R41 First week

[pcumby]

Hi
I just received my new Muhle R41 open comb razor
I decided to jump right in and give it a go yesterday morning

I figured there might be a bit of an adjustment period because of the uniqueness of this razor, so i decided to keep the variables to a minimum

Boar brush
Mitchells wool fat
My trusty Astra SP's

the first pass (WTG) was a bit rough and there was a lot of pulling
the second pass was better and the third better still
Still I can't get past that rough first pass on such an agressive razor
I decided to try a different blade on the second day

again minimum variation
Boar brush
Mitchells Wool fat
Feathers

Again the first pass was way rougher than I'm used to (my most frequent razor is a red tip with an Astra)
The subsequent passes were about the same

The end shave was very nice on both days BTW ,real smooth with no irritation

I intend on trying "red" Personnas tomorrow

Up to this point I can get a great shave from any of my razors loaded with an Astra SP (my Feather SS does tend to work better with it own brand)

Does anyone have any advice to offer, Should I keep trying blades? or is the R41 not worth the trouble?

thanks in advance

Phil

 

[mistercitizen]

I would say give it some more time. You can keep trying different blades, but I don't think you will find that anything works noticeably better than the ones you've been trying. If you are getting what you would consider a "great shave" as an end result already then it will only get better IMO. I think you will find that the more you use the R41, the more natural it will be to use the proper angle.... and that will pretty much eliminate the tugging and roughness of the first pass. All three blades you mentioned are fine.... just keep at it. Obviously, if you think you can get a better shave with a different razor.... say your red tip super speed, then by all means use what you like and think is giving you the best shave. I like open combs though.... at least every so often. Right now, I'm trying different razors and enjoying the variety.... but YMMV.

Ben

 

[jamesspo]

I'd guess you need a shallower blade angle for the first pass. Try putting the cap on your face (handle straight out), then lower until you get blade just on your face. You'll be able to use a steeper angle (if that's what you want), on subsequent passes.

 

[BrookR1]

You could also use a pre-shave oil to see if that improves glide.

 

[jkingrph]

I had similar problems when I first got mine. Numerous cuts and scrapes and a lot of irritation. \

I would use it a coule of days and go back to a different razor to give my face time to heal. This went on for a lot of cycles, then last month I stuck a Tradere handle on it and it was nice, no problems.

I used it like that a few times then went out of town and stuck the original handle back on it and have been using it like that since. I assume I learned some"muscle memory" to hold it differently. Now I do not notice that I am doing anything any differently, or being more careful with it as I was in the past. When I first started with it, being careful, it would still cut and irritate me.

 

[celestino]

Phil, this razor is either hated or loved; no middle ground here. i found it to be too uncomfortable; there was never any smoothness to the shaves.
However, some gents love it. You can try some different blades, but i doubt the shaves will be any more comfortable. Good luck.

 

[ackvil]

Phil, this razor is either hated or loved; no middle ground here. i found it to be too uncomfortable; there was never any smoothness to the shaves.
However, some gents love it. You can try some different blades, but i doubt the shaves will be any more comfortable. Good luck.

Some love it and some hate it. There is no middle ground. I can use mine two or three times with no problems. Then I put it down and try a different razor. The next time around I find the roughness you experienced. I have gotten to the point when I use it less and less. To me shaving should be an enjoyable experience - not one where you have to be so intense.

 

[JeffOlson]

Every once in a while, I think I ought to try the R41 again. Then I remember the fear and trembling I experienced with mine--oh, and the blood. I remember the blood!

 

[wimbouman]

Perfect close shaver for me - in fact the R41 is a daily driver.

One needs a good prep, a good lather and a light touch.
Get those right, and you'll be rewarded.

