Mühle R41 GS Review - The "Daddy of Safety Razors"

[Golden_Edge]

At least, that's how one article online describes it (all the way down).

Context wise, my razor journey has been as follow: two years ago bought a Mühle Stylo razor (I think it's a R89 head) as part of a set with a brush. Gave up wet shaving after one try and went back to Fusions until 3-4 months when I jumped back in and I started with the King C. Gillette, Henson Mild, Henson Medium, Mühle Rocca, The Holy Black SR-71, Timeless TRBR 38 Bronze, Mühle R41 and finally, the Mühle R41 GS. Only have the R41 and R41 GS.

How does it look?

Stunning. Like jewelry and not the necklace or bracelet type but a men's watch. I'd say a Swiss watch but the R41 GS is German and can only be like an A.Lange & Söhne. It's polished expect for the inner parts of the head cap and base plate. The shine is just right and feels "natural" for lack of better word, meaning you can tell it's a polished solid metal and not plated. Thicker and longer handle with no grip issue. Handle is not polished (or at least doesn't appear to be) which gives it a nice contrast. The "Mühle" branding at the bottom of the handle is deeply laser engraved.

How doe it feel?

Like a tank. I knew it would be on paper but you get the feel of it when it's in your hand. It feels like a one block piece. It's 56.6% heavier - the regular R41 weights 64 g (head 31 g, handle 27g) vs the GS 113 g (head 36 g, handle 77g).

How does it shave?

I shaved three times with it so far. Disclaimer: I have dark, thick and semi-dense facial hair.

Shave 1

Fresh Voskhod blade. C.O. Bigelow cream (face lathered). Simpsons T3 synthetic. 3 passes (W, X, ATG). Witch Hazel.

Result: Look was perfect BBS. Feel was as if you waxed your facial hair. I kid you not. I could not feel hair on my face when passing hands - even when pressing down. Never experienced this feel before with any other razor I used. I was speechless. Otherwise, no cuts and couple nicks. Minor razor burn in chin area (the hazard zone for me). It was the closest shave I had so it came with some light burning sensation overall, but not something I would call irritation, that dissipated within couple hours.

Shave 2

Fresh Personna Platinum blade. Musgo Real Classic cream (face lathered). Simpsons T3 synthetic. 3 passes (W, X, ATG). Witch Hazel.

Result: identical to Shave 1 but with no nicks this time.

Shave 3

Fresh Nacet blade. Caswell Massey Almond soap (technically a The Holy Black soap). Simpsons T3 synthetic. 2 passes (W and ATG). Witch Hazel.

Result: Look was BBS. Feel was almost as good but I could feel hair when passing hand over the face in some areas (chin line and neck). No cuts or nicks. A lot less "burning" sensation. No razor burn in chin area either.

Impression?

For me, it's the having-waxed feeling with 3 passes that blew me away. I always do a 3 pass shave anyway. Both the end result look and feel is something I have not experienced with anything - the regular R41 included. The GS sinks in your skin and leaves nothing behind. You just need to direct it. On the 2nd shave, I even held it with two fingers (thumb and index) and let it glides. The weight does the job. Oddly, you feel the R41 GS does nothing more special than the regular R41 when shaving. There is also less audio-tactile blade feel. With the regular R41, I could never achieve a perfect BBS in the chin line and neck area even with 3 passes. I could always "see" and feel hair left behind. The GS solves that completely. And whatever BBS I achieved with the regular R41 in other parts of the face, the GS took it step (or two) further.

Is it worth the extra coin?

The regular R41 is already a fantastic razor. It's efficient, shaves better than anything I used in the past and looks great. So why bother with the GS? For me, because it shaves closer and not just slightly. If you have thin hair, the GS is likely overkill. If you have dense and/or thick hair, I think you'll love it.

In the US, the regular R41 costs $44 and the GS, between $156 and $174. That's $112 more if you consider the cheapest available price for the GS. I understand that it's quite a bit more -- but the way I look at it is that if one is going to spend whatever time you spend shaving, one should get the best possible results. It's will also outlast you. Something you can pass down. Sure, you can also pass down a regular R41 but the GS is special.

