Thread: 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...




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