The wonderful Monday morning shave — thanks in part to the Fine slant
After taking the photo and just before starting the shave, I remembered that Barrister & Mann’s Reserve soaps do much better with synthetic knots (which is what he recommends), so instead of using the silvertip badger shown, I used a synthetic brush with the same general form factor: the RazoRock 400 (shown in this post). Using the synthetic knot, I got a very nice lather indeed.
I really love now the Fine aluminum slant. It’s a great razor — highly efficient and highly comfortable — if you follow two simple rules: 1. use light pressure (and the light weight of the razor is a good reminder); and 2. maintain a good blade angle (keep the handle far from your face and focus on making sure the cap is in (light) contact with your skin). If you do that, it’s a razor of the highest rank.
Three passes produced perfect smoothness with no problems at all, and a splash of Reserve Spice aftershave finished the job.
And the tempeh looks very good indeed. I think I’ve found the best approach.
Later On 
I have mixed feelings about light weight razors. I tend to favor normal weight or even heavy weight razors, as I believe a little weight can contribute to the stability of the razor, and to the effectiveness and closeness of the shave.
Michael, if the Fine Slant were available in the present lightweight aluminum version, and also in a heavier weight version, hypothetically which would you prefer?
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Steve Riehle
14 September 2020 at 11:23 am
I rather like lightweight razors if they shave well. In particular, with a razor that requires a light touch, I find the light weight an advantage. But tastes vary. In any event, this excellent razor comes only in aluminum.
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LeisureGuy
14 September 2020 at 11:51 am
By chance I also shaved with a slant razor today (ikon 102) and for the first time noticed that I was unconsciously adjusting my hand position to compensate for the slanted head. The razor was ‘levelled’ such that, with the handle hidden by my hand, to all appearances it was a conventional razor head and not operating like a ‘slanted’ head. Left me wondering if I was getting the benefit of a slant head at all. Will have to pay more attention next time.
As an aside, I am still playing “Leisureguy Bingo” by doing a post-shave comparison of my choice of razor/soap/splash and what appears on your blog that morning … 1 out of 3 today.
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Owen
14 September 2020 at 12:32 pm
My habit is to pull the razor in the direction of the handle, so my slants do act like slants. Using the handle to determine direction of pull was instinctive for me, since I pay more attention to the razor’s handle than its head (e.g., being sure the handle is held away from my face).
🙂 on the bingo. Let me know when you get 3 out of 3.
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LeisureGuy
14 September 2020 at 12:35 pm
“Pull the [slant] razor in the direction of the handle.” That says it all. Outstanding advice. And so simple!
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Steve Riehle
14 September 2020 at 1:45 pm
Still rocking my Fine ultra lite slant.
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Larry
14 September 2020 at 4:47 pm
I had that one and wish I had kept it now that I’ve mastered the aluminum model.
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LeisureGuy
14 September 2020 at 4:48 pm