Muhle R41,The combined thread

[Arcadies]

How many shaves were you getting before you change your angle?

On average I got 2 good shaves and a mediocre 3rd..which I learned to stop trying to attempt and just trash them after 2.

[bluesbishop]

On average I got 2 good shaves and a mediocre 3rd..which I learned to stop trying to attempt and just trash them after 2.

Curious if others are having the same results with blades. I have not had two complete shaves with the same blade yet...tomorrow will be my first day...I'm going to try to push the Supermax Super Plat, as I have got 7 great shaves with it in a new...but afraid to push it further. Typically I go three shaves, even if I'm still getting a good shave with the blade, as blades are cheap, and I'm prone to burn on my neck.

Wish me luck!!

[tboyer]

I recently purchased a R-41, and the first shave gave me
two red weepers, one being fairly large. Mind you. I often
shave with a straight and never have I cut my self to that
extent (I was treating the R-41 as a DE instead of a straight)
I'm not certain about my feelings in-regard to the R-41, because
the blade seems to flex more than with a straight, even a
full hollow. As it stands now I have to be more careful
shaving with the R-41, than with a straight do to the
blade flex. I've only have shaved with it twice, and will
have a go tomorrow. I suspect that having a good prep
with a good lather will be important with the R-41, just
as it is with a straight.

[alex2363]

Welcome to the R41 club....Ken it is all about the angle andpressure. Like you said, if your in a rush you will be nicked, it requires the attention of a 1st date ( or spouse)

[TallyShave]

Sorry Tally if I came off as offensive, not my intent....the joys of the internet...sometimes things just come off wrong on forums...

It's funny that you mention the Schick plus Platinum blades as my brother (Daniel Planview here on B&B) and I were discussing our fathers blades the other day, and they Schick plus platinum was his most widely used blade...don't know if it was simple due to availability at the time, or simply preference. I remember my first DE shave using that Blade and his razor when I was maybe 14-15yrs?? ...little "Japanese Flags" all over my face!!

What other blades have you tried with this??? Have you tried the Supermax super Plats?? if not send me a pm with your address and I will send you a few to try....may become your favorite blade in the R41!

No worries...I probably should have worded mine a little different...indeed the joys of the internet. I haven't tried the Supermax Plats yet (for any razor). I will have to pick up a few to try them though. As far as other blades, I have also tried the Iridiums, Astra SP's, Feathers and Perma-Sharps in the R41. They all performed well, the Plus Platinums just seem to shine. I have a very unscientific and totally untested theory as to why. I think the Plus Platinums are a smidge more rigid and I think this helps...plus they are just great blades. My next favorite would probably be the Iridiums in this razor.

You mentioned The Superior Shave the other day. I am in Jacksonville for work a few times a month and have stopped by before. It sounds like you are just up the street from them...you should give Jarrrod a call. He doesn't really have a retail setup, but is willing to allow people in if they call. Great selection of Simpsons.

[jamesspo]

+1. If one shaves with this razor like Geo, you're getting a blade angle of 50-60 degrees. That's bound to do more edge damage than a traditional 25-35 degree cutting type angle. I did a poll on this (but not many responses) about angles folks were using with the R41, and more were using a steep angle. I guess the blade manufactures are going to be happy :).

You'll find out really quick that if you use a steep angle with the R41 (like Geo is using) it will decimate your blades. I shaved this way for a month or so and changed over to a shallow angle with the blade at more of a cutting, rather than scraping angle and found I get slightly smoother shaves and my blades went back to lasting 3-4 shaves.

[bluesbishop]

Did my weekday shave prep: Hot shower, pre-shave oil, lather. Since thr R41 arrived have been trying with different blades, yesterday, out of need as trying to reuse the crystal for day 2 caused some "skipping" and tugging so I switched to the the Gillette Yellow.

Today, I reused the Supermax Super Platinum, the blade from day one. Used shorter strokes like I did on day one and noticed the first pass (WTG) was very smooth. Noticed quite a bit of stubble removal in the razor and in the cream as I rinsed my razor between strokes. Second pass was ATG, again noticed tons of stubble removal, and the second pass seemed seamless....no irritation or pulling...woohoo! my favorite blade is doing good so far! Third pass was a combo of XTG/ATG pass on the neck, and a XTG cheeks. I did cause one small weeper on the bottom right side of my neck, due to the blade cutting a bump that was on my neck before I even received the R41.

Anyone with acne, pimples, razor burn bumps, etc may want to avoid the R41 till that is healed, as it shaves VERY close and will cut the tops of those bumps off!

I am going to continue to use the R41 all this week and give updates, but will be changing it up next week for the rest of open comb march. With every shave and blade combo will give my impressions. I have been letting the razor "guide" me as far as angle.....my angle isn't nearly as extreme as Geo's...and again, I am keeping the touch light, very light.

