Blade Suggestions for Open Comb R41 (2013)

[bassbone81]

I have been using Gillette Silver Blues in my EJ89 for a few weeks, and just got a Muhle R41 with the new 2013 head. My first shave with the R41 and GSB was not pleasant, lots of tug and pull on a day's worth of stubble. It does give me a closer shave, especially under the next and chin, but there is more irritation. Maybe I'll try the R41 as my final pass razor after I use the EJ89 for the bulk of the work.

I have a wiry but sparse beard. What are your blade suggestions for an open comb razor? Does a thicker gauged blade benefit or matter more when using an open comb razor?

 

[elbeto]

I'm using Shark and Wilkinson Sword blades, both are working fine, except for one of the Wilkinson Sword.

 

[Teppanyaki]

I've been with mine for 5 shaves - in my experience, Polsilver Super Iridiums cut well and are smooth. Feathers cut just as well but maybe a bit harsher, Astras drag a bit more. I angle the blade slightly (Gillette Slide, guillotine stroke, etc) to reduce drag. I would try a Super Iridium or Feather.

Another razor option - my Merkur Slant 39c barberpole shaves with less resistance and tugging than any other razor, just not quite as close as the R41 and I can't play with angling as much due to the built in angle.

 

[FozzieBear1971]

I have enjoyed the Silver Blues in mine. The only other blade I have tried in mine were Feathers which gave an incredibly close shave.

 

[Jtokle]

Feather, GSB, and Polsilver are my current favorite blades in my 2013 R41.

 

[Ronnie Aloha]

I've only tried Astra's and they have worked for me so far. I'll have to try a Feather and the Silver blues that were included by the vendor.

 

[dieselfuel79]

The Gillette Silver blues compliment mine quite nicely.

 

[bassbone81]

Things went much better today using the EJ89 for the bulk of the work, followed by the R41 with a GSB for my final pass ATG. I have a 5 pack of Feathers to try next.

 

[fireMedic1343]

Things went much better today using the EJ89 for the bulk of the work, followed by the R41 with a GSB for my final pass ATG. I have a 5 pack of Feathers to try next.

Any further updates, have you stuck with the R41?

 

[bassbone81]

Any further updates, have you stuck with the R41?

The only time I can use the R41 is if I haven't shaved in a few days. I have a feeling most would chalk it all up to technique, but there's no way I could use the R41 as an every day razor. After two passes yesterday morning, I could feel the irritation, but there was still way too much stubble left under my neck and chin. My beard does not grow very fast, and having more substantial stubble seems to help. I like my Stirling shave soaps, but I've had the best success on the R41 with Mystic Waters as well as Barrister and Mann. Much more cushion and protection.

The Feather blade seemed to help, as there was less tug and pull, but the thinness of the blade compared to the Silver Blue made for a rather unstable feel on my face. A product of the open comb to be sure.

My impression is that this will indeed be a finishing razor for me, if anything at all.

 

[rand77]

Believe it not, give Derby a try. It's almost if that blade is meant for the R41 and no other razor! I was pleasantly surprised how effective it was in this razor. Derby's are really tuggy in most other razors I've tried.

Other blades that worked for me are: Gillette Blacks, Med Preps, Feathers (a bit harsh sometimes), and Astras. However Derby seems to have them beat.

 

[morseman]

I have used feathers and polsilvers in my r41 they both gave a close shave, but with a little bit of irritation then i tried a dorco blade and it gave a very nice irritation free shave, go figure.

just my 2p

 

[cb91710]

Astra SP and Gillette 7:00 Yellow both worked well for me. Switched to straights before I had a chance to try a Feather.

 

[The Dean]

Believe it not, give Derby a try. It's almost if that blade is meant for the R41 and no other razor! I was pleasantly surprised how effective it was in this razor. Derby's are really tuggy in most other razors I've tried.

Other blades that worked for me are: Gillette Blacks, Med Preps, Feathers (a bit harsh sometimes), and Astras. However Derby seems to have them beat.

Really? OK. I have yet to open the 5-pack I got from my first blade sample, but I think the next blade I use in the R41 will be a Derby. What the heck? I haven't been able to get a great 2nd shave from either the Feather or the Crystal in this razor (though the first shaves were fine--spectacular with the Feather). And like bassbone81, I like to have an extra day's growth for this one (at least so far). For the record the R41 I am using is a 2011.

 

[aimsport]

Blade choice depends on your technique with the R41. If you use a steep blade angle a smooth, stiffer, but less sharp blade like a Dorco ST-300 Platinum works great. If you use a shallow angle, then super sharp and smooth works best... something like an Iridium.

 

[cb91710]

Believe it not, give Derby a try. It's almost if that blade is meant for the R41 and no other razor!

The Derby was an absolute bloodbath for me.
Literally DROPS of blood in the sink. It was bad.

 

[cb91710]

I tried Derby, Astra and Feather in mine and they all worked good. However I couldn't get a week out of any of them. I don't remember the Derby but Astra was 3 days and Feather 2. I did go a fourth day with an Astra once but it wasn't comfortable and a third day with the Feather was bad. However, I'm not sure at this point if it was the blade or just using the R41 on consecutive days. I wasn't getting better than my regular shaves so I didn't feel the need to test the theory.

Likewise.... 3 days and I'm happy with a blade.
I tried the Gilletted 7:00 Yellow and after the 3rd shave it still felt good, but it never got a 4th because I switched to straights.

 

[rand77]

The Derby was an absolute bloodbath for me.
Literally DROPS of blood in the sink. It was bad.

Yikes, that's unfortunate. Was this with the 2011 model? I'm using the tweaked 2013 model.

 

[cb91710]

Yikes, that's unfortunate. Was this with the 2011 model? I'm using the tweaked 2013 model.

Ya.. 2011. Not sure if the 2013 would be better in that respect or not.
I got great shaves from the Astra SP and Gillette... gave me the confidence to move to straights.

 

[chamm]

My stubble could scrape the barnacles off the hull of a ship, and I have 5 o'clock shadow by 9am. I'm pretty much a DE noob, but I'm using Feathers in my R41, and Feathers are what ninjas shave with. I've had some irritation, but as yet, no trips to the ER. Your screen name would suggest you're a fellow bass trombone player, in which case, go big or go home. ;-)