Merkur HD to Muhle R41?

[TiberiuR]

Hi everyone. I'm in a month or so of DE shaving now.. Great results so far. But there is one aspect that I keep my mind on. I noticed that shave varies greatly with different razors.
I only have an HD and the Feather Popular. I would like to play a bit more and try another razor for my blades. I'm just curious.
And I stoped for the Muhle R41 the new 2009 version. It is an open comb razor, as opposed to the HD which has a protective bar. What's the deal with the open combs? Are they more aggresive. Is the R41 not as forgiving as the HD? I would like to try it, but I'm worried I will only add more variables. But I would like to get a closer shave. Could the R41 be it?
Should I go for a open comb? Or should I go for a regular razor like the muhle R89?

Thanx gents.

 

[Moe]

Why would you not try the open tooth version of your 34C, the Merkur 11C? Or the Merkur 12C, which is the open tooth version of the long handled, "barber pole" HD, the 38C, which is heavier than the 34C. Both use the two-piece version (like your 34C) of the Merker open comb head.

If I understand correctly, the R41 uses the three-piece version of the Merkur open tooth head, where the threaded rod is shorter and the lower part of the head separates from the handle, which is lighter on the R41. I also understand the R41 has been discontinued but is still available at some dealers. I'm not implying the R41 isn't as good a razor.

 

[TiberiuR]

Why would you not try the open tooth version of your 34C, the Merkur 11C? Or the Merkur 12C, which is the open tooth version of the long handled, "barber pole" HD, the 38C, which is heavier than the 34C. Both use the two-piece version (like your 34C) of the Merker open comb head.

If I understand correctly, the R41 uses the three-piece version of the Merkur open tooth head, where the threaded rod is shorter and the lower part of the head separates from the handle, which is lighter on the R41. I also understand the R41 has been discontinued but is still available at some dealers. I'm not implying the R41 isn't as good a razor.

I thought about the 11C allot. But I would try Muhle R41 because it has a nicer finish and has a different balance. It has a merkur head. The only disadvantage is that it's a 3piece rather than a 2 piece like the HD.

 

[kolinpl]

Something to think about . . . I don't think being a 3 piece is a disadvantage. I have the r41 and do like the fit and finish, although to be honest it doesn't quite live up to the high expectations (fit and finish wise) I had built up from reading the forums.

I have shaved with the r41 only once and didn't catch my stride - I get awesome shaves with my Merkur HD and should give the R41 more chances. I still prefer the weight of my HD and find myself still curious to try the 11C.

RAD anyone??

K

 

[Ceri]

I thought about the 11C allot. But I would try Muhle R41 because it has a nicer finish and has a different balance. It has a merkur head. The only disadvantage is that it's a 3piece rather than a 2 piece like the HD.

I'm a few weeks ahead of you - I had a Merkur 23C for Christmas and bought an R41 a few weeks ago, since when the Merkur hasn't seen much use.

The R41 is a beautiful object, more so than the 23C which is a bit too Teutonic for my tastes. The Muhle is also great to use, it's much better balanced than the 23C and any reservations I may have had about open combs disappeared rapidly.

That said, I've been alternating it with a vintage Tech and will probably buy one of the Edwin Jagger DE8* models next month, which are supposed to be even better finished.

 

[VR6ofpain]

I thought about the 11C allot. But I would try Muhle R41 because it has a nicer finish and has a different balance. It has a merkur head. The only disadvantage is that it's a 3piece rather than a 2 piece like the HD.

The Muhles do have a much better finish. Comparing my 34C to my R89, you can see the Muhle is in a different league (it also shaves better IMO). The weight thing is not a bad thing as far as I am concerned. I like the fact that the R89 is slightly head heavy.

 

[Moe]

RAD anyone??

Certainly! I believe I would benefit from having the same handle with different heads, i.e. the 34C as my most used razor, the 11C if I have to go a few days without shaving and my beard gets longer, and the 37C for when I want a closer shave with the same blades.

Now, to be honest, I have two beard trimmers, easily capable of getting my beard length short enough for the HD/34C. And Feather blades may make my HD as aggressive as the 37C with Red Packs. So the HD may be all I need, but the other two sure would be nice.

And say, what about one of those short Mergress razors to match the three Merkurs above? RAD INDEED!

 

[Arkansas]

I got the muhle R41 a few weeks ago. I ordered it because I thought it would be slightly more aggressive than the EJ DE89L. It's not. The EJ with straight bar is more aggressive.
Also, the EJ has a better finish than the muhle, and costs less.
Another difference is that the muhle has a hollow handle. I can see how some might like that, but the balance seems off to me.
The edwin jagger razor is really nice. It is more aggressive than the hd, in my opinion.
I'd go with the EJ, or the long handled slant, if you want a more aggressive razor.

 

[Wheater]

+1 on the EJ. I love the smooth shaves that I get with mine.

 

[TiberiuR]

I bought both the R41 and the R89. I tried the R89 and I get superb shaves! With a sharp blades the R89 is great! Smooth, clean cuts. Shaved with it only 3 times with an Iridium Super in it. I know I need more shaves, but to this point the R89 was great!!