This really is a Jekyll and Hyde razor. Get your technique and prep absolutely 100% correct and you will be rewarded with the most fantastic shave. However, the slightest mistake and there will be blood. I haven't fully mastered it yet, but I'm getting there. 2 pass irritation free BBS compared to the 4 passes I need with my DE89, all I need to do is eliminate the blood and I'll be an even more happy shaver.
Muhle R41 2013
- Thread starter elverdiblanco
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I can't confirm this "Jekyll and Hyde" picture which so often gets drawn for the R41.
I am saying this as one of those who back in the dark ages managed to get nicks and cuts with carts! I agree that technique is really something you have to get down with about every non-electric razor, and certainly much more with razors that have plenty of blade exposure.
But I have to disagree regarding prep being very important when using the 2013 R41. Except on Sundays my prep is absolute sub-standard, just wetting my face and then smearing some shaving cream on with my left hand, and I hardly ever get a nick from my R41. I even use the R41 for dry clean up 10 or 15 minutes after shaving with a too mild razor.
Regarding the technique I use with about every DE razor, and which for me is the key to get no nicks with the R41, is to start shaving with the handle almost parallel to the skin and then, during the (first) stroke lift it until the blade "grabs" (grabs the stubbles, not the skin of course). With the R41 this results in what I would call "scraping action" of the blade, while with milder razors I end up with the handle "lifted" quite a bit and the blade forming a much shallower angle with the skin plane or tangent. Of course, not applying pressure is also important.
...And I thought this 2013 version was the 'milder, more forgiving' reincarnation of the dreaded 2011 R41—which I put to good use this morn.
I found the 2013 R41 to be very close but also not very forgiving and leading to a few dots of blood for every shave in problem areas (sides of chin, under nose). Because of the tiny nicks, I ended up trying other razors (New open combs) and discovered a similar shave with less of the nicking.
Having said that, the 2013 R41 was the first DE razor I can say that I really liked.
Having said that, the 2013 R41 was the first DE razor I can say that I really liked.
I like the R41 2013. I have never got a nick or drew blood. That said, I find that it is not a smooth shaving razor. Even with a fresh blade, any blade, for some reason it sort of pulls a lot. I'm still not sure if it will be my go to razor or not. It is a beautiful razor, that I will say.
martym
Unacceptably Lasering Chicken Giblets?
I have a friend whom I gave a 2011 R41 Grande.
He shaves with just hot water and only one against the grain pass and a couple of touch ups when he used carts.
He didn't change his shave routine with the R41 Grande and he gets perfect shaves with no nicks or cuts.
He is more man than I will ever be.
He shaves with just hot water and only one against the grain pass and a couple of touch ups when he used carts.
He didn't change his shave routine with the R41 Grande and he gets perfect shaves with no nicks or cuts.
He is more man than I will ever be.
- Thread starter
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I finally managed a blood-free shave with my R41 and 13 hours later there's barely a hint of shadow. In fact the shave is still closer than I would have managed with my (now retired) Philips electric.
I still wouldn't dare try using it like this guy though http://youtu.be/t7mpBXFmlAc
I still wouldn't dare try using it like this guy though http://youtu.be/t7mpBXFmlAc
I may be among a few that find the 2011 R41 smoother than the 2013 version. I had noticed that earlier but confirmed to be true this time in two consecutive shaves where everything else was the same except the head.
This goes against logic seeing how much more blade exposure there is in 2011 , but this is one of the many YMMV thing. But there is no doubt that there are so many fans of both the 2011/2013 head. Get the right handle/blade combo and technique down and it will reward you.
This goes against logic seeing how much more blade exposure there is in 2011 , but this is one of the many YMMV thing. But there is no doubt that there are so many fans of both the 2011/2013 head. Get the right handle/blade combo and technique down and it will reward you.
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I have both the '11 model and the '13 Grande, superb razors with no issues at all... I do enjoy using the '11 more thought purely because it's so freakin aggressive & loud.
I am going to buy an IKon OSS instead. It got good reviews.
If your prep isn't good with the R41 you will get punished. I speak from experience. However, good prep and your shaves will be absolutely fantastic!
Not to move this thread in a different direction, but is there a place that still sells the 2011 model as opposed to the 2013? Or is B/S/T the best option?
Just wondering.
Just wondering.
I have the R41 (2011) and have the greatest respect for how easy it is to draw blood. If you would like to try this for a few shaves, it might give you a very bloodless trial period. Use your DE89 for the first pass or two, then relather and gently, without any pressure, do a final pass or two with your R41. This way there will be no tug of war with blade and stubble that can get pretty dicey if you don't have the proper angle. It will give you the most comfortable and closest touchup you've ever had, while allowing you to get comfortable with the angle and blade that work best for you. There probably won't be any razor burn or weepers. I recommend this to anyone starting out for the first time with this razor. I've really enjoyed my 41 so far. I purchased a FaTip Picolo at the same time but find myself reaching for the Muhle almost every time.
Just do a WTB '11 R41, heaps of people hate them so they're easy to get, cheap but superb razors.
+1
Prep can soften the skin, too, which is bad for the R41. Steep angle minimal prep works great for me too.
Would a cold water prep that involved fairly long soaking avoid over softening of the skin?
This is my experience too. I need more passes with R89 (basically same razor as DE89) and my skin gets a lot more irritated. To get the same level of BBS shave with a milder one, you actually get more irriation as you add more passes.
A two pass shave daily was too much for my skin with R41. Now I have just accepted that my skin can not stand a BBS shave daily. I moved to the other extreme: mild razors not giving a real BBS, but decent enough.
+1 I fully agree on this. What I found is most important is that the blade is sharp. It is very easy to get it to tug and pull unless the blade is sharp.
