) is a bit of a dark horse coming up the outside. Fatip delayed getting into the slant market until just a few years ago and they've done an excellent job. Quality of fit may be hit or miss but don't let that stop you.
Let's try this: You got about a hundred and fifty bucks to play with? That should easily cover a FOCS, a Monster and a RazoRock G37. Again, I own all of those so I can say they shave similarly but there are nuances which may be of more importance in your context.
I'll say there are some really awful slants out there, copies of copies of designs that weren't all that and a sack of chips to start with. Most of them have the advantage of being pretty inexpensive, so if you're inclined you can have all sorts of fun trying to find the best bang for the buck on the low end.
There is now, or will be in a week, a new level in the slant game. RazoRock is releasing their new Superslant line next Friday. I am cautiously hopeful. So far they are releasing only SB slants but say they'll make OC plates in future. There are three levels of aggression, L1 to L3, and within each level there will be "micro-steps" to "split the gears" between levels. So for instance at the moment they only have five plates to put up: L1, L1++, L2, L2++ and L3. They will add more plates as time goes on.
I've asked for a comparison to some of their other razors and Michael told me that the L3 will likely come close to the Wunderbar with slightly less tendency to bite. This is due to close analysis of edge mechanics in a helical slant, and design work to address a flaw in edge presentation that they found. Frankly, I'll probably jump in at L2 and see where it goes. I suspect I'll want to amp it up but may wait for OC plates.
I'll be interested to hear how it goes for you!
O.H.
I'd like to buy 1 slant to rule them all!
What do you all suggest and why?
I currently rotate the Lupo 95 (SB and OC) and the Rex Ambassador.
I also have a Rockwell 6S that I like when I want less blade feel.
I appreciate your input
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www.badgerandblade.com
Fatip slant open comb with a perma sharp blade. You just don’t need anything elseOne slant to rule them all? Your forum handle should be "Sauron Shaves."
Well, you woke me up so here goes:
The Rex Konsul being an adjustable slant could theoretically stand in for just about any other one except for maybe the Yaqi one. So there you go; $350 and it's yours.
I don't really have any horse in the race, but just by accident most of us who tilt started out with non-adjustable slants such as the Merkur 37, RazoRock German 37, Parker Semi-Slant, Phoenix Bakelite Open Comb Slant (PBOCS), PAA "Monster" series slants, or a whole range of vintage from a diversity of makers. I'll be straight up and say that we started with nonadjustables because that was all we had (unless we had a Walbusch B5 lying around...)
I have a feeling -- because I would feel this if it were me -- that if you go straight to the Konsul you will always wonder whether you've got The One or maybe just One Slant That Only Rules Some Of Them. On the other hand, going the usual route means that you'll have some slants that you like and others that don't please you, BUT you will eventually arrive at least in the neighbourhood of that which you seek.
I love my Konsul. I love it so much that I have to enforce a rotation of shaving one blade out in the Konsul (6 shaves) and then shaving a blade out in something else before going back to the Konsul. That said, I have managed to find some very, very nice slants both vintage and modern. Really the differences between them come down to connoisseur points but suffice to say that I could have stellar shaves for the rest of my life without the Konsul.
I'm one of those who always starts in the midrange somewhere. Then I'll go up or down as it seems needful, or as my technique evolves to "tame" a razor that had earlier shown a few teeth.
To me -- let me repeat that -- to me the RazoRock German 37, Parker SemiSlant or Merkur 37C or 39C (short and long handle) are all good midrange slants. None of them really make my cranky old heart go pitty-pat but they're good slants, I've used all of them and still have a couple in rotation.
The PAA Monster series tend to be rather mild right out of the box for me, but I know a trick worth two of that and shim the blade. Perfection. Also, the Monster series is the cheapest version of the classic highly-helical slant you'll see, and a very good version it is, too. Besides, if you have El Fantasma it glows in the dark so you can have endless joy using it as a Christmas decoration.
The Fatip Open Comb Slant (FOCS) is a bit of a dark horse coming up the outside. Fatip delayed getting into the slant market until just a few years ago and they've done an excellent job. Quality of fit may be hit or miss but don't let that stop you.
Let's try this: You got about a hundred and fifty bucks to play with? That should easily cover a FOCS, a Monster and a RazoRock G37. Again, I own all of those so I can say they shave similarly but there are nuances which may be of more importance in your context.
I'll say there are some really awful slants out there, copies of copies of designs that weren't all that and a sack of chips to start with. Most of them have the advantage of being pretty inexpensive, so if you're inclined you can have all sorts of fun trying to find the best bang for the buck on the low end.
