It's been quite a while since I shaved with an all metal DE razor. The reason is I jumped the rabbit hole of vintage razors. More specific: bakelite and "plastic" razors. Most in my collection are from around 1935, but I have some from as late as the sixties. Because they are usually rather aggressive, I like them a lot. Especially my head shaves have been extremely close since I fell in love with this category of vintage razors. And I have used them. A lot. in fact: exclusively, for months.
I have thought of letting all my metal razors go, sell them, or give them to my sons or son in law, whom I converted to DE razors.
But because most of these razors are carefully selected on their aggression, I am too reluctant to part with them
That's why I decided to use them all during June GRUME and thought it a good idea to start immediately, digging up the R41.
Now, this razor has a fierce reputation. I remember using it for the first time: I was nervous. But because my technique had improved after listening to some fellow members, the first shave with the feared Muehle was quite good. For a while I considered it my most aggressive razor, untill I purchased some of the Yaqi freak brothers. If you don't know how to use those, they eat you.
When I became focused on bakelite vintage, I discovered most of these razors are very aggressive. So, I kind of forgot about my metal razors.
I have been wondering about the nature of my vintage razors. They were widely used, so my conclusion was: men in those days were highly skilled in using aggressive razors. Most DE razors we use now are much milder.
I attached a picture of one of my vintages. Look at the blade exposure and blade gap. You can imagine it takes some technique to use these.
Back to the Muehle R41. Blade gap, nor exposure seem extreme. In fact: apart from the open comb, the R41 looks kind of mild. But it is not. This razor delivers a very close shave. Maybe not the extreme closeness many of my vintages produce, but closer than most other modern razors I've used. And looking at the construction, I think that is a great achievement from the Muehle engineers. I mean: most of my vintages need huge blade gap and exposure to deliver a superb shave, the Muehle seems almost modest in comparison. I was very pleased with result of yesterdays shave with the R41. Good BBS, two passes and a few minor touch ups.
I'd say with a little advanced technique, the Muehle R41 could easily be a fantastic daily driver. It is not the monster some claim it is. It is a sweet, effective and easy razor. I'm glad I kept it.
I have thought of letting all my metal razors go, sell them, or give them to my sons or son in law, whom I converted to DE razors.
But because most of these razors are carefully selected on their aggression, I am too reluctant to part with them
That's why I decided to use them all during June GRUME and thought it a good idea to start immediately, digging up the R41.
Now, this razor has a fierce reputation. I remember using it for the first time: I was nervous. But because my technique had improved after listening to some fellow members, the first shave with the feared Muehle was quite good. For a while I considered it my most aggressive razor, untill I purchased some of the Yaqi freak brothers. If you don't know how to use those, they eat you.
When I became focused on bakelite vintage, I discovered most of these razors are very aggressive. So, I kind of forgot about my metal razors.
I have been wondering about the nature of my vintage razors. They were widely used, so my conclusion was: men in those days were highly skilled in using aggressive razors. Most DE razors we use now are much milder.
I attached a picture of one of my vintages. Look at the blade exposure and blade gap. You can imagine it takes some technique to use these.
Back to the Muehle R41. Blade gap, nor exposure seem extreme. In fact: apart from the open comb, the R41 looks kind of mild. But it is not. This razor delivers a very close shave. Maybe not the extreme closeness many of my vintages produce, but closer than most other modern razors I've used. And looking at the construction, I think that is a great achievement from the Muehle engineers. I mean: most of my vintages need huge blade gap and exposure to deliver a superb shave, the Muehle seems almost modest in comparison. I was very pleased with result of yesterdays shave with the R41. Good BBS, two passes and a few minor touch ups.
I'd say with a little advanced technique, the Muehle R41 could easily be a fantastic daily driver. It is not the monster some claim it is. It is a sweet, effective and easy razor. I'm glad I kept it.