Help with next razor: R41? Slant? Open Comb?

**The Don** · 12-16-2011, 05:48 AM

Happy Friday Gents,

I'm getting the itch for a new razor, and I'm hoping you can help me spend some of my money. I currently use a Futur/Feather combo, which I'm overall very happy with. However it is nice to add new tools to the arsenal; and if I have one issue with the Futur, it's that I have a hard time with a couple spots on my neck where the Futur's head is a bit too bulky to manipulate easily. In these areas, the hair grows practically parallel to my skin, which compounds the problem. I'm thinking that something in the R41/slant/open comb style might be a good way to go next. Can anyone weigh in on which he feels may be the best one to go with?

Thanks!
Don

**Sledgehammer39** · 12-16-2011, 06:01 AM

I have used the Slant and I really like the way it shaves, it's very efficient at mowing down the whiskers. I have no experience with the new Muhle r41 2011, but the feedback from users is pretty positive.

**raisindot** · 12-16-2011, 06:06 AM

I have both the Merkur 39C barber pole Slant and the R41. I never developed real love for the Slant; the amount of caution I had to apply to prevent it from kreugering my face wasn't compensated by significantly closer shaves than my usual Fatboy and Slim. The R41, however, is a real mowing beast. You need to treat it with respect, and when you do, it mows away everything in its path with ruthless efficiency without a trip to the emergency room

**Cal1961** · 12-16-2011, 06:18 AM

The R41 (2011) has become my go to razor. Give it respect and you will get a fantastic shave.

**trick420** · 12-16-2011, 06:35 AM

I have both the R41 and a 37c slant. I just got the slant but have had the R41 for a few months. The R41 is a beast and will shave you close like not other, but I have to give the win overall to the slant. I can shave with reckless abandon with the slant - it's very smooth and easy for me to operate. The R41 is amazing though, but you have to be very attentive and go slow!

If you want to try an OC and like aggressive, a Gillette Old type would fit the bill. A New Long comb would be a great shaver too - just much more mild.

**linuxslantman** · 12-16-2011, 09:22 AM

A Merkur 37c slant is what brought me back to DE shaving. I get a closer shave than I ever have with cartridge razors. I haven't used many safety razors but the slant gives me the closest shaves of the ones I've tried. Once you get the hang of it, it's easy to shave with and I rarely nick myself. If I'm in a hurry, I can make fewer passes with a slant and still get shave that is as close or closer than multiple passes with other razors.

You might want to consider the 37g gold slant, it's quite pretty and not much more expensive, or the long-handled barber pole version.

Just be sure that you align the blade correctly with the top of the razor.

**alex2363** · 12-16-2011, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by Cal1961

The R41 (2011) has become my go to razor. Give it respect and you will get a fantastic shave.

this x 10^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

**noahpictures** · 12-16-2011, 01:07 PM

Another vote for the R41 (2011). I sold my Futur and Slant razors.

**phil-d** · 12-16-2011, 02:39 PM

I also had to make this decision recently (over the past week) and decided to go with the Muhle R41 (2011). It's still on its way... hope I made the right call! Plus, it's not like "both, eventually" isn't an acceptable answer :)

**Gordy2** · 12-16-2011, 03:03 PM

I had my time with the 2011 R41 and gave it up, I'd rather switch than bleed. Next I bought a 2010 R41 OC and think it's great. I also have the 39c Sledge and like just as much, however I feel the 2010 OC R41 gives me a slightly closer shave than the Sledge as does the OC Fatip.

**jkingrph** · 12-16-2011, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by trick420

I have both the R41 and a 37c slant. I just got the slant but have had the R41 for a few months. The R41 is a beast and will shave you close like not other, but I have to give the win overall to the slant. I can shave with reckless abandon with the slant - it's very smooth and easy for me to operate. The R41 is amazing though, but you have to be very attentive and go slow

My feelings exactly. I have tried the R41 for several days at a time, stopped for a week or so and went back. It's always the same lots of cuts and scrapes plus a lot of irritation. I think I am going to permaently retire it.

I had a similar learning curve with the slant, but third time was a charm. No cuts, scrapes or irritation, I could probably shave blindfolded with that thing now. It just works good for me.

**stuart12dz** · 12-16-2011, 03:18 PM

Get the R41. Use it for a month. If you don't like it, sell it on BST (probably in less than 15 minutes) for $10 less than you paid.

Get the Slant. Use it for a month. If you don't like it, sell it on BST (probably in less than 15 minutes) for $10 less than you paid.

With either razor, YMMV.

Stu

**kiwichris** · 12-16-2011, 03:52 PM

Just to throw a spanner in the works ... How about a nice straight?

**jsj_297** · 12-16-2011, 04:16 PM

How about a Mergress? You thought about those? It appears you enjoy a nice adjustable razor. The person who converts those progresses into mergresses is a member of this board too. So the $$$ is going to a good place. I loved mine, I wish I never had sold it, but sometimes, you just need the extra $$$ and those resell for nearly equal, or if lees is out of stock, MORE than you paid for it!!!

I would recommend a slant razor too, they are for real, and they do work well. They just do not get along with my jawline for some reason, as does the R41. Both are fantastic quality razors though.

**Nando** · 12-16-2011, 05:34 PM

I just took the Joris for a spin, and it was love at first stroke. Check out the tour thread for in depth discussions. I had been wanting an R41 for some time, but at this point I think I'm going to pull the trigger on a nice Joris!

**zridling** · 12-16-2011, 06:02 PM

I also have the Merkur 39C Slant and the R41 razors. The R41 is brutal and painful, no matter how soft the touch, and after half a dozen shaves, I retired it. Yet the Merkur 39c was a delight from the first shave. For me, the 39c was the closest shave I can get next to my EJ Bulbous. Everyone should have a slant razor, just so they know what the big deal is. Can't believe other companies don't make their own versions of it.

**LittleLebowski** · 12-17-2011, 06:42 PM

I think both are great but the Slant should be mastered before going to the R41.

**DCWEBSTER** · 12-17-2011, 10:40 PM

Originally Posted by The Don

Happy Friday Gents,

I'm getting the itch for a new razor, and I'm hoping you can help me spend some of my money. I currently use a Futur/Feather combo, which I'm overall very happy with. However it is nice to add new tools to the arsenal; and if I have one issue with the Futur, it's that I have a hard time with a couple spots on my neck where the Futur's head is a bit too bulky to manipulate easily. In these areas, the hair grows practically parallel to my skin, which compounds the problem. I'm thinking that something in the R41/slant/open comb style might be a good way to go next. Can anyone weigh in on which he feels may be the best one to go with?

Thanks!
Don

Easily my 3 favorite types of razors! It is hard to suggest one over the other so I would suggest you get all 3!

In reality I am stuck on my R41 right now just because it is so efficient! The slant is definitely a smooth rider though, and also quite efficient. As far as the open comb goes, they are great as well, I would cruise some antique stores and see if you can get an Old Type or New for cheap both fantastic razors.

Just my 2c