Rumor: competition for the R41?

**LittleLebowski** · 03-23-2012, 02:52 PM

I got my Mariner in today and just shaved with it. I don't think the quality of the plating is as good as the Muhle and the handle is far too small for me so I promptly put the Mariner head on my Cooncat Bob American Bullmastiff XL handle that my Muhle R41 head was on.

The Mariner definitely feels like the blade is flatter aganst your face. The domed head makes it harder to get under the nose. I shaved with it using a near vertical angle (steep?) and used a Treet Platinum blade. Prep was a hot shower and soap was MWF.

This is a very aggressive razor. I need more shaves with it but right now I don't think it's as aggressive as the new Muhle R41. It seems very close though. I recommend it for those seeking an aggressive razor albeit with the bigger handle or one of your own choosing. The short handle is toy like and not worthy of such an excellent head design. I did my usual 2.5 pass shave (WTG, ATG, touch up lip and under chin) and got a BBS with 2 small nicks on my neck.

I will try it with a better blade tomorrow. I am happy with my purchase so far.

**Codfish** · 03-23-2012, 03:55 PM

I've only tried the LH version, and I'm happy with it. It's not Muhle quality, but not much is. Mine is in the Merkur range, quality-wise, but others in the thread have noted QC issues.

**LittleLebowski** · 03-23-2012, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by Codfish

It's not Muhle quality, but not much is. Mine is in the Merkur range, quality-wise, but others in the thread have noted QC issues.

I absolutely agree. I think this is a steal at the price. I could not find anything on the razor nor the box saying where the razor is made. Damned aggressive razor. The design seems to be better about not catching soap on the blade that you have to laboriously wash out unlike the R41.

**itsmedave** · 03-23-2012, 06:37 PM

Every time I try to order one it says that neither USPS or UPS Shipping is available. It gives me a checkbox that says something about $5.00 standard shipping. I can't even complete my order.

**LittleLebowski** · 03-23-2012, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by itsmedave

Every time I try to order one it says that neither USPS or UPS Shipping is available. It gives me a checkbox that says something about $5.00 standard shipping. I can't even complete my order.

I did that and got it in three days.

**itsmedave** · 03-23-2012, 06:48 PM

Originally Posted by LittleLebowski

I did that and got it in three days.

Ok I'll try again

**ras120** · 03-23-2012, 07:02 PM

Did anybody else outside of New York get charged sales tax? Because it was charging me $2.48 on the SH model.

I didn't complete the transaction -- maybe it comes off at the end?

**LittleLebowski** · 03-23-2012, 07:13 PM

They have to charge sales tax when shipping to their home state.

With speedy shipping for $5, I think the LH Mariner could be the next go-to aggressive razor for this forum.

**ras120** · 03-23-2012, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by LittleLebowski

They have to charge sales tax when shipping to their home state.

I said outside New York.

**mhdena** · 03-23-2012, 10:20 PM

Does the head fit on an EJ or Muhle handle?

**Codfish** · 03-24-2012, 12:04 AM

Yes, it fits nicely onto my R41 and GRANDE handles. Therefore, it should work for EJ, too.

**LittleLebowski** · 03-24-2012, 06:22 AM

Originally Posted by ras120

I said outside New York.

Whoops, sorry. Did you get the discount code from sharpology?

**ras120** · 03-24-2012, 06:37 AM

Originally Posted by LittleLebowski

Whoops, sorry. Did you get the discount code from Codfish?

I've got a discount code, but I'm curious about the sales tax. There shouldn't be a sales tax shipping outside New York.

There isn't anyone here living outside New York that bought one of these razors that can tell me if they were charged sales tax?

EDIT: To clarify, I mean outside of the state of New York.

**Codfish** · 03-24-2012, 07:32 AM

Man, I gotta say this razor is growing on me. I just completed my sixth shave, and again BBS without any irritation. I realize that my 260+ shaves with the R41 may have prepared me to be able to fling the Mariner around like a Tech, but my shaves are GOOD and FAST.

I need an aggressive razor to cut through the wire on my face. The Mariner is "up there". Unlike the R41, it does not seem to need my close attention to detail. Despite reported QC issues (mine does not have any) I like this razor. A lot.

**LittleLebowski** · 03-24-2012, 08:50 AM

Second shave with the Mariner on the CooncatBob handle. Prep was a hot shower, and I used TOBS sandalwood shaving stick (highly recommended!) coupled with a fresh Voshkod blade.

WOW! Best shave in a while. My confidence grew and I tried a less handle perpendicular to the face angle (more shallow?) and got an wonderful BBS! Very aggressive razor but less "bitey" than the R41.

**Codfish** · 03-24-2012, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by LittleLebowski

...My confidence grew and I tried a less handle perpendicular to the face angle (more shallow?) and got an wonderful BBS!...

Less handle height away from face actually increases the blade angle. Many of us have found that a blade angle of 20° or less works well with the R41. Here is an explanation of blade angle from the Shave Wiki.

**mhdena** · 03-24-2012, 11:53 AM

Can someone pm me the code please?

**Stubblefield** · 03-24-2012, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by Viseguy

My working theory is that the aggressiveness of the razor -- head geometry, or whatever -- really does impact blade life

Interesting. FWIW, I manage 6 days worth of shaves using a Personna Med Prep in either the Joris of the FaTip, but blade life drops to 3 shaves when I use the same blade in any Gillette guard bar razor. Go figure.

**Codfish** · 03-25-2012, 10:33 AM

OK, so I made it myself using my Mariner head and GRANDE handle. I think it looks pretty good. I now know the Mariner will accept standard handles.

I completed my seventh shave with it this morning with great results. I like the look of the setup a lot, and I have near-endless possibilities for handle swapping if I want.