Gotta *love* that blade feel though. 2nd favorite razor, and may overtake the R41 soon if I keep shaving with it.
R41
- Thread starter snowman
- Start date
Gotta *love* that blade feel though. 2nd favorite razor, and may overtake the R41 soon if I keep shaving with it.
Can’t speak for the Ikon Tech but the Yaqi Beast has tons of bladefeel. Today I’ll try the R41 baseplate with the Beast top as an B&B recommendation.
Brother snowman, you will get about a 50/50 love/hate response.
The important thing is how do you love the Muhle R41? Please let us know after you have a few shaves with it.
The important thing is how do you love the Muhle R41? Please let us know after you have a few shaves with it.
I found a good use for my Derby blades. I can use the R41 with a Derby and efficiently cut off a three day beard for a BBS shave! Also works great with any blades, including Feathers! I normally use a less aggressive razor go’s one or two day growth. Experiment, I think you’ll like it!
It's the exact opposite in my case: I've had the R41 for ages and I bought an EJ 3ONE6 for Black Friday.
The R41 has lots of blade feel, which is both good and bad. It's fabulous for a 1-2 day beard. 3 and longer, you're better off with a Slant. It is so efficient, that I'd say it can just be too efficient. Meaning when I pair it with an extremely sharp blade like a Feather or a Nacet, I get a really smooth face for 36 hours. That kind of throws off my shaving schedule.
Apart from that, I'd say this razor requires some time to get the hang of, but its really worth the effort. My 39c gives a better shave, but requires some really good prep, really good blade and really good lathering. But this one, good lather, bad lather, no lather, it will just cut like a SoB.
Especially if you opt for trying the steep angle (which many R41 users finds most comfortable), you need a bit sharper blades than in other razors or it will tug. While it might sound scary considering the blade exposure, it is quite safe still. My 13 years old son recently shaved with it without any nicks and I have shaved other people with it too. I find that the risk of nicking oneself increases with the dullness of blade because when it begins to tug badly the precision is lost.
I use it often with a smooth blade (rapira plat lux, voskhod, etc.) the head doesn't bend the blade too much, and I think this forces you to keep an open angle otherwise the razor will pull rather than cut.
I like it but everything must be on point in the process, to give out a comfortable shave. But when the stars align is one of the best shaves I can get
I like it but everything must be on point in the process, to give out a comfortable shave. But when the stars align is one of the best shaves I can get
- Thread starter
- #29
One of the few benefits of COVID 
is that I can take my time most mornings. This might be a good time to give the R41 a shot as I can take my time to experiment rather than rushing through the mornings shave half asleep.
I should have my first shave in about a week.
is that I can take my time most mornings. This might be a good time to give the R41 a shot as I can take my time to experiment rather than rushing through the mornings shave half asleep. I should have my first shave in about a week.
Be careful! The R41 is definitely worth a try IMO.
It was just a bit too much for this old guy, so mine moved on. But it was an interesting razor.
It was just a bit too much for this old guy, so mine moved on. But it was an interesting razor.
- Thread starter
- #31
have no fear mate.. just make sure you lather well, use a fresh smooth blade, take your time and ride that cap
have no fear mate.. just make sure you lather well, use a fresh smooth blade, take your time and ride that cap
You'll have to start up the CRC (Cap Riders Club) in opposition the the SASA (Steep Angle Shavers Alliance), StratMan.
I've been hitting up the R41 Clone that arrived a couple weeks back, and have really come to like the little bugger. In another thread I see that the one two comparisons I've seen indicated more blade feel and nicks with the clone, yet I get more nicks/cuts and weepers with my Timeless 95 OC. - Not sure I've seen a nick, cut, or weeper with the R41 Clone since I began using it, maybe it's the blade feel that keeps me from applying add'l pressure, as a reminder.
My question is, anybody have both, and how similar do they actually shave? Amazon has been sporadically running 20% off specials on the R41, and it's temping, although I need another razor, like a need a hole in my head, but there's high temptation there.
My question is, anybody have both, and how similar do they actually shave? Amazon has been sporadically running 20% off specials on the R41, and it's temping, although I need another razor, like a need a hole in my head, but there's high temptation there.
- Thread starter
- #35
First shave with the new R41 this morning. I whipped up a nice Haslinger lather and dropped a new Gillette Yellow in the R41. 3 days growth I went for a 3 pass shave. The first pass was fine, I played with angles a bit but mostly rode the cap. Second pass I noticed how much blade feel their is and proceeded cautiously but never felt terribly concerned. Not quite to BBS I went for a third pass which was also uneventful. BBS was mostly achieved although a few areas needed a bit of touch up, which I didn't do. I'm sure the razor is efficient enough for full BBS after three passes and blame the rough patches on me playing around with angles a bit.
Overall a fine first shave and an interesting razor. Certainly not a razor for beginners to DE's or sensitive skin, but not something to fear either. I think it will provide an excellent shave once I get my technique dialed in and find the best blade. At first blush I think the Yellow will not be the go-to blade for the R41. I've got a couple Wilkies, a Feather, Astra, and Kai waiting in the dugout.
I'm looking forward to getting this legendary razor dialed in to my tastes. Thanks all for your advice, its much appreciated.
Cheers!
Overall a fine first shave and an interesting razor. Certainly not a razor for beginners to DE's or sensitive skin, but not something to fear either. I think it will provide an excellent shave once I get my technique dialed in and find the best blade. At first blush I think the Yellow will not be the go-to blade for the R41. I've got a couple Wilkies, a Feather, Astra, and Kai waiting in the dugout.
I'm looking forward to getting this legendary razor dialed in to my tastes. Thanks all for your advice, its much appreciated.
Cheers!
Hope you enjoy your ourney with the R41 as much as I did.
The R103 (faux tortoise shell handle) has been in my regular rotation for about a year but over the last few weeks it's been my daily driver. The shaves have been stellar and my skin has never looked or felt better (I'm very prone to blemishes/spots).
In fact I enjoyed it so much that I fell out of the 2021 Purchasing Sabbatical in order to buy the rose gold handled R41
The R103 (faux tortoise shell handle) has been in my regular rotation for about a year but over the last few weeks it's been my daily driver. The shaves have been stellar and my skin has never looked or felt better (I'm very prone to blemishes/spots).
In fact I enjoyed it so much that I fell out of the 2021 Purchasing Sabbatical in order to buy the rose gold handled R41
The "bloodthirsty" reputation goes to the R41 version made between 2011-2013. In 2113 they redesigned it and made it milder. Now I would classify it as medium aggressive. If you like a Fatip or a Maggard V3A, you'll like the current R41.
I hope you had put a fresh Feather blade for Rick "the Expert"
Mike M
...but this one IS cracked.
Received my R41 yesterday and had my first shave today. The R41s bloodthirsty reputation is certainly not deserved. Lathered up with MWF and ended up with a close comfortable shave and whilst not quite BBS that's probably down to my technique.
Fantastic razor
Fantastic razor
