Thread: got my R41 today

got this in the mail today. rather pissed. i dont know how a package can be thrown around bad enough to do this, but thankfully its not damaged. came with one derby extra blade. anyone have god things to say about them, ive read a lot of bad

Wow, that certainly took a beating from the postal service. Glad to hear that it's not damaged.

I have one which I generally pair with either a Feather or Polsilver SI blade. Yours is the 2013 model of the R41 (same as mine) which is slightly more forgiving than the original version (2011) although it is still an aggressive razor. I use mine frequently as well as the FaTip which is also an OC and I get BBS shaves all the time. The R41 is not as smooth as the FaTip but that's possibly down to the light handle but it doesn't unduly worry me.

Enjoy it as I do mine!

I've read that it is a little rough. I don't like being afraid of something though so I've got to find out for myself. I will definitely post my results. Thank you for your I'm put

Originally Posted by Shavetime

I've read that it is a little rough. I don't like being afraid of something though so I've got to find out for myself. I will definitely post my results. Thank you for your I'm put

Just take it easy and use a light touch!

It seem it should have been assembled better during production. I expect packages to take a bit of abuse in shipping. I also expect manufacturers to package their ain a way that will survive that abuse.

Derby's are not bad blades, they're just not the right blade for some folks. In my oppinion they are very forgiving on the skin, but they're not as sharp as many others. I personally like them in a more aggressive razor.

Sure looks like that package got a work out. Wasn't a fan of the Derby blades that came with my first new DE. Astra SP seemed good to me. Lucky if I use a DE once a year now, but my son in law quite likes the Polsilver stainless and they last a while too it seems. 5 or 6 shaves.

Despite being an aggressive razor I find mine works best with blades at the sharper end of the scale, such as Feathers or Polsilvers. Just treat it with respect and enjoy.

Like you I have the 2013 version of the R41 and it is an aggressive DE that I like to use Feather or Gillette Silver Blue blades in. It can give a very close shave but your shaving technique has to be very good with it. I don't think it is a DE for a beginner to start out on. If you are good with a straight razor it should not be too much of a problem. Find the right angle, use no pressure and take it slow to get the feel of it.

Bob

I recently acquired an R41 for Christmas. I had been shaving mostly with a cheapo Chinese butterfly closure DE ($16 from Whipped Dog) for over a year with Feather blades and occasionally with my SR's when I feel like it.

The DE that I was using was IMO fairly mild, and I could easily get nice BBS shaves in two passes and rarely had nicks or weepers. Obviously the more I used it the more I developed a feel for the technique (pressure, speed, stroke direction, etc.) and could get my two pass shave done in just two or three minutes time.

I had the desire to try a more aggressive DE that would provide the exfoliated feeling that I get with the SR. After some research, I settled on the R41. I have been using it since Christmas and here are my thoughts.

After the first use off the R41, I was very glad that I had developed my technique with a mild DE first. If I had started with the R41, I might have had a rough start on the learning curve. I quickly realized that this razor demands some respect with regard angle. It also requires only a very light touch. Any pressure at all is really too much. I also do more stretching with the R41 than I do with my mild DE much closer to what is required with an SR to keep the skin from bulging ahead of the blade. This light touch, beard mapping, and stretching technique would have been painful to develop if the R41 had been my first razor. With the R41, I can get a little irritation/weeping in areas that are difficult to shave on my neck and have to be wary of over working those areas.

Overall, I am 100% pleased with the razor and am rewarded with wonderful shave every night that I use it.

Good Luck and keep a light touch!

Richard.

I have the more aggressive version which I rarely use. I use a straight mostly so the DE is more for when I'm in a hurry and though you can get a shave that really does rival a straight with that razor you can't be in a hurry unless you want your face shredded. So there is no advantage for me.

These days I use the mongoose which is about as close as the R-41 (maybe a tad not as close) and it is way more forgiving.

I guess if you are a dedicated DE user the R-41 is a good choice.