Great shave Michael. After seeing this clip, I decided to liberate my Fine Slant from the 'sin bin' of disgraced razors for reassessment. I loaded it with a Nacet Stainless and lathered with a Stirling 26mm Synthetic and Tabac. I have to say that after following your tip to come in on a steeper handle angle, I REALLY enjoyed the last three shaves. It 'blade buffs' really nicely as well and you can vary the angle to 'titrate' the amount of bite over sensitive areas which is nice as well. Thanks again for these great reviews, Mike - keep up the good work !
+Mark O'Cain another razor saved from oblivion! Very glad to hear the Slant is giving you the shave you should be getting, rather than the shave you dread.
+Mark O'Cain another razor saved from oblivion! Very glad to hear the Slant is giving you the shave you should be getting, rather than the shave you dread.
Thanks. Enjoyed it. I need to check out some of these products. I've used the Captain's choice AS, but never tried the balm--well that and the razor and soap look interesting too.
very curious re: these pastes, thanks for this. i've gone through three synthetic brushes, they're not for me for regular use but i've decided on one for travel.
Thanks for taking the time to review the Meissner Tramonia. I picked up 3 samples of the paste, lavender, bay rum, and exotic elemie several months ago. I have found that it is really drying and I generally end up with lots of irritation for my 2nd pass. Do you think that the amount of loading is a factor? I've been pretty light on my loading but I generally get a fantastic lather.
+Mike Jansen these are actually pretty thirsty soaps, and you also need to make sure you are actually loading enough soap. As an experiment, try loading 25% more and then keep adding water until the lather is shiny and slick. I think you will find that the soap will work up an excellent lather if you give it what it needs.
I'll give it a try this Monday. I've only gotten samples so will transfer a portion to a lather bowl to attempt to load my brush that way. I've been loading kinda like it was a shave cream and adding some to my face then face lathering as usual. Thanks for taking the time to reply!
Thanks for your shaving tips and product demonstration. Just ordered an iKon X3 (which has gotten a lot of good feedback) and a RazoRock German 37 slant. The X3 head design seems very similar to the Fine (though includes scallops). No one seems to have an answer whether either of the scalloped bars on the X3 offer different (or substantial) shaving aggression, even though many say it's a forgiving slant razor. It just seems so odd that there are so, so many products available for the wet-shaving community, which (comparatively) has such a small market share.
+borbetomagus The X3 is similar to, but not the same as, the Fine. The blade angle is not there same, and the X3 has a much slimmer head, which I really liked. I agree, amazing how many new products are coming to market given how small overall the traditional wetshaving community really is... OR IS IT?
I will never understand why some people get so bent out of shape over objects made of plastic. In my opinion it's like anything else; some grades of plastic are more durable, flexible and/or better suited to certain tasks. In the case of this razor; it clearly well designed and constructed and using it should be no different than shaving a metal razor. I enjoyed the presentation. Thank you.
You are very welcome! The issue is clearly one of perceived value: surely a metal razor must be more durable and be more valuable than a plastic one. I understand the sentiment, but I do not agree with it, and I think people are missing out on a great razor if they assume (incorrectly) that a plastic razor will be flimsy and easily broken. Plastics are the future (grin)!
I agree on the brush. It's a little too floppy for my taste and feels odd at different angles. I'm a boar brush guy and they seem really different. Perfect for travel though because they dry so fast.
I find the angle a little tricky on my Fine slant, compared to a standard straight bar razor, and I find that the way the blade is torqued makes it easy to cut myself if I'm not careful. It feels aggressive to me (and I'm no stranger to aggressive razors), even though some say it's mild on the skin. I have an easier time shaving with my Fatip open combs, all though I've also been using those for months. I guess I'm just not used to the slant, it is my first slant after all.
+KingofWisdom this razor is aggressive in the sense that it rides right on the skin - there is no buffer between the blade and your skin. So, make sure you have a good slick lather and do not bear down when shaving. Also, do not force it, as the razor can in fact bite you if you exert to much pressure or the angle is off. Keep at it, you will soon find the groove and all will be well!
Hello Michael. I see you decided to shave by journey kit, but at home. Ready to vocation.?) I wonder where you like to go?) Very unusual blue color of sh.soap. Beciedes, many people, praise this razor, as efficient, comfortable, and simple to use.) For those who fit SLANT bar, even the normal price. It don't fit for me, so for me there is an option cheaper, better quality of metal.) Parker for example.
