"Neutered" seem about right to me. I think I prefer the 2013. But the new head is indeed usable with very sharp blades.If you have a neutered R41, using a Kai blade will compensate and probably make it normal......or previous edition.......
Agreed; ideally, IMO Mühle could have developed the 2013+ "revision" of the R41 design and simply used a new name ("R42"?) to avoid confusion. The first new version could be the R42, and subsequent revisions could be the R42A, R42B, etc. There are trade-offs, of course; multiple names are clearer for the hobbyist/collector but more confusing for the general public.My own experience with Muhle plating hasn't been very good. Small sample size, but my original 2011 R41 started having serious plating problems on the top cap and screw within about 8 years. That said, I also wasn't doing my best to store it properly - I was using Muhle's razor stand which stores the razor head down, so the moisture just collected in the top cap. Lesson learned as far as storage goes on my part, but I was still disappointed in the short life span and the fact that I was using their stand. Really I was more disappointed I couldn't replace it with the same head design was the crux of the issue which is I suppose what started this thread with their lack of transparency and clearly identifying different head geometries.
Agreed; ideally, IMO Mühle could have developed the 2013+ "revision" of the R41 design and simply used a new name ("R42"?) to avoid confusion. The first new version could be the R42, and subsequent revisions could be the R42A, R42B, etc. There are trade-offs, of course; multiple names are clearer for the hobbyist/collector but more confusing for the general public.
Please read carefully the information in the first post. We don't discuss gaps here. The difference is only in the width of the cap and bottom plate. Where to measure exactly is described in the first post.I can measure it with a digit caliper, but not sure I have feelers for the blade gap, although I surely have the newer, less aggressive head. Wonder if they actually changed the mold, or perhaps the molds have worn over time, and they gradually started making a slightly larger head as they wore? - I recall Fatip had to refresh their molds due to alignment issues, with the 'slop' between the alignment pins and baseplate enlarged.
Today I received a brand new R41GS. Surprise, surprise! It has the old 2013 bigger exposure. Will shave and post a separate detailed thread about it.I bought an R41 GS secondhand from another fine B&B member, so I'm not sure which "revision" of the head I have. I got it in September of 2022, but I'm not sure how long the other gent had it before I bought it (or if he was the original owner). Whatever the case, it's a great and very efficient razor for me.
Using a wider blade (Kai or Gillette 365) will not compensate as the difference in exposure between the 2013 and the latest ZAMAK head is much bigger than the differences between the wider blades and the regular width ones.If you have a neutered R41, using a Kai blade will compensate and probably make it normal......or previous edition.......
If you have a neutered R41, using a Kai blade will compensate and probably make it normal......or previous edition.......
Try adding some plates from the Yaqi Trifecta:"Neutered" seem about right to me. I think I prefer the 2013. But the new head is indeed usable with very sharp blades.
I love my R41, have the older model, purchased it 2012 and the newer model, purchased it 2018. They both shave superbly, i can't feel the difference between the two with the blade on my skin. However, i must commend you on your investigation and findings...you really are on another levelSome of you know I like to find the small differences in razors. Like you buy a 1968 Tech, and then you buy a 1962 that looks the same and it has a bigger gap.
I have been postponing this post, as I needed to receive a package with a 3rd R41 head of the new stock to have rock solid data. Mind you all my heads are original products that came in the original packaging and all. We are not talking Chinese imitations.
I have had two R41 heads, both bought in 2014. One a full razor and one bought as a spare. They are the 2013 version. I have checked that twice with the measurement data both here and on other forums.
In May 2020 I bought a third head from Cannaught. It went into the drawer and that was it.
In March 2021 I found the R41 head discounted at a Polish store and added one to my big order. The head arrived and I loaded a blade in it just to check. Since I have been shaving many times for 6 years with my old R41 bought in 2014, when I looked from below I noticed a smaller exposure. Grabbed the old 2014 razor loaded another blade from the same pack, and I was not imagining things. The exposure was less. So, logically I opened the drawer and got that 2020 head from Connaught. It was the same as the 2021. Less exposure. Yesterday I received another head and it is the same. Here are the measurements of cap and bottom plate.
Please measure the plate with the calipers at the middle teeth. Same applies for the cap. Measure at the middle. The width differes at the ends and the middle on both the cap and the bottom plate.
Cap new - 20.3mm
Cap old (2016) - 20.1mm
Plate new - 25.4mm
Plate old (2013) - 25.2mm
The change happened between 2014 and early 2020. By accurate measuring and checking when exactly you bought your R41, I believe we could narrow the period.
How does it shave? I only had a few comparison shaves. But one thing is very noticeable. The new head, having a smaller exposure, narrowed the effective angle of the shave. Shallow doesn't work anymore. You need to use neutral or steep.
I have been wondering how come in recent years many users on the forum said the R41 isn't very aggressive and all that. Maybe this is the explanation.