2011 Mühle R41: My Attempts to Cage ‘The Beast’

I had my second shave with this razor this morning. Rather than use a Day#3 Personna, I opted for a NEW Astra Sp blade to take on the day's growth from yesterday (no Tuesday shave).
Good thorough prep and thick lather, plus a very light touch. One can still notice the 'razor's edge' on your face—the R41 certainly makes you aware of it's presence. Significant audible feedback—slightly more so than the slant bar.
Two passes were sufficient for me to call it quits, with some very minor touch up spots. Another true BBS shave, with no skin irritation, nicks nor weepers.
The long handle of the Grande feels good in my hand, albeit a bit slick at times. I look forward to trying this razor with the Ikon Bulldog II handle.

 

Once you get another "weighted" handle on, you'll never go back! I'm using a custom handle 5/8" in dia S/S and the extra weight actually makes the razor feel safer! I feel like I have more control. Seems like less manual pulling with the added weight, and more "letting the razor do its thing".

 

That's a real nice hefty-looking handle! May I ask how you came to acquire it? Very 'retro-industrial' and quite distinct.

 

Allowing for a good 3-day growth on my mug—this is difficult for me as I must abstain from my beloved morning shave routine in order to achieve this condition—I loaded up the R41 with a fresh Personna Med blade.
Two passes and some minor touch-up got my pretty darn close to a BBS shave.

One trait I detected with this razor, versus my big-handled Merkurs, is the amount of 'blade feel' I get from this razor. The R41 doesn't ever let you forget you are dragging a substantially-exposed razor's edge across your facial epidermis, so pay attention! Using this Mühle gives me an inkling of what a straight-razor shave must feel like.

Post shave with the Alum Block: The alum has given me good feedback on my shaving technique with this razor. Unlike the Merkurs—where I will repeatedly go over the same area while shaving—with the R41, I need to curb my habit of revisiting the same location over and over. If not, I'll get some post-shave burn and tenderness from those closely-cropped areas. So the R41 is very efficient in what it does (hair-reduction), but I simply need to temper the same-spot repetition.

 

So I have now have about a dozen quality shaves under my belt using the Mühle.
In this short time I've learned quite a bit about this razor, my wet-shave technique, and some tidbits I'd like to share from my own experiences for those of you willing to tackle an R41, or similarly aggressive DE razor.

• Razors with large blade exposure deserve your respect. Since you can truly feel the blade edge using this razor, perhaps similar in feel to a straight-razor, you are aware of exactly what you are doing and where the blade is working. Best to pay attention and not let the mind wander.
• What type of blade used in this razor makes a noticeable difference. As with most shave-related products, we each have our preferences when it comes to blades and how they feel on our faces. These preferences are at the forefront when using an aggressive razor. In my other razors, Astras and Merkurs work superbly, but in the R41, these blades tug and snag at my face. I prefer the Feathers and Personna Meds. Both of these extra-sharp blades work smoothly & efficiently with this razor on my face; with the Feather a slight notch above. The downside: I get ONE decent shave, maybe two, with these blades—with a drop-off in smoothness immediately noticeable the next shave.
• Shave angle is critical. Some shavers can use the R41 just like any other razor and not adjust any part of their routine or method. Not so for me. I found that I have the best control and successful shave if I keep the razor at a very steep angle, with my razor-holding hand closer to my face. No 30° angle here— more like 15°
• Good, thorough prep helps ensure a good result. I have read a number of scary articles and seen blood-seeping videos about the R41. I am happy to state that even after a dozen shaves using various blades and technique that I have suffered NO nicks, no cuts nor weepers, not even the dreaded razor rash. I wish I could say it was because of my flawless technique (!), but the reality is this: I was VERY diligent about my pre-shave preparation when using this razor. Part of this was simply a good face-washing, hot towel whisker-soaking & ample lubrication (pre-shave oil or cream) before any lather was applied.

That's about it. I hope some of you are willing to give this particular razor a go—or even it's latest incarnation (the updated 2013 R41) which may be slightly less intimidating. The end result in my taking the plunge with this 'bad boy' is some of the BEST shaves I've ever had, which was well worth the price of admission and learning curve.

 

"BEAUTIFUL" handle where did you get it? What is the length? I really like the looks of that handle!!

 

Eddie, I believe the handle pictured in Woodekt's photo was created by fellow member AKASL.

 

Well if AKASL did that handle also, he really should start to sell them...He could start by selling me this one as a promotion for say ohhhhhhhh $30, that would be very nice....

 

Holy,

Something I noticed with the 2103 R41, was that (aside from a using fresh 7O'clock black - or another fresh "higher end" blade) was that soap quality is also pivotal. I know, yada yada, you dont get any better shave out of more $$ soap. Whatever..... Thats kinda what I thought until I started consistently using the R41. Danced around using some pretty good soaps. My "virgin" soap with the R41 was CELLA! A true shaving soap. Lube, lather.... you just cant ask for more (IMHO). Still love it.

