Muhle-Pinsel R89 Questions

[rainman]

If a website has it pictured as the Open Comb head am I to assume that this is the old style head? Not looking for the safety bar version. Also not sure if there was 2 different open comb head versions. I hear that the blade exposure doesn't line up well and that it is aggressive. Here is picture of the one I'm looking at. Thanks in advance for some info.

 

[glassmtn99]

That is a picture of the older style open comb Muhle. Most reviewers state this older style open comb is very aggressive. If you want the old style I would contact them to verify they are selling the older style as occasionally web stores do not update their photos.

eric.

 

[Luc]

+1 to Eric's comment

That's the old R89. Very aggressive shaver!

 

[rainman]

Thank you Eric and Luc. That's the info I needed. I wonder why the new razor they made didn't just get a new model number. It would avoid some confusion.

 

[domino]

A picture of the new R41..http://www.muehle-shaving.com/shop/classic/razors/1/safety_razor/77/8/R_41
Best Grooming should have them stock again soon

 

[Luc]

If you want to get that razor, you just need to know that there's a gap between the guiding pins and the cap allowing your blade to slide in the gap creating an uneven exposure. If you are careful, you will be able to align the blade properly without any problems.

 

[spinyeel]

The old Muhle R89 is by far the most aggressive D/E that I have used.As Luc says,align the blade correctly and take your time and you are rewarded with a very close shave indeed.If not you will carve yourself up.

 

[rainman]

I was planning on using it as a head shaver. If things don't work out, then it will be on B/S/T.

 

[spinyeel]

I was planning on using it as a head shaver. If things don't work out, then it will be on B/S/T.

You are joking I hope?

 

[rainman]

You are joking I hope?

No, that's the plan. Offcourse I'll test the razor on my face once or twice to get a feel for it, then I'll attempt the head shave.

 

[carloverfast2]

i would think there are better razors for head shaves, maybe a milder one?

 

[rainman]

Just got it right now. I agree that it was a pain to align the blade. One I did, I proceeded to shave my face with it. Everyone's crazy, effortless smooth and fast shave with no problems. The head shave is comming soon.

 

[Kevan]

I wish these things were still available. Why on earth would Muhle discontinue it in favor of the Merkur-style OC head?

 

[rainman]

I wish these things were still available. Why on earth would Muhle discontinue it in favor of the Merkur-style OC head?

I just got mine from here:

http://www.bathandbodynet.com/prod-Traditional_Chrome_Razor_by_Muhle_Pinsel-2442.aspx


This site also has them. I thought the shipping was goint to be higer on this
site which is why I didn't choose this site:

http://www.shopattitudes.com/prod-Traditional_Chrome_Razor_by_Muhle_Pinsel-2442.aspx

 

[Kevan]

Thanks!

 

[rainman]

I just shaved my head with this razor. I have now become the best head shaver in the world. This razor is also the best head shaver in the world. Together, we are still the best head shaver in the world. Our names will go into legend. No one else dare reach our greatness of head shaves. Our legend will go into legend. The end.

 

[talibeard]

I just shaved my head with this razor. I have now become the best head shaver in the world. This razor is also the best head shaver in the world. Together, we are still the best head shaver in the world. Our names will go into legend. No one else dare reach our greatness of head shaves. Our legend will go into legend. The end.

Loaded with a Feather, no doubt?

 

[rainman]

Loaded with a Feather, no doubt?

Actually a used Dorco ST301, used once before on my face to shave off 3 days of growth. Nivea canned gel was used. My head had one weeks growth. No prep. Just rubbed the gel on my dry uncleaned head. Did it in sections. Top of head, sides, back. One pass alone got me to DFS. No irritation. Best head shave I've gotten. Other DE's tried: Weishi, Fat Handled Tech, and a Single ring. None of them came close.

With that being said I have a completely different set up for my face. The face and the head shave are entirely two different things.

 

[Kevan]

Shaved with my new R89 for the first time tonight. The head-cap is really....um, small? It looks like it doesn't have the width to properly cover the comb. And it also doesn't properly pin down the blade. Maybe this is why Muhle discontinued it?

So I swapped head caps: I put my Merkur cap on the Muhle comb and vice versa. The Merkur head cap was a much better fit, and pinned the blade down securely.

I used a 7 O'Clock Permasharp blade....my favorite blade and the smoothest I've ever used on my face. That said, oh my lord is the R89 an aggressive little SOB! Slow and steady certainly does make it easier, but when I used the same technique I do with the Merkur open comb, I felt the blade. And nicked myself. Something I rarely do nowadays. I guess I have to really find the sweet spot for this razor; it's the first razor I've owned as of yet that has given me an issue in that respect. But it's also a challenge to which I want to rise. I will master this beast!

Is it the longer, curved teeth that make it more aggressive than the standard Merkur OC?

 

[spinyeel]

If you look at the head side on with a blade loaded,you will notice a fair gap between the blade and the comb and an unusually steep blade angle compared to a Gillette New or a Merkur open comb.This makes the R89 a very aggressive razor that will give you a great shave with milder blades such as Dorco 300s and Merkur's.I don't see the point of loading it up with Kai's or Feathers.They are a liability in an older Muhle R89.