Skip to content

The Parker 55SL Semi-Slant Razor

Listen to this article

Parker has just launched their 55SL “Semi-Slant” razor.  They sent me a pre-launch sample a few weeks ago to use.  Is it a “kinder, gentler” slant bar razor?

Slant Bar Razors

Note: Super Safety Razor, Geni.us, and Amazon links are affiliate.  I was involved with the testing process of the razor head late in the project.

Slant bar razors are a niche’ within a niche’ in the wet shaving community.  Interest in them seems to wax and wane, with different models in the market appearing then disappearing, though a few like the Merkur 37/Merkur 39 soldier on.

A slant razor’s engineering is designed to make them cut hair from an angle instead of straight-on (think of a snow plow’s blade moving snow)–the idea being it’s a more “efficient” cut.  The efficiency can be somewhat (though not as reliably) replicated with a shave stroke technique I’ve called “The Gillette Slide.”

Slants generally have a reputation as “aggressive” razors, though.  My first experience with a slant years ago was a bloody affair….

Parker 55SL Semi Slant Razor

From the Super Safety Razors website:

The Parker “Semi-Slant” double edge safety razor has the advantages of a slant razor (more cutting surface on each whisker due to the blade angle) without the aggressiveness and dramatic blade exposure associated with other slant razors. It delivers an incredibly close and comfortable shave.

Parker’s Semi Slant is milder than the typical slant, thus the reason we called it the “Semi-Slant”. However, the blade angle is still torqued so that it will cut the hair at an angle instead of straight on, resulting in very efficient shave.

The advantage of a slanted blade angle is that it cuts more precisely than a straight on motion that most other razor designs employ. Since slant razors cut beard growth more efficiently, they are great for those with thicker and more coarse hair. This advantage is also felt for those with sensitive skin since the cutting action is gentler on the skin. We recommended using very little pressure when shaving with our Semi-Slant for excellent results.

Razor Type: Three-Piece Slant Head Safety Razor

Weight: 2.9 oz.

Length: 4 in.

There are three handles available: a Satin/Chrome handle, a Graphite handle, and a Rosegold handle.  They share the same head (Zamak).

My Experience With The Parker Semi-Slant

I popped in a Parker blade (coincidentally I find Parker blades pretty smooth and “forgiving” and they’ve become my go-to blade, particularly when I’m testing a new-to-me razor), lathered up with a cream I knew had excellent cushioning characteristics for me (OneBlade’s “Black Tie” shave cream)–just in case, you dig?–and gave it a few tentative strokes.

Right off I noticed it was noticeably milder-feeling than other slant bar razors I’ve used.  There is still some blade feel and a decent amount of feedback but not overly-so.

I always had to be careful when it came to slant’s, using a very light touch and very focused attention, but I became more confident with this razor quite quickly.  It still definitely has the characteristics of a slant–it seemed to cut “efficiently,” with less cutting force required like other slant bar razors–but without the typical slant aggressiveness.

My follow-up shaves with different combinations of creams, soaps, and blades were all excellent: smooth and efficient without being overly-aggressive.  I prefer milder razors generally and the Parker 55SL “Semi Slant” quickly became my favorite slant razor and I have found myself turning to it in my regular rotation of double edge razors I use.

Conclusion

I like to call the Parker 55SL Semi Slant Razor a “kinder, gentler” slant bar razor. It’s definitely milder than other slants I’ve used, with less torque and blade exposure, but still very “slant-ish” (if that’s a word). If you’ve been wanting to try a slant bar razor but were leery of their aggressiveness, this razor just might be your ticket.

Do you have a Parker Semi Slant?  What do you think of it?  Leave a comment below!

Author

Shave tutor and co-founder of sharpologist. Also check out my content on Youtube, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!View Author posts

8 thoughts on “The Parker 55SL Semi-Slant Razor”

  1. I have used several slant razors (Merkur 37C, the Fine aluminum slant, and the Krect Shave slant from the mid 1930’s) and I have found all of them to be pleasant. I’ve never found one to be hazardous to my face. My first slant was the Merkur 37C, and I found it to be only slightly more aggressive than the benchmark medium aggression razor, the Merkur 34C HD. I think the slant razor is a good concept. It’s a little surprising they have not been more popular over the decades, especially with us who have tough whiskers.

  2. Ok all, I have one and though I have only shaved with it once, I like it.
    It’s handel has a great grip, the blade fits well and the shave is very very good. I have a few slants, this one holds its own well. Will be using this in the next week for about a week or so. If first impression mean anything, it’s a winner here.
    tp

    1. Well, well…..
      Using the Parker 55SL semi slant for almost 2 weeks, I’m glad I found this razor. I used either Feather or Kai blades, like any other slant I’ve used, this razor makes these two blades work better for me. The razor does not have the blade feel like some slants, but does a nice job on the whiskers. Using two new blades per shave, one for the face and one for the head, shaving both my face and my head daily, using this razor makes it a joy.
      Thanks for the heads up on this razor.
      TP

  3. It’s going on my shopping list. I just used the Razorock German 37 the other day with an Astra green and got a super good shave. I like slants.

  4. I’ve had very good luck with the Parker Variant, so I think I’ll give this a try as well. Parker seems to manage making well made razors that wouldn’t be a disaster to lose, so I’m not afraid to take them on trips.

    I’ve never tried Parker blades before, but at the moment at least they seem to be shipping some with the razor if I use your link, so I’ll give em a try as well.

  5. Very interesting. It’s hard to imagine a slant that’s gentler than the iKon Shavecraft 102 or X3, but I’m certainly intrigued—and the Parker costs less. I placed an order (through the affiliate link) and am eager to try it

    FWIW, I have certainly found some slants eager to nick, but quite a few are for me very comfortable and unlikely to nick—besides the two mentioned above, the Merkur slants (37, 39, and white bakelite vintage), the German 37 clone by RazoRock, the S1 from Above the Tie, the RazoRock Stealth, and the Fine’s aluminum slant are all quite pleasant for a shave.

  6. oh my….
    I like what you call ” the other slants” but it looks like I might be getting one of these.
    The price looks right and the company has a good reputation.
    Being more “mild” so to speak is not a plus in my book but, others might want to try one
    that use super speed type razors. I can’t recommend something that I haven’t used.
    So in the cart it goes!!
    thanks
    tp

Comments are closed.