Thread: Muhle R41: Great Risks, Great Rewards!

Originally Posted by THG

Actually, those Merkurs are just open comb heads. The Mühle R41 has a bar with teeth on it.

And also, the main idea of the R41 is supposed to be the angle that the head puts the blade at. It's very aggressive due to this. I'm not sure if Merkur has an equivalent.

My comments (and decision to buy the Merkrur) was based on Jarrod's comments over at The Superior Shave. He states: "The Mühle R41 costs much more than its near Merkur ~equivalents (11C's the closest)".

The 11C has the same head as the 12C, 15C and 25C. Here is a picture of the 11C:


I can see you're right, the Muhle has a bar, the Merkur just open teeth. Looks like we need a head to head review!

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

That review makes me glad I got the R89, it sounds scary! Well done, though, it sounds like I felt on my first SR shave...

Don't let my humor and hyperbole scare you off. It is really a great razor. I promise that you won't actually need to check your insurance or plan trips to the emergency room unless you have lost your sense of humor. I highly recommend that you buy and try the R41.

Originally Posted by eflatminor

I just order Merkur's version of the R41 head, which is found on their 11C, 12C, 15C and 25C razors. I ordered the 12C with the longer 'barber pole' handle. I'm a little frightened after reading that review!

I already have Muhle's R89, which is a very easy to use and comfortable razor with a fantastic fit and finish.

You don't have much to fear, while they may look similar, the R41 is in a whole another league in aggressiveness compared to the Merkur.

I never thought my 39c Slant would be the easy razor I run to but the R41 is something I am building up after a few epic bloodlettings.

I've got the Muhle R41 and the Merkur 39C slant. I've used them both quite a few times and it's hard to choose which one I like best.
The Muhle is the nicer looking razor, but actually I think the Merkur might perform slightly better.
I say this because the Muhle feels like it lets the blade (I only use Feather) flex more, making it feel like it skips and pulls a bit if I try to go ATG.
The Merkur is slightly less aggressive, but it's always smooth.
I'll say this: for an outstanding one pass WTG shave, the Muhle R41 is the best DE. But if you want to go XTG / ATG to get a bit closer, the Merkur 39C slant will do it very comfortably. Despite being very aggressive, the Merkur is a very smooth shaver.

This is the first time I've heard anyone else describe the R41 to Skip and pull. I've ran into that with the R41, kind of a wheel hop across your face. Not a good feeling, because you know whats coming next. I've never ran into this on any other DE.

I don't own the R41 yet, but from what I am reading I would really like to own one. I love open comb razors. However, I can't spend the money to buy one till late December. I spent a lot of money on Christmas gifts

I've noticed on other forums everyone seems to want one...then 2 weeks - 2 months later, they are all selling them. I get along great without one, so I've never bothered...but it strikes me they are for a very specific kind of person/face/technique

I would love to try one. I am a big fan of OC razors, so I guess the R41 is the next logical step in the progression. I also want to try a slant.

I'm looking to eventually pickup a slant and a sledge