I started wetshaving about a week and a half now ago using a 1958 Gillette SS Flaretip and some Feathers. It's been a wonderful experience... I had some pretty good razor burn on my 1st run, but it was all due to blade angle and using way way too much pressure. Ever since that shave it's been wonderful DFS - BBS shaves every time. The only thing that I'm trying to improve on is the efficiency of the BBS. It takes me quite a bit of blade buffing between the DFS and the BBS. Well it didn't take me long to find all the threads about the polar Muhle R41 lol. After thinking it over for a bit and then seeing how reasonably priced it was from Connaught I just couldn't fight my impulsiveness any longer... Waiting out the Christmas shipping break is going to kill me lol
Been wetshaving a week. Just bought a Muhle R41 lol
- Thread starter Nagash
- Start date
Brave man! Let us know how it works out for you.
Go big or go home. If other people can do it so can you, that's how I look at everything. I didn't watch any videos starting out just went at it and did well enough until I got good
The R41 is a nice razor. You should enjoy it. Just make sure you stretch your skin while shaving. That razor shows so much blade that you need to shave like you are using a straight razor and keep your skin tight while shaving.
I get the same BBS shave with an R41 or a Tech.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/284877-The-absurdity-of-Aggressive-VS-Mild
I get the same BBS shave with an R41 or a Tech.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/284877-The-absurdity-of-Aggressive-VS-Mild
I started wet shaving with a cheap made in China razor, quite aggreessive indeed, despite its bad quality.
Then I bought a EJ 89l, very well made, but then very very mild comparing with that other razor.
Within a month I bought a Muhle R41, a few little cuts firt 2 or 3 times but now I have nice single or two passes shaving.
Forget that things "begin with a mild razor". Aggressive razors can teach you a lot about shaving, and they teach fast.
Now the mininum aggressiveness I can accept is a Gillette red tip or a slant bar razor.
Can't stand anymore EJ 89, Feather popular, Weishi or Gillette flare tip. For me they mean several passes, more irritation and a worse final result. And I have a thin beard.
Then I bought a EJ 89l, very well made, but then very very mild comparing with that other razor.
Within a month I bought a Muhle R41, a few little cuts firt 2 or 3 times but now I have nice single or two passes shaving.
Forget that things "begin with a mild razor". Aggressive razors can teach you a lot about shaving, and they teach fast.
Now the mininum aggressiveness I can accept is a Gillette red tip or a slant bar razor.
Can't stand anymore EJ 89, Feather popular, Weishi or Gillette flare tip. For me they mean several passes, more irritation and a worse final result. And I have a thin beard.
I think you just saved yourself a lot of money!! I'm about 7 months into DE shaving after wet shaving with an Atra for the past 30 years or so. I tried many DE razors and caught the bug - RAD as they call it here. I bought an R41 about a month ago and rarely use anything else now. Most others seem pretty unsatisfying as far as closeness. You can have many variations of a shave with an R41 by using different angles, blades and how you go against the grain. I have a very thick and coarse beard so going fully ATG is not an enjoyable experience for me in the least. BUT I can get a very DFS easily with the R41. Lately before work I've been experimenting with 2 pass shaves and that's been going well. There is really no place to go after the R41 except milder. There are the NEW LC's, the Cadet and the FaTip that shave nicely and they may be a tad milder/smother sometimes but I can achieve basically the same thing by toning down the blade in the R41 IE: with an Astra, Polsilver SI, Silver Blue and a couple others. Likewise I can put a Feather or Gillette Black in a the aforementioned razors and get them close to an R41 but not all the way.
I started with a DE EJ89 and then decided on a Weber Polished Stainless and a Slim, within a month purchased an R41 and used a feather blade with it on the 2nd try. I agree with CB1, if it works, you saved some cash. R41 works very well for me!
- Thread starter
- #8
Ha, I think I did just about the opposite. I watched everything by Manic and Geofatboy and many others, as well as reading thousands of posts, FAQS etc before my 1st razor ever showed up in the mail.
That's exactly what my hunch behind purchasing the R41 was. I'm using a mild razor and buffing a ridiculous amount. I'm hoping to get my final results without all the buffing and extra irritation. We'll see lol
Haha, that's was the motivation behind getting it. Since my face has held up well to a mild razor I figured I might as well go all the way to the far end and dial it back a little if need be later instead of working my way to the far extreme anyway while purchasing a dozen other razors on the way there.
