Two days ago, I completed six months of shaving with the MÜHLE R41 2011. I used this razor exclusively, except for a half-dozen days, described below.
I was impressed with this razor from the very beginning, and after using it a month, wrote a review on B&B. After 180 days of use, I would first say that I would not change a word. My comments remain true—at least for me. But maybe I should have said more.
In the time that has passed, I closely watched nearly every post about the R41. There were days when as many as seven threads on it were in the first page screen of the Safety Razor forum. It was not unusual to see five threads on that screen for weeks during the Fall.
It took on a macho and rite-of-passage aura like Feather blades. New shavers proudly boasted about their ability to use one, and encouraged other newbies to try one. Much was written about the closeness of the shave one could achieve. Much was written about the irritation and blood-loss users experience, and how users hoped for better experiences after the learning curve. It became evident through polls that a significant number of users found it “not for me”.
MÜHLE cautioned in its advertising that the R41 is for experienced shavers and that it is “not for everyone”. I made the same observations in my review. I am an experienced DE user who has always wanted ever more aggressive razors. I tried every reportedly-aggressive razor I could get my hands on along the way.
I found the perfect match for me is the R41. I get the best shaves in over 40 years of DE use with it. I get less irritation than with other razors—usually barely detectible with alcohol-based aftershaves. The skin on my face is clearer and healthier than before. With my favorite blade, the Russian Perma-Sharp, I have the best DE combo I’ve ever used. But that’s me. Just me. I shave as quickly and as effortlessly as with any other razor, with care taken to do a good prep. I find that most of my old soaps and creams work well with it.
I did get two cuts during the past six months—two nasty ones, spaced months apart. For three or four days after each of the problems, I switched to my 38C to let my face recover. I can only blame the cuts on “off days”. No other explanation fits very neatly.
I really enjoy my MÜHLE R41, but I still say it is not for everyone, and I still feel that it is truly irresponsible to recommend it to a new shaver.
I was impressed with this razor from the very beginning, and after using it a month, wrote a review on B&B. After 180 days of use, I would first say that I would not change a word. My comments remain true—at least for me. But maybe I should have said more.
In the time that has passed, I closely watched nearly every post about the R41. There were days when as many as seven threads on it were in the first page screen of the Safety Razor forum. It was not unusual to see five threads on that screen for weeks during the Fall.
It took on a macho and rite-of-passage aura like Feather blades. New shavers proudly boasted about their ability to use one, and encouraged other newbies to try one. Much was written about the closeness of the shave one could achieve. Much was written about the irritation and blood-loss users experience, and how users hoped for better experiences after the learning curve. It became evident through polls that a significant number of users found it “not for me”.
MÜHLE cautioned in its advertising that the R41 is for experienced shavers and that it is “not for everyone”. I made the same observations in my review. I am an experienced DE user who has always wanted ever more aggressive razors. I tried every reportedly-aggressive razor I could get my hands on along the way.
I found the perfect match for me is the R41. I get the best shaves in over 40 years of DE use with it. I get less irritation than with other razors—usually barely detectible with alcohol-based aftershaves. The skin on my face is clearer and healthier than before. With my favorite blade, the Russian Perma-Sharp, I have the best DE combo I’ve ever used. But that’s me. Just me. I shave as quickly and as effortlessly as with any other razor, with care taken to do a good prep. I find that most of my old soaps and creams work well with it.
I did get two cuts during the past six months—two nasty ones, spaced months apart. For three or four days after each of the problems, I switched to my 38C to let my face recover. I can only blame the cuts on “off days”. No other explanation fits very neatly.
I really enjoy my MÜHLE R41, but I still say it is not for everyone, and I still feel that it is truly irresponsible to recommend it to a new shaver.
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