The soap is a very cool color, agreed! I do not know of a better option for a more durable metal slant, unless you buy something like the iKon X3 which is aluminum; most of the other less costly slants will all be zamak / pot metal to help keep the cost down. I do not believe there is a cheap middle ground, honestly, but I think the good slants are 100% worth the money.
I agree. For razor important thing is how it shaves. Because it has one function - to shave. If the razor shaves well, no matter how much it costs. Moreover, the quality is not bad.)) Thanks again.)
Now I have to say you confused me! The Himalayan Heights paste or Pots of milk? Any differences? Slickness? Cushion? I will go for the small pack 30ml to try it. I find both of them in Greece.
The Pots of Milk is a simple scent, but with excellent post shave qualities and of course top notch lather. Himalayan Heights has a bit of a salty scent to it and does not have the same post shave. Both are very good and if you can get samples of both, that is what I would do.
+two fast I think this is actually one of the hardest things for new wetshavers to understand, because everybody else apparently is getting an effortless BBS shave all the time. Not so... Learn when to stop, and you will be so much happier!
+De Shaver Mostly because it is a two for one: takes care of any irritation or razor burn, and can help with any small nicks or weepers. I will always try to take a balm so that I can take care of my skin (hotel soap, for example). If you are trying to travel light, take the alum and balm, skip the aftershave - works well for me!
It is ABS plastic, so I would expect it to last quite a while. As long as a brass Gillette? Maybe not, but long enough for me to enjoy for many years to come!
Awesome shave. I'm in complete agreement that the plastic amplifies a false image of stubble. That was a thoughtful mention. Thanks for posting.
Great shave Michael. After seeing this clip, I decided to liberate my Fine Slant from the 'sin bin' of disgraced razors for reassessment. I loaded it with a Nacet Stainless and lathered with a Stirling 26mm Synthetic and Tabac. I have to say that after following your tip to come in on a steeper handle angle, I REALLY enjoyed the last three shaves. It 'blade buffs' really nicely as well and you can vary the angle to 'titrate' the amount of bite over sensitive areas which is nice as well.
Thanks again for these great reviews, Mike - keep up the good work !
+Mark O'Cain another razor saved from oblivion!
Very glad to hear the Slant is giving you the shave you should be getting, rather than the shave you dread.
+Mark O'Cain another razor saved from oblivion!
Very glad to hear the Slant is giving you the shave you should be getting, rather than the shave you dread.
Great shave Sir! Very good tips and advice for shaving while travelling.
+Mohamed Peer glad to help!
Very very fresh svaving, Michael!
A good Fine slant Razor, mild, but good.
Ciao Michael e saluti al North Carolina!
See You soon
mauro
Ciao, hope you are doing well - enjoying the videos!
A Fine shave Michael F. interesting soap, yeah, the synth is a good choise on a trip. Kurt from Beatyfull Norway. :)
Great travel option, Kurt, on both fronts -- and yes, Norway is beautiful!
Thanks. Enjoyed it. I need to check out some of these products. I've used the Captain's choice AS, but never tried the balm--well that and the razor and soap look interesting too.
Nice shave Michael and a nice razor. Glad your face returned to its original luster. lol
+Brian B. Hey, work with what you've got!
very curious re: these pastes, thanks for this. i've gone through three synthetic brushes, they're not for me for regular use but i've decided on one for travel.
Thanks for taking the time to review the Meissner Tramonia. I picked up 3 samples of the paste, lavender, bay rum, and exotic elemie several months ago. I have found that it is really drying and I generally end up with lots of irritation for my 2nd pass. Do you think that the amount of loading is a factor? I've been pretty light on my loading but I generally get a fantastic lather.
+Mike Jansen these are actually pretty thirsty soaps, and you also need to make sure you are actually loading enough soap.
As an experiment, try loading 25% more and then keep adding water until the lather is shiny and slick. I think you will find that the soap will work up an excellent lather if you give it what it needs.
I'll give it a try this Monday. I've only gotten samples so will transfer a portion to a lather bowl to attempt to load my brush that way. I've been loading kinda like it was a shave cream and adding some to my face then face lathering as usual. Thanks for taking the time to reply!
