Question About R41: Closer Shave, Or Just Fewer Passes?

[Nick Danger]

If you've seen my recent post in the General Shaving Discussion forum, you know I'm a little frustrated about my shaves lately. My trouble is the upper lip area, which I just can't get seem to get close enough. I'm left with a dark shadow as soon as one to two hours after my shave. Even if it seems smooth right when I finish shaving, after an hour or so I can feel rough patches that I missed and a few hours later it starts to look really bad. The rest of my shave is fine, often BBS on cheeks and neck, and at least DFS on my chin. But the shadow and stubble on my upper lip just haunts me.

I'm currently using a Merkur 34c and Feather blades. Good cream, good pre-shave prep. My technique is getting pretty solid, and I never cut myself badly and rarely have weepers. But I just don't seem to be able to get close enough above the lip.

Here's my question for you BOTOC folks: will a 2011 R41 really give me a closer shave? Might that be the ticket to a smooth upper lip that doesn't show stubble an hour later? Or does an R41 just get me the same end result as my Merkur but with fewer passes? Razor burn isn't really my problem, so my goal isn't to reduce the number of passes but to get a closer shave.

I know that my results won't be the same as everyone else with an R41, but I'm guessing some of you can help set my expectations. Is it worth trying an R41? I'm not afraid of the learning curve, especially after my recent transition to Feather blades went far more smoothly than I expected. I'm a careful shaver and I think I'm ready for a much more aggressive razor.

What do you think? I don't need to order one tomorrow, and will probably wait for an R41 to pop up on BST, but I'm trying to decide if I should pull the trigger the next time one becomes available.

Thanks for sharing your wisdom,

Nick

 

[bastimret]

The R41 definitly gives me a closer shave, but its too much blade exposure for me to go ATG on the upper lip. Lots of blade chatter. For good comfy ATG passes my Feather AS-D1 is king. I can buff my upper lip all day long with it and its super smooth.

 

[merkur59]

I own and use the R41 regularly.

From my reading of the many R41 threads, many prefer fewer passes. I for one prefer closer shave.

Even with R41, it is difficult (but not impossible) to get a closer shave on the upper lips. I used to get one or two nicks regularly...until I started to shave at a tangent to full ATG at least twice, each time getting as near as possible to ATG. Then I buff ATG (which seems to be much smoother with whatever tiny stubble left-over). Same thing for under-the-chin.

And yes, it does last longer during the day [I shave at night. At 10am the next day, I would usually feel stubble on my upper lips if I'd used other razors- with R41 I would only 'feel' this stubble around 2pm. On some occasions, when the planets are miraculously aligned, it felt there like was nothing to shave the next evening].

 

[vocalistbob]

I find the R41 to be too aggressive to go ATG above my lip. The only really aggressive razor I have found that I can do that with is the Cobra Classic.

 

[skleice]

Closer shave - yes
Longer lasting shave yes
ATG on lip - no

I love the R41 because I can do 2 passes (WTG & then ATG in some spots/XTG in some spots) and still get a great bbs shave. I have sensitive skin, so fewer passes is great for me.

 

[keithmax]

I can't use my R41 ATG on my upper lip too. It is great every where else. When I use my R41 I use my Gillette tech to do the ATG pass on my upper lip. I find I really need to use a mild razor and blade to ATG on my upper lip.

 

[Mick]

I find that I do not vary my shave pattern regardless of which razor I use. I am a 4 pass guy and use 4 passes with every razor, DE, SE, or straight.

 

[wimbouman]

I find that I do not vary my shave pattern regardless of which razor I use. I am a 4 pass guy and use 4 passes with every razor, DE, SE, or straight.

Same here.

 

[Monsieur Blaireau]

I just posted a review yesterday of my first experience with the R41. Based on how completely it cut through my whiskers on a first pass, I think it might be what you're looking for, and it sounds like others above agree, with a couple caveats. It seems to give me a much more long-lasting shave, quicker (that is, with fewer passes) than my old open comb could. But going against the grain above the lip with this monster makes me tremble just typing about it. You may not need go across the grain with the R41, though. One pass could actually give the shave you're after on your upper lip.

Of course, you could be on the slippery slope toward straight razor shaving by this point. Unless you want to grow a mustache.

 

[bastimret]

I'd say if you still really want/need to go ATG on upper lip, keep a blade loaded in a more mild razor for that specific purpose. It's what I've been doing with my AS-D1 since I started using the R41 last week. R41 all around WTG and XTG, and then ATG on lower neck and cheeks. Then the AS-D1 is used to buff the coarser stubble on my chin and upper lip as you can go straight ATG with it and it just feels nice a smooth as it cuts since the blade exposure is so low and hte blade is held so firmly.

 

[JeffOlson]

My experience with the R41 is limited to three bloody shaves.

I really wanted to like it (the fit and finish are very nice, and the Grande handle is wonderful), but the blade is too flat, and it chatters and skips madly due to the extraordinary amount of unsupported blade freely flapping in the wind. Given that, as well as the odd angle required, my trepidation, my obviously poor technique, and my lack of patience for it--and don't forget the blood--I was not able to get a good shave. In fact, I can shave closer with my AS-D1!

I'll stick to my AS-D1 and fearlessly shave all day, every day, without nary a nick, cut, or weeper...

 

[Codfish]

...I started to shave at a tangent to full ATG at least twice, each time getting as near as possible to ATG. Then I buff ATG (which seems to be much smoother with whatever tiny stubble left-over)...

+1 I agree completely. I find it's possible to get perfect shaves consistently with the R41 with a little adaptive technique. I do not mind modifying my technique slightly to achieve the results I want. After all, I had to do it with my high-domed Fatboy, Vision and Future in the past. The R41 change is minor--just not directly ATG--and the results are an absolutely smooth uppur lip area and the best shaves of my life. To date, there are now 400+ of them with the R41.

 

[celestino]

i have also have a dark and coarse beard and the R41 will never rid you of that issue. It can provide you with very close shaves, but you have to have good technique. i am finding it to be not a very smooth shaver and prefer my other razors. Good luck to you. Have you ever considered shimming your 34C?

 

[Nick Danger]

Have you ever considered shimming your 34C?

I have not tried shimming my 34c. I've also decided to hold off on buying an R41, which might still be a bit more than I can handle as a relative newbie. Instead, I grabbed a Merkur 37c Slant off B/S/T today. Sounds like it's the halfway point between my 34c and an R41. If I don't like it, I can always sell it myself on B/S/T and finally take the plunge with the R41.

Of course, knowing the increasingly serious nature of my RAD, I'd probably grab an R41 off B/S/T if one popped up at a great price. I don't have to try it right away, but I suspect I'll want one eventually

Nick