What do you guys think I should throw in there for the maiden shave? I have a sample pack of [Feather Hi-Stainless, Bluebird, Derby, Astra Superior Platinum, 7 O'clock Super Stainless, Silver Blue, and Shark Super Chrome] laying around. So far I've only tried the Derby's and Feathers in my SS and definitely prefer the Feathers. I'm wondering if I should start back out with the Derbys again in the R41 or just stick with my favorite blade...
"What do you guys think I should throw in there for the maiden shave? I have a sample pack of [Feather Hi-Stainless, Bluebird, Derby, Astra Superior Platinum, 7 O'clock Super Stainless, Silver Blue, and Shark Super Chrome] laying around. So far I've only tried the Derby's and Feathers in my SS and definitely prefer the Feathers. I'm wondering if I should start back out with the Derbys again in the R41 or just stick with my favorite blade..."
For the maiden shave try the Astra. Out of your list it's a nice blend of closeness and comfort and you can then concentrate on just enjoying and getting to know your new razor. I had actually written off Derby's a while back but then tried one in my R41 and enjoyed it. Feathers are also nice. I don't find then to be a "helter skelter" blade but if I have any imperfections (IE: blackheads/zits) on my skin going into the shave I generally won't use it. The Silver Blue would also be a nice choice for the first shave. Just use light pressure and remember to reduce your beard - not scrape it all off in one pass lol! That's where you'll find the R41 can be very close AND comfortable!
For the maiden shave try the Astra. Out of your list it's a nice blend of closeness and comfort and you can then concentrate on just enjoying and getting to know your new razor. I had actually written off Derby's a while back but then tried one in my R41 and enjoyed it. Feathers are also nice. I don't find then to be a "helter skelter" blade but if I have any imperfections (IE: blackheads/zits) on my skin going into the shave I generally won't use it. The Silver Blue would also be a nice choice for the first shave. Just use light pressure and remember to reduce your beard - not scrape it all off in one pass lol! That's where you'll find the R41 can be very close AND comfortable!
Hah! Good luck with the beast. If you can tame that one, you can shave with any thing!
I find that the Derby and Astra are the most enjoyable to use (for me anyway). R41 is one of the few razors that make the Derby blade shine.
Remember that Derby makes shavette blades that are nothing more than the standard Derby DE blade broken in half for your convenience. If they work well in a shavette (disposable blade straight razor) you should find them just fine in an R41
- Thread starter
- #12
You'll like the R41, but just be sure to go really easy with it until you get use to it. If you use too much pressure it'll let you know. 
Way to go son 
Shaving like a boss.
Shaving like a boss.Wait what ? First shave with a Feather ? How brave loll
Just make sure you put 911 into the speed dialer on your phone and leave it open on the counter while you are using the R41
Cold water shaves my friend, the help slow down the nicks and weapers, my hats off to you, Your a Brave Soul.
Nahh its not that bad, but be sure to take your time and again cold water shaves help.
Nahh its not that bad, but be sure to take your time and again cold water shaves help.
Agreed. I used it 5 times or so. Twice with stretching and thrice with. I got very DFS with two passes easily.
- Thread starter
- #19
Wow, big thumbs up to Connaught Shaving, my new R41 showed up in the mail today. All the way from England to Indiana in 9 days including a weekend and over Christmas and all the closings that entailed. I never dreamed it would get here that fast! The bad news is I just shaved down to BBS this morning before work. Gah! I'm a adventurous, but not enough to attempt a second shave today with this beast. Hmmm, looks like it's time to shave the dog! Somethings getting shaved tonight dammit! lol
I'll report back tomorrow after I've had a chance to take this bad boy for a test drive. Initials impressions: I'm actually surprised at the weight. I noticed everyone talking about swapping out the handle for a heavier one, but the razor as a whole is definitely heavier than the 58 SS I currently own (The only other DE I've held).
I'll report back tomorrow after I've had a chance to take this bad boy for a test drive. Initials impressions: I'm actually surprised at the weight. I noticed everyone talking about swapping out the handle for a heavier one, but the razor as a whole is definitely heavier than the 58 SS I currently own (The only other DE I've held).
I think the weight is just right (and I'm fine with the grip fwiw). I actually wondered if my razor happened to be a bit heavier than normal because people complain that it's light. I don't have a digital scale to investigate though.
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