A Few days ago a new addition to my DE Safety razor collection arrived - the Merkur Barber Pole Slant Bar model 39C.
This morning I loaded her up with a new Feather Blade and took her for a test flight on my face and apprehensive noggin’The razor itself is solid and beautifully crafted, it’s odd shaped head has a bit of a twist to it and the edge of the razor is completely exposed at a decreasing angle or slant, which I suppose explains the name “Slant”
The razor feels heavier than my Merkur HD 12C and for safety razor there’s not much that looks particularly safe about it. Up close and personal the open gape of the razor looks like a ferocious set of jaws just waiting to do some damage. But rest assured, handled with respect and care the razor is a pussy cat.
I’ve been happy with my other two Merkur razors except for two issues - the shave is never as close and stubble free as I would like and clogging is a real problem, especially when you’re in a hurry. Neither of these are a problem whatsoever with the slant bar.I had my styptic pencil out, the new Feather blade in and started with my face, neck and then a full head shave. I escaped with one small nick. The best way I can describe the experience of using this razor is - love at first shave.
The razor does all the work, literally. I used zero pressure and short strokes and could feel the hairs being sliced off effortlessly with every small pass. My confidence with the razor grew pretty quickly but I kept in mind the potential for massive blood loss and moved along slow and easy.Without question this is the best shave I’ve ever gotten from a DE razor - period.
It makes mince meat of stubborn hairs and pulverizes stubble. You still need to stretch and pull the skin taught but that has to be part and parcel with getting the best shave out of any razor or shaver you use.As for clogging, it’s pretty much clog free. I used Billy Jealousy's Hydroplane which has silicone in it and a thick viscosity, so thick I don’t use it because it clogs so much with other razors.
I would go 3-4 full passes on each side before having to give the razor a swish in water to clean it out. It’s a great time saver. I referred to this razor in a previous post as looking like a drunk Merkur HD and yes, it’s big and hefty and a little more than odd looking. But it’s quite beautiful in it’s own right and it really does a spectacular job.
Post shave my scalp felt dry and taught but I’ve noticed this happens with the Feather blades because they’re so incredibly sharp - maybe too sharp
As for the Merkur slant, I’m glad I’ve had other razors to practice with so I could build up at least a little technique. As far as excellent, barber shop shaves go you’ll be hard pressed to beat this razor - I’ve read only a straight razor shaves closer.
Like so many things in life the Merkur slant may look a little scary, but in the light of the great shave you’ll get you’ll soon realize it’s anything but.
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