Slants v. Regular safety bars

You can get good close shaves with straight bar, Slant and single edge. Suppose it depends on the quality of hardware you have.
Subjective I know
For me if I want a really close comfortable shave for a night out etc I will go for the Single Edge. For some reason It gives amazing performance and smooth shaves
Every time
The 1912 should be in every wet shavers arsenal as it can be had so cheaply and there are still a lot available on Ebay, Forums etc.

Just to back up what others had said, I used a Merkur 37c and an iKon DLC slant to take advantage of the blade torque to slice through longer stubble that my DEs had trouble with. Then I got a GEM and promptly sold my slant razors. Except for the fact that I hate the handle on my Damaskeene, it shaves just like how I had always hoped a slant razor would.

For the past month or so I've been shaving strictly with my slant head razor. I recently went back to my baby smooth just for some variety but when it was all said and done, I finished the shave off with my slant. I'm finding irritating and rough when I use a regular DE. I have an extremely course beard and the slant is just so efficient.

I'd like to hear any other thoughts on this and if anyone else has felt this way. Of course ymmv and I may just need to get used to my regular DE's again.


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I agree with the Mad Scientist of Wet Shaving when it comes to slants vs regular. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSzYPQEkOE0

However, there are some of us who really prefer slants, and I think our colleagues' explanation about blade stiffness makes sense. For me, the SE blades from Gem, which are thicker and will not flex at all, give me BBS results that lasts nearly 24 hours. If you like slants I agree that you should consider giving a vintage SE a go.

It's not hype for me. I find slants cut more smoothly and are more effective on my beard vs a straight bar. More comfortable, too.  Currently using the Merkur 37C. I've also tried Ikon slants, which I also like.

I started with a Parker 22R Long Handle, which is a normal safety bar.  It did the job, but eventually I picked an iKon Slant, the 1st gen, and, ya, with my course beard that things eats through it lol  Even using the same Shark SC blades that I used in the Parker, I have tried Feathers in the iKon as well but I find that to be way too aggressive for my skin :/  

The only SE razor I have tried is the Feather Artisan razor, and I couldn't get the hang of how to hold it so I set it aside.  I'm now looking to get a Mongoose, or a similar SE razor and see how that goes

you can get a vast array of SE's on ebay for next to nothing.

I started with a Parker 22R Long Handle, which is a normal safety bar.  It did the job, but eventually I picked an iKon Slant, the 1st gen, and, ya, with my course beard that things eats through it lol  Even using the same Shark SC blades that I used in the Parker, I have tried Feathers in the iKon as well but I find that to be way too aggressive for my skin :/  

The only SE razor I have tried is the Feather Artisan razor, and I couldn't get the hang of how to hold it so I set it aside.  I'm now looking to get a Mongoose, or a similar SE razor and see how that goes

Stiffnes seems like it could contribute to the issue. I'll try sticking with my Slim and baby smooth to see if it is just my technique.

The baby smooth does not sing at all which I associate with blade flex.  That being said, a single edge sounds intriguing.


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I would recommend picking up an SE.  They can be had very cheaply on the B/S/T's and they are great razors.  I'd give a Schick Injector or a Gem a go before dropping the coin for a Mongoose.  Sure the Mongoose is nice (and was my first SE) because of the material and finish etc. but honestly I get as good or better shaves from a Schick Injector I picked up for $5 at a local flea market.  Not to say I don't love my Mongoose but after jumping straight to the Mongoose I wish I had started with a good ol vintage SE.

Good advice, thanks, guys : I managed to find a good looking Gem on Ebay at cheap and the bid ends in less than 2 days, so hopefully that works out.  If it does I'll get some blades for it as well from Tryablade, since I need some DE blades anyway to try

PM me your address if you want a Schick Injector. I do not have blades for it but you can have it if you want.

I'd like to try the injector


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So this question comes as a newbie who has never used a slant. Can you re-create the shave of a slant by simply holding a straight bar at an angle and using straight strokes?
Thanks!
Chris

So this question comes as a newbie who has never used a slant. Can you re-create the shave of a slant by simply holding a straight bar at an angle and using straight strokes?
Thanks!
Chris

In theory, yes. But it still wouldn't provide the blade rigidity that a slant razor does due to the fact that a slant twists or torques the blade when installed.

So this question comes as a newbie who has never used a slant. Can you re-create the shave of a slant by simply holding a straight bar at an angle and using straight strokes?
Thanks!
Chris

In theory, yes. But it still wouldn't provide the blade rigidity that a slant razor does due to the fact that a slant twists or torques the blade when installed.

There's a technique that uses a similar approach called "The Gillette Slide". mantic59 Advanced Technique video covers it too.

Illustrated below:

[Image: gillette_slide.jpg]

I have tried a slant a few times. I couldn't distinguish any difference from a standard bar safety razor in the shaving experience or shave quality.