Anything else?

Being bigger and heavier, it takes some handling adaptation - especially in tricker areas like the chin and under the nose.

Not the best presentation box for a razor 3X+ the price 2X+ heavier. The same as the regular R41. Added cushion inside at leat would have been nice.

Some pictures

 

[Dobric]

Mühle R41, beautiful beast.

 

[3oclockShadow]

Nice review. I'm a long time fan of the R41, particularly the 2011 design. I liked the R41GS well enough, but my tastes in razors have changed some and the milder version (2013 design) of the R41 is not my favorite (in regular or GS form). That said, one benefit of the GS which I think is important is that I've had issues with the Zamak failing on regular R41s and the GS (being stainless) really should have fine longevity in comparison.

And I agree, the presentation of the R41GS leaves something to be desired. For my first order of it from Muhle, the bottom plate arrived bent, which I think might have been a result of the packaging not providing enough protection. Muhle replaced it without issue though.

 

[Golden_Edge]

Mühle R41, beautiful beast.

Well said.

 

[Golden_Edge]

Nice review. I'm a long time fan of the R41, particularly the 2011 design. I liked the R41GS well enough, but my tastes in razors have changed some and the milder version (2013 design) of the R41 is not my favorite (in regular or GS form). That said, one benefit of the GS which I think is important is that I've had issues with the Zamak failing on regular R41s and the GS (being stainless) really should have fine longevity in comparison.

And I agree, the presentation of the R41GS leaves something to be desired. For my first order of it from Muhle, the bottom plate arrived bent, which I think might have been a result of the packaging not providing enough protection. Muhle replaced it without issue though.

Thanks for your feedback James.

I am really curious how the 2011 R41 version shaves compared to the latest iteration.

 

[DesertIguana]

Well maybe the Box could be fancy, but the produce you showed look first class.

Would rather have great produce in bad box. Verses first clsss box , with junk product.

JMHO

 

[Jay21]

And I agree, the presentation of the R41GS leaves something to be desired. For my first order of it from Muhle, the bottom plate arrived bent, which I think might have been a result of the packaging not providing enough protection. Muhle replaced it without issue though.

Ditto. I've ordered two Muhle razors (r41 and r89) and both were very loosely secured in their cardboard boxes. Shipped had jostled them around, causing light scratches to form on the cap. No big deal because a few months of shaving will make its own scratches, but more padding and protection would have been nice. I understand that they may be trying to limit single-use plastics, which is commendable, but there are other environmentally friendly packaging methods that could have been used. Edwin Jagger, for example, carefully wraps their 89 in tissue paper.

 

[DesertIguana]

Packing should do one thing well, protect product in transit.

Recently order New Laptop, it was Apple Brand.

Box it arrive in was from Navy Exchange. Inside I found another Box, it was fabricated to protect Pretty Apple Box with Laptop.

The ugly brown box, did one thing well. Protect the box with computer& accessories.

 

[Golden_Edge]

Well maybe the Box could be fancy, but the produce you showed look first class.

Would rather have great produce in bad box. Verses first clsss box , with junk product.

JMHO

Agreed but my point was mostly about protecting the product inside with more cushion. It's a heavy razor. This is the inside of the box - that's how it arrived. Luckily nothing wrong (scratch, dent, etc).

Surely, Mühle can do better by using thicker layers of material inside.

 

[Golden_Edge]

Ditto. I've ordered two Muhle razors (r41 and r89) and both were very loosely secured in their cardboard boxes. Shipped had jostled them around, causing light scratches to form on the cap. No big deal because a few months of shaving will make its own scratches, but more padding and protection would have been nice. I understand that they may be trying to limit single-use plastics, which is commendable, but there are other environmentally friendly packaging methods that could have been used. Edwin Jagger, for example, carefully wraps their 89 in tissue paper.

Precisely.

 

[DesertIguana]

Agreed but my point was mostly about protecting the product inside with more cushion. It's a heavy razor. This is the inside of the box - that's how it arrived. Luckily nothing wrong (scratch, dent, etc).

