Thought it might be a good idea to use training wheels for a while, so I've been shaving with a RazoRock Jaws daily for several weeks, working on technique to get ready for the 2013 R41 plunge. . .which was this morning: R41 head + IKON Bulldog II handle + Platinum Lux + Stirling Scots Pine and KMF superlather. Wow, now I know what everybody is talking about. 2-pass shave (to play it safe) w/very little touch up gave a near BBS result with the slightest stubble. Two tiny nicks on the 2nd pass (1st pass went so well i think I got over-confident) and, surprisingly to me, hardly any irritation. Already love my R41!
Congrats!
But please don't get careless now. The R41 requires time and practice to master its technique.
Just out of curiosity, which blade angle were you using? Steep or shallow?
Yes, the nicks were tiny...but a reminder. I heed the warning.
Seems a pretty steep angle worked best for me with the Jaws, so I stayed there. Blade 70-75 degrees from the plane of the skin (i.e., handle roughly 25-30). Any suggestions?
My R41 (2013) is scheduled to arrive tomorrow. I'm planning to leave the rosegold handle on it for awhile. They are pretty!
I've been using an old Hoffritz slant of my father's, and a Futur, set on 4, to get ready for it; to be trueful my skin is more sensitive than I would like. What blade would y'all suggest? I've pretty much got one of everything around here except Voskhod, and I would have some of those if I knew where to buy less than 100.
Thanks, Ron
I was using the R41 with my Weber handle, can't wait to try it with the the Kaiser short.
Nope, the steep angle is what works the best for me too.
I would just probably add, do not try to get too many shaves with the same blade. You will notice that using the R41 with a steep angle leads to a faster blade wear. They are cheap enough and it's not worth to have bad shaves over a few cents. I use a blade for 3 shaves.
Congrats and welcome to the Zoo!
I was using the R41 with my Weber handle, can't wait to try it with the the Kaiser short.
Just finished my first shave with my R41, went well, I guess my shaving with vintage razors has helped with my introduction to the R41. I have been shaving with many Vintage OCs - short comb, long comb and even a Segal and a Star. My first impression is that the R41 is somewhere around the Gillette Old Types as far as blade feel, however the Star I believe matched the blade aggressiveness but was no where close to the comfort the R41 had. It is nice to find an OC that gives the feel of a aggressive shave but does not nick you or cause razor burn. Very close shave, definitely in my rotation!! So does this mean I can be a member of the B.E.A.S.T.?
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View attachment 440765
One of my favorite set-ups.
Griest all-brass handle (3.0 inches x 5/8 inch x 111 grams)
Muhle R41 2011
Mitchell's Wool Fat soap and Muhle 23mm STF V2 brush (not shown)
All to be used with a shallow angle.