Fair enough. I know you mentioned before about the pivot being loose. First impressions last. I have the same razor, I think, and it has the same issue. A bit loose, but only near the closed position. When open far enough to use it's tighter. That's really the only issue that I see with mine. I chock it up to the fact that this is the most basic razor that he makes. I paid $110, brand new.
NEW RAZOR DAY! My new Muhle R41 w/ iKon Bulldog handle arrived in the post (along with the Proraso balm that was the reason I needed free postage...) I thought it would be rude not to give it a go! So, here's how it went: I loaded the R41 with a Gillette 7 o'clock (Yellow) blade and set about building a nice, slick lather (in my bowl - yes Fuzzmeister) with the TOBS Peppermint. I painted it rather thickly onto my face... It felt a little sticky, so I added water until it was shiny and slippery. I then picked up the rather hefty new contraption and proceeded to complete a N-S pass using my free hand to stretch the skin as usual. I used short, quick strokes with a minimum of pressure. I also used a much steeper angle than normal because that is what I have read is required with this razor (from those who use it as a daily driver). I rinsed off, and holy smokes... My neck was done... In one pass... My face was almost there and my jawline was as if it had had two passes. So I re-lathered above my Adam's apple and went of a VERY gentle XTG pass. I have ended up with a really nice DFS with 1.5 passes. That's a new best for me. I then sparingly applied some of the new Proraso balm... There was no stinging, just a nice soothing and moisturising sensation. I now feel superb! Enjoy your shaves gents!
Also, I haven't gotten the quality shaves I want and have come to expect, when compared to my dd and Friodur. Now, I do not own any "high end" straights, but I have to think that just like a Wolfman won't shave you any better than a Weishi, an RA (properly honed) won't shave you any better than a Filarmonica.
Thank you, Joseph! It really wasn't nearly as scary/aggressive as I thought it was going to be. The shave was very comfortable! I could definitely feel the blade, and I can see where you could get into trouble, but it was just so nice! Thanks, Danny! It was down to the fine razor me thinks! Sent from my EML-L09 using Tapatalk
I know this may be heresy, but you will never get the neck as "perfect" when using a straight than with a DE safety. The reason is that the beard goes in too many directions and you will "miss" some minor areas because you can't go east to west or vice-versa with a straight. Now, my beard is not as thick as yours and I don't have to shave every 24 hours so I can get a close BBS on my neck but it isn't perfect.
Awesome shave James! I have a Blackland Dart that shaves almost identically to the R41(I did a side by side comparison) and I love that feel of a well exposed but extremely stabilized blade. Sent from my Galaxy using Tapatalk
