Thread: got my R41 today

At least the razor wasn't damaged. I like the Derby blades. In fact I am using them now.

I've also got the 2011 R-41 and I agree with all who have said it is a very aggressive razor. I love the results, but I proceed with caution. I use a Feather in it. I haven't had the 2013 model to try, but it is probably a better choice for all around use, if it is slightly less aggressive, but still gets the job done.

well ive finally had a chace to use this baby. short story, I LOVE THIS THING. I have to thank everyone who warned me to be light with it, you were of course, totally right. i currently have a shave that i didnt know i could achieve. there was a little learning at first with the angle, but didnt take much to get the hang of. i used a rapira blade that came in a sample pack so ill see how it does with a few other blades before i decide what i truly like best. . . . no nicks, no burn, and a VERY close shave. I AM IN LOVE. i can definitely see how in the wrong hands this thing could do a lot of damage though.

I have both a 2011 and 2013 R41. Each is an excellent razor but yes, the 2011 model requires a more experienced hand. They both offer a good shave and can be fine tuned via choice of blade. Feathers in the 2011? Use care.
I'll be parting ways with the 2013 soon. I bought it as a backup but it is being replaced with a Rockwell (I seldom travel with a straight razor. Too complicated).
Looking forward to see if all the hype about the Rockwell is legit.

I never said DE blades were sharper or duller than a straight. Most modern DE blades are really terrible as far as edge finishing goes. They rely on the coatings on the edge to really do the work. So it's not fair to compare the two because it's an apples vs oranges comparison however they probably are sharper than a straight.

But whether they are sharper or not I still stand by what I said about which gives you a closer shave. I think if you did a survey of folks who use a DE and a straight I'd guess 90% will tell you the straight gives a closer shave. I know it does for me.

When the DE was invented it wasn't done to give a better shave over a straight razor. It was done solely for convenience and ease of use.

40 plus years with a DE, I consider myself pretty good with one. But since the straight I will say that straights tend to give a more lasting shave as opposed to a DE, both great shaves, but longer lasting belongs to my straights so winner straights. YMMV. and any other appropriate mumbo jumbo. Tc

Originally Posted by petrakos

which safety razors you've used?
the usual gillettes or merkur 34 etc?
or merkur futur wide open or any specifically designed providing a very direct contact between edge and whiskers?
and all these combined with proper angles?
and moving razor to the optimum spot in order to meet stubble and cut it?

If you're trying to demonstrate a DE gives a closer shave than a straight you've been beat before you start on this site.

Personally I've tried the merkur 34c, the Vision, the Pils, both Feather Stainless models, The standard, the R41, Gillette Fatboy, Just to name a few.

Some are closer than others but none beats a straight.

Originally Posted by petrakos

what a straight razor gains only with skin stretching but with less passes since blade length is wider than of a safety
razor
the latter regains it with gradual beard reduction and multiple passes until whiskers are cut in the level of skin

In my experience the YMMV (your mileage may vary) applies to much of wet shaving. For instance, I prefer aggressive DEs such as the 2011 R-41, Mongoose, and some vintage slants, but I'm limited to 2 passes with any shaving tool, straight, DE or SE. Skin stretching is a method I use no matter which tool I use to shave, and it does pay off for me in closer, safer, shaves.

If someone tells me that they get a closer shave with a straight razor than they can with a DE I take their word for it. In shooting targets, riding mountain bikes through rough patches of singletrack trails, and doing time trials in my younger days I've seen guys do stuff I swore no one could do, because I couldn't do them. Shaving may be the same kangaroo. All my straights don't give me as close a shave as a Mongoose or a Muhle R-41 with a feather blade, but some of them do as well or even better.

Agree with most everything that's been said...having said that, my favorite blades for an R41 are the personna blue or the Polsilver Super Iridium, or the Astras
I can't enjoy a Feather in it, nor do I strive for BBS, just a 12-18 hour good shave...but that's all I ever get with anything.

I have my face, your face may be different

In 45 years almost all f them at one time or another, but stayed with my fatboy on 9 with a Feather blade, like. Said I got a bunch of years on a DE, I never fell into the cartridge trap, couldn't tell you how they shave, but a DE I,ll go head to head with anyone. I even used them with the bar removed, and blade gap big enough to strip cut carrots! I still get a much longer shave from my straights, with a DE maybe 10-12 hours of smooth till the old rough stuff appears, with the straight, I don't noticed it till the next morning, so it comes in my sleep. Hey we like DE,s here but like the Spendur said this ain't the right forum to hawk them, might do better over at badger and blade. Tc