Thread: Merkur razors

What makes the 'slant bar' seem aggressive? Is the blade angled, similar to a slight angle of a straight razor?

I wish I could see these razors 'in person'......I could decide better.

BUT, this discussion is helping. There seems to be no commenting on the 'Progress' Merkur.

C utz

C utz,

I haven't used a slant, but from my time over at B&B, I think I understand...

Yes, the slant has a, well, slant to it, which makes it function on a downstroke similar to the way a straight does with the toe-leading stroke from the barber manuals. That makes it more aggressive.

But with DEs, there's another variable--the gap between the safety bar and the blade. More gap means a steeper angle to the blade, and a more aggressive stroke. It's like using your straight at a 35 or 40 degree angle instead of 25 to 30 degrees. (I'm making those numbers up to illustrate my point.)

This is fun to try to explain to the DE guys, because they have a harder time grasping blade angle than straight users do. A "gentle" DE has a low blade angle, like flattening out the angle on your straight. An aggressive one has a steeper angle.

A straight is like a Slant, Progress, Fatboy, Superspeed and Tech all in one. Plus you don't have to change the blades.

I do love my DEs, though...

Josh

Hmmm, interesting thread - I can see why you would ask this.

I have to admit it too, I have a DE and keep it for travelling and for the odd DE shave when I'm in a hurry or wake up late. I find the DE is not as close as my traditional straight, in fact I often get ingrowns from using it (this is my worst fear of shaving).

I have to say though, I wouldn't get anything other than a Merkur DE - they are more than good for their purpose. Even if you gave me an original, unopened Gillette DE (spit), I wouldn't touch it. I know they are the inventors of the DE, but I hate them for what they did to the world of shaving by introducing two, three, four, etc blades in their products. I will never buy anything Gillette (spit) as a result. Never ever ever!!

S-o-o, rum, how do you REALLY feel about
Gillette (haw-w-wk....spit.....fart!)?

Don't hold back, now, you're preachin' to the choir!


-whatever

-Lou

For our international brethren:

Preaching to the Choir : A quaint little Americanism referring to the making of an argument where your entire audience agrees with you; from the minister giving a sermon to the members of the choir, who are presumed to be pious individuals and not needing the preacher's exhortations, as opposed to the members of the congregation, who do.

O.K., rum, take it away!!!.....


-whatever

-Lou

Ok. Now you guys have me thinking (spit) that I'd be happier with the 'Progress' with it's angle being closer to that of a straight razor, despite the fact that the 'slant' has a slanted edge similar to that of a straight but with a larger angle (therefore agressive shave, or to me translates to more apt to burn-ala-Razor).


(spit...scratch my crotch...spit))
C utz

Being fairly new to straight razor shaving, I shave with a Merkur Futur DE for 2-3 days following my straight razor experience. I am very familiar with the Merkur and get a great shave out of it while my face heals. Then I'm ready for another whirl with the straight.

I really like the heavy handle.