I don't suggest these razors are at all similar, but wanted to give my thoughts on shaving comparisons. A few months back i got my hands on a polished SS blackbird and immediately loved it. I had been using the Muhle R41 on the regular before that with very mixed results- irritation and some level of discomfort was common especially if shaving every day. The blackbird changed all of that and i was able to shave every day with very little to no irritation or discomfort. Months later, said what the hell let's give the beast another shot- shaved like normal and my skin is hating me for it- but i noticed i could get a far closer shave than the blackbird, but at the expense of some irritation, burning, and a few micro cuts that did clear with allum block. I still think the R41 is a fine razor, but for me it's a far more rough shave than the blackbird. I like the fact that i can shave much closer with the R41 but it's not worth the discomfort, anyway. The issue is always on the ATG passes with the R41- it murders your skin whereas i can make comfortable passes ATG with the blackbird. Back to my Blackland Blackbird for now.