Does anyone really get a smooth shave with a R41?

[shave/brush]

I have a R41 2013 I used about 20 times. I never drew blood with it. I really want to use this as my go-to razor but the only problem is I can't get a smooth shave with it no matter what I try. If I have a 3 day beard it is not smooth at all.
I'm not being a wiseguy but does anyone get a really smooth shave with an R41 razor?

 

[Mick]

I get a close shave using my R41 and the blades I use are typically smooth (coated).

So, yea, I guess it could be called a smooth shave.

 

[Panama]

I see many "I can't use it everyday" comments. I never understand using something at all if it is uncomfortable. To each his own.

 

[Jeff_H]

Not yet. So far I haven't even managed a blood free shave. But, I have managed to get better shaves with it. Sometime soon I am going to devote and entire week or 2 week period to shaving with nothing but the R41. The problem is I bought a Gillette NEW long comb. Holy buckets Batman, this is one great razor. It's so good I have a newly replated Nickel New Standard Tuckaway coming AND Krona Kruiser is working on an English NEW long comb for me. So, I'm not quite sure I am going to be able to make the time.

The 2013 R41 is really one of the razors I want to master. So, if I REALLY want to do something, I usually find a way to make it happen. But so far, smooth is not a word I'd associate with the R41. Efficient, aggressive, powerful...even borderline dangerous, but not smooth. Not yet.

Maybe the smooth is hiding behind all that blood it takes from me?

 

[Jray19306]

I use my 2013 R41 every day. I love this razor. It has solved all of my razor burn and ingrown hair issues.

I started with an R89 and switched to the R41 after 3 months. Since then, I have not touched my R89 nor have I desired a new razor. I use a Gillette 7 O'clock Black blades and do 3 passes. The key is to pay attention to your angle and just go lightly. Kind of like you are learning again. There's a sweet spot for pressure with that razor, once you find it, I doubt you'll use another razor.

 

[Ronnie Aloha]

I started getting much smoother shaves after switching to a UFO Goliath handle. Now it handles like a NEW for me.

 

[jdkdonk]

Actually did a good job on my neck, which is where I usually have the most problems, but it slices my upper lip to hell. I've put it on the sidelines for a while. Maybe I'll try it again with a heavier handle. The stock handle I find a bit slippery, and light. Another idea is to use the R41 for everything but my lips, and tag in another razor, like my Slim, but this seems like sacrilege.

Note, I have the 2013 version.

 

[engblom]

From around January until the end of September, R41 (probably 2013 version) was the only razor I used. Then I bought a Merkur 15C and a Mühle R89.

If I compare R41 with R89 (same head as EJ DE89), I would say they are both the same smooth or harsh depending on how you look at it. I do not feel any difference if I use the R89 or R41 except for that R41 removes more in one pass.

It is very easy to get R41 into a bad angle, so keep an eye on the angle. If you consider EJ or R89 to be smooth, you should not have a problem with R41. My face can not stand either razor daily, but with skipping days, I get good shaves with even R41.

 

[ERVARGASNY]

I would say close, but not smooth as i have to really watch my step with the R41 and that is why i got rid of it, have to pay too much attention not to slice a cheek off / but it did give very close shaves with just one pass.

 

[martym]

I have two 2011 R41 Grandes and the shaves with them are wonderful.
The only reason the 2011 R41 Grande is not my daily razor is that the slant just gives me a better shave.

 

[Sceptic Pencil]

I have a R41 2013 I used about 20 times. I never drew blood with it. I really want to use this as my go-to razor but the only problem is I can't get a smooth shave with it no matter what I try. If I have a 3 day beard it is not smooth at all.
I'm not being a wiseguy but does anyone get a really smooth shave with an R41 razor?

My 2013 R41 gives me the closest shave I have ever experienced, with never any nicks or irritation. The problem is that when I shave with it, it feels like it is trying to pull the bristles out, rather than cut them. This is particularly bad on my first (WTG) pass.

I had a less painful shave using a brand new Astra SP a couple of weeks back & I initially thought that this was as a result of me using a heavier (UFO Tornado) with the R41 head, but I now suspect there was something about the blade that facilitated a less painful shave. Subsequent attempts at using Astra SPs have proved as painful an experience as ever. I am going to work through my blade collection to try & find one that works in the R41.

I know a lot of people mention the importance of the shaving angle with the R41 & I have experimented with different angles, but as I get very close shaves, with no cuts or irritation, I am not convinced the angle is the problem in my case.

 

[engblom]

My 2013 R41 gives me the closest shave I have ever experienced, with never any nicks or irritation. The problem is that when I shave with it, it feels like it is trying to pull the bristles out, rather than cut them. This is particularly bad on my first (WTG) pass.

