I posted a WTB a few days ago that was well answered and I was able to buy 5 BRW custom razors. Among them are what is considered to be the mildest DE head made (Gillette Tech) and the most aggressive DE head made (Muhle R-41 2011). You would be hard pressed to get a more extreme example of aggressiveness/mildness than these two razors display. All 5 of the razors I bought from my WTB post have BRW (Cooncat Bob) custom handles but the two razors I used yesterday and today have the same exact same bull mastiff handle (only the head is different).
Yesterday I shaved with the R41 (2011) using one of my fave four blades (Voskhood teflon). This was the first time I used that model razor and after reading about all of the bloodbaths others have endured with it I must say that I was a little reluctant but jumped in with both feet and "got er done". I used what I consider to be my silky smoothest shave cream (Trumper's coconut oil cream) and a super silvertip brush.
All I can say about the R41 is..... WOW.... After three close, comfortable, passes I had a BBS shave. No irritation, no weepers, no nicks, no cuts. In short, all of the blood stayed on the inside. Now I did treat this DE razor like I treat my straight razors. Stretching the skin more than I would normally do with a DE and rinsing the blade more frequently and tackling an area of the face at a time. I cannot compare the extra weight of the bull mastiff handle to the stock Muhle handle as the razor only came with the bull mastiff (I like heavy razors) so I don't know if the extra heft helped with the shave or not.
Today I shaved with the Gillette Tech headed RBW custom, again using one of my fave four blades (a Feather). I've shaved with a fat handle tech in the past so I knew what to expect but the added weight of the BRW bull mastiff handle made that Tech head just sing. I used Truefitt & Hill Luxury shaving soap and made a lather in my shave bowl with a custom knotted barber's handle Rubberset.
All I can say about the Tech headed BRW is.... WOW (again). Four passes that gave me a close, comfortable, irritation free BBS shave. I did not need to stretch my skin nearly as much as I do with a straight or with the R41 to get an incredibly close shave.
Conclusion:
Shaving with the most aggressive DE head and the mildest DE head made no difference in the closeness or comfort of the shave I was able to achieve. Both of these razors performed admirably in providing me a close comfortable BBS shave.
So in my mind the mild vs aggressive debate is closed. They are both winners.
Today's tools:
Yesterday's tools:
Yesterday I shaved with the R41 (2011) using one of my fave four blades (Voskhood teflon). This was the first time I used that model razor and after reading about all of the bloodbaths others have endured with it I must say that I was a little reluctant but jumped in with both feet and "got er done". I used what I consider to be my silky smoothest shave cream (Trumper's coconut oil cream) and a super silvertip brush.
All I can say about the R41 is..... WOW.... After three close, comfortable, passes I had a BBS shave. No irritation, no weepers, no nicks, no cuts. In short, all of the blood stayed on the inside. Now I did treat this DE razor like I treat my straight razors. Stretching the skin more than I would normally do with a DE and rinsing the blade more frequently and tackling an area of the face at a time. I cannot compare the extra weight of the bull mastiff handle to the stock Muhle handle as the razor only came with the bull mastiff (I like heavy razors) so I don't know if the extra heft helped with the shave or not.
Today I shaved with the Gillette Tech headed RBW custom, again using one of my fave four blades (a Feather). I've shaved with a fat handle tech in the past so I knew what to expect but the added weight of the BRW bull mastiff handle made that Tech head just sing. I used Truefitt & Hill Luxury shaving soap and made a lather in my shave bowl with a custom knotted barber's handle Rubberset.
All I can say about the Tech headed BRW is.... WOW (again). Four passes that gave me a close, comfortable, irritation free BBS shave. I did not need to stretch my skin nearly as much as I do with a straight or with the R41 to get an incredibly close shave.
Conclusion:
Shaving with the most aggressive DE head and the mildest DE head made no difference in the closeness or comfort of the shave I was able to achieve. Both of these razors performed admirably in providing me a close comfortable BBS shave.
So in my mind the mild vs aggressive debate is closed. They are both winners.
Today's tools:
Yesterday's tools:
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