As I recall the zamak R41 head is relatively forgiving of shave angles, until it isn't-- I had a lot of issues with it tugging, skipping, or biting right at the edge of my goatee on the corner of my chin, on a few of the toughest whiskers. I can see how the upper lip would be equally challenging. The steel version seems to clamp a little better, enough that I haven't had that problem with it.
Quest for less technology
- Thread starter blethenstrom
- Start date
I've only tried the steel version and find it...tame.
Quite. I think all of them are still riding the coattails of the original 2011 version. It's plenty efficient and close for my needs, not overly aggressive, and consistent across the blades I like to use. It doesn't really excel in any category except closeness, for me, but it's well into "good enough" in the rest.
I like the R41GS I purchased this year and it's in my rotation. That said, it's not offering me any features or benefits I don't already get from other razors. It's just that I feel that a decent modern razor collection should have an R41 in it.
Not really. Not every blade forward razor has similar clamping as the R41. The danger of any is adding pressure in places we shouldn’t. Or when our hands make this sudden twist movements.
I don’t find the R41 to be overly blade forward (I think Matt @Darth Scandalous is right that it’s the past reputation rather than the current one that’s giving it that nickname). But the design of the baseplate working together with the cap results in a more perpendicular angle of the blade. There appears to be hardly any flex. The Razorine Flatboy is like that and I find that one more aggressive than the R41. The Tek also easily wins in the aggression department.
@Darth Scandalous said it, not me. True story
- Thread starter
- #5,427
Morning Shave - 04/03/25
Shave Number: 503
Passes: 3
Razor: Muhle R41
Blade: Tatara Platinum (White) (4)
Soap: MdC Agrumes
Brush: RazoRock Plissoft RR400
Aftershave: Clubman Lustray Blue Spice
Shave Comfort: 9/10 (Tightness)
Shave Quality: 9.5/10 (DFS++)
Shave Rating: 9.25/10
Another close shave by the R41, but I did end up with some post shave skin tenderness. This blade is definitely on the the way out. We will see if I need to toss this one. I will go for another shave with it and see. Plenty good shave otherwise.
This mornings shave felt a bit rougher than yesterday's. I also ended up with post shave skin tenderness. I think the blade is dulling and we will see if I will be able to finish out the week with it. Still I ended up with a very respectable shave. I have no complaints regarding the closeness.
You all have a wonderful day!
Shave Number: 503
Passes: 3
Razor: Muhle R41
Blade: Tatara Platinum (White) (4)
Soap: MdC Agrumes
Brush: RazoRock Plissoft RR400
Aftershave: Clubman Lustray Blue Spice
Shave Comfort: 9/10 (Tightness)
Shave Quality: 9.5/10 (DFS++)
Shave Rating: 9.25/10
Another close shave by the R41, but I did end up with some post shave skin tenderness. This blade is definitely on the the way out. We will see if I need to toss this one. I will go for another shave with it and see. Plenty good shave otherwise.
This mornings shave felt a bit rougher than yesterday's. I also ended up with post shave skin tenderness. I think the blade is dulling and we will see if I will be able to finish out the week with it. Still I ended up with a very respectable shave. I have no complaints regarding the closeness.
You all have a wonderful day!
I like that you are moving up the razor ladder Boris! Trying out new ones, more aggressive or effective ones even.
Just be careful!
Just be careful!
- Thread starter
- #5,429
Oh I'm being very very careful. Especially this year. It is probably good I'm on restraint this year.I like that you are moving up the razor ladder Boris! Trying out new ones, more aggressive or effective ones even.
Just be careful!
Happy Friday, my friend! 
- Thread starter
- #5,431
That's like posting an oxymoron. Happy Friday and the-blade-that-shall-not-be-named does not really go together.
Happy Friday my friend!
- Thread starter
- #5,432
Morning Shave - 04/04/25
Shave Number: 504
Passes: 3
Razor: Muhle R41
Blade: Tatara Platinum (White) (5)
Soap: MdC Agrumes
Brush: RazoRock Plissoft RR400
Aftershave: Clubman Special Reserve
Shave Comfort: 10/10 (Smooth)
Shave Quality: 9/10 (DFS+)
Shave Rating: 9.5/10
Solid shave this morning. It might not have been the closest shave that I have had, but it was a comfortable one and I will take that any day. Looks like I will barely squeak using this blade for a whole week in the R41. It is declining...
I was extra careful this morning not to stir up any additional irritation from my shave yesterday. I did not want to build any accumulating irritation. I was able to do so and not have any irritation, but the shave was not quite the level of closeness as yesterday's, but plenty good still. This combination of blade and razor is certainly not one of my favorites. The R41 seems to like the sharper blades which counteracts the upper lip ATG issues that I have with it.
Tomorrow Saturday I will be heading to RARSfest here in Raleigh. This is the yearly ham fest. No they do not serve honey ham nor country ham there even though that would be really good. It is a amateur radio event. They will have lots of vendors, classes, demos and a huge flea market section. It is certainly an event filled with a bunch of nerds and geeks and I will feel just at home.
I have actually rented a flea market table there to sell some of my friend's ham radio equipment. It is just a few pieces and hopefully I can more them fairly quickly and for a decent price. I need to make a few signs tonight and think about what my prices will be for the items. I have a good idea, but I need to settle on it. I am sure I will get haggled a bit so I need to haggle room in them as well. It will be fun and there are a few other ham operators there that I know so I get to see them as well. If you are in the area please stop by and say hello. My call sign is KO4QLT.
You all have a blessed and wonderful Friday!
Shave Number: 504
Passes: 3
Razor: Muhle R41
Blade: Tatara Platinum (White) (5)
Soap: MdC Agrumes
Brush: RazoRock Plissoft RR400
Aftershave: Clubman Special Reserve
Shave Comfort: 10/10 (Smooth)
Shave Quality: 9/10 (DFS+)
Shave Rating: 9.5/10
Solid shave this morning. It might not have been the closest shave that I have had, but it was a comfortable one and I will take that any day. Looks like I will barely squeak using this blade for a whole week in the R41. It is declining...
I was extra careful this morning not to stir up any additional irritation from my shave yesterday. I did not want to build any accumulating irritation. I was able to do so and not have any irritation, but the shave was not quite the level of closeness as yesterday's, but plenty good still. This combination of blade and razor is certainly not one of my favorites. The R41 seems to like the sharper blades which counteracts the upper lip ATG issues that I have with it.
Tomorrow Saturday I will be heading to RARSfest here in Raleigh. This is the yearly ham fest. No they do not serve honey ham nor country ham there even though that would be really good. It is a amateur radio event. They will have lots of vendors, classes, demos and a huge flea market section. It is certainly an event filled with a bunch of nerds and geeks and I will feel just at home.
I have actually rented a flea market table there to sell some of my friend's ham radio equipment. It is just a few pieces and hopefully I can more them fairly quickly and for a decent price. I need to make a few signs tonight and think about what my prices will be for the items. I have a good idea, but I need to settle on it. I am sure I will get haggled a bit so I need to haggle room in them as well. It will be fun and there are a few other ham operators there that I know so I get to see them as well. If you are in the area please stop by and say hello. My call sign is KO4QLT.
You all have a blessed and wonderful Friday!
