Mühle R41 (2013) review and shave. 

Lovely shave Mark. I love that you incorporate the history and heritage of the shave gear in your videos. I mean this as a compliment, but I consider you the "David Attenborough" of the shaving world. All the best my friend.

The razor was twinkling like a diamond and it's a diamond of a shave,awesome razor.

I just discovered your channel Mark. Your mastery of the R-41 is impressive! Additionally, your sharing the history of the Muhle company was fascinating. I am now subscribed.

I got the Grande version of this on Thursday. Apart from a couple of tiny weepers and a tiny bit of razor burn under my chin (through lack of experience with this razor) the shave went well. But by GOD is this thing efficient. Takes more off in one pass, that my usual razor (Rockwell 6S plate 6) does in two passes and a touchup. Nice having a second razor in my collection to choose from. I paired it with an Astra SP blade, and I think these will be my blade of choice in the R41 for the foreseeable future. I want to gain more experience with this razor, and the last thing I want to do is confuse matters by putting different brands of blades in. Looking forward to getting some more experience under my belt with the R41. Definitely demands respect, but rewards with the closest shaves you'll probably get with a DE razor. Nice shave Mark.

Very nice shave, Mark. Your reaction to the R41 is similar to my own with the Fatip Grande, wondering what all the hubbub was about how scarily aggressive the razor is. As it happens, it's very smooth and one of my favourites. I guess one needs to experience these things and not go on hearsay.

Hello Mark, New subscriber here found you through Stephen's (Suffolk shavers) channel, I enjoy watching people use the R41 for the first time & for them to realise it's not the big bad razor its made out to be, it is aggressive but nothing to be scared of. I went back to watch some of your older videos I have the velvet razor like you & its one of my favourites also, maybe I'm biased because I'm from Birmingham & it was made here 😀 I like how in your video's there is informative history about the product's used, nice concept something different. Happy shaving 💈

Another great review, thank you. Have been put off trying an R41 with its fearsome reputation. Am now going to keep an eye out for one on the various wet shaving BST, thanks for the inspiration. My favourite soap has to be P&B Spitfire. I have a couple of P&B, Citra Royale is lovely too, both soaps are magnificent performers. One DE I can thoroughly recommend (with a similar aggressive reputation) is the Fa-Tip Grande, a fantastic DE. First shave I took it very gingerly! In reality, smooth & efficient, nothing to worry about. I use it a lot in a small rotation. Happy Shaving

Muhle R41 good razor I am using one myself just started my 55th shave with it as far as a favourite soap that I could use the rest of my life I can live with the Midnight & Two soap out of Calgary Alberta Canada excellent soap really love it. George Western Canada

Your wish has been granted. As Muhle made a stainless steel version. The R41 GS. I bought mine 10 months ago. And it's great.

You are by far a braver man than me! I am terrified of that Muhle R41 which is kind of silly since I have no issues using a shavette; a complete and illogical contradiction. ;-) But you made it look good and smooth. Enjoyed the shave and history lesson as usual. Thank You. :)

The previous version of the R41, which didn't have the "barbed wire" over the comb was reportedly even more aggressive than the current one. I used to own a Chinese two-face razor: One side open comb, the other one closed bar - with the word "closed" loosely applied. The open comb side was aggressive, almost too aggressive for daily use. I remember that I tried it on my legs, with soap lather and a green Derby blade. The sound it made was that of somebody crumpling up potato chips. Shortly before I was finished, I noticed a drop of blood on the comb. This reminded me of me first trying a Feather blade (in a generic Chinese TTO razor). I was finished and then, when I was about to put the razor away, I nicked myself on the shoulder. But unlike the cut I inflicted on myself with the Feather, this time the nick closed on its own. The other side of the razor was a prime example of Chinese cheap. Unevenly poured and not safe to use. The open comb, while aggressive, was technically safe, but the closed bar (with enough blade exposure to fit in a lentil) was junk. I continued to use the razor for some time but eventually found it bothersome to keep two razors on the shelf (each one loaded with a different kind of blade) because I couldn't use the aggressive one when I was in a hurry. Eventually, the razor turned me off aggressive ones. I still like open combs though: I shave with a Merkur 15 C almost every day.

Awesome shave my friend.

I've just bought my R41 and will be trying it tomorrow. Going to take it slow and steady.

You are giving me courage to try the R41 again. My R41GS is in the back of a drawer somewhere because it scares me😆 If I could only have one soap it would be Mitchell's Wool Fat.

nice shave and history lesson! beautiful razor and brush ;)

As a reply to your message and thanks very much by the way with my Muhle R41 I do not use the original handle that came with the razor as I found it to be to light to hold and use so I've gone to a much heavier handle that I've order from Fendrihan Canada and since I have the new handle that razor has become even more of a joy to use. