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Muhle R41 vs. Henson AL13-M vs. Karve The Overlander

Hi,

Setting expectations - unfortunately I can't do this comparison, since I only have the R41. I am looking at a potential new acquisition and was wondering if anyone has the R41 and either the the Henson or Karve as comparison points.

I'm relatively new to wet shaving, starting roughly 10 months ago. Started with a Merkur 34C, which I found I could only get satisfactory results when paired with a Feather. I then tried the R41, which is great with most blades I've used (esp. Bic, Astra, 7 o'clock black) but I struggle with as a daily shaver. I can just about do it when paired with a Voskhod - good to great results especially if I go a day and a half.

With the Henson or Karve, my question is - for a given blade, where do they sit on the aggressiveness spectrum? I like the look of the Outlander, but everyone seems to be talking about the Henson. I'd like something slightly milder than the R41 and a bit more premium (but not Ti22 premium!).

Hopefully that makes sense!

Thanks
 

thombrogan

Lounging On The Isle Of Tugsley.
That’s a tough one, @calgarychris !

Clearly; in a comparison between the Mühle R41, Karve Overlander, and Henson AL13 (which “aggression?” +, ++, or +++?); the obvious choice is the RazoRock Lupo 0.95OC

I’ve used the R41, Overlander (in brass and aluminum), and AL13+ a little bit and I prefer the AL13+.

It works better with sharper blades like your 34C does, but it shaves so squeakin’ well.

The Overlander is more efficient and the R41 summarily executes most others in the efficiency department, but the AL13+ lets me mindlessly get a close shave without severely punishing my idiocy and inattentiveness. I just tilt the head so I only feel its cap and just a hint of the blade and the magic I truly don’t deserve happens.

Of the two, the AL13 is available in three levels of aggression, costs less, can be had from a bunch of retailers (Dr. Squatch has a green version of the AL13+ that costs least when on sale) including Bezos’ house of meh (costs more there, though…), and clamps its blade tighter than the Overlander.

The Overlander has a higher price and longer lead time, but is available in a variety of metals with lots of neat handle designs. The Overlander clamps its blade better than the R41 which makes it better for shaving against the grain.

You can also work on using less pressure when you shave with your R41 so the edge spends more time pushing through stubble and less time slamming into your skin so that it can be your daily driver if you’re into that kind of thing.

Good luck in your quest
 
I've be rocking my orig R41 for 14 years now. Got the newer R41, loved it, broke it, and went back to my original. (is it collectible? Should I risk dropping and breaking it?). The R41 will go down in history (if it hasn't already) as the razor that took the "Safety" out of "Safety razor"

The thing I like about the R41 most is that it has the efficiency of a straight or shavette. You'd have to be shaving several WEEKS of growth for a straight to have more efficiency than the R41. I still love my Artist club, but it's a specialty tool that gets used less.

The recent acquisition of the Yaqui aggressive slant hasn't changed that the R41 is still THE KING of single pass WTG efficiency IMO. I like the Yaqui but it takes more passes and more time than the R41 and it's not that close. For all the clean up passes it seems to need, I might as well use my AS-D2 and just have no cares for technique.

I'm still seeing a SuperSlant in my future.
 

Eben Stone

Staff member
I've owned all three razors. I don't consider the Henson AL++ or Karve Overlander to be efficient. If you want something slightly less efficient than R41, and want Henson or Karve, I would suggest Henson AL+++ (not sure if they make the +++ in AL anymore, I have the TI) or Karve Christopher Bradley plate E.
 

thombrogan

Lounging On The Isle Of Tugsley.
Just confirmed last night that the RazoRock “German” 37 slant razor is gentler than the R41 (which can be pretty gentle with a neutral angle and a terrified touch), but also more efficient than a Henson AL13+ or Karve Overlander.
 
I have both the henson + and the overlander. I do not like the henson one because of its weight, and because I have the feeling that the blade is not rigid enough inside of it.

On the other hand I love the overlander. Sure it is not the most efficient razor, but I would argue that the overlander has probably one the best mildness/efficiency balance on the market. It is a real pressure to shave with a razor so respectful of the skin.
 
I have the R41, the Henson Mild and the Henson Aggressive.

If therms of aggressiveness, if the R41 is 10, I would give the Henson aggressive a 4 or 5 and the mild a 1.

I enjoy them all. I shave every day and for me and my skin the Henson mild is unbeatable against the grain.

R41 + Henson Mild
Ever shaved with an AS-D2? That's my "mild" razor that always seems to handle any direction. Curious just how mild the Henson mild is.

R41 for single pass, AS-D2 for tiny cleanups and ATG if wanted.
 
Yes. I have the AS-D2 and I used to like it, but that was until I tried the Henson. Believe it or not, with the AS-D2 I am still able to get some nicks now and then :). I am actually going to offer it in the BST. Beautiful razor though.
No, my mild razors of choice, against the grain, is definitely the Henson Mild (Ti head + AL handle).
 
Yes. I have the AS-D2 and I used to like it, but that was until I tried the Henson. Believe it or not, with the AS-D2 I am still able to get some nicks now and then :). I am actually going to offer it in the BST. Beautiful razor though.
No, my mild razors of choice, against the grain, is definitely the Henson Mild (Ti head + AL handle).
Would you believe I nick myself with the AS-D2 more than I do with the R41? It’s true. Maybe because I respect the R41 so much while I expect the AS-D2 to let me be careless and never have to worry.

I think the AS-D2 is misleading because it derives its mildness from the extremely conservative angle while still having considerable gap. Hence, the tendency to bite on curves.
 
Ho boy...This didn't make things easier! Haha...

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I'm leaning towards the Henson aggressive (I think it's available in Australia). I really like the look of the Overlander, but it's more expensive and there's almost too many options to customise when it comes to base plates and such. If the R41 is a 9 or a 10 on the efficiency scale, I'm hoping for a 7-8 and the option to use some of my sharper blades more than once every 3-4 days...

I enjoy the R41, but I need something I can do every morning and hopefully get close to BBS with...
 
Ho boy...This didn't make things easier! Haha...

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I'm leaning towards the Henson aggressive (I think it's available in Australia). I really like the look of the Overlander, but it's more expensive and there's almost too many options to customise when it comes to base plates and such. If the R41 is a 9 or a 10 on the efficiency scale, I'm hoping for a 7-8 and the option to use some of my sharper blades more than once every 3-4 days...

I enjoy the R41, but I need something I can do every morning and hopefully get close to BBS with...
Just FYI the Overlander is different than Karve’s Christopher Bradley in that it only has one baseplate and cap option. Different metals but no choice in baseplates or cap types. Both it and the Henson are great razors. Personally I currently prefer the Henson and feel it’s a bit more efficient for me. Ymmv
 
Just FYI the Overlander is different than Karve’s Christopher Bradley in that it only has one baseplate and cap option. Different metals but no choice in baseplates or cap types. Both it and the Henson are great razors. Personally I currently prefer the Henson and feel it’s a bit more efficient for me. Ymmv
Aha, brilliant, you've saved me significant disappointment then, as I would opt for the Christopher Bradley, given you can tailor the baseplates...thank you!
 
Yes. I have the AS-D2 and I used to like it, but that was until I tried the Henson. Believe it or not, with the AS-D2 I am still able to get some nicks now and then :). I am actually going to offer it in the BST. Beautiful razor though.
No, my mild razors of choice, against the grain, is definitely the Henson Mild (Ti head + AL handle).
I feel the Ti22 head somehow has more suction than the Al13 head (Both ++). The nature of titanium is being grippy I suppose.
Though I prefer the Ti22 because of its weight.
 
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