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

If you have frequented this great shaving forum—as well as other online forums, Youtube and shaving supply vendors—then you have been made familiar with the 2011 Mühle R41. I know there are a number of members here who are users of this razor. The R41 has gained a notorious reputation as an ‘overly aggressive’ DE razor, and has been called every name imaginable, from ‘The Face Slayer’ to ‘The Beast.’ This razor is not, nor was it intended, for everyone mainly due to the 2011 model’s unique open-comb design and rather extreme blade exposure.


A Brief Background: According to Mühle GM Andreas Müller, the 2011 version of the R41 was “…designed for advanced DE users who know how to handle such a tool. It’s for wet shavers who appreciate a very direct and straight shave. It’s definitely not a DE for beginners, and it was never meant to be such.”
Mühle decided however to redesign the 2011 model recently, make it less formidable to use, more forgiving, a broader margin for error, and perhaps to appeal to a broader audience. I suppose there are those who desire an extremely close shave experience but without having to navigate a potentially perilous depilation. And thus the appearance of the new 2013 version of the R41. This recent incarnation of the R41 is still considered an aggressive DE razor in the field, but according to those who have used both models, it has considerably less blade gap than the 2011 model. The 2011 razor had developed an almost cult-like group of followers who proclaim the R41 delivers “…the closet DE shave to a straight razor one can get.” Some of this group are collectively aghast and indignant that Mühle dared change what, to them, was the perfect DE razor. However, it is quite reasonable to assume there are many more potential Mühle customers out there who would be pleased the company ‘softened’ the design of 2011 R41.

Me personally? I’ve always been curious about this R41 ‘Beast.’ After having tamed my fear (due to my own naiveté and inexperience) of ‘aggressive’ slant bar razors, I decided to step up and get myself one of the ‘wild’ 2011 models: a like-new R41 Grande. I was able to purchase this razor secondhand from the original buyer who claimed to have used it only a few times and, after some receiving some extensive face rash from the razor’s use, packed it back in the Mühle box and resolved never to use it again.

The Grande is slightly larger and heavier than the standard R41: 107mm vs. 94mm, 80 vs. 60grams. Despite it’s ‘Grande’ moniker, the razor is relatively light when compared to the comparably sized ‘barber pole’ Merkurs.

Here is the R41 Grande next to two Merkurs (39c Slant Bar 'Sledgehammer' & 38c 'Barber Pole'). Both Merkurs feel much heavier in the hand (113g). The Mühle’s handle is nicely knurled and the chrome finish of the razor is superb.



Where the Rubber Meets the Road: The Shave
Before I begin the test-drive, I want to sport a decent two-day growth (I have light beard growth—not a man with a ‘barbed wire’ beard whom are often spoken of as the target audience for these aggressive razors). This mean I’ll have be skipping today and tomorrow’s daily routine and gear up for a Sunday morning tryout.

More to come…

 

I love my R41 grande, I use it during the week when I'm working and don't have the time to spend on a straight razor shave.
I used to fear it when I first got it,but as with all razors it's all about technique and lack of pressure.

 

It's actually an amazing razor when paired with a heavier bulldog handle, I find it helps keep better control of the flaying machine.

 

I shimmed mine once....it was a bit too mild afterward

I took my handle apart and epoxied a stainless steel bolt roughly the diameter of the handle with the hex head cut off in it. Then added the cap back with a little epoxy on it and so far it is holding tight. Love the extra heft. It was before the Grande came out. I'm glad I fixed the problem since most reports are mainly about the length and not weight of the Grande.

I'm guilty of being a lover of the 2011, but I think you guys probably knew that

 

I payed to learn how to use this razor, but once I learned the proper angle this is an efficient razor. When I have that special meeting or date and I want to be sure to get a BBS I pull mine out.

I hated the handle so I had RV make me a custom handle. Heavier but thicker and shorter then the grande handle.

 

There has been some discussion on the R41's aggressive shaves (i.e. blood-letting) resulting not only from the extreme blade exposure, but the fact this increased gap allows for greater blade flex on the skin. This flexion has been indicted as one of the main reasons for the razor's tendency to chatter, nick or irritate the skin. Never having used one yet, I can't speak to the validity of this explanation. Are thicker blades the answer then? I'm thinking NOT.
I'd rather approach the shave with light pressure and the correct consistent angle to avoid this issue.

 

Zero pressure is the key to the R41. I accidentally used pressure once, and the razor bit me without hesitation, kinda like angering a black mamba. However it shaves so close my cheeks are SHINY with how close it is. The increased exposure does mean you need to be a bit more mindful though; being used to other heads I got a little too close to my nose and nicked my septum, where other razors were incapable of this. Still, with some practice it becomes an amazing, bloodless shave.

Argh now you guys have me thinking about keeping this little beauty. ARRRRGH! lol

 

+1 no pressure and take your time to get the angle right. This is a true love - hate razor. If it works for you you will love it... Or,it will be on the BST.

 

Definitely a love of mine, because 2 day growth could sand down concrete.

 

How goes taming the beast?
I took mine out this morning and had a great BBS and no burn with the alum.

 

Shave Time!
Deciding upon what blade to use was a challenge. Some R41 devotees advocate using a SHARP blade (think Feather); others say go with the Derby or a blade more forgiving (I’m thinking of somewhere in-between those two extremes). I wound up going with the Personna Meds (sharp but smooth) I had just received.
The R41 loaded, you can plainly see the amount of blade edge exposed is pretty substantial.