The trick is to have a really firm grip, while still somehow being able to have no pressure. Because of where the blade edge is located and no bar helping to keep the angle, small rocking movements appeares easily as some whiskers tries to stop the razor. A firm grip is needed to prevent this rocking.

For example, if you go from top down you accidently move the handle faster than what the head moves for a very short while because of the friction and cutting force needed. While being in this wrong position, the blade goes a bit into new whiskers and you correct the angle and the razor has suddenly become a crowbar pulling.

With some blades I get a lot of tugged out whiskers (and small red blood spots from where they got tugged out) while with other I do not get them as they are gliding and cutting better and causing less rocking. R41 requires for me very sharp blades. Derby blades are worthless in R41.

 

[deruitem]

I have a 2011 R41, it seems to work best with 3 days of growth or more. I am in the process of going through all of my razors and get rid of the ones I am not happy with. I started with the fatip and will shave with only it for a month. If I like it it stays if not it goes. Next up is the R41.

 

[Patpug]

I love mine it gives a smooth shave but it's a little harsh on my lower neck so until I sort that out it's not a regular razor for me.

 

[Codfish]

I have a R41 2013 I used about 20 times. I never drew blood with it. I really want to use this as my go-to razor but the only problem is I can't get a smooth shave with it no matter what I try. If I have a 3 day beard it is not smooth at all.
I'm not being a wiseguy but does anyone get a really smooth shave with an R41 razor?

I've gotten consistently smooth shaves with the 2013 model, and I may know why.

I was an early adopter of the original R41 2011, and have used it as my primary razor for some time. In the early days, there was much discussion about blade selection, because the R41 seemed to work well with some, but not with others. Blade choice can be a big factor in success. So is prep. Likewise with blade angle.

You don't say much about these factors. We might be able to help with more information.

 

[shave/brush]

I've gotten consistently smooth shaves with the 2013 model, and I may know why.

I was an early adopter of the original R41 2011, and have used it as my primary razor for some time. In the early days, there was much discussion about blade selection, because the R41 seemed to work well with some, but not with others. Blade choice can be a big factor in success. So is prep. Likewise with blade angle.
You don't say much about these factors. We might be able to help with more information.

For blades, the one I use the most is 7 O'Clock yellows. It's not bad if I have just a one or two day growth (even a Derby works good) but if it's a three day growth it really starts to pull. I don't have a heavy beard either.
I have never used a pre-shave prep. Can you recommend one if you feel this could help. For blade angle, I try it at different angles but even the best angle will still pull as I'm shaving. I don't want to give up on the R41 yet.

 

[Codfish]

I have never used a pre-shave prep. Can you recommend one if you feel this could help. For blade angle, I try it at different angles but even the best angle will still pull as I'm shaving. I don't want to give up on the R41 yet.

I assume you are not talking about dry shaving. In that case it is definitely the problem.

Aggressive razors (actually all razors) need effective beard softening/wetting to work properly. Simple wetting does mot work well. Especially with aggressive razors.

I splash water on my face for at least a full minute, then use good soap/cream applied with a brush for at least one more minute. The best time to do this is right after a shower. There are plenty of tutorials on beard prep here on B&B or on Mantic59's YouTube site

 

[KCee]

I struggle a bit with my 2013 R41. For me it seems more aggressive and less forgiving than even my Fatip or using my Progress on it's highest setting. I love how it shaves most of my face, but I really have issues with the trouble spot on the right side of my neck. I only reach for it if I have more than a days growth, but even then I'll lean towards a different razor. Too bad because I love the look of the rose gold handle. I've only been DE shaving for just under a year though so perhaps as my technique continues to improve I'll get better with the R41.

 

[shave/brush]

I assume you are not talking about dry shaving. In that case it is definitely the problem.

Aggressive razors (actually all razors) need effective beard softening/wetting to work properly. Simple wetting does mot work well. Especially with aggressive razors.

When you asked me about "prep" I thought you meant some kind of pre-shave oil. I wet my face with warm water really good. Then I mix my lather in a bowl and brush it on.
If I shaved every day or every other day with a fresh blade it would be fine. If I go 3 days I find I get a lot of pulling on the blade.

 

[shave/brush]

My 2013 R41 gives me the closest shave I have ever experienced, with never any nicks or irritation. The problem is that when I shave with it, it feels like it is trying to pull the bristles out, rather than cut them. This is particularly bad on my first (WTG) pass.

This is how it feels for me on a 3 day beard. Otherwise it's not too bad.