There is now, or will be in a week, a new level in the slant game. RazoRock is releasing their new Superslant line next Friday. I am cautiously hopeful. So far they are releasing only SB slants but say they'll make OC plates in future. There are three levels of aggression, L1 to L3, and within each level there will be "micro-steps" to "split the gears" between levels. So for instance at the moment they only have five plates to put up: L1, L1++, L2, L2++ and L3. They will add more plates as time goes on.
I've asked for a comparison to some of their other razors and Michael told me that the L3 will likely come close to the Wunderbar with slightly less tendency to bite. This is due to close analysis of edge mechanics in a helical slant, and design work to address a flaw in edge presentation that they found. Frankly, I'll probably jump in at L2 and see where it goes. I suspect I'll want to amp it up but may wait for OC plates.
I'll be interested to hear how it goes for you!
O.H.
Me too.. . It's right at the top of my razors, along with a couple others. It's a lovely shave.I love my ATT X1/Timeless Ti Crown combo.
A Correction: Even though the link on the razor page, at Italian Barber now says: "View Product" when it showed "Sold Out" until noon today, the Wunderbar has not been restocked. When you actually click on "View Product" that still shows "Sold Out".
This was wildly helpful. While I am currently trying to hunt down a Wolfman Ti, the Rex Konsul has had my eye for some time.One slant to rule them all? Your forum handle should be "Sauron Shaves."
Well, you woke me up so here goes:
The Rex Konsul being an adjustable slant could theoretically stand in for just about any other one except for maybe the Yaqi one. So there you go; $350 and it's yours.
I don't really have any horse in the race, but just by accident most of us who tilt started out with non-adjustable slants such as the Merkur 37, RazoRock German 37, Parker Semi-Slant, Phoenix Bakelite Open Comb Slant (PBOCS), PAA "Monster" series slants, or a whole range of vintage from a diversity of makers. I'll be straight up and say that we started with nonadjustables because that was all we had (unless we had a Walbusch B5 lying around...)
I have a feeling -- because I would feel this if it were me -- that if you go straight to the Konsul you will always wonder whether you've got The One or maybe just One Slant That Only Rules Some Of Them. On the other hand, going the usual route means that you'll have some slants that you like and others that don't please you, BUT you will eventually arrive at least in the neighbourhood of that which you seek.
I love my Konsul. I love it so much that I have to enforce a rotation of shaving one blade out in the Konsul (6 shaves) and then shaving a blade out in something else before going back to the Konsul. That said, I have managed to find some very, very nice slants both vintage and modern. Really the differences between them come down to connoisseur points but suffice to say that I could have stellar shaves for the rest of my life without the Konsul.
I'm one of those who always starts in the midrange somewhere. Then I'll go up or down as it seems needful, or as my technique evolves to "tame" a razor that had earlier shown a few teeth.
To me -- let me repeat that -- to me the RazoRock German 37, Parker SemiSlant or Merkur 37C or 39C (short and long handle) are all good midrange slants. None of them really make my cranky old heart go pitty-pat but they're good slants, I've used all of them and still have a couple in rotation.
The PAA Monster series tend to be rather mild right out of the box for me, but I know a trick worth two of that and shim the blade. Perfection. Also, the Monster series is the cheapest version of the classic highly-helical slant you'll see, and a very good version it is, too. Besides, if you have El Fantasma it glows in the dark so you can have endless joy using it as a Christmas decoration.
The Fatip Open Comb Slant (FOCS) is a bit of a dark horse coming up the outside. Fatip delayed getting into the slant market until just a few years ago and they've done an excellent job. Quality of fit may be hit or miss but don't let that stop you.
Let's try this: You got about a hundred and fifty bucks to play with? That should easily cover a FOCS, a Monster and a RazoRock G37. Again, I own all of those so I can say they shave similarly but there are nuances which may be of more importance in your context.
I'll say there are some really awful slants out there, copies of copies of designs that weren't all that and a sack of chips to start with. Most of them have the advantage of being pretty inexpensive, so if you're inclined you can have all sorts of fun trying to find the best bang for the buck on the low end.
There is now, or will be in a week, a new level in the slant game. RazoRock is releasing their new Superslant line next Friday. I am cautiously hopeful. So far they are releasing only SB slants but say they'll make OC plates in future. There are three levels of aggression, L1 to L3, and within each level there will be "micro-steps" to "split the gears" between levels. So for instance at the moment they only have five plates to put up: L1, L1++, L2, L2++ and L3. They will add more plates as time goes on.
I've asked for a comparison to some of their other razors and Michael told me that the L3 will likely come close to the Wunderbar with slightly less tendency to bite. This is due to close analysis of edge mechanics in a helical slant, and design work to address a flaw in edge presentation that they found. Frankly, I'll probably jump in at L2 and see where it goes. I suspect I'll want to amp it up but may wait for OC plates.
I'll be interested to hear how it goes for you!
O.H.