I followed a regular shaving protocol —a pre-shave hot shower & hot towel beard wrap, preshave oil & generous brush-on application of scuttle-whipped lather. To produce the lather for this inaugural shave, I used a combination of cream and soap: Mitchell’s Wool Fat (high lanolin content) to help ‘pad’ the protection to my face, as well as the MEM Olive cream, plus a splash of liquid glycerin. This combo produces a dense, rich lather with excellent lubrication properties.

On the first pass (WTG), it was obvious this razor is different from even the slant. I can definitely 'feel' the blade and the audible feedback, especially near the ear, was considerable. But in just one pass, my face was already feeling ultra-smooth, even after taking on a 2.5 day growth.

The second pass (XTG) went without issue, and my typical 'rough' spots yielded easily to this razor. On both these passes, I used a VERY light touch—simply the weight of the razor. I also appreciated the light-weight of the handle as it made navigating this razor lightly all the easier.

No third pass necessary! An extremely CLOSE shave. I still had a large scuttle full of wonderful lather so I continued to gently 'touch-up' some spots until I could feel NO evidence of whiskers whatsoever. A true BBS shave. No blood, No nicks nor razor rash.
Not a bad intro flight with this razor!

Post-shave: I ran an alum block over my mug and received no burning or hot spots—a good sign. A dab of shea butter and Per De Provence balm sealed the deal.

Overall, this is quite an impressive DE razor. It certainly isn't an ideal match for everyone, nor would I foist it upon someone new to wet-shaving. But with proper prep, good technique and a healthy respect for the R41, one can make it a regular part of the shave routine. Would I use this razor as my go-to daily? Not likely. It is overkill with my light beard growth. I do appreciate the R41's ability, however, to mow through extensive whiskers easily and quickly. It leaves my face feeling great. SoI do like the fact it is now part of my shaving arsenal.

 

I felt the same way with my Joris razors. I just loved the build quality and materials but 36 stitches and multiple plastic surgeries later I finally came to appreciate the instrument. I feel the same about the Muhle R41 and will use the razor on a regular basis. Not to be contrary, I have a Merkur mergress grande. I like being able to change the aggressiveness with each pass. I found my Mergress on 4-5 with WTG, 3 with ATG, and 2 with XTG gives me the best of all worlds.

Muhle makes outstanding products. If you haven't tried their organic after shave products you should....very very good.

 

From all my Open Combs the R41 2011 edition is the most aggressive
That does not mean shaves deeper and better than other designs.
When i heard about a New Open Comb i thought will be a market trick and the razor will be an imitation
I was wrong,that razor need careful moves and good preparation
Absolutely NO fro a beginner.

 

That's what I'm counting on!

 

I was anticipating the learning curve to be a bit steeper using this razor. This is not to say I've mastered it (caged it?)—no, not in the least—but I do have a healthy respect for it. I did manage to pass my first shave unscathed, but for future use, my mantra will continue to be, "Respect the Razor...and it just might not bite ya!"

 

I had the same experience on my first run ( 2013 model though so a little milder). Only needed two passes as well. First pass it was shredding hair! (Which is a good thing). I was blown away! I only had one days growth and it was a noisy pass! Wow! Next pass for me was Xtg and that was it! A little cleanup here and there and Bam! CLOSE shave. I might use another razor for cleanup next time because this razor could get ugly quickly, hitting small patches for cleanup. I could tell! I was pushing the envelope there!

Really the only thing I did different (other than take a little more than normal time) was shorter than normal pulls while LIGHTLY pulling the razor, rather than long top to bottom pulls which I normally do. Probably 6x more pulls rather than 1 or 2 loooong pulls in each direction. I've got a heavier handle on it which - I believe - helps with control.

Man I love that thing! Soo menacing, yet tamable!

 

Here's a side-by-side comparison of the two models (2011 & 2013). On the newer model, both the cutting head cap and base are flatter and considerable larger than the previous version. The 2013 has a 'beefier' (thicker) base plate as well. These all combine to reduce blade exposure, but interestingly enough, there's not a significant difference in the actual blade gap. So the 2013 is still an aggressive shaver, but a bit more forgiving (less harsh) than the 2011. The 2011 may still shave closer, but at a cost if one isnt careful.

 

Wow! I was going to ask about the true diff between the two. Thanks! I assume the gap is the same. That exposure is considerably different. I wonder if Muhle got complaints for the design change.

Honestly, as close of a shave I got with my 2013,(2 true passes making an amazing clean shave) I dont know how much closer one could get. Skin removal would be a close second! I'm quite content with the "mildness", slight danger and unexpected joy I'd get out of mine.

Although true with all razors, I'll bet it REALLY doesnt like older run blades. The next real big test will be to run it until a blade gets worn and your eyes start to water from the pain! I KNOW it works well with a new one. Bet it pulls like a beast with an older one, so much that it would be tough to complete a shave like that! In fact, probably impossible. Hurts just thinking about it.

 

Yep the blade gap is the same, however I'm a firm believer that the lesser blade exposure makes for less flex in the blade, hence the slightly forgiving nature of it. There was one vendor who "Contacted Muhle and verified there is NO DIFFERENCE", however I believe the pictures many people have posted online comparing the two, a bit more than a random blurb on a products page.