preferred razor by heavy bearders

[joec22]

For those of you heavy beard gents that have tried multiple razors AND have found the most "efficient" / satisfying shaves....What razor suggestions can you give for closer shaves? Maybe something more aggressive than the DE89?

Started using DE89 last year with feather blades. Require 4 passes for DFS. Technique good, product good, lather good.

[CoolGuy90]

I switched to the Merkur 37C from the DE89 for reason you mentioned. 1 pass gets almost all of the whiskers off (took 2-3 with the DE89 and Feathers) with less irritation and smoothness compared to the DE89. Definitely recommend it over the DE89.

[tumblty]

I too started out with a R89. I then delved into a bunch of Gillette's like the red tip and SS. For my heavy beard my two favorites are the Mergress and the new Muhle R41. The R41 is now my perferred razor. I can get by with a 2 pass that lasts all day.

The R41 is a very finicky razor and required a little " relearning curve" on lather , angles and taking it slow. Been using for about a week and a half and now I am back p to speed. it is a very efficient razor.

[Mark831]

R41 all day long for me! Have a heavy beard, tried a tech, far too mild for me, merkur 38c, not bad but still too many passes for me and thus caused me irritation. Also have a futur which is good but has a big head, and difficult to get into the tight spots. Only had the r41 a few weeks but I get a nice shave with 1 pass, dfs with 2. Best part for me is I'm no longer getting anywhere the irritation either side of the Adams apple.
Found it quite easy to get used to it, no real cuts etc, the odd weaper but just take your time and add no pressure! It's the only razor I need now!

[KM-instructor]

R41 2011 Merkur Vision and the Futur are great for that heavier stubble/beard, the R41 is that good I groom my dogs with it.

[Whisker Biscuit]

My vote would be for some kind of open comb. Especially if you like letting your beard grow out. My next razor will be the muhle R41 2011. I hear that it has nice aggression an it's open comb'ish. It's sounds awesome.

[tumblty]

R41 2011 Merkur Vision and the Futur are great for that heavier stubble/beard, the R41 is that good I groom my dogs with it.

Grooming your DOGS with a Muhle R41!!!
LOL that is a first time I have ever hear of that.

[joec22]

My vote would be for some kind of open comb. Especially if you like letting your beard grow out.

I shave daily and do not grow my beard out. Thanks for all the responses. I was expecting more discussion on the old razors, but it sounds like the new stuff is good.

[ackvil]

Muhle R.41. Can't get closer than that. Other good ones for a close shave: Micromatic OC, Gillette Red Tip, GEM Gbar, Ever Ready 1924.

[Drewser]

My beard is not particularly dense, but the hairs themselves are very thick. Before crossing over to the SE side of things, I found the closest DE shaves were either using a Merkur Slant (the sledgehammer) with Feathers, or an open comb New with Feathers as well.

[Tillerman7]

For those of you heavy beard gents that have tried multiple razors AND have found the most "efficient" / satisfying shaves....What razor suggestions can you give for closer shaves? Maybe something more aggressive than the DE89?

Started using DE89 last year with feather blades. Require 4 passes for DFS. Technique good, product good, lather good.

Try the ASTRA blades... LOVE them and I have a very thick and tough beard!

[tumblty]

Based on my experience, the R41 does not give me any irritation by using it as my daily shaver.
It you are interested in older, agressive razors, then the Gillette Red Tip is very good.
My 2 cents.

[Greyfox]

Schick Injector E or G or the Gillette New

[KM-instructor]

Forget about R41 and get yourself an adjustable. R41 might give you a lot of irritation if used daily. With adjustable you can tone it up or down based on your face/beard

All boils down to the handler of the razor, it shaves that quick and efficiently there is no time for irritation, UNLESS it is handled wrong.

I shave daily with it and the only irritation I get when using it is if my girlfriend tels me i have a phone call whilst I'm in the bathroom blitzing the hairs on my boat race.

[bamafan64]

R41 and the Merkur Slant for me.

[xraygun]

The trusty Red Tip.

[Sledgehammer39]

Gillette NEW either Short Comb or Long
Merkur Slant
Muhle R41 2011

[noahpictures]

1. 2011 Muhle R41
2. Merkur Futur on highest setting
3. Merkur 39C Slant

[Ozgun]

I have quite aggressive razors too, buy my favs are still slim and ej89 with blades like perma-sharp, rapira, feather, kai, 7oclock yellows

[Stubblefield]

Forget about R41 and get yourself an adjustable. R41 might give you a lot of irritation if used daily. With adjustable you can tone it up or down based on your face/beard
In my experience you are more likely to get irritation from daily use of an adjustable.


