A bit more aggressive than Merkur 34?

[marranbarran]

Hi everyone,
I have been using a Merkur 34 for over a year now and I like how it shaves but it can feel a little harsh sometimes and both the fit and finish of the razor isn't what I want it to be. I recently bought a Muhle R89 because I have read that it can feel a bit smoother and that the finish is way better, and both those statements stand true! It is not as harsh and both the fit and finish is really good. I like it but at the same time it can feel a bit too mild, milder than the Merkur and that may be why it does feel a bit smoother (strange thing is that I have a really hard time to actually see any difference between the two heads and from what I have read it is supposed to be a small difference and I can't see how I can feel a difference if my eyes cannot see it, but that doesnt matter..).

Anyway, I started to speculate if I should try something that is "a bit more aggressive" than both these razors and the first thing that came to mind was to try out a slant - but I don't want the lousy finish of Merkur, especially when it costs more than Muhle. Would it be crazy to try R41 (2013)? I also looked at the FaTip which has a real bad finish, but it is at least cheaper than the others and not as extreme (aggressive) as R41.

Any other options worth considering? Should mention that I have a Gillette Slim and a Super Speed as well but those two are the worst (and I am not sure what to tell from that, is the blade more bent in R89 and 34? Head weight? Blade "fixation"?)

Thank you!

 

[PDman]

Kind of limited as far as slant selection goes. Ikon is coming out with a slant but no release date yet. I have had both razors that you have now. I found the R89 smoother and more efficient than the 34. The Merkur slant is a great razor IMO. It is not the monster that it is often portrayed. I just purchased the 2013 Muhle R41 but have yet to shave with it. It is a beautiful razor. I also have a slim and like you have no love for it. I also love my Gillette Hydro-Magic injector. Maybe look into an injector.

 

[redrako]

You certainly could give the R41(2013) a shot. If you've been shaving for one year with the Merkur 34 HD, you should have no problem with that razor.

You might consider a Cadet/RazoRock Open Comb razor which is slightly more aggressive than your Merkur and reportedly a smidge less aggressive than the Fatip razors with a much better chrome finish. (Shave-a-buck has some models on clearance at $15.00 each). IMO they are fantastic.

Another great option would be a Weber Stainless razor with a Bulldog handle. For me this is very much like the HD, but it's heavier handle seems to make it a more effective razor.

More immediately you could shim your Muhle R89 tonight and enjoy a more aggressive razor tomorrow. Shimming is where you take an old blade or two, some scissors and carefully trim the sharpened edge away. You then use the shims to increase the blade gap of the mild Muhle, but loading one or two shims between your blade and the razor's base plate. In other words if you were to load the blade onto the upside down top cap, you would then add one or both shims, drop the base plate on top of them and then screw on the handle.

Shimming makes a mild razor more aggressive.

Hope this helps.

 

[marranbarran]

Thank you for some great advice! Will try and shim my R89 and look into the models you mentioned.

 

[ImAdummy2]

If you thought the HD was too harsh then you really wouldn't like the R41. Have you tried to put a more aggressive blade in the R89? Feather is the obvious aggressive choice and much cheerer than buying a whole new razor, and easier than messing with shims. Thats not to say that shims are a bad idea by any means and certainly worth a try.
I wish you much luck.

 

[PDman]

Ok..first shave with the 2013 R41. Astra blade. T&H Trafalga. I can't imagine what this razor was like before it was toned down. The most aggressive DE razor I have to date. That said...with a light touch...very light....I did a WTG and XTG pass and got a great shave. No irritation and no blood. No ATG which is what I usually do. It demands concentration. IMHO the Slant is a MUCH milder razor.

 

[ImAdummy2]

Ok..first shave with the 2013 R41. Astra blade. T&H Trafalga. I can't imagine what this razor was like before it was toned down. The most aggressive DE razor I have to date. That said...with a light touch...very light....I did a WTG and XTG pass and got a great shave. No irritation and no blood. No ATG which is what I usually do. It demands concentration. IMHO the Slant is a MUCH milder razor.

