A friend on another forum is sending me 3 aggressive DE razors to try this week. I was asking him question about aggressive DEs and he offered to let me try a few first hand. So this week I'll be receiving the following to test drive: 1. Muehle R41 w/ Cooncat Bob handle 2. Merkur 39C Sledgehammer Slant 3. FaTip So, the poll will help me determine which to use first but I'd also like to hear which razor you think I'll like the most and why.
I didn't find the FaTip to be an aggressive razor at all which is why I sold it. Quite mild actually.
I don't really find my sledgehammer to be that aggressive, but that's just me. I'm probably just used to it. I would start with the FaTip then move on to the Sledgehammer, and finish up with the R41. With the R41's reputation Randy is probably just in his recommendation.
agreed that the 41 should be used last. haven't shaved with the others but the 41 put the fear of god in my beard. i have a love/hate relationship with it
Aside from the different blade feel due to the thinner and more flexible DE blade, the only one close to the OCMM is the R-41. I would try the others, but don't expect them have near as much bite as the micromatic.
is the FaTip the same as the pre-redesign open comb Muehle r89? If so, then it's a pleasantly aggressive razor. I haven't used the other two. You might also try out an open comb micromatic. It's the standard by which I judge aggressiveness.
The OCMM is my daily driver which is why I'm interested in trying the more aggressive and efficient DEs. My best DE shaves so far have come from a Slim @ 9.
Haven't used the FaTip but the Sledge will run in the other direction scared from the R-41. If you want to see what weirdly aggressive is, hit the 41 first. If you want to graduate upward, hit the FaTip or sledge in either order and move to the 41. She's a beast but a nice beast
A slim on 9 has much more gap tha the R-41 does but the R-41 seems to be a much less forgiving shave, lending to the idea of aggression. It is untraditionally aggressive.
I aint tried either of the other razors, Id like to try a slant but im getting good shaves with my current razors so it aint too important for me to get one just now. But as you it is very easy on the eyes
I've never seen a FaTip and the name has started to pop up a lot recently. If the OCMM is your daily driver you'll probably be dissapointed in anything besides the R41.
That's kind of what I'm thinking as well, but the idea of a slant which creates a 3-dimensional stress on the blade intrigues me. The FaTip is regarded as a more aggressive open comb so I thought it'd be a good one to try. I have a sneaking suspicion though that the R41 will be in my future. The only question after I decide that is whether I want to go Grande or get a BRW handle for it. But that will be the topic of a future discussion. Have to shave with them all first.
I use my OCMM for the vast majority of my shaves. I have an R41 at home, but it hasn't been seeing much love recently. I would suggest you take a look at the floating head Barbasol razor. It's got the same general feel of the R41, but is a bit more smooth for me. I see the difference as drinking some fresh whisky as compared to some that has aged in nice charred oak barrels for a decade or more. Both do the trick, one is just a bit more pleasant.
I own 2 of the 3 razors and I agree The FaTip is pleasantly aggressive and the R41 takes the prize regarding aggressiveness. Doubt if I will ever try a Slant but there you go my 2 cents. I have been using the FaTip for the past week and it really is hitting all the sweet spots that I look for in a razor. I like the R41 but I would get irritation but great shaves with it but I am liking the FaTip better because no irritation. I will still be using my R41 but probably not as much as I use to. As always YMMV especially in shaving.