View attachment 1640302

Surely, Mühle can do better by using thicker layers of material inside.

I recently bought a item from forum Member, he sent it USPS.

It was in box with Foam lining, super protected.

Smart as USPS CAN BE HARD ON PACKAGES.

Back in 1960’ Mother work at company that packaged items for Military, packaging even a Single Washer, was over kill.

But Military wanted to protect even a five cent item.

Had to get to War Zone safe.

 

[DesertIguana]

I am afraid you are missing my point.

Regardless of where or from who an item is purchased from, it's the manufacturer's responsibility to provide adequate protection for their products in the first place. One should not hope or think that a third-party reseller will provide such care.

I get you point, but many don’t care enough to protect their products.

Crappy packaging is saving money.

 

[Golden_Edge]

I get you point, but many don’t care enough to protect their products.

Crappy packaging is saving money.

I deleted my comment since you had added something to yours and I wanted to add something.

Either way, yeah, it's about saving cost.

 

[Happy Jack]

Thanks for your feedback James.

I am really curious how the 2011 R41 version shaves compared to the latest iteration.

The 2011 version is significantly more aggressive and effective. Very similar to an Ikon Tek in my opinion. I struggle to get a BBS with a modern R41, but it's easy with the 2011. It's really only the top cap that's different - I'm currently using my 2011 top cap on a GS baseplate with a titanium handle.



I can't really tell much difference in effectiveness between the current R41 and the R41GS, although the GS is much nicer to look at. I don't really like the Muhle handles much so I don't use them. I also refuse to believe that a heavier razor shaves closer.

 

[Golden_Edge]

The 2011 version is significantly more aggressive and effective. Very similar to an Ikon Tek in my opinion. I struggle to get a BBS with a modern R41, but it's easy with the 2011. It's really only the top cap that's different - I'm currently using my 2011 top cap on a GS baseplate with a titanium handle.

View attachment 1640338

I can't really tell much difference in effectiveness between the current R41 and the R41GS, although the GS is much nicer to look at. I don't really like the Muhle handles much so I don't use them. I also refuse to believe that a heavier razor shaves closer.

Thanks again for your input James, much appreciated.

 

[DesertIguana]

I deleted my comment since you had added something to yours and I wanted to add something.

Either way, yeah, it's about saving cost.

Well good protective packaging is part of good product.

Some of the high dollar razor companies, get good fancy packaging Is part of their product.

 

[Alexland]

I have the R41 Black and was really disappointed with both the plastic handle and tame modern head version. I ask myself if the GS would be just a more expensive version of the same disappointment? Ok there's no plastic but the head looks just as boring. My goto for the open comb experience is my recently acquired aluminium Razorock SLOC. I can't see a future for the R41 in my collection so it could be heading for ebay.

 

[robertj298]

I have a newer R41 and it shaves great but I use a stainless bulldog handle with it,The rose gold handle it came with is to slippery for me. Everyone's beard is different. My beard isn't overly heavy but it is a wiry old mans beard. For my face the R41 isn't quite as smooth or close as my 93 year old Gillette New DeLuxe. The R41 and a couple other razors are almost as close but not quite

 

[wimbouman]

The 2011 version is significantly more aggressive and effective. Very similar to an Ikon Tek in my opinion. I struggle to get a BBS with a modern R41, but it's easy with the 2011. It's really only the top cap that's different - I'm currently using my 2011 top cap on a GS baseplate with a titanium handle.

View attachment 1640338

I can't really tell much difference in effectiveness between the current R41 and the R41GS, although the GS is much nicer to look at. I don't really like the Muhle handles much so I don't use them. I also refuse to believe that a heavier razor shaves closer.

What a beautiful combination!

 

[Golden_Edge]

I also refuse to believe that a heavier razor shaves closer.

To come back on this part of your comment. I've been wondering about this - does a heavy razor translates to a better shave. In my case, I saw a difference with The Holy Black's Sr-71 and now the R41 GS. So I would say yes. I am thinking that thinner, lighter facial hair may not benefit from it.