To get an R41 or not.that is the question!

[ODJ]

So I have been DE shaving for almost a year now and have vintage Super Speeds, HD34c, 39c, Mergress XL and a DE89. I like all of these razors but get the best, closest, irritation free shaves from the 39c.

I'm thinking about an R41 to see what all the love/hate is about. Many say the slants are aggressive, but they really are not at all in my opinion. Now i know the R41 is very aggressive, but am not sure if thats what i want, but the 39c has sort of changed my perspective a bit...a mild razor like the DE89 is very forgiving and provides a nice, respectable shave, but I now find I get more irritation from it because it does not shave as close as my 39c, so i go back and do more passes, and more passes equals more opportunity for irritation. a more efficient razor (like the slant) requires less passes and less chances for irritation, but is more aggressive, so there is that risk of getting cut...

So I guess it's just a fine line you have to figure out for yourself. A less aggressive razor with more passes, or a more aggressive razor resuting in less passes, but a higher chance to get bit by the blade! I also like to touch up and blade buff, and I can just imagine the R41 blade buffing like a surgically sharp cheese grater across my chin and jawline!

Thoughts and comments or recommendations are always appreciated and welcomed!

 

[Dozer]

Give it a try! Mine is on it's way. Some people love it and other sell it on BST. If you don't like, I'm sure there is someone who will. That's one of the greatest things about this community.

 

[Samjax]

You're not going to want any blade buffing with a 2011 R41 - it is considerably more aggressive than the Slant.

The R41 is a great razor - it's aggressive to say the least - and for me, blade choice does make a difference.

I have the Grande model and now use it with a different handle - normally going with an iKon OSS or UFO Kaiser.

 

[wagstaff]

I've been trying to sort out the same things; milder with more passes, or just stop with the passes and accept the shave.... OR.... a more aggressive razor and more care with the lighter touch, and fewer passes.

The temptation to do more passes is *still* there with a more aggressive razor if you don't get the first couple dialed in really right. But a DFS can be had in fewer passes, easily. I'm just saying that for some of us... we keep going either way, or are tempted to. And that is worse with a more aggressive razor. On the other hand, I'll sometimes get a DFS with two passes, light touch ups, and stop. And I'll sometimes get BBS that way, too (but that's definitely not as dependable).

In my experience, the slant (a 37c in my case) was positively mild. And didn't shave me well, so I did too many passes and got lots of irritation. In my opinion the slant was one of the milder razors I've ever tried. And one of the least efficient. The R41, on the other hand, is becoming my favorite daily razor. A FaTip Grande before that was. (I traded the slant for the R41, in fact; if I didn't do so badly with the slant, I may never have tried the R41 because of its rep!)

Strange thing is.... I bought a vintage SuperSpeed to "convert" a buddy of mine. I shaved with it once before I gave it to him -- it was super mild and I got the best shave i'd ever had up to that point with it. Now... I like the R41. I've got a few things in my rotation, still checking out older razors, and still use the DE89 (with a Weber handle) that I basically learned on. R41 just keeps coming up aces for me... I've been using it for about a week. But I am prone to neck irritation and don't get excited by "new" if it gives me trouble. The R41 really hasn't given me any.

 

[skleice]

I have sensitive skin. For me, more passes = irritation. The r41 gives me BBS in two passes with a little touch up under my chin. I can blade buff with it just fine if need be. Just buy it and if you don't like it, you can sell it on BST in minutes.

 

[theretroshave]

I've personally been using a Barbasol "floating head" model for about a month now. The Barbasol has a reputation as one of the more aggressive safety razors, and from what I've read, the R41 is supposed to be a bit more aggressive than the Barbasol. I too am on the fence with regards to getting an R41. Though, in my case, it's not a question of if, it's a matter of when. I've read that even the Merkur 39c isn't nearly as aggressive as the R41. Other than that, the only razor I can relate to in your collection is the 34C. If I end up picking up an R41 before ze end of ze world, I'll check back here, and sound off.

A well written user experience with R41 from the SRP forum: http://straightrazorplace.com/shaving-safety-razors/76696-muhle-r41-great-risks-great-rewards.html

 

[celestino]

i would greatly entertain shimming the EJ89! You would not believe the difference one or two shims make in a razor and it doesn't cost you anything!!!
Best of luck to you.

 

[wagstaff]

How do you cut blades to make a shim? Wire cutters? And how far back to trim? Thanks... newb questions!

 

[LovingLather]

My R41 finally showed up yesterday and I decided to give it a whirl today, a work day, even with its brutal reputation. I have to say that even though it is more aggressive, it's still just a razor and only requires a second or two to get the right angle. It gave me an incredibly close shave with relative ease so I'm definitely encouraged going forward!

 

[BigWill]

How do you cut blades to make a shim? Wire cutters? And how far back to trim? Thanks... newb questions!

As thin as DE blades are today, a pair of Fiskars should do the trick. Far enough back so the head barely conceals the shim. Use a worn out blade for practice.

 

[wagstaff]

Thanks BigWill.... I have to try this.

 

[jmsodpc]

I wanted to try the r41 too. Nice to hear it works nicely.

 

[TallyShave]

It isn't more aggressive = fewer passes, less aggressive = more passes.

It is better passes = fewer passes.

 

[Sergio Campos]

I say get it! I had the same doubt, and I even increased aggressiveness with a Fatip first, but eventually I got the R41. I don't regret it at all. It is a different razor, more blade exposure makes you more attentive, and in the end, this improves your shave. I think that you need something like an R41 to really improve your technique, because it is less forgiving. After learning with it (it took me about 5 or 6 bloody shaves), my shaves with other razors have improved as well.

Not to mention that you *must* try it, otherwise you'll go to sleep every night wondering about it...

 

[Nick Danger]

Not to mention that you *must* try it, otherwise you'll go to sleep every night wondering about it...

And that is exactly the stage where I find myself right now.

Is the R41 considerably more aggressive than dialing my Slim up to 9? Or are the two razors so different that there is just no comparison? I've never shaved with an OC, so I don't exactly know what to expect.

Nick

 

[dpmtherrien]

The R41 is a really nice razor. For sure it is aggressive, but I've found that with a very light touch, the shaves are fantastic.

 

[Emooring37]

Just got mine in mail. Waiting.....not sure for what but I Am

 

[JCturboT]

Agreed with everyone about trying it-

If you don't you'll always wonder what you're missing and it will sell in no time on the BST if it isn't your cup of tea. Which,I doubt if you
are finding a Slant too mild.

Jeff

 

[wagstaff]

The R41 is a really nice razor. For sure it is aggressive, but I've found that with a very light touch, the shaves are fantastic.

+1

 

[Sergio Campos]

In my opinion, it is totally different. The blade is more exposed, and that feels very different on your skin.

And that is exactly the stage where I find myself right now.

Is the R41 considerably more aggressive than dialing my Slim up to 9? Or are the two razors so different that there is just no comparison? I've never shaved with an OC, so I don't exactly know what to expect.

Nick