I too have the R41. Though I have never tried the slant, I cant imagine a more aggressive razor the the R41. Thats why I wouldn't recommend him getting the R41 if he feels that the HD is too aggressive. I think redrako had some really good advice, I would just try a more aggressive blade first is all. K.I.S.S. is my motto

 

[marranbarran]

If you thought the HD was too harsh then you really wouldn't like the R41. Have you tried to put a more aggressive blade in the R89? Feather is the obvious aggressive choice and much cheerer than buying a whole new razor, and easier than messing with shims. Thats not to say that shims are a bad idea by any means and certainly worth a try.
I wish you much luck.

Yes you have a point there but I am not sure that harsh is the same as aggressive, although R41 seems to be quite extreme and I even though I wouldn't kill myself I doubt I would enjoy the shave but you never know... I will try using a feather, have used it with yellow 7 o'clock because I didn't really feel the difference with the HD but it may be a different story with R89.

Ok..first shave with the 2013 R41. Astra blade. T&H Trafalga. I can't imagine what this razor was like before it was toned down. The most aggressive DE razor I have to date. That said...with a light touch...very light....I did a WTG and XTG pass and got a great shave. No irritation and no blood. No ATG which is what I usually do. It demands concentration. IMHO the Slant is a MUCH milder razor.

Did you enjoy it then?


Who sells Cadet or RR razors (more than shave a buck)? Any vendors in Europe?

 

[ImAdummy2]

Yes you have a point there but I am not sure that harsh is the same as aggressive

Good point

 

[marranbarran]

I like the looks of OC and I would like to try one so I think I have narrowed it to buying either a Cadet (RR, Pearl, Matador..) or a Fatip. Why I consider the Fatip (despite its flawed finish) is because based on the opinions read here and on other forums it seems like one half considers the Cadet and says it is smoother and not as aggressive as the Fatip and the other half has the complete opposite opinion. I got a feeling that tells me that I would like if the blade is more bent and not so flat.

Is there anyone who own one or both of these razors who can say whether they usually like razors with more flat or more bent blade? I know this is a hard question (and maybe its just a question of the usual YMMV) but maybe someone have thought about this and can share these thoughts and help me with my choice.

 

[Sceptic Pencil]

I also looked at the FaTip which has a real bad finish

The finish on my FaTip Picolo isn't too bad. The head is perfect, the blade exposure is the same on both sides, there are just a few tool marks on the handle. Like you, I have an R89 & I couldn't get a good shave from it (both mild & uncomfortable). I also have a Slim & though I haven't given it a prolonged period of use, the shaves I have had with it so far have not been great, though I get good shaves from my Rocket HD which has a very similar head. If you have deep pockets, the Tradere SB might be worth a look. I have a 2nd generation Tradere OC & the general consensus seems to be that the Tradere SB is slightly milder. I find the Tradere OC to be more aggressive that the R89, but not as aggressive as the FaTip, which is my current daily razor. I will be trying a 2013 R41 for the first time tomorrow though & I can't wait to see how it compares to my FaTip.

 

[PDman]

Did you enjoy it then?

I did. For a first time out I was very impressed. It felt a little "tuggy" but that could be the blade. I pulled it out of another razor and it was the third shave with it. I was actually very surprised that the alum didn't reveal any raw spots. No irritation whatsoever. What most impressed me was the job it did on my neck with just a WTG pass. That's a tough area for me. I should mention that my technique is short somewhat overlapping strokes. And I can't overemphasize how light my touch was. It is deserving of its reputation and does demand respect. Other than my Feather DX and Cobra Classic this is the only razor I feel compelled to say that about. I know you don't like the finish of the Merkur Slant but I would probably recommend it for you at this stage before the R41. It too is outstanding IMO.

 

[redrako]

Who sells Cadet or RR razors (more than shave a buck)? Any vendors in Europe?

In Europe the same razor is sold with the brand name "Pearl". I'm typing on my phone so am limited as to what I can see, but you can start with http://www.barbieredifigaro.nl/index.php?route=product/category&path=1_39 and google.

 

[marranbarran]

... I know you don't like the finish of the Merkur Slant but I would probably recommend it for you at this stage before the R41. It too is outstanding IMO.

Yes I know, everything about it tells me it is the best choice at the moment. I looked at the iKon slant and maybe I should wait for that one!

In Europe the same razor is sold with the brand name "Pearl". I'm typing on my phone so am limited as to what I can see, but you can start with http://www.barbieredifigaro.nl/index.php?route=product/category&path=1_39 and google.

Thank you!