My daily razor is a (rather mild) Schick Krona, with a sharp blade, e.g. Feather or Rapira Platinum Lux. I'm also in love with the Fatip Grande (the new 2015 model, with the broader top cap), because it is great for those days when I only want to do a single or double pass. Compared to the Krona, it's very efficient (no surprise here). The most aggressive razor that I own is a British NEW LC; I rate it definitely more aggressive than the new model Fatip, and I need to concentrate more to get a good shave than with the Fatip. I'm intrigued by the post 2013 R41, and it's promised efficiency. But given that a new model Fatip seems to be as aggessive as I like, would it be a waste of money instead? Of course, the only one who can really answer this question is me, but I'd be interested in your opinion nevertheless
It's a pretty aggressive thing, I wasn't comfortable using it so it went down the road. Some of the other guys here love it.
Great razor. Not my first choice for a daily driver. I get the most comfortable shaves with it if I have 48+ hours of growth.
For my face, I do a single WTG pass, and it's hard to beat the R41 for that. For my head shaves, I do WTG, XTG, XTG, and the Fatip is far more comfortable.
The R41 is a bloodbath, until you spend some time with it and even then are very careful. I like mine. It is a smooth shaver on a heavy handle. It took a lot of practice and blood. I would still not want to use it everyday. My daily shave is done with a straight.
It will definetely let you know if you have good technique. It's an enjoyable razor to master. Enjoyable meaning it gives an awesome shave along your journey.
The R41 is a wonderful razor but, as already mentioned, it will teach you to pay strict attention. If you give it a chance, it will bite you but, once you master it, it will get closer than any other DE razor I've tried. I found that after I felt comfortable using the Mühle, all the other growlers in my rotation seemed meeker by comparison.
I absolutely love my R41, it's the only razor I use anymore. Like others have said it will bite you and your technique has to be solid. Riding the cap tamed it down for me, it's still aggressive but I'm getting irritation free shaves from it. I have mine on a Maggard MR5 handle and it's perfect.
More aggressive means "approaching open blade." This simply means less margin of error in technique, as @opsimath ,et al, have noted. I humbly pose the question: What would you gain by purchasing an r41, if the Fatip is producing near flawless results? It's pretty much guaranteed you'll like an r41, but is it worth the price of admission? Want aggressive? Schick E or G, it's straight razors after that.
If you have good technique it is definitely not a blood bath. I just had my first shave with one and it was wonderful. Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
Good question ... satisfying my curiosity, I guess. Thanks for all responses; giving me something to think about. Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
You can just buy the head and use another handle. Satisfy your curiosity for a few dollars less. If you hate it, or it hates you, there are plenty here who will take it off your hands.
It is a great razor. It gives a very different shave to any of my other razors. I agree that its a good idea just to buy the head to try it out. That's what I did and never regretted the decision. Sent from my LG-V480 using Tapatalk
Ahh yes, but the Mühle is available now with a tortoiseshell handle, and that looks pretty irresistible Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
The curiosity bug got me so I had to pick one up (head only). Not a blood bath for me but it did take a few test drives to get a feel for it. Not a daily driver but she's in my rotation.