Which blade angle do you use with the Mühle R41 2011?

**penan** · 12-02-2011, 05:29 AM

It seems like amongst us Mühle R41 2011 users we use very different blade angles with this razor. I think it would be interesting to see how the distribution of users is divided in the different blade angles, so I made a poll. Please share your experiences with the blade angle that you use, I think it can be quite interesting to hear about others experiences, despite it's a very big YMMW thing.

If you're not sure what a very shallow or a very steep blade angle is, you can look at the following post where I took some pictures to illustrate the difference between the two:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...49#post3638949

**penan** · 12-02-2011, 06:04 AM

When I first tried the R41 I used a very shallow angle but got a lot of irritation and an inconsistent shave. Then I remembered watching Geo's video where he uses a very steep angle with the R41 and thought I should give it a try. To me it made all the difference, the shave was very close, consistent, irritation free and I was very satisfied. Since then I have used a very steep angle with my R41 every day except one (when I tried a very shallow angle again). I have now been using my R41 for 10 days and really loves the shaves it provides. However there can be some tugging on the most coarse areas of my beard on my first pass if I don't use a very sharp blade, has anyone else experienced this? If I use light skin stretching and something similar to blade buffing it helps a little against the tugging.

With all my other razors I have always used a very shallow blade angle, but after I've been using the R41 with a very steep angle I decided to watch some more of Geo's videos again to, see how he uses other razors, and it seems like he use most of his DE's with a very steep angle. I have however not tried a very steep angle with my other razors since I'm still experimenting some with my R41. As soon as I'm done experimenting with the R41 I will start experimenting with different blade angles on my other DE razors. Has anyone tried to use a very steep angle with other razors as well as with the R41?

**Smoothandclean** · 12-02-2011, 07:07 AM

I have been using a wide assortment of blades in my R41, 7 O'Clock, Personna, 7AM and Derby.
I've had pretty good results from all. I don't seem to feel too much difference with the blades.
The R41 of course I feel a great difference compared to my other razors!
I had a good shave from a Derby recently. I think I'll try that again.

**penan** · 12-02-2011, 07:19 AM

Originally Posted by Smoothandclean

I have been using a wide assortment of blades in my R41, 7 O'Clock, Personna, 7AM and Derby.
I've had pretty good results from all. I don't seem to feel too much difference with the blades.
The R41 of course I feel a great difference compared to my other razors!
I had a good shave from a Derby recently. I think I'll try that again.

I have so far tried Astra, Yellow 7 O'clock, Feather and Permasharp. All have provided me with very good shaves, but the Feather was in it's own league, had a damn fine shave with the Feather, was a very verry close shave and the blade cut through my whiskers like a knife cuts through butter, however it came with som irritation afterwards. So far I like the Astras and Yellow 7 O'clock best in regards of closeness, smoothness and lack of irritation afterwards.

**penan** · 12-02-2011, 07:34 AM

Smoothandclean, which blade angle do you use and what is your experience with the different blade angles so far?

**bladeruner** · 12-02-2011, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by penan

When I first tried the R41 I used a very shallow angle but got a lot of irritation and an inconsistent shave. Then I remembered watching Geo's video where he uses a very steep angle with the R41 and thought I should give it a try. To me it made all the difference, the shave was very close, consistent, irritation free and I was very satisfied. Since then I have used a very steep angle with my R41 every day except one (when I tried a very shallow angle again). I have now been using my R41 for 10 days and really loves the shaves it provides. However there can be some tugging on the most coarse areas of my beard on my first pass if I don't use a very sharp blade, has anyone else experienced this? If I use light skin stretching and something similar to blade buffing it helps a little against the tugging.

That's basically what happened with me. After watching the Geo video I thought if this guy can have his way with that razor then so am I. I had my second shave with my R41 yesterday with the same red IP blade and had excellent results. I skipped a day from my last shave to let my hair grow out a bit more before I used it again and I'm really starting to like this razor. I think it's all about the steep angle with this razor and I do feel a lot of tugging like you mentioned if I have heavy beard growth on the first pass but after that it's fine. I think I might go this whole month with that razor to really get it down good.

**penan** · 12-03-2011, 06:56 AM

Originally Posted by bladeruner

I think I might go this whole month with that razor to really get it down good.

That's what I intend to do as well since the R41 requires a different technique than my other DE's.

**mhdena** · 12-03-2011, 07:20 AM

I don't think about angles, I just use it.
I don't hold it like in one of the photos posted this week though.
12-15 hour bbs shaves are the norm for me.

**ackvil** · 12-03-2011, 07:35 AM

I'm not sure what you mean by a steep or shallow angle. If it helps I find I get better shaves if I keep the handle closer to my face when I shave - similar to what I use for my GEM Micromatic OC razor.

Just saw your pics. Very nice. Based on on that I use a steep angle.

I have been using Personna Medical and Lab grade blades.

**Stubblefield** · 12-03-2011, 07:49 AM

I gravitate to something in between for all of my open combs--at least on the open areas of my face. Under the nose tho you pretty much have to use a fairly steep angle.

**penan** · 12-04-2011, 04:04 AM

Today i tried to shave with a moore in between angle, it was still on the steep side but not as steep as I usually use. The little more in between angle provided me with a very good shave and there was not that much tugging at all on my coarse areas on the first pass, very nice. However my neck ended upp a little irritated so I will probably use my R41 as Stubblefield above me wrote, with different blade angles on different parts of my face and neck. A very steep angle on my neck, a little less steep angle on my face (especially on my coarse chin). I will experiment some more and might end up with different angles on different passes as well.

**Absolute Mustard** · 06-28-2012, 12:39 PM

I saw GEO and Mantic use a very steep angle, so I started with that and ended up with LOTS of blood

Since then I used my normal angle with great success

**Monkeyboab** · 06-28-2012, 12:55 PM

I use the very steep angle with the R41 I've never had one bit of blood or irritation from using it. This just seems to work for me and I am able to shave very quickly and effectively with it.

**xraygun** · 06-28-2012, 01:01 PM

I'm a steep. I have to think that's how it was intended to be used by Muhle. The shallow angle you might as well not have the comb on there IMO.

**Techichi** · 06-28-2012, 01:24 PM

I've only had one shave with the R41 so far, but I used a shallow angle. Had a really good shave with it. I'll try a steep angle tomorrow, and in between the next. I'll report back with what I find. I may wait to vote until I have more experience with it though.

**Vickers** · 06-28-2012, 02:18 PM

I'm all over the place angle-wise since I'm too lazy to be consistent. My main concern is to keep a light touch.

**D.W.B.** · 06-28-2012, 05:34 PM

I found a shallow angle worked best for me. I may have to try a bit steeper after reading some of the posts. Maybe not so much on my face, but under the jawline and my neck. Steeper could be better. Since I've had it a while, could be worth trying.

**jamesspo** · 06-28-2012, 06:23 PM

Mostly shallow, but really I use the full (and very wide) range available with the R41 to different effects on different parts of my face. That's one of the great benefits of so much blade exposure...lots of usable angles.

**man00ver** · 06-28-2012, 07:14 PM

I started out very shallow, and finally mastered it that way after 7-8 nerve-wracking outings and a couple of rattling nicks.

Last time out, I went with about 30°, and had a fabulous and relaxing shave. That'll be the ticket for this razor from now on.

**mo_zo** · 06-29-2012, 08:27 AM

I am starting with 30° and change angle just naturally. On trouble areas the handle is more close to face.

This razor is incredible, once you tame it. I recently purchased an R106 for speed shaves and it's really a pussycat. Very mild... not really removing my coarse beard like R41.