Thread: A bit of advice needed please :)

The last few weeks I haven't had the time (or energy) to relax and enjoy my usual straight shaves and have been using a DE instead.

I have been using an old Gillette tech closed comb razor with a variety of blades (up to now I'm leaning towards the feather, shark and laser ultra blades). From what I have read the Gillette tech is a very mild DE and, although I like the results I find myself wishing it had a bit more ooomphh.

I have narrowed my choices down to three razors (open to suggestions though), namely the Muhle R41(2013 version), the Merkur 37c slant and the Merkur Future. I realise that the Futur is an adjustable so my question might not be able to be answered on that one.

What I would like to know is how these razors compare to the Gillette tech I am currently using.

Any help, as always is greatly appreciated

Can't talk about your razor possibilities, my slant id about 1955 model, but can say that a Fat Boy will do you well for half the price and then you can go onward from there. The number on the dial and your blade choice that you find comfortable will give you a better asking question when going to the high priced stuff.
~Richard

Going from a Tech to a 37c or r41 is a pretty big jump. Tech's are some of the mildest razors around and you're looking at some of the most aggressive razors. It could be that really aggressive works for you, but I would suggest going to a middle of the road razor next. The Razorock Mission is an inexpensive DE with medium aggression.

You just need to relax and enjoy your usual straight shaves. That's my advice :<0) Heavy on the relax and extra enjoy.

If I've got a lot on my plate for the next day, a nice shave in the evening after dinner is great...wake up and pretty much ready to go. Mind you, I'm usually the type that's always up pretty early, love my hour or two in the morning to ease into the day....

The difference between the Gillette Tech and Muhle R41 2013 version is like night and day. The Tech is wimpy mild in comparison to the R41 2013 and the Muhle can give a shave the can be almost as long lasting and close as those with a straight. Because of that the R41 2013 is one of the last DEs you want to use to quickly whip through a shave with.

Bob

Heres a nice combo..


Flair tips have a great grip. Throw in a feather and your good to go. The Genco is sweet too.

Originally Posted by HaiKarate

Heres a nice combo..
...snip...
Flair tips have a great grip. Throw in a feather and your good to go. The Genco is sweet too.

The red flair tip is aggressive, the silver-medium, and the blue tip is mild.
~Richard

Originally Posted by BobH

The difference between the Gillette Tech and Muhle R41 2013 version is like night and day. The Tech is wimpy mild in comparison to the R41 2013 and the Muhle can give a shave the can be almost as long lasting and close as those with a straight. Because of that the R41 2013 is one of the last DEs you want to use to quickly whip through a shave with.

Bob

+1

I have newer Merkurs and a few vintage Gillettes in my collection, but the Mühle is the DE razor I reach for.

I own Futurs as well, but hardly use them any more.
They were my standard razor for a few years, but at the end the design is too top-heavy and not that maneuverable around my face, and the large overhang on the side makes it unnecessarily difficult to shave around my mustache.

Another Merkur I often used was the 38C, but compared to Mühle I found Merkur product finish and attention to detail wanting and pretty much use only my Mühle R101 (R41 with different handle) for DE shaves now.

IMO, the aggressiveness of the current R41 is overblown. For a proficient shaver the R41 should pose no problems, but will reward the shaver with a smooth, long-lasting shave. For a long time I used Feather blades in mine, but have recently switched to Astras SPs (similar shave at 1/3 the price) and neither one gave me any problems.

If everything else fails, you can always buy a replacement head for the Mühle and make an R89 (closed comb version) out of the open comb R41.



B

I can't speak from experience on the R41 but I will give an absolute endorsement to:

Classic Gillette Fatboy Slammed to 9

Merkur 37C (my go to DE) totally agressive and real tough to beat with a fresh blade

Sanguine R5 Shavette (I dig the way it feels in my hand and although it uses a half DE blade the retention system positions the blade perfectly and securely. Blade exposure is near perfect and it's nowhere near as light and squirrely as most razors of its type.

CJB Kamisori- Replaceable blade Korean Feather Knockoff- Great Shave