slant bar blade life

A

average gimp

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Jun 5, 2009
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I got a Merkur slant bar for Christmas. I just couldn't ignore the siren calls of 1-pass shaving from other reviewers, not that it's turned out that way for me. Problem: regardless of what blades I put in it (Merkur, Bic, Dorco), the blades seem to wear out faster.

Usually I get 4 good shaves--around a beard--out of a blade, with dragging and discomfort on the last shave. With the slant bar, every blade starts crapping out on the second or third shave. I've been using a DE for over 6 months, so unless I've had a silent stroke that damaged the shaving center of the brain, my technique ought to be OK.

So have I gone suddenly stupid, or is there something about a slant bar that wears out blades faster?
 
I have been using a slant bar for several years. I haven't noticed blade life being any shorter than with other razors.

The only difference I notice is that I have to hold it at a different angle than a regular Merkur razor and that it takes less time to shave with it.

Merkur's own blades don't work well for me in the slant bar but Feather Blades give me the closest shave I have ever had when used in the slant bar.

I don't really keep track of how many shaves I get out of a blade. I change them when they drag. I have an extremely heavy beard and if I don't wet it thoroughly it will dull even a new blade rapidly.

Better soaps seem to help blade life. Proraso is fine, Taylor of Old Bond Street and Truefitt and Hill even better.
 
Thanks for the input. I failed to mention that I alternate edges each day--the second shave on a blade should be as good as the first, but that hasn't proven to be the case (I shake off the razor and stand it upright, so water shouldn't be an issue). This is my first Merkur razor so I can't comment on the angle difference. It seems to take as much time as the Feather and Gillette razors I used before.

I don't use soap as I need to see my beard edge, so I use Shave Secret. It may not be up to the task, but anything with lather won't work for me.
 
The easy answer is to shave off the beard. Barring that, maybe try some different blades. I haven't had much luck with Dorco blades, but the Derby blades work great for me. Bics work well for me, but the first shave is kind of rough. Wal-Mart Wilkinson Sword blades work well for me but any blade I use in my Merkur Slant only lasts 3-4 shaves.
At 10 dollars for 100 blades, Derby gives me good enough economy that I won't worry about it.
 
Jaymo said:
The easy answer is to shave off the beard. Barring that, maybe try some different blades. I haven't had much luck with Dorco blades, but the Derby blades work great for me. Bics work well for me, but the first shave is kind of rough. Wal-Mart Wilkinson Sword blades work well for me but any blade I use in my Merkur Slant only lasts 3-4 shaves.
At 10 dollars for 100 blades, Derby gives me good enough economy that I won't worry about it.
Click to expand...

Beardless is a no-go. I look like hell with it and even worse without; besides, it takes too long to shave that area. Have tried switching blades and even tried a cleanser that's supposed to reduce razor bumps, but so far, no luck.

Am going to give the slant-bar a rest and see if things improve. Thanks to all for input!
 
I have never gotten a one pass shave from any razor/blade combination, including slants, straights, single edge or various Gillette DE razors.

Do you prefer the shave you get from the slant to your previous razor? If so, the cost of blades is minimal (.08 to .20 if you buy in bulk), so shouldn't be much of a factor. If you don't prefer the shave, switch back to your old razor.
 
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