Thread: new Muhles

I don't have much experience with vintage DE's, but the few that I have seen appear to stop around the 5-level of my Futur. The modern adjustable DE's seem to have a wider range essentially all the way up to pure blade. I typically set my Futur between 2-3. This is plenty aggressive for my taste. I believe that the Progress is similarly calibrated. However, it is larger, thicker, and heavier than the Futur so you would need to use a lighter touch.

Originally Posted by PFunkDaddy

Do you know if the vintage Gillette Super Adjustables (Black Beauty) approach/surpass the R41?

I have a Gillette black handle super adjustable that I regularly shave with at setting 9 and it is nowhere near as agressive as my 1918 Gillette Old Type open comb.

I have a fat boy and had a Vision and set as coarse as you can, neither come close to the R-41. The R-41 is as close as you can get with a DE to a straight or disposable blade shavette type. However it's one of those things you have to actually experience to realize.

My R41 sure is one aggressive MOFO, you'll need the best of preps. The Fattip I got the other day is quite aggressive as well.

For a smooth DE shave, nothing beats the Merkur 37c IMO.

Originally Posted by Blix

My R41 sure is one aggressive MOFO, you'll need the best of preps. The Fattip I got the other day is quite aggressive as well.

For a smooth DE shave, nothing beats the Merkur 37c IMO.

Smooth is for sissies.

I will agree that the R41 is more aggressive than pretty much anything else out there, including my Slim, Progress, and, even, my Futur. I wasn't too sure about it at first, but it is really starting to grow on me. It is also worth noting that the *NEW* R101 has the same head as the new R41.

Originally Posted by Sargon

I will agree that the R41 is more aggressive than pretty much anything else out there, including my Slim, Progress, and, even, my Futur. I wasn't too sure about it at first, but it is really starting to grow on me. It is also worth noting that the *NEW* R101 has the same head as the new R41.

I have a doubt. The Futur set on 10+ is essentially a 2mm exposed, bare blade; a setting I have tried only once. I don't know how you can get more aggressive than that? But then again I do not yet own an R41 for comparison.

Great thread. Has answered several of the questions I had planned to ask. The R41 had been earmarked as a DE I wanted to own, and has just been put on the wish list.

Thanks gents,

The 2011 R41 is a different animal... it has a lot to do with its flat blade angle.. it's not just its aggressiveness but the extreme angle it shaves at.. which is closer to an SE razor... it feels a lot different then a regular razor it just takes a bit of practice and will bite you if you don't pay attention, but with a sharp blade and some care can give a great shave

On the other hand the 2010 R41 which you can still find is a better plated Fatip and they are still aggressive but not quite as much and make for very smooth shaves