As typical, YMMV, but hopefully my blade test in the R41, along with trying various angles, etc can help other make this into the useful tool it deserves to be. I really think years from now this will be a very desirable "vintage" razor, much in the way that the "NEW" or slim has become, not for collectibility, but because of the great shaves the razor is capable of delivering.

[nsideguy]

I just realized today that I've been using the r41 all wrong. I've been trying to keep the blade extremely shallow, around 10-15 degrees. But I experimented with shaving while the comb is touching my skin and noticed that the blade glided through my hair like it never had before. I use to get not a very close shave with a lot of irritation, but now that I'm shaving at about a 50 degree angle, I notice this razors effectiveness and ability to avoid digging into the skin improve tenfold.

Update: I recently saw the diagram that suggested that the R41 should be used with a shallow angle. I tried it and now I'm back to using it with a shallow angle :D. A couple days after I did the steep angle strategy I got lots of ingrown hairs that are still healing.

[El-a-Menthol]

The biggest cut I got from the R41 was not when shaving but fishing it out of a sink with murky-milky soap laden water.
Hasn't happened again, can't say I used a lot of force grabbing it, but I was definitely grabbing it, no subtle picking it up.
It did not stop bleeding, even bandages had trouble. But the sharp blade makes sure it's a "clean cut".
I too noticed that blades dull quicker, on average it steals one day of my blades.
I used to use blades (Yellow 7'OC, Crystals, Astra SP) 4 days, exept the Feathers, used those for 3 days.
Now I can get 3 shaves out of them and only 2 out of a Feather.

[Wilfredio]

Thanks for posting all this.
I just received my R41 yesterday and gave it it's initial ride with an Astra SP. It shall be used for the whole of March since it is my only OC, and it will give me a chance to try out different blade combo's and see what works best for me.

[Alessandro83]

nsideguy,

I tried using a very steep angle as you said before, but just after one small sweep I understood it didn't work for me. So, as you too have noticed, this razor have to be used with a quite shallow angle. :)

This morning I tried something new, that worked really good. I tried not to stretch my skin too much. You know, when you shave, usually you stretch the face skin, in order to reduce the friction against the razor. However, the downside is that the skin is much more vulnerable to cuts and irritation.
So, since this razor cuts so weel, I tried avoiding as much as possible skin stretching. The result was really good, I think it's worth a try.

[rgeudy]

If I enjoy a Slim on #9 would I enjoy this razor?

[noahpictures]

If I enjoy a Slim on #9 would I enjoy this razor?

Yes.

[Codfish]

I came across this new Mantic59 video on the MÜHLE R41 today. It seems he shares some members' experience.

http://blip.tv/shavetutor/the-muhle-r41-razor-5981608

Be patient. The video takes a little while to load. You do NOT need to subscribe.

[salazch12]

Check out Mantic59's video. He posted it this morning.

[VerbaVolant]

...Anyone with acne, pimples, razor burn bumps, etc may want to avoid the R41 till that is healed, as it shaves VERY close and will cut the tops of those bumps off!...

That actually sounds quite... therapeutic?

[man00ver]

I haven't picked mine up in a month. The video was a good reminder that I'll need to be careful when I give it another go.

[bluesbishop]

Looks like the mods moved my thread into the R41 combined thread....(why?????)..today shave was with the Supermax Super Platinum blade for shave 3 with this blade. I have gone 7 shaves with the NEW and this blade combo.

Today I face lathered instead of my typical bowl lathering, 1st pass was WTG and went smooth....was a bit shocked as I haven't got more than two shaves out of a blade with the R41. Second pass was ATG and noticed some slight pulling....but still went well...I re-lathered again for the third pass and started on my neck and noticed ALOT of pulling going XTG...so for the third pass I had my NEW already loaded with a Gillette Yellow and finished off my shave with the NEW for pass three.

Overall still a great shave, but am very surprised how quickly this razor seems to eat razor blades. Even my favorites are no match for the R41.

Did notice some burning when I applied some clubman.....again, not typical for me.

Tomorrow I will try this with either the Super Iridium, or maybe the Sputnik...

[vocalistbob]

I don't need a third pass with the R41 - 2 passes (and maybe a quick clean-up in a couple of spots) gives me a bbs shave, but if I decided to try a third pass, I think I'd put the R41 down and use one of my Jaggers.

[nsideguy]

I don't need a third pass with the R41 - 2 passes (and maybe a quick clean-up in a couple of spots) gives me a bbs shave, but if I decided to try a third pass, I think I'd put the R41 down and use one of my Jaggers.

I did this! well I don't have a Jagger, but I did do my 3rd ATG pass with a Merkur 34c. BBS, best shave of my life, omigah.