My two choices would be:

Joris open comb
2011 Muhle R41

[Codfish]

Forget about R41 and get yourself an adjustable. R41 might give you a lot of irritation if used daily. With adjustable you can tone it up or down based on your face/beard:thumbdown

Experienced shavers with solid technique disagree with your sweeping statement. It can be used safely on a daily basis and I know a number of people, including me, who do just that.

[Ozgun]

Guys you are forgetting the fact that not everybody's skin is same too like whiskers. Your skin may tolerate very aggressive razors for everyday use, but not everyones. Its not about technique. If someone has a dry or sensitive skin it wont keep up much with a r41 or so. In few days skin would become very unhealty. Most open comb aggressive razors arefor shavşng a few days of growth, not for everyday. There are some gentle oc's are like rotbarts and gillette's. Too heavy or aggressive headed razors are perfect with less pass shaves. But if you like working you face with razor they are not as good as adjustables or milder ones.

[Pike]

I have to go with the vintage Gillettes on this one.....of course I go with Gillettes on every post!!:w00t: I have a fairly heavy beard and I think the finest razor out there (that is fairly easy to come by) is a Gillette "Improved"...that will mow down the most serious of beards!! Aside from that, the New Deluxe is my all time fave, they are just not as easy to find. I would be willing to bet if you found yourself a Gillette Big Fellow, you would never again want to pick up another razor! Just my opinion of course! :001_smile

[dalecooper51]

My recommendation would be an Open Comb Micromatic.

Once proper technique is learned, it is a gentle yet highly efficient razor capable of providing fantastic shaves.

[tumblty]

I agree with Codfish-
Sweeping generalizations are misleading to fellow B&B'ers.
In my humble experience, I have been using the R41 daily, with my daily prep, which is not special at all, no pre-shave oils or hot towels or any other that other time consuming stuff, I just whip up some Cella and do a 2 or 3 pass shave and the R41 have given me consistently very close or even BBS. I have had no problem with any irritation.

I just do my standard 10 min shave. A little Alum and then Nivea balm and I am out the door to work.

[CoolGuy90]

What's the best advice you guys who have the R41 can give? Really tempted now to get one now after all the recent rave.

[tumblty]

Well my 2 cents.

I have been wet shaving 3 years and DE shaving about 1.5yrs. With the Muhle R41, if you have your technique down. Including knowing what WTG XTA and ATG is for your face, the R41 is a great razor. Technique - lather, and no preassure shaving and knowing your facial hair growth are, I think , the key to a great experiance with the R41 or any razor.

With the R41 I do not need to do as much cleanup in my neck area as I did with my SS or mergress that is why I like it. It is a time saver and great shaver for me with the right blade combo. Right now Feathers, Med Preps and Perma Sharp Supers are the best for me in the R41. But I am still playing around with other blades.
Good luck.

[Old Man Army]

I consider my beard pretty thick and it grows quickly. This morning I used my Gillette Old Type OC for a DFS without any bleeding. I also like my 62 Slim. I never thought I would use the adjustable feature, but it was kind of like the XM radio on my car. Once you try it you might find that you can't live without it. I am also the proud owner of a Hoffritz slant that provides amazingly close shaves. Finally, I have a Gem Micromatic Clog Pruf that does extremely well on the crazy hair on my neck under the chin. Each razor works well on my beard and I enjoy the variety.

[wimbouman]

Has the R41 already been mentioned?
;-P

[Nobody]

Re the OP: Gillette "New Improved" or an open comb Micromatic. Slim adjustable is great as well.

[noahpictures]

What's the best advice you guys who have the R41 can give? Really tempted now to get one now after all the recent rave.

Other than the obvious (technique, proper prep), use the least aggressive angle.

[noahpictures]

:thumbdown

Experienced shavers with solid technique disagree with your sweeping statement. It can be used safely on a daily basis and I know a number of people, including me, who do just that.

+1

I've been using the R41 daily for over two months.

[Darko]

I use a Superspeed everyday and I am pretty Dark and heavey bearded but I have to admit I am loving my Fatboy for a really close shave, the adjusters are really good and you really notice the difference between the different settings on it, I shave from 5 to 7 on the settings, I tried 9 once and paid the price as it was super aggressive and left me with major razor burn.

Cheers Darko