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Muhle r41 vs R89

hi, i have read a lot about these very fine razors and I am finding it hard to choose between the two.i have read that the R41 is quite aggressive but I would like to hear from the wise folks on here.i am an experienced shaver I am now into my 2nd year wet shaving so my technique is good and improving! I look forward to hearing your thoughts thanks in advance!
 
Hmmmm....... the 89 is a mild to medium good razor for allot of folks, on the other hand I found it to be too mild and like my razors aggressive. The R41 is the MOST aggressive razor I have ever used next to a shavette or straight. That being said I love it ans it and my FaTip are the only DEs I use. WTG with an R41 gets me as close as WTG & XTG with the R98, and WTG & ATG with my R41 or my FaTip for me is shave heaven. Right now I am trying to perfect my straight shave and maybe get it up to par with my DE shave
 
It is a personal preference thing at the end of the day. If you have really dialed in your technique, you will be able to get the same great shave with both razors.
 
I wasn't a fan of the R41 and so I traded it. The 89 from what I hear is similar to the Merkur head which I am a big fan of for a medium aggression razor.
 
I have noticed that all of my razors shave better after I've had a couple shaves with the R41.

+1

I have the R41 and after a few weeks using it I got real comfortable with it. However, I switched back to my Merkur HD and I get just as good a shave. The plus is that my Merkur is way more comfortable. So in the end, more comfort makes it easier to get an even better shave.
 
I like the 2011 R41 very much and it is true, one has to keep going with it and after a week or 2 it will be perfect. It requires a good post treatment with some splash and cream to reoisturize and that woirks for me. It is tremendously close. The 2013 head does not do it for me. It is awakward since it requires a different angle and now I am used to the 2011. Maybe the other way around had I started with the 2013. I also feel the 2013 does not forgive the wrong angle and seem to have a narrower window of application while the 2011 is just soo goood.
 
I just recently got the R41 (2013) and absolutely love it. It gives me just the close enough shave that I want but can bite a little if the technique isn't there. With you saying 2 years in, I think you just may like it if you're looking for an even closer shave (YMMV of course). I can get a BBS in 2 passes with some touch-ups no problem.
 
About all they have in common is the name muhle! My 89 is a great safe bet razor, it is on standby if I am having a bad shave with another razor and the 89 never lets me down.
My 41 is the older version and aggressive. If used properly it is an amazing shaver but, and this is where they differ significantly, the 41 does not take prisoners. Do not use whilst drunk or tired. The 89 kisses you as it shaves and would neve be so uncouth as to cut you without asking first.
 
I have the DE89 and the 34HD and they both shave almost exactly the same, I prefer the DE89 though as it's lighter overall. I don't like the weight of the 34HD, but maybe that's just because i'm used to the 89. I prefer the 2 piece design of the 34HD though, I find I have to fiddle with the 89 a bit to get the handle on properly.

That said, I've never tried a R41 but I have tried a RazoRock TTO and that was super aggressive to me. You can actually hear the whiskers being cleaved off.
 
I like the 2011 R41 very much and it is true, one has to keep going with it and after a week or 2 it will be perfect. It requires a good post treatment with some splash and cream to reoisturize and that woirks for me. It is tremendously close. The 2013 head does not do it for me. It is awakward since it requires a different angle and now I am used to the 2011. Maybe the other way around had I started with the 2013. I also feel the 2013 does not forgive the wrong angle and seem to have a narrower window of application while the 2011 is just soo goood.

Whats different about the angle? Is the razor handle closer or further from the face?
 
hi, thanks for all the great info.i am still looking at both but will probably eventually get both LOL!
 
I have the EJ DE89 and the Muhle r41 (2011). I don't find the r41 hard to shave with at all but it leaves some irritation in comparison so the 89 is my daily shaver and the r41 I only use on weekends.
 
Best DE I have ever used is the 2011 R41 w/a Weber Classic handle. Not unlike a straight, it does require a somewhat skilled hand, but the learning curve is minimal. The aggressive nature can be tuned up somewhat via choice of blade. Huge difference between an R41 with a Feather vs. a Derby
 
Funny, I've been considering this purchase too, and under the same circumstances. I've been happily working an EJ86 & 89 for the past year and would like to add something with maximum aggression as a changeup.
 
I have a 2011 R41, I payed in blood to learn how to use it. When I want a super close shave for a date or meeting, no other choice this is the razor. I find it is picky about blades and needs a sharp blade
 
The R41 is a great razor and as I have said before it demands respect. When you first start with it, keep the top cap close to your skin until you find the angle best for you. I learned that the hard way.
 
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