 

[Zeppelinkarte]

I also doubt it is going to get much better than what you have experienced. The Red Tip is just up from mild and usually an effortless very good shave. Outside of the intellectual challenge of using the R41 why not just stay with the Red Tip? If you want an open comb that is easier to handle there is the Gillette New Improved head, (my favorite) Tradere OC (2nd generation), Cadet OC and the Fatip. All four of these don't tug on the first pass, generally. I had the same experience with the R41 as you and it was just not worth the effort to get past the first pass. So many other choices. I shave with 40 different razors, almost everything but the R41. But everyone has an opinion and their experiences. These are just mine based on a pretty wide experience with a lot of razors and many of them pretty aggressive. (Merkur adjustables being the most.) Best shave for me? The Merkur Vision. It gets both praised and debunked here but properly maintained (easy to do) it is magnificent. The Progress and Futur are right behind it. But so many others offer great shaves as well...your Red Tip being one of them.

 

[ironfist]

I see alot of talk about these. I quite like the challenge of using this razor (i haven't tried one yet) but i may purchase one if i get rid of some of the gear i have now

Some peoples skin must be like steel if they use these everyday going by there reputation.

Also i have a sensitive neck, would this razor rip me to bits?

 

[BigBull]

It's threads like these that give this razor the "OMG, it's gonna slice my throat" reputation. This is shaving, not Neurosurgery. Sure, it's a little bit more daunting than a Tech, but any razor can cut you.

This razor is worth trying, yes. Like stated above, you'll either love it or hate it. I DO NOT have thick skin, or a thick beard. I have sensitive skin. This razor is my favorite. I find that it's soo efficient, I do 2 passes and I'm done. What does this mean for me? Less passes = Less chance for irritation.

Astra's work nice in this razor for me, but so do Derby's, Gillette Blacks, Shark's, Personna Reds...the list goes on. I use a very "steep angle" with the handle close to my face and find it to shave incredibly. I've only had 1 cut from this razor, and it was my fault.

What may have helped me, was reading this thread before I even picked this razor up. It gave me a chance to learn from other people's experiences. Good Luck!

 

[pcumby]

Thanks for all the feedback guys

The R41 is a challenging shave no doubt.. for some more than others

I should clarify that I get great results from it..zero razor burn or irritation and not a cut or weeper to speak of

it's just that the biggest reason I switched to safety razors was to avoid all of that unpleasant pulling on the first pass

I have over 30 razors in my collection and this is only my latest attempt at mastering a new tool

I'm going to give it a week or so and see how it turns out

again thanks for all of your input

happy shaving

Phil

 

[Viseguy]

The R41 often has a long learning curve, weeks or maybe even months. Use it intermittently, put it down for a while and then go back to it, and you may find that it eventually "clicks". Or not. Patience and time will tell the tale.

 

[Vivasanti]

I've just finished my first week with my R41 and found it to be "hyped up" just like feather blades, I used a shallow angle and I used Astra SP's with no tugging, I'm yet to cut myself with it, I DO however think it shaved better with a days extra growth.

I love the R41 and wished I hadn't held back because everyone claims its such a fearsome beast.

good luck with your next shave

 

[pcumby]

Okay
third day update
Experimenting with blade angle and pressure seems to have worked

I kept the other variables the same but changed the blade to a "red" Personna

I applied just a little more pressure and voila

I don't think I'd be exaggerating to say it's one of the the best shaves I've ever had

I'll post further results as they emerge

thanks
Phil

 

[cfender]

Okay
I don't think I'd be exaggerating to say it's one of the the best shaves I've ever had

There are many who have everything from underwhelming to disastrous experiences with the R41, but your positive experience is also shared by many. It's the only razor that satisfies me.

 

[pcumby]

Okay
I think I've the R41 conquered
Shave was under 10 minutes,BBS with zero irritation

never surrender

 

[Vivasanti]

i had to use my progress this week cause its getting jealous of mr R41.

 

[Codfish]

When I first used the R41, the biggest issue I found was finding the right blade(s). Unlike other razors, the R41 seemed very particular about blades.

Others have had different experiences, and some gave up on the R41 entirely.

What was your experience? What made a difference to you in the end?

As an early reviewer, I'm curious about the experience of others.