Mail call included a Muhle R41 head from Maggards. Now I have to decide what handle to try it out on. I've got an Ikon 90mm, a Merkur 23C, Maggard MR5, MR8, and MR11, and a long, heavy generic barber pole to choose from. Suggestions, anyone?
How about one of these? https://charcoalgoods.com/collections/safety-razor-handles $$$, but cool lookin'
Pick your favorite and use it.... I simplified things a long time ago and only use a Weber Bulldog on all my 3 piece heads. It gives me consistency of weight, length, and general shave feel regardless of razor head.
I like the heavy handles when I use my R41. Its all taste though, grab one and if you still have your head attached at the end of the shave, you chose well enough
The haul thread, aka Mail Call. http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/the-haul-december-2017.58146/#post-1350905
First off, thanks for your advice and opinions. Well, I received the MR 8 handle at the same time as the R41 head. So I decided to go with the MR5 handle for the first shave with this head. I've had the MR5 for a while now, so the only thing I was changing was the head. I'll try it with the MR8 next week. Head: Muhle R41 Handle: Maggard MR5 Blade: Derby Extra Soap: Catie's Bubbles "A Midnight Dreary" Brush: Semogue 830 AS: Dickinson's WH and Nivea Sensitive Balm First impressions: I went into this shave expecting a tiger of a razor based on reputation. Instead, I found a pussycat. A mostly comfortable BBS shave. The only place that felt slightly aggressive was on N-S pass just under my jaw. S-N in that area felt very mild. The R41 felt much less aggressive than my Fendrihan MK. I and only minutely more aggressive than my Fendrihan MK. II. This is so out of line with what I've read here that I wonder if I got a "defective" R41 (shrug). We'll see if that impression lasts after I've tried it with a few other handles and blades.
I think that you will find that when speaking of the R 41 and it’s aggressiveness, most are referring to the 2011 version. The blade exposure was larger and was redesigned for 2013 - present. That you had an easy shave with the 2013 is certainly a testament to your technique.
Kind of like the Derby Extra redesign in 2016? That might explain it, but the 2013 version is the only one available new today. It's a nice shave nonetheless, and at $16.95 I couldn't resist.
Yeah, the 2011 is the one I have and it will let you know how your technique is doing for certain. I never get the most comfortable shave while I'm shaving with it but the post shave faceturbation is better than any other razor I own.
This link likely includes the Sabi T1 handle that I use on my 2011 R41 head: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FHIKU46/?tag=thshde-20 I have a BRW handle in nickel that the above linked handle was probably copied from, but I don't use the BRW handle because the linked handle matches the chrome on the R41.