Thanks for your shaving tips and product demonstration. Just ordered an iKon X3 (which has gotten a lot of good feedback) and a RazoRock German 37 slant. The X3 head design seems very similar to the Fine (though includes scallops). No one seems to have an answer whether either of the scalloped bars on the X3 offer different (or substantial) shaving aggression, even though many say it's a forgiving slant razor.
It just seems so odd that there are so, so many products available for the wet-shaving community, which (comparatively) has such a small market share.
+borbetomagus The X3 is similar to, but not the same as, the Fine. The blade angle is not there same, and the X3 has a much slimmer head, which I really liked.
I agree, amazing how many new products are coming to market given how small overall the traditional wetshaving community really is... OR IS IT?
I will never understand why some people get so bent out of shape over objects made of plastic. In my opinion it's like anything else; some grades of plastic are more durable, flexible and/or better suited to certain tasks. In the case of this razor; it clearly well designed and constructed and using it should be no different than shaving a metal razor. I enjoyed the presentation. Thank you.
You are very welcome! The issue is clearly one of perceived value: surely a metal razor must be more durable and be more valuable than a plastic one. I understand the sentiment, but I do not agree with it, and I think people are missing out on a great razor if they assume (incorrectly) that a plastic razor will be flimsy and easily broken.
Plastics are the future (grin)!
I agree on the brush. It's a little too floppy for my taste and feels odd at different angles. I'm a boar brush guy and they seem really different. Perfect for travel though because they dry so fast.
+Will Edmonson Boar remains my favorite, but I do also love my badger brushes, some of which are spectacular!
I find the angle a little tricky on my Fine slant, compared to a standard straight bar razor, and I find that the way the blade is torqued makes it easy to cut myself if I'm not careful. It feels aggressive to me (and I'm no stranger to aggressive razors), even though some say it's mild on the skin. I have an easier time shaving with my Fatip open combs, all though I've also been using those for months. I guess I'm just not used to the slant, it is my first slant after all.
+KingofWisdom this razor is aggressive in the sense that it rides right on the skin - there is no buffer between the blade and your skin. So, make sure you have a good slick lather and do not bear down when shaving. Also, do not force it, as the razor can in fact bite you if you exert to much pressure or the angle is off.
Keep at it, you will soon find the groove and all will be well!
Hello Michael. I see you decided to shave by journey kit, but at home. Ready to vocation.?) I wonder where you like to go?) Very unusual blue color of sh.soap. Beciedes, many people, praise this razor, as efficient, comfortable, and simple to use.) For those who fit SLANT bar, even the normal price. It don't fit for me, so for me there is an option cheaper, better quality of metal.) Parker for example.
The soap is a very cool color, agreed!
I do not know of a better option for a more durable metal slant, unless you buy something like the iKon X3 which is aluminum; most of the other less costly slants will all be zamak / pot metal to help keep the cost down. I do not believe there is a cheap middle ground, honestly, but I think the good slants are 100% worth the money.
I agree. For razor important thing is how it shaves. Because it has one function - to shave. If the razor shaves well, no matter how much it costs. Moreover, the quality is not bad.)) Thanks again.)
Now I have to say you confused me! The Himalayan Heights paste or Pots of milk? Any differences? Slickness? Cushion?
I will go for the small pack 30ml to try it. I find both of them in Greece.
The Pots of Milk is a simple scent, but with excellent post shave qualities and of course top notch lather. Himalayan Heights has a bit of a salty scent to it and does not have the same post shave. Both are very good and if you can get samples of both, that is what I would do.
A good shave is knowing when to stop :-)
+two fast I think this is actually one of the hardest things for new wetshavers to understand, because everybody else apparently is getting an effortless BBS shave all the time. Not so... Learn when to stop, and you will be so much happier!
How come you only use alum while traveling?
+De Shaver Mostly because it is a two for one: takes care of any irritation or razor burn, and can help with any small nicks or weepers. I will always try to take a balm so that I can take care of my skin (hotel soap, for example). If you are trying to travel light, take the alum and balm, skip the aftershave - works well for me!
why not use alum at home then?
how long do you think this razor will last...???
It is ABS plastic, so I would expect it to last quite a while. As long as a brass Gillette? Maybe not, but long enough for me to enjoy for many years to come!
Michael Freedberg thx. i have just bought it...