Impressions of the Muhle R41

I recently acquired a Muhle R41 open comb, the dreaded beast, from my wife for a Valentine's Day present. She actually conspired with a forum member here, who sold it to her in the classifieds and kept me in the dark to keep the surprise. Anyway, I've used The Beast a few times now and wanted to share my opinions. :)

First, the fit and finish. Exceptional worksmanship, to my eyes. The balance is perfect between the head and the handle. I generally perfer head-heavy DE's, and was struck by how light the R41 is. No matter, it seems.

Second, the blade exposure. I loaded a very mild blade, a Derby, for the first handful of shaves. Hell, if it's good for Geofatboy it's good for me lol. The amount of blade exposed over the open comb design looks very intimidating, but much has been written about that. Much has also been written about the carnage this razor can produce too. But then I thought, I'm a straight razor shaver - let's give this a go!

Third, the shave. I could tell from the first couple strokes that this is an aggressive razor. No blood though, so kept going. Eventually I went for the full shave, using my usual 2-1/2 passes. And the result? No blood whatsoever and a super close shave.

My conclusion: I've used this razor a few times now, all shaves were BBS without any blood or irritation. This razor shaves as close as any of my straights, and the shave even lasts noticeably longer than a standard DE, including my Merkur Slant (my former favourite DE). I still find the Slant to be more user friendly, though less aggressive. I have to say that all the fear mongering about this razor is totally overblown. Treat it with respect and you'll be rewarded with a fantastic shave.

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Originally Posted by Ryan82

She actually conspired with a forum member here, who sold it to her in the classifieds and kept me in the dark to keep the surprise.

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Great review Ryan, thanks,

If you want me to ban the forum member PM his screen name and I'll zap him ..... :rofl2:

I agree 100%. What makes a safety razor "aggressive" is the amount of blade exposed. To SR guys, 100% blade exposure is the norm, so what's to be afraid of? I too prefer the Slant, because it's "aggressive enough" to give me a perfect shave in 3 passes, so why go more aggressive than that? I do appreciate a little fear mongering, though, because as you said, treat it with respect, and you'll be fine. That's exactly what 16 year olds buying their first sportbikes are told about the most powerful models. The problem for rookies is they have no idea how to respect the razor. I don't know how often I've seen rookie wet-shavers buy the R41 ('cause it's the 'baddest") and load it with a Feather blade ('cause they're the "baddest") because they've lurked on a forum for 3 days, so of course, they're experts. Then they lean on it likes it's a cartridge razor with predictable results. But again, for anyone that's already learned to use a straight, like you said, show it a little respect, and it's a great razor.

I shaved with mine this afternoon, with a Feather blade in it. Not for the faint of heart, or inexperienced, but a beautiful 3-pass shave. Feather blades are "cross" on a good day so good technique is essential, but this is definitely my favourite DE, bar none. Yes, I was afraid of it at first and I don't find myself a fan of Feather blades, preferring the Astra, but after a few shaves, I was comfortable with the R41. I'm glad I bought it and also glad I bought it as a second razor and not a first. As always, YMMV.

When you say your "entire face was shaved" what face were you referring to?? LMAO.
Glad to hear you had a good experience with the dreaded muhle buddy:) thanks for sharing it with all on SRP.

This is the only razor I can get a near perfect shave every time, any blade... Although still not my favorite razor. Go figure

An excellent review, Ryan. Yes, the Muhle R41 is a shaver unlike any other. I have bought and sold the R41 three times. Despite the great shaves and no cuts, the razor has failed to grow on me. So adios. On the other hand, your review has brought the razor to my attention once again, making me think I should order my fourth and just keep it around for an occasional shave.

A very nice review. I also had and sold this razor and we did not get along. I would think such an aggressive razor would need no more then two passes to BBS.

I like my Slant better than my R41. Now if a slant camewith the same finish as the Muhle, that would be sweet! My R41 sits and collects dust, I don't find it very enjoyable to use. I will use it from time to time, just to check and see if it has learned any manners.....it's always just a little bit rude though.

I think the main reason people don't like it is because you really need to treat it more like a straight than a DE. When I use mine I have to go slow and take my time and I have no issues. I will use a DE in place of a straight mostly when I'm pressed for time or simply don't want to concentrate on shaving and frankly using the R-41 requires all that. I can shave with a straight in the same time so it kind of kills the reasons for using it for me.

