Thread: Muhle R41: Great Risks, Great Rewards!

Muhle R41 "step on" the Merkur 11C like a tank to a wooden barricade
This DE razor shaves better than many (not all) of old Gillettes and better than Goodfella
I have it with a modified grip.

I picked one of these up and it really is a different animal altogether. I've been using DEs for probably 15+years originally as an everyday shaver and the first time I used the Muhle I actually had a tad of irritation but the result was the closest to a straight as I have ever experienced in closeness and even 24 hours later the stubble was very close to what I would have with a straight. Now that was with a feather blade. So the watchword with this razor is is be careful and go slow and treat it like a straight.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I picked one of these up and it really is a different animal altogether. I've been using DEs for probably 15+years originally as an everyday shaver and the first time I used the Muhle I actually had a tad of irritation but the result was the closest to a straight as I have ever experienced in closeness and even 24 hours later the stubble was very close to what I would have with a straight. Now that was with a feather blade. So the watchword with this razor is is be careful and go slow and treat it like a straight.

That's my experience with it as well, it should be treated like a straight, and excellent lather is crucial.

Originally Posted by Blix

That's my experience with it as well, it should be treated like a straight, and excellent lather is crucial.

Or running water over your face going very gently. It went... Okay. I forgot my brush in the truck this weekend and decided to see what was the worst that could happen, with an asco it wasn't to bad only minor irritation, with lather the alum never stings anymore with the R41.

My R41 has given me irritation free shaves ever since I switched to a better lather building soap. I found that a steeper angle and a gentler touch produces a BBS shave every time. I was suprised how steep of an angle I required to get results though. For me, at least.

I picked up the new R41 GRANDE today. What a beast! Took it easy and slow on the first shave with great results. FAR more aggressive than my Merkur 11C. Without going against the grain, I was able to get a very, very close shave. She's a keeper!

Originally Posted by Blix

I pretty much treat it as a straight when it comes to the shaving, you have to watch those angles, and use the lightest of touch.

Big +1 on that.
Great razor, very agressive...

I recently purchased a R-41, and the first shave gave me
two red weepers, one being fairly large. Mind you. I often
shave with a straight and never have I cut my self to that
extent (I was treating the R-41 as a DE instead of a straight)
I'm not certain about my feelings in-regard to the R-41, because
the blade seems to flex more than with a straight, even a
full hollow. As it stands now I have to be more careful
shaving with the R-41, than with a straight do to the
blade flex. I've only have shaved with it twice, and will
have a go tomorrow. I suspect that having a good prep
with a good lather will be important with the R-41, just
as it is with a straight.

Originally Posted by tboyer

I recently purchased a R-41, and the first shave gave me
two red weepers, one being fairly large. Mind you. I often
shave with a straight and never have I cut my self to that
extent (I was treating the R-41 as a DE instead of a straight)
I'm not certain about my feelings in-regard to the R-41, because
the blade seems to flex more than with a straight, even a
full hollow. As it stands now I have to be more careful
shaving with the R-41, than with a straight do to the
blade flex. I've only have shaved with it twice, and will
have a go tomorrow. I suspect that having a good prep
with a good lather will be important with the R-41, just
as it is with a straight.

You are in the same boat I was in it. The problem is most guys treat it as a standard DE and then they are unhappy with it and after a few attempts either put it away or sell it. if you take the time to properly learn how to use it (just like a straight) you will be rewarded with super great shaves.

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...

You should look for the old model R41, as far as I'm concearned its the perfect DE. To bad Muhle and Merkur stopped making that head.