Nothing like until I used some MdC.
Day one (with fresh 7 O'clock black) was with a good amount of Geo Trumpers (lime). *Slight* pull of the blade, but definitely acceptable. Two passes, with some mild cleanup, like always using the R41. No razor burn here. Thats why I love it.

Day 2, I brush up some MdC. Same blade - day 2. Lather and start. Right off the bat, the blade just slides through whiskers. Rippin' like nuttin!, Butter! Couldn't believe it. Im was doing full pulls from top to bottom as well. With the R41 I usually try to do smaller short pulls to be safe. Maybe just paranoia. At this point, I have to give it to the soap. Not to take anything away from the razor or other soaps. Of course not. But, I think, with the right soap, this thing is simply amazing! Decent soaps work well. Hey, Ive been using them for a couple of weeks until I started using MdC and its all Ive used since. Also, 4 to 5 usages on the 7 O'clocks. Im happy.

Ive already accepted that Im a Slant man. NEVER got a better shave in my life. Seriously. I know its personal, but those vintage Merkurs and Hoffs just blow me away. Maybe I just hold em' right. I feel bad for my fat boy/slim/toggles! So my shaving style has changed in the last couple of months. But This 2013 R41 is .......Just amazing. How it can be better than the slants!?!?!? I dont know. And even not using MdC, it is simply the most amazing razor Ive ever used.

But also, IMHO those French just know how to make soap!

 

I hear ya, Wood!
My pref on soaps has always been the ones that lube the face well—and these tend to be the tallow-based ones. That's why my favorites are MWF and Tabac.
I've not tried the Martin De Candre (MdC) yet—BUT I have a sister who is leaving for Paris next month. I put in a request for her to pick me up a few 200g jars of the stuff.

 

I had no idea a particular soap or cream would make that much difference. I guess I'll have to find some MdC and have a go with it.

 

Holy,
If you get a chance to have her get two different types, get the Fougere as well as the "scented". Thats what Im using. Slight green label. I think it means forest or fern, but it is amazing. Very clean. Light. Id have her get more than 2. Wonder how much this stuff is over there. Sheesh. You lucky dog!

I went on MdCs site yesterday and attempted to place an order for 2 more pots. $140!............ I had to bail. No dice. Ill use this one and then order. Worth it, but man when it comes time to pull the cash out of my hand........Ouch! Ill wait till I need it. It pops up on B$B bay and trade occasionally.

In a perfect world, I just use this soap!!!! BTW I LOVE Tabac. In small doses (two or three days max).

Keeping the thread relative: 2013 R41:

 

I'll keep the MdC suggestions in mind when I place my order with sis.
Nice handle on the Mühle! Is that a custom or a UFO? Or a custom UFO?

 

Custom AKASL. I posted it because he just posted! Id assume he'd remember it!

 

Funny thing. Last tuesday, or wednesday AM (5:30 am ish) I had my R41 in my shower (thats where I shave) , and I just got in there and started shaving. Pretty fast pace. After 1 .5 passes, I realized it was my R41. WHOA!!!!! Not good. Everything went well, but i couldn't believe I was irresponsible enough to just start hacking at my face with this. Ah, it WAS early. I got one weird weeper under my nose. Couldn't tell you how it happened. Weird place. Almost seemed like a side razor blade cut. No biggie, just a weeper.

Oddly enough, it was the only razor I used last week, to "feel it out" because it was new. Sure wish it wasnt such a great razor. Another funny thing is I usually load my brush for three passes. Honestly this razor doesn't need three full passes, and I end up squeezing my brush out to clean and feel like Im wasting soap! Seriously! Guess Id rather have too much than not enough!

 

Funny you mention that, I too get the weird weeper in the same place. I once gut a tiny flap right there and from time to time I'll get the weird weeper now.Only with my 2011 R41 and never with any of my others.

 

Now you guys will have me being extra careful under my nose from now on.....ouch!
So far, no blood-letting with this razor—just a few 'tender' spots which are teaching me to "...move on, nothing more to shave here...."

 

I find that Body shop Macca root shave cream works well with my R41 grande with a Astra platinum loaded, BBS shave without exception, I did try it once with a lesser blade and would never attempt it again, lesson learned, The type of blade you use also has an impact on the quality of the shave, I guess when you find the right combination of blade and cream/soap for you... it just works!!!

 

I bought a R41 2011 around last New Year. I have been using it about every second day, except for breaks during vacations and weekends. I have a couple of times been unshaved for about two weeks and it still managed to shave me without first trimming down the beard.

I agree with the conclusion the other posters have been coming with. It definitely requires respect. If you are not careful you will regret it. Still it is possible to even shave without mirror once you know how to handle it (most of the time I shave while being under the shower).

As I have quite sensitive skin and it is a little bit too rough for daily use for me, I am selling mine and getting a more mild razor. Keeping it is not really an option as SO already hated that I ordered another one because of the money wasted.

 

My shaving situation is similar to yours (sensitive skin), so the R41 isn't my day-to-day razor, but I do use it in a rotation maybe every third day as part of my regular razor rotation.