However, the shave it produces is frighteningly close to a straight shave.

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Originally Posted by Obie

On the other hand, your review has brought the razor to my attention once again, making me think I should order my fourth and just keep it around for an occasional shave.

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You never know Obie, fourth time could be a charm ;)

Now there is word that Muhle without fanfare late last year introduced a milder R41 toothed comb. So if you just bought the one you reviewed it could be the newer model. I understand the top cap covers more of the blade thus making the razor less aggressive. It appears most dealers & vendors where not aware of this change.

That would be nice if they did. anyone have one from when they first came out and bought a more recent Grande?

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Originally Posted by slantman

Now there is word that Muhle without fanfare late last year introduced a milder R41 toothed comb. So if you just bought the one you reviewed it could be the newer model. I understand the top cap covers more of the blade thus making the razor less aggressive. It appears most dealers & vendors where not aware of this change.

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And here I assumed it was due to my superior shaving skills...:p

All joking aside, I did compare my R41 to several vendor pictures, looked the same to me. Whether or not those pictures were of the less aggressive model I'm not sure since this is the first I've heard of it. I was aware that Muhle made a closed comb version of the R41, which I imagine is less aggressive than its open comb brother.

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Originally Posted by slantman

Now there is word that Muhle without fanfare late last year introduced a milder R41 toothed comb. So if you just bought the one you reviewed it could be the newer model. I understand the top cap covers more of the blade thus making the razor less aggressive. It appears most dealers & vendors where not aware of this change.

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It looks like the new R41 has wider top cap than the EJ89, while the first version has a narrower cap. I got mine last month at connaught shaving and it is a bit wider than my EJ89. That would explain why I never found it to be the vampire everyone is warning about. Everything else looks identical, that would be the only difference between the 2011 and 2012? versions.

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Originally Posted by Midoio

It looks like the new R41 has wider top cap than the EJ89, while the first version has a narrower cap. I got mine last month at connaught shaving and it is a bit wider than my EJ89. That would explain why I never found it to be the vampire everyone is warning about. Everything else looks identical, that would be the only difference between the 2011 and 2012? versions.

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That is the way I heard it. Some of the guys who have both measured the top cap and claim the new R41 is slightly wider which will explain a less aggressive shave. Something like 18 mm vs 20 mm. But I would imagine the razor is still north of mild.

I'd been after my 13 year old son to shave off his pubescent facial hair for some time when one day I noticed it was gone. Asked him which of my dozens of DEs he'd used and he said the one he found on my sink that morning.
It was an R41 with a Feather installed! I could not believe it.His first shave ever, with a razor that is considered sometimes too much by even the most experienced of us, yet the were no cuts or weepers or any discomfort. This may give others some perspective and maybe confidence.
My own experience is similar to that of the OP and a couple others in this thread. I cannot distinguish between an R41 and a straight shave. I can almost rival it with a Futur on 6 or a slim or Fatboy on 9 or (less so) a slant, but the R41 remains the best of my lot. I use it for 95% of my nonstraight shaves.
Since he is now in command of my original R41, I recently one month ago purchased a Grande and one of the black handled (R101?) models. The top caps of all of these are identical in width, and they all give identical shaves.

The R41 is certainly a very aggressive razor, more aggressive than my Futur on 6, as others have said, and it gives me a great shave if I'm careful. It reminds me most of a single edge razor, especially the open comb micromatic (which also has a similar reputation).

I had one of the first 41... this was too aggressive for me . 2nd pass was bloody most times... so I laid it beside for some time. After discussion with Mr. Mueller I ordered a "new" head end of last year. The coverage of the blade by the new lid is a little bigger. Now it is a much better combination of aggressiveness/result/smoothness.
Regards
Hajo

I don't suppose anyone has pics of both to compare?

let me try but this may take some time...

Attachment 126012Attachment 126013Attachment 126014

I hope it workes, I am not a expert in taking macro fotos and also not in grafic image processing...
I did not meaure with a caliber but I guess difference ist at all about 1mm (2*0,5each side) - if somebody is intereste I can do a detailed measurement...;)
It is not much mm but IMHO the broader (=newer) one is much better!
PS
Base plate (comb) is same in "old" and "new" verison

Happy Easter
Hajo

Nice shootin' there Hajo. Those pictures pretty much prove the point!