Upgrading razors

You should try to get involved with pass arounds.  Its a great no risk way to try out new razors and then you can make an informed decision whether to buy it or not.

I'd stick with your razors for a bit longer. It could be worth it going to a heavier material. I found that overall I really like stainless steel a lot, and the added heft. Might just be added heft, and testing that with some chrome plated brass razors. I went from a Gillette Tech after a few months to a Muhle R89 for a few years, and then a Feather AS-D2 and found the step up to stainless steel was quite nice. Frankly if I shaved everyday still I probably wouldn't have wanted to move away from it. I've found some other razors that work well in certain situations. Sometimes perception adds a lot to the shave, but technique always reigns supreme. My Sterling HA demands full attention, and I will get harshness if I am careless, but for those times when I haven't shaved for 2 weeks it's just what I need. Something about the heft or material I like better. My Mergress can cut through the hair too, but not as nicely as the Sterling HA. Easier to clean the Mergress out though, and I can dial the razor down after my first pass unlike my HA. I'm doing better with using it for a second pass, but I've had to reach for a much less aggressive razor for some time.

It might do you good to explore open comb and slant razors even. I've found with time what works for me, and what works for me very well might not work best for you. Using the BST to score some cheap razors after some time can be a great way to broaden your horizons for a cheaper price. Get a little Barbicide and you can disinfect the razors easily.

How does the straight vs slant razor experience compare? I’m a daily shaver, I’ve read the slant is good for heavier facial hair.

It's quite similar I would say. I've noticed the past few times I've used it I add j-hooking motions to it for some reason which I've never done in the past. Not heavy, but more than what I have done in the past. They are indeed excellent with heavier facial hair. The twist does add stability to the blade. Most of what I have are on the more aggressive side, and wouldn't want to use them daily, but it is nice change of pace.

To help my own case a little bit. I have both a Rex Ambassador and Envoy for sale on the BST. The Envoy is on the mild side, too mild for my liking. The Ambassador I do like and only reason I am selling it is I have 2 of them right now. That razor is a great performer, my criteria is if you run an adjustable full blast and it is not too much then it is not good enough. That is one of the few that are. It certainly is a solid razor, well built and can hang with the heavy hitters when opened up enough.

With that said I can't honestly say if they are better than the razors the O.P. is mentioning since I've never used either.

I'd stick with your razors for a bit longer. It could be worth it going to a heavier material. I found that overall I really like stainless steel a lot, and the added heft. Might just be added heft, and testing that with some chrome plated brass razors. I went from a Gillette Tech after a few months to a Muhle R89 for a few years, and then a Feather AS-D2 and found the step up to stainless steel was quite nice. Frankly if I shaved everyday still I probably wouldn't have wanted to move away from it. I've found some other razors that work well in certain situations. Sometimes perception adds a lot to the shave, but technique always reigns supreme. My Sterling HA demands full attention, and I will get harshness if I am careless, but for those times when I haven't shaved for 2 weeks it's just what I need. Something about the heft or material I like better. My Mergress can cut through the hair too, but not as nicely as the Sterling HA. Easier to clean the Mergress out though, and I can dial the razor down after my first pass unlike my HA. I'm doing better with using it for a second pass, but I've had to reach for a much less aggressive razor for some time.

It might do you good to explore open comb and slant razors even. I've found with time what works for me, and what works for me very well might not work best for you. Using the BST to score some cheap razors after some time can be a great way to broaden your horizons for a cheaper price. Get a little Barbicide and you can disinfect the razors easily.

How does the straight vs slant razor experience compare? I’m a daily shaver, I’ve read the slant is good for heavier facial hair.

Slants in my experience are a gimmick. Torsioning a blade makes it less effective so it feels less harsh. You can get the same result with a milder razor. The other configuration where they don't torision the blade and put in at an angle can easily be replicated by shaving at the same angle without a slanted head.

I don't know where you read that but any mild is not good for heavy hair growth.

Good point. May just try the ambassador if I upgrade.