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Muhle R89 revisited

When I started DE shaving in February of this year, my first razor was a Muhle R89. I was happy with the shave it provided, as even though I was just shaving WTG, it was better than I managed to get with previous shaving implements. However, after spending time on this site, I became unhappy with the standard of shave I was getting as it fell some way short of the elusive BBS & I starting employing XTG & ATG passes with the R89. This lead to much facial irritation & my personal RAD adventure.

I have now tried numerous razors (30+), both new & vintage & mild & aggressive. They all shaved better than the R89, which I still went back to occasionally, as so many people rave about the R89/EJ 89 heads. Each time I did this, my face ended up red & sore, although even with more aggressive razors, such as the R41, I didn't experience any irritation.

Yesterday, on a whim, I retrieved the R89 from the drawer where I keep my second string razors & fitted the head to my UFO Tornado handle. I shaved with it & managed a very close (BBS in most areas) & very comfortable shave (the kind of shave where you have to touch your face to know that you have actually shaved). I shaved with it again today & the same thing happened.

The much heavier & more grippy handle certainly helped a lot, but I think that my technique has also improved as a result of using more aggressive razors. I have realised the complete futility up trying to shave ATG on my upper lip, even on the 3rd pass, as no DE razor/blade combo will comfortably cut through the stubble that grows there. Instead, I use a diagonal upward stroke which gets the job done without trying to tear my face off.

Since my last try out with the R89, I have also got over my fear of shaving soap, which I avoided as I thought it would take to long to get a lather, so instead I used creams, or gels. I have recently discovered the joys of Mitchells Wool Fat Soap, which although I live in a very hard water area, provides an excellent lather after about 2 minutes of effort on my part.

So, in summary, in my experience it pays to revisit any razors you have failed with in the past.
 
I think technique is probably the reason for this.

I have had a similar experience.

I started with a 40's style Super Speed, and had the normal issues, irritation, cuts, etc.

When I got an Old Type open comb, it immediately gave me a much closer shave, but quite a bit of irritation. I figured it was just a much better razor.

I progressed through the Old Type, to a Slant, and my shaves got progressively better.

On a whim, a couple of weeks ago I picked up the old Super Speed and tried it again, and got the best shave I had ever got with that razor.

I think it wasn't the razor that got better.

It was my technique.
 
What a pleasure it is to realise this and have the ability to rotate razors that were previously 'ineffective'.

I can't say I used my Techs, for example, from the beginning, but had I owned them back then, it probably would have been the ultimate razor 'comeback'. I also found this to be true with blades I originally threw aside as well. One more assumption of mine is that this scenario probably plays out more often with tough, dense beards.
 
I have found that I can manage with most types of razors.

But I still find a good bit of difference between razor blades.

I have an extremely dense, tough beard that grows every which way.

I tried a very few blades and settled quickly on Astras.

I would like to try Gillette Silver Blues and Blacks.
 
I have had a similiar experience but mine involved going back to an EJ and constantly getting better shaves with it than any other razor.
 
I agree that my improved shaves with the R89 are mainly down to better technique (though I don't like to brag!), but jettisoning that wretched light, slippery handle certainly helped too. It feels like a completely different razor with the heavier handle & is far better balanced, as it is no longer head heavy.
 
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