This HD razor is especially recommended for those with thick, tough beards. Because the blade sits on a slant in the razor head with one side raised higher than the other, the edge slices away each bristle as it passes through the beard, offering a slightly more aggressive shave than the standard HD. The Merkur Slant requires very delicate pressure on the face, and the additional focus on technique this razor demands is well worth the reward it offers in closeness.