- Messages
- 164
- Location
- Monterey Bay, California
The Iron Law of Shaving: Nothing in shaving works for everyone. It seems evident that's because we ourselves vary so much. ("The fault ... is not in our stars, but in ourselves.") Take razor blades, for example. Any given brand will work very well for some and very poorly for others. (That, of course, varies by razor as well as person: it's a three-element system—person, razor, blade—and if you change one (or more) of the elements, the system can go from working well to working poorly.)
That's well-known, and I even did some polls a few years back to verify that oddity. But here's another oddity: some men cannot detect any differences between different brands of blades, while to others the differences are obvious, so much so that a man may avoid a certain brand of blade and love another brand. (Naturally enough, each type (can detect, cannot detect) has to overcome incredulity to accept the other's experience as real and as valid as his own experience. Fortunately we have learned that the same holds for food: even a perfectly delicious food like fried liver will be found distasteful by some—inexplicable, but true.
Slants are like that: some men notice a big improvement when they find a slant that works for them. (Naturally enough, a given razor will not work for everyone: see opening statement. I have infact encountered some slants I just couldn't use, while my best slants are at least the equal of any conventional razor I have.)
As an example of a slant working for someone, I just got this email from Eddie of Australia:
(It's worth noting that Eddie has 8 years experience as a DE shaver, and thus knows about light pressure. When using a slant, the key three requirements are: a) Use very light pressure—lighter than that; b) try 3-4 brands of blade—the brand best in your conventional razor may not work in a slant, and a brand that doesn't work in your regular razor may be terrific in a slant; and c) Experiment judiciously to find the optimal shaving angle—some slants just won't shave if the angle's off.)
But, just as with brands of blades, some experience no difference between shaving with a slant and shaving with a conventional razor.
Okay: we have now arrived at The Point. (Only) if you have tried a slant razor—and followed the three injunctions above (light pressure, blade sampler, explore angle)—did you find the slant better than a conventional razor? worse than a conventional razor? or were you unable to tell any difference?
In other words, I want to hear from men who have given a slant a fair trial. Seems fair.
Obviously comments are welcome, but I think it will work best if each describes his own experience (which he well knows), while keeping in mind that men vary a lot, and what works for one may not work for another, and vice versa.
That's well-known, and I even did some polls a few years back to verify that oddity. But here's another oddity: some men cannot detect any differences between different brands of blades, while to others the differences are obvious, so much so that a man may avoid a certain brand of blade and love another brand. (Naturally enough, each type (can detect, cannot detect) has to overcome incredulity to accept the other's experience as real and as valid as his own experience. Fortunately we have learned that the same holds for food: even a perfectly delicious food like fried liver will be found distasteful by some—inexplicable, but true.
Slants are like that: some men notice a big improvement when they find a slant that works for them. (Naturally enough, a given razor will not work for everyone: see opening statement. I have infact encountered some slants I just couldn't use, while my best slants are at least the equal of any conventional razor I have.)
As an example of a slant working for someone, I just got this email from Eddie of Australia:
Today I finally received my slant X3 head from iKon Razors!
What is my first impression you ask? WOW, WOW WOW!!! Why didn't I try a slant razor years ago!!??? I used a new Polisilver Super Iridium blade with a short Weber handle which I had lying around and it cut so very comfortably and so smooth!! I'm very happy with my purchase and I'd be recommending it to my close friend who also shaves with a standard DE!
I want to thank you for your recommendations as I have been very happy with your opinion and advice!
I've been DE shaving now for at least 8 years (thanks to you) and this was my very first slant experience! No nicks, no cuts, just a great shave!! That says a lot because my skin is very sensitive and I had no problems at all shaving with it and no razor burn or anything!!!
I used light to no pressure and it came very naturally to me! I guess shaving with a DE all this years has helped master technique?! You're right, the slant “slices†the hairs away and I could hear the slicing.
I shouldn't have listened to those nay-sayers “Don't use a DE because it's too harsh for sensitive skinâ€!
It shaved as smooth as butter!!
What is my first impression you ask? WOW, WOW WOW!!! Why didn't I try a slant razor years ago!!??? I used a new Polisilver Super Iridium blade with a short Weber handle which I had lying around and it cut so very comfortably and so smooth!! I'm very happy with my purchase and I'd be recommending it to my close friend who also shaves with a standard DE!
I want to thank you for your recommendations as I have been very happy with your opinion and advice!
I've been DE shaving now for at least 8 years (thanks to you) and this was my very first slant experience! No nicks, no cuts, just a great shave!! That says a lot because my skin is very sensitive and I had no problems at all shaving with it and no razor burn or anything!!!
I used light to no pressure and it came very naturally to me! I guess shaving with a DE all this years has helped master technique?! You're right, the slant “slices†the hairs away and I could hear the slicing.
I shouldn't have listened to those nay-sayers “Don't use a DE because it's too harsh for sensitive skinâ€!
It shaved as smooth as butter!!
(It's worth noting that Eddie has 8 years experience as a DE shaver, and thus knows about light pressure. When using a slant, the key three requirements are: a) Use very light pressure—lighter than that; b) try 3-4 brands of blade—the brand best in your conventional razor may not work in a slant, and a brand that doesn't work in your regular razor may be terrific in a slant; and c) Experiment judiciously to find the optimal shaving angle—some slants just won't shave if the angle's off.)
But, just as with brands of blades, some experience no difference between shaving with a slant and shaving with a conventional razor.
Okay: we have now arrived at The Point. (Only) if you have tried a slant razor—and followed the three injunctions above (light pressure, blade sampler, explore angle)—did you find the slant better than a conventional razor? worse than a conventional razor? or were you unable to tell any difference?
In other words, I want to hear from men who have given a slant a fair trial. Seems fair.
Obviously comments are welcome, but I think it will work best if each describes his own experience (which he well knows), while keeping in mind that men vary a lot, and what works for one may not work for another, and vice versa.