Thread: Slant vs adjustables

What are the differences between the two? Which one is more aggressive? What are the best models of slant razors? I know that only Merkur produces adjustables these days.

The difference is that the adjustable can be far more aggressive depending on the setting. That is from using a Gillette Fat Boy set at 9 and a Merkur 37C slant both with feather blades.

The Merkur slant is in no way the blood letting instrument some make it out to be IF you know how to shave with a DE. A beginner DE shaver can hack themselves up with virtually any DE.

Could not tell you what the "best" slant is having only used the Merkur one. I can only say that the Merkur slant is a very competent shaver that is on the aggressive side but not overly so.

Bob

What Bob said is spot on. I've been collecting various slants for 7 years and, having shaved with a bunch of them, I think Merkur is the best of the bunch. Amazing how nuances of head design can effect the feel and results of the shave. Not that some of the other named, and no named, slants aren't good. They are, but AFAIC, the Merkur design is the best for a combination of aggressiveness, without being too much so, and efficiency in getting the job done. Of course YMMV kicks in, and someone else may prefer an Apollo or a Ben-Hur ....... if they can find one.

I too agree with Bob's post. Both the fatboy and Merkur 37C are good, aggressive shavers. I seldom go past 7 on the fatboy (depends on blade--I like yellow 7 o'clocks); thus I find the Merkur 37C maybe a tad more aggressive than that setting with that blade (YMMV). If I use Feather blades, then I dial the fatboy to 6 and the Merkur while more aggressive, is still a good shave.

Gents:

I never use slants and I been in this for long time. But I do have for example a vision and progress used for me in the most opening setting that to me gives me the most comfortable shaves ever.
Try one of those and you will see.
thanks
Ken

I just got a Lutz slant that has two aggressions and the more aggressive side is for sure more aggressive than a Gillette slim set on 9

I like your first question, alex, that is what im curious about. What is the difference? Agressiveness seems to be more dependant on the technique, prep and blade, IMHO, but what about the defining key features that sets them apart? In other words, besides an adjustable being able to, well, adjust, :P what else separately defines each one?

I only have an antique gillette adjustable as a reference, so my opinions on what is best is more or less negligible

Originally Posted by Ruppert

I like your first question, alex, that is what im curious about. What is the difference? Agressiveness seems to be more dependant on the technique, prep and blade, IMHO, but what about the defining key features that sets them apart? In other words, besides an adjustable being able to, well, adjust, :P what else separately defines each one?

I only have an antique gillette adjustable as a reference, so my opinions on what is best is more or less negligible

This is a probably feeble attempt to describe the unique quality of the slant design. Years ago what we call the slant head razor was called the "twisted head" razor by collectors of DEs. The bottom plate and the top cap are 'twisted' in a way that causes the blade, conforming to the twisted head, to slice the whiskers rather than run into them head on in a more or less shearing effect. To do that with your adjustable you would do the "Gillette Slide." Google it, there are too many articles to link to any specific one.

I've shaved with many slants, from different manufacturers, and some are aggressive, others are mild, and still others are in between. Personally I think the Merkur has the perfect level of aggressiveness. Some may prefer more or less, but for me, it is just right.

Originally Posted by Ruppert

I like your first question, alex, that is what im curious about. What is the difference? Agressiveness seems to be more dependant on the technique, prep and blade, IMHO, but what about the defining key features that sets them apart? In other words, besides an adjustable being able to, well, adjust, :P what else separately defines each one?

I only have an antique gillette adjustable as a reference, so my opinions on what is best is more or less negligible

The basic aggressiveness of a DE is a function of the design of the head but you can also add or subtract from that native aggressiveness by using milder or sharper DE blades. With an adjustable DE you can alter the aggressiveness of the head by changing the dial setting. Easy to prove with a Gillette adjustable. Set it @1 do a shave. Next time with the same blade in set it @ 9. Then tell me which setting feels more aggressive.

Here is a photo of a slant and you should be able to see the twist in the head compared to what a regular DE or Adjustable DE looks like.



Bob

Hmm, i see what you guys are talking about now, thanks for the info. Interestingly enough, the gillette slide is exactly how I use my DE, didnt know that was a special technique, lol. Only way i can cut my wiskers without scraping my face off.
Man, do I know the difference between the settings. 1 more or less glides across my beard, and i end up nicking myself more cause I press harder just to feel some type of action, whereas 7 with even a derby damn near makes my skin bracer drop me to the floor. Haven't been daring enough to go any higher, as you would imagine...
So i guess the choice of razor is, as everyone else says, simply up to preference, technique and personal skin/beard type. You can make one do the same as the other with enough practice. Or as my uncle says: with enough technique, a crescent wrench is the only tool you need... well, that and duct tape