So here's the skinny: I want to buy an open comb razor. I recently bought a DE89L, and, while I like it, I want something a little more aggressive. I wondered if the Muhle R41(?) is the same head as the DE89, but with a comb instead of a bar, or if the differences were more fundamental, and if the comb would add to the aggressiveness. I also looked into a Merkur 25, but know little about them. I'd prefer something still in production, and something that would match the aggressiveness of a Gillette Slim set to 5 (about the same as a Redtip) if possible. Suggestions please... Thanks
Open combs please
- Thread starter LinuxMintyFresh
- Start date
I ended up taking my DE86 (ivory version of your lined EJ) handle and using a Merkur open comb head on it. I know it's a frankenrazor now, but the handle and head are a great combination together.
I have an EJ 89L and Muhle 41R (both wonderful razors). The EJ is heavier, and to be honest, I think better balanced. Both razors are great for touchup, but a heavier razor (Merkur) will be more aggressive - especially on the first pass.
The Mühle R-41 head is the Merkur OC head.
Just way better finished!
Just way better finished!
- Thread starter
- #5
The Mühle R-41 head is the Merkur OC head.
Just way better finished!
So are all the Merkur OC heads the same then? I looked around and they have quite a few OC razors. There is the 1904, the 11, the 12, the 15, and the 25. Plus, I have read here that even though the Merkur safety bar versions are similar to the Muhle heads, they don't shave the same. Anyone know why?
Muhle used to buy Merkur's heads for their old razors. The R89 old model has the Merkur head and was *the* most aggressive DE I ever used (open or closed comb). The old R41 and old R89 had the same head but different handles.
The new Muhle R41 and new R89 are using Mulhe heads and my understanding (I didn't try them) they are much milder than the old model.
The 11c (Merkur) is very similar to the 34c (HD) but open comb. Those are 2 pieces razors. The 1904 is a 3 pieces razor.
The new Muhle R41 and new R89 are using Mulhe heads and my understanding (I didn't try them) they are much milder than the old model.
The 11c (Merkur) is very similar to the 34c (HD) but open comb. Those are 2 pieces razors. The 1904 is a 3 pieces razor.
Mühle buys their present OC heads for the (new '09) R-41 from Merkur and since it is a 3-piece it is the same head as mounted on the Merkurs classic (15C-25C) and the 1904 open comb (41N or 42N; I mix these up all the time).
The 2-piece razors by Merkur may have the same design (as in blade gap and curvature) but are different in nature simply because it isn't a 3-piece.
The 2009 safety bar head from Mühle is a new design but older types (but NOT the open combs) were Merkurs too.
The old Mühle open combs (R41-nickel plated/R89-chrome plated) were mounted with Italian Fatip OC heads that were very aggressive indeed.
So in short order:
- pre '09 safety bar head : made by Merkur.
- pre '09 open comb head : made by Fatip
- post '09 safety bar head : new design by Mühle
- post '09 open comb head: made by Merkur
It would have been easier when Mühle would have changed numbers together with the new heads!
- Thread starter
- #9
Thanks for all the helpful information. I'm still not sure about what to get though. A couple of last questions please...Is the new R41/R89 more aggressive than the DE89? And how do the handles compare to the Merkur products?
I picked up a R41 recently and also have the 89L. I find the R41 a little more aggressive than the 89L, however, I've only put about five shaves on the R41 and am still getting used to it. I can't compare it to the Merkur handles - the only one I have is the Futur.
You might also want to look at the Gillette Old - I liked what I read and have one on the way.
You might also want to look at the Gillette Old - I liked what I read and have one on the way.
Merkur handles are rough compared to EJ and Muhle.
The EJ DE89 and the Mühle R-89 use the exact same head so the difference is in the handles. There seems to be a little difference in the weight of the handles but they will likely be equal in terms of aggressiveness.
The R-41 can be best compared with the Merkur classic open comb. For the shave that is, since fit and finish on the Mühle is much better; when I look at my R-41 and my 25C side by side the Merkur looks like a factory's 2nd choice.
Some find this open comb more aggressive than the safety bar versions but I fail to see why. To me the Merkur/Mühle open comb is a very mild razor that will give you great shaves once you figured out its 'sweet spot'. However, when your angle is off a little the shave will be far from close.
The handles are bigger (both in diameter as in lenght), lighter and better finished compared to the classic and 1904. The handles on a LHC (23C-25C) are a bit (1cm) longer than on the Mühles.
The current R41, which is a Merkur 11c head to my knowledge, is a very mild razor. I also have a current R89 and it is more aggressive than the R41. Mind you I'm talking about current models. The old model R89 and R41 were the same head, both straight bar, but the numbers designated different finishes. I wouldn't get the new R41 if you are looking to get a more aggressive razor than the new R89 and this is from firsthand experience of owning and using both. YMMV
I'm going to be the contrarian here; it is my experience that the Merkur 11C is an aggressive razor - but in a good way. Recommended. 
