Muhle R41 -- my favorite

Had another great shave today with my Muhle R41 with a Personna "medical" blade. I really prefer SR shaves but have migrated to DEs since developing a thumb issue. Since I started 55 years ao with a DE, it's like coming home.

Some say the R41 is too aggressive, but paired with the right blade -- sharp, but mild -- I find it perfect for my tough beard. I face lathered with DR Harris Arlington cream and my favorite Stirling synthetic brush, did 2 passes and came away with a great shave, no nicks or irritation. Finished with splash of Arlington A/S.

Great shave, great scent and ready for an evening out with my wife.

I have a recent version of the Muhle R41 and while aggressive is easily manageable with the right blade, as you say. The earlier version/versions were even more aggressive from what I have read on the net. Those and beginners to DE shaving using an aggressive DE before they have their technique sorted have given it an underserved lingering bad reputation. Enjoy your evening out.

Bob

I agree Bob. With my other DEs I use Feather blades almost exclusively, but not with the R41. With it I use Personna, Astra or Polsilver and get great, comfortable shaves.

Never used the R41 but +1 for the personna med preps, they’re magical.

The original R 41 is no monster any more than a straight will "kill you". It just takes a learning curve longer than other DEs and even then you have to go slowly and think as you shave. It stretches the definition of safety razor.

I found even once acclimated to it I could just as well use a straight from a care and time perspective. I still use the Rex. I find it to be 95% of the R41 and you can dial in the degree of aggressiveness from tame to close to the R41.

Tbey called the R41 bmood thirsty but i never had an issue with it. I got the older modle because a guy couldnt get along with it. I ended up selling it along with most all my DE stuff besidez my collection of birth quarter Gillettes. Still got those and a couple oldies. With id have kept the R41. Would have been nice to revisit the shave from it.

Gentlemen,

I tried the Muhle R41 a long time ago. Although the razor gave me a close shave, it left my skin irritated. No, no cuts or nicks in all the times I shaved with it; rather, just plain irritation. The R41 was just too aggressive, with a pronounced blade feel, and I concluded that it was simply a mean razor.

I liked the R41, got some good shaves from mine

unfortunately I'm not a fan of modern DE blades in general, they give me lousy shaves and I don't like their feel.

If there could only be one...

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Bah, who am I kidding lol! I only ever use my 41(s) if I'm using a DE anymore. I've put all my others away now, so it IS the one lol. I love it so well, I have two 41 heads, sporting two different handles. It's without a doubt my favorite DE of all time.

I guess that means I've fallen squarely into the match the blade to an aggressive head vs. getting a nice mild razor and matching it with blades to suit me. I've used the 41 with Feathers and loved it, but prefer it with a Persona Red blade. It settles it down a bit and cuts just as close IMO.

Oh yeah, I forgot about that

Didn't they redesign the R41's head at some point in time?

I have a V1, the V2 was a bit tamer IIRC

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

The original R 41 is no monster any more than a straight will "kill you". It just takes a learning curve longer than other DEs and even then you have to go slowly and think as you shave. It stretches the definition of safety razor.

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If I reach for a safety razor, I usually reach for my R101 (R41 with black handle), or sometimes for my Rocca.

When I read about “The Beast”, “The Monster”, or similar nonsense it makes my cringe and I wonder whether the writer is trying to elicit some applause for his “bravery” (Think “lion tamer” ;))

To me the Mühle interpretation of the open comb design makes for an extremely capable tool, one of the few safety razor designs where results come close to a straight, and like any tool you should know what you are doing.

My common blades are Feathers or Astras and with both I get excellent results, even though I favour Feathers slightly. This razor may be more aggressive (and more efficient) than most safety razors, but I get consistently close yet smooth shaves from it without drawing blood.

Not an act of bravery, but an entirely enjoyable morning shave.

It has not replaced my straight razors though....



B.

For anyone who is used to shaving with a mild DE or cartridge razor, the R41 would indeed be a "beast". However, shavers who are accustomed to the feel of a naked steel blade on their face have learned to shave with the right angle and with minimal pressure, so the R41 would be all in a day's shave.

if your looking for aggressive ill give you one, Fatboy with fresh Feather and I usually use the 9 setting, but since last time I used it I always leave the mechanism a little open. been a couple of months and forgot it was open. can you guess what the first pass was like? I now have a blade width skinning for an inch or so. Tc

I haven't tried a Muhle, though I too love my FatBoy that I bought from TinTin/Vern on an aggressive setting (around a 7, but I'm still learning with it) with a fresh Voskhod blade-smoothest shaves I've ever had!

Gents, I rarely wax lyrical about DE razors, it's been years since I've used one and I normally use SE razors when travelling.

I am flying to Spain tomorrow with carry on luggage only. Single edge blades are hard to find and I cannot imagine using a cartridge razor, so I purchased a Muhle R41 today in the hopes that I will find some DE blades to purchase in Madrid.

I took it for a test drive before it's packed in my dopp bag and was pleasantly surprised by how well it performed . I used the muhle blade it comes with and got a very close and gentle one pass shave.

I can truly say this is the best DE razor I have ever used.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Badgister

Gents, I rarely wax lyrical about DE razors, it's been years since I've used one and I normally use SE razors when travelling.

I am flying to Spain tomorrow with carry on luggage only. Single edge blades are hard to find and I cannot imagine using a cartridge razor, so I purchased a Muhle R41 today in the hopes that I will find some DE blades to purchase in Madrid.

I took it for a test drive before it's packed in my dopp bag and was pleasantly surprised by how well it performed . I used the muhle blade it comes with and got a very close and gentle one pass shave.

I can truly say this is the best DE razor I have ever used.

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If you look around you'll find the quality of shave and DE's have really improved markedly over the last few years.

There were three original versions. The first was relatively mild. The second was the "aggressive" one that earned the ongoing reputation. The third one split the difference. They were released sequentially, all within a year or two of the previous one. With experience and doing a side by side comparison you will notice a slight difference in blade exposure that will tell you which is which. The second gen was my go to for years until I discovered that a Futur on setting 6 gave me equal closeness with more comfort. Still will pull out my V2 occasionally but all my other DEs and SEs (around 40) are gathering dust.