How Long Get Used to a New Razor?

[jdkdonk]

Just had my first shave with a 2013 Muhle R41. It went pretty well, but this razor is far more aggressive than my first razor, a Merkur 180, which I've had for about 4 months. It seems I did a poor job on my upper lip and got quite a few weepers, overall the shave was not as smooth as I'd hoped for, almost seems like the blade was catching/pulling etc.

I did not expect to get perfect shave the first time with this razor, but right now I'm not sure I even want to give it another try. How many shaves should I use a new razor before deciding it doesn't work for me? Maybe I should just stick it back on the shelf, and try again in 6 months.

 

[aihpcfl]

Who knows the answer. Either you keep practicing or you don't. It won't be any different if you wait and try again later.

 

[Jeff_H]

It's really difficult to say, as every person is different. The advice I see given quite a bit is it takes about a month of regular use to really get used to a new razor. Now, the more refined your skill, less time for adaptation is required. So, once you've been DE shaving for 5 years or more and have successfully used many different razors, you may be able to pick up a new razor and get great shaves in one or two uses.

I just acquired a 2013 R41 as well. My first shave was a rather bloody experience. I didn't have the right blade and didn't use the proper blade angle. I switched blades after my face healed (use a Gillette Silver Blue instead of a Voshkod) and shaved with the R41 for a week. You need to use a very very shallow angle to shave with. Put the head of the razor on your face with the handle perpendicular to the ground and then tilt the handle down just until the razor barely cuts hair. That's where you need to start and it will make the experience much more enjoyable.

I managed to get several complete shaves with the R41 by the end of the week, but not without nicks or weepers. I am letting my face clear up from the shaves with the R41 and will try again in a week or so. I think I can get the hang of it now that I understand it. I'm sure you can too.

I suggest trying for at least a week, but the longer you can shave with it the quicker you will get comfortable with it. Maybe limit your shaves to a WTG pass and an XTG pass. If you can live with the quality of shave this provides you will potentially lessen the irritation to your skin, allowing you to shave daily with the razor until you learn what angles, pressure and blades work best for your skin with it.

Best of luck.

 

[Panama]

If I thought it was so uncomfortable I did not want to try again, I would not try again.

 

[Monsieur Blaireau]

I got an R41, 2011 version, a year ago for my birthday. I used it for a few months, alternating with a Jagger EJ89 and a vintage Hoffritz, which was basically a rebranded Mercur that I'd used for decades before that. At first I had very bad results with the Muhle: weepers, nicks, cuts, gashes and irritation. In the months that followed, I started switching to straights more and more, and nowadays that's about all I use. I did sell the Jagger in the interim, and retired the Hoffritz. But when I turn to a DE these days, it's the Muhle, and I get a very comfortable BBS pretty much every time. So I disagree that your experience sometime down the line will be a repeat of the experience you've had so far. The Muhle takes some getting used to, and I'm not even sure I can say what exactly occurs, but once you get the hang of it, it's a superlative shave.

So, my advice: maybe shelve it for a while, but don't ditch it. Also, with that razor, blade choice is especially important. Have you tried the Lords? Or the Gillette black labels? Right now I've even used a Feather in mine the last couple times, and I wouldn't have imagined such a thing six months ago.

 

[chgruver]

I will say the first thing that came to mind when I read the OP was the old Tootsie Roll Pop commercial: "How many licks does it take to get to the center of the Tootsie Roll pop? The world may never know." I would probably say YMMV just because from what I have read regarding others experience, and some of my own, there are numerous factors that can have an effect on a razor's performance and it may take some tries before finding that perfect combo that will work for you.

 

[dpmtherrien]

Because everyone is different there's no set answer for how long it'll take you. I'd just keep working at it and making sure to use no pressure at all with that razor.

 

[jdkdonk]

I appreciate all the advice. I used a Lab Blue, which I've found to be very smooth in my Merkur 180. I'll give a GSB, or Blacks try, I've not used Lord yet in my 180 and a Feather I'm not ready to risk I'll try paying more attention to the blade angle as well. It seems like I got a good shave on cheeks, not sure why I tore my lip up. Maybe I have bad technique on my lip. I usually angle the head and use the corner of razor to get those pesky hairs near my nostrils, is this not an approved method?

Thanks,

Jeremy

 

[Jeff_H]

Jeremy,

I also get a great shave on my cheeks and surprisingly on my neck, which is usually my most sensitive nick prone area. However, it tears me up around my mouth, upper lip and upper chin. I haven't figured out the proper angle or direction of attack...yet.

The only way I can get those pesky hairs near my nostrils it to shave ATG or S to N and angle the razor to get in there. I never cut myself there with a normal razor using this method, but the R41 isn't any razor unfortunately. Sounds like we both have some additional learning curve to get through. Best of luck to you and I'll be interested to hear how you fair with the R41 over the next few shaves.

Jeff

 

[aihpcfl]

. . . I usually angle the head and use the corner of razor to get those pesky hairs near my nostrils, is this not an approved method?

Thanks,

Jeremy

I make a sideways stroke and use the corner of the blade under my nostrils. Maybe this is what you are talking about. I stretch my upper lip over my teeth to flatten the skin and keep the razor parallel to the skin where I'm shaving such that the blade isn't even touching lower down on my lip. The important steps are keep the lip stretched, watch the angle, and just skim over the skin with the blade. (But I'm using a EJ DE89. I image even more care would be needed with a more aggressive razor.)

 

[Invicta]

Keep trying with different angles. After a week you should be getting near the correct angle. You need to get a few shaves under the belt to get a comparison.