Just received new Muhle R89 + razor samples, etc.

[Lesmore]

My new Muhle R 89 just came in, along with a selection of blades including:

• Gillette 7 O'clock
• Precision- Personna Israel
• Wilkinson Sword
• Feather, Astra, Merkur, Derby- samplers (10 blades each)

Unfortunately I shaved this morning...so I will need to wait till tomorrow AM to try the R89 out.

I will use my Proraso Shaving `Soap (green puck)...it works great with my Gillette Sensor 111 cartridges.

Initial comments on the Muhle. What a beautiful looking, fine instrument. At first look, it appears to be perfect.

The manufacturing tolerances and standards appear to be very high. I'm very impressed, by the construction, finish, chroming and balance.

Now for tomorrow am....I wonder what blade I should use first ? Muhle have packed a Derby single (I think-wrapped up in wax paper) DE blade.

Maybe I should use that one as it came with the R89 ? I dunno.

Suggestions.

It will also be the first time for me...even though I'm an old 'cowhand' at shaving, using a DE razor. My father used one up to the early 60's.

Any hints from those experienced in using a DE razor ?

Les

 

[cswann1]

Any hints from those experienced in using a DE razor ?

Well, I use a DE pretty much the same as I used to use a cartridge or disposable.

I basically lather up, and use long (1"-3") strokes with the grain. Keep in mind you'll want to use a very light touch, no need to apply pressure. Depending on the blade you'll want to be somewhere in the 30-45 degree range. Once I've cleared the forest, it's time to remove the stumps. I lather a second time and using much shorter strokes, I work across the grain.

Now my whiskers mostly grow from my skin at a shallow angle, and in various directions (including a swirl on my right jaw-line) so I have to do a lot of extra work. That involves a lot of against the grain work, again taking shorter strokes and using a much shallower angle, probably in the 10-20 degree range. During this short stroke, against the grain work, I typically just reach into my sink of hot water and wet the skin as I go with my off-hand, because by this time my face is drying and the already soap covered skin just needs to be moistened to keep the blade sliding across.

I'd say use the Derby, Wilkinson and Astra first until you've got your technique down. Then once you feel like you know how to really drive that razor well, move to the Feather and 7 O'clock. That will give you a good base-line for comparison. Also a couple of other premium blades you'll want to try out are Iridiums and Kai.

 

[Bloomey]

+1 to the gentleman above. Definately use the derby, smmmmmooooooottttthhhhest blade I've used apart from israel personnas, which are my go to blades. Got the smoothest bbs shave ever from using a combination of a derby blade, mwf and a mhule r41 (same as the r89 but an open comb head).

Would also suggest using short strokes, no pressure and also if you can use a decent pre shave treatment like proraso pre/post or trumpers skin food.. either that or some kyle prep to really sodten up your whiskers.

The r89 is an excellent choice by the way.

Hope I've been of some small help

 

[Chaucer]

+1 on the R89. I've had best results with Wilks and 7 o'clock yellows. IPs are pretty good too. Astras are definitely a "cut" below and don't ask about Merkurs.

I haven't used a Derby in awhile. Airport security confiscated my last pack. (They were supposed to go in the checked bag.)

 

[Lesmore]

Well, I use a DE pretty much the same as I used to use a cartridge or disposable.

I basically lather up, and use long (1"-3") strokes with the grain. Keep in mind you'll want to use a very light touch, no need to apply pressure. Depending on the blade you'll want to be somewhere in the 30-45 degree range. Once I've cleared the forest, it's time to remove the stumps. I lather a second time and using much shorter strokes, I work across the grain.

Thanks for the info. At first I wasn't lathering a second time...I was just shaving over cleared lather skin area. Your post is helpful, now I know to re-lather every time I run the razor over the area.

Now my whiskers mostly grow from my skin at a shallow angle, and in various directions (including a swirl on my right jaw-line) so I have to do a lot of extra work. That involves a lot of against the grain work, again taking shorter strokes and using a much shallower angle, probably in the 10-20 degree range. During this short stroke, against the grain work, I typically just reach into my sink of hot water and wet the skin as I go with my off-hand, because by this time my face is drying and the already soap covered skin just needs to be moistened to keep the blade sliding across.

I'd say use the Derby, Wilkinson and Astra first until you've got your technique down. Then once you feel like you know how to really drive that razor well, move to the Feather and 7 O'clock. That will give you a good base-line for comparison. Also a couple of other premium blades you'll want to try out are Iridiums and Kai.

I'll use the Derby sample supplied by Muhle then. I wonder how many times a razor blade will shave before it's time to toss it ? How do you toss it...wrap it in duct tape for safety and put it in the garbage or.....?

 

[Lesmore]

+1 to the gentleman above. Definately use the derby, smmmmmooooooottttthhhhest blade I've used apart from israel personnas, which are my go to blades. Got the smoothest bbs shave ever from using a combination of a derby blade, mwf and a mhule r41 (same as the r89 but an open comb head).

Would also suggest using short strokes, no pressure and also if you can use a decent pre shave treatment like proraso pre/post or trumpers skin food.. either that or some kyle prep to really sodten up your whiskers.

The r89 is an excellent choice by the way.

Hope I've been of some small help

Thanks for the ++ re; the Derby. I will definitely use that one first.

 

[Lesmore]

+1 on the R89. I've had best results with Wilks and 7 o'clock yellows. IPs are pretty good too. Astras are definitely a "cut" below and don't ask about Merkurs.

I haven't used a Derby in awhile. Airport security confiscated my last pack. (They were supposed to go in the checked bag.)

What I'm looking at doing with the wide range of razor blades I've bought is to try them all...to see which works best for me. Then once I've got that figured out, I think I'll buy a large supply of that company's razor blades.

I don't know if this is a good idea or if one should always use a variety of different company's blades...?

I've got the 7 o'clocks..they're in a green pack...with a reddish figure 7....not sure if these are 7 o'clock yellows....or ?

 

[GarageBoy]

R89 is the same Merkur head or is it made by Muhle?

 

[bohdathone]

Hi Les, those blades are the Green 7 o'clocks; just as good as the yellows in my view, though perhaps a touch sharper and less forgiving. The R89 performs best for me with a 7 o'clock (green or yellow) or Israeli Personnas.

I'm sure you'll enjoy using it!

 

[Snargle]

I use a blade until I feel it start to pull, drag, or otherwise lose its smoothness. Probably 4 shaves or so for me, but YMMV depending on the blade and toughness of your beard.

Good information on blade disposal here: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=54746

I'll use the Derby sample supplied by Muhle then. I wonder how many times a razor blade will shave before it's time to toss it ? How do you toss it...wrap it in duct tape for safety and put it in the garbage or.....?

 

[Lesmore]

R89 is the same Merkur head or is it made by Muhle?

Don't know, as I'm new to all this, but I think Merkur is a large company and Muhle is a relatively small firm.

 

[Lesmore]

Hi Les, those blades are the Green 7 o'clocks; just as good as the yellows in my view, though perhaps a touch sharper and less forgiving. The R89 performs best for me with a 7 o'clock (green or yellow) or Israeli Personnas.

I'm sure you'll enjoy using it!

Thanks for the info.....I'm looking forward to trying out the different blades.

 

[bowlturner]

Muhle head is different than the Merkur. I have both, and like both, but the Muhle is better detailed.

 

[El Comanche]

feather blades with that razor is a match made in heaven. Smoothest, closest, nick and irritation free combo I have-

 

[Hil's Lee]

+1 on the R89. I've had best results with Wilks and 7 o'clock yellows. IPs are pretty good too. Astras are definitely a "cut" below and don't ask about Merkurs.

I haven't used a Derby in awhile. Airport security confiscated my last pack. (They were supposed to go in the checked bag.)

Good example of how YMMV. I use Astras in my EJDE89L, which has the same head as the Muhle. Astras are now my favorite blade, as they work very well in all my razors.

I also recommend the Feathers for this razor head. Excellent shave, just know tha tif your technique is off... the Feather will let you know.