Muhle R41 Success

[cdmorten]

I had to share this. I've been wet shaving for a couple of years now. I mainly use either a Merkur 33C with an IKON handle or a 34C or a DE89. I just rotate through them all and to me they are all very similar.

About a year and a half ago I bought an R41 and tried it about 10 times. I just ate my lunch every time. I never got around to selling it but I had absolutely swore to never use it again. Well yesterday I decided to give it a spin. I used a feather blade and some Vulfix Lavendar Cream and to make a long story short, I had one of the best shaves I've ever had. I used lighter pressure and slowed up a little and I had one tiny weeper under my nose. It was so tiny I probabaly shouldn't even bring it up. I just did a WTG and an ATG pass and then touched up anywhere where I could feel any stubble. It was probably the smoothest shave I've ever had.

So if you're in the same boat as me and getting ready to ditch your R41, hang on to it, and try it in a few months. I'm sure that my technique has improved over the last year.

I always liked the look of that razor so I'm glad I get to keep it.

 

[Badger Bill]

So which version is it that you have.... the 2011 then? Just curious - thanks! I've been going back and forth on this razor for a while.... deciding what year I want and whether I want the regular or the grande makes it even harder.

- Badger Bill

 

[Ronnie Aloha]

I love my 2013. It was intimidating at first but now I'm pretty much doing a normal three pass with very minor touch ups. I actually get faster shaves with the R41 since my touch up time is minimal.

 

[striker6]

Interesting... I haven't shaved with my 2011 R41 since getting a Futur. Maybe I should give it go again too!

 

[Kerrplunk]

I just got a R41 2013 from shaving.ie. I've shaved 3 times with it, wow what a clean shave I get. No irritation or weepers, just BBS..I'm hooked!!

 

[bemiller]

I traded my R41 the first time after about 10 shaves because it was just totally unusable. I traded for a new R41 a year later... and it is still totally unusable.

 

[eezee]

I've been tempted to try the R41, but I keep going back and forth between it and the Merkur 37C slant bar. What do you gents think?

EZ

 

[Badger Bill]

I've been tempted to try the R41, but I keep going back and forth between it and the Merkur 37C slant bar. What do you gents think?

EZ

If you'd like my opinion, with the understanding that I have never tried the R41, here it is.......
I say: get the 37c. It definitely should be a bit easier on your face than the R41.... plus most people love it. If you don't love it, you can definitely sell or trade it away. But if you do like the aggressiveness of it, you get an awesome razor that you like plus you know whether or not you want to try the R41 with its even more aggressive character. Getting the R41 right off the bat is probably a huge step up in aggressiveness than what you are already using (perhaps too much so).

- Badger Bill

 

[Argonaut]

The 2011 R41 will let you know if you have mastered your technique or not, those who haven't usually get rid of them and blame the razor. It's probably not a coincidence that after a year and a half of practice your R41 started working suddenly. Congratulations, I think it's the smoothest shaver out there, and takes the least effort once you know what you're doing.

 

[Christian_V]

Grats! To echo Argonaut, your technique and confidence has probably greatly improved. Here's to many more shaves with your R41. I love mine!

 

[aimsport]

Great job not giving up. Great job refining your technique to the point that you've tamed the r41!

Your skin will thank you for it.

 

[jcreyes_usn]

The R41 was my first DE razor, and it came complete with the steep learning curve. Since it was my only DE and I had already committed myself to make the switch from cartridges, I stuck with it. After about a week, I got the hang of it, especially after reading some of the tutorials, and reviews on here, the biggest take-aways being: "use as little pressure as possible" and "use short strokes."

It's a great razor, and I've since added a Muhle R89 into the rotation, but the R41 is my go to when I want an exceptional shave.

I think I have the 2013.

 

[Argonaut]

Some folks here would consider it a crime, but I would suggest all newbies start with an '11 R41 and a Feather blade. When you can shave with that combo and still be able to slap an alcohol based AS on your face without passing out...you can shave with anything. Straight razor shavers excluded, this is strictly a DE thang!

 

[Senshi]

I won a 2013 during the auctions. I'm eagerly awaiting to whack these whiskers.

 

[Blueskye09]

Simply my favorite de of all such a wonderful shave each and every time.

 

[dieselfuel79]

I have the R41 (2011) and I agree, it's a great razor. I think of it like a "straight razor" on a handle. Sometimes, when I can, I like to let my whiskers grow for a few days, and then obliterate them with the R41. 2 passes is all I need.

 

[engblom]

Some folks here would consider it a crime, but I would suggest all newbies start with an '11 R41 and a Feather blade. When you can shave with that combo and still be able to slap an alcohol based AS on your face without passing out...you can shave with anything. Straight razor shavers excluded, this is strictly a DE thang!

You can almost say I did it. I had just a hand full of shaving with a Wilkinson Sword Classic (plastic) before I jumped on R41. R41 was the only razor I used for a half of a year. I surely learned the technique as any other razor is very easy to use now. Still, I do not fully agree R41 is the best one to begin with, unless you know you are not having a sensitive skin.

 

[Jray19306]

I just limited myself to no other razor but the R41 when I made the switch from R89. Needless to say I got the hang of it quickly because of lack of options. Love it. Best shaves of my life as compared to the R89 and Fusion razors.

 

[phillylion]

I traded my 2011 R41 for a 2010 OC R41. Just love the 2010.

 

[Acmemfg]

Interesting... I haven't shaved with my 2011 R41 since getting a Futur. Maybe I should give it go again too!

Just the opposite..after getting my R41 (2011) I never used the Futur much at all....wasn't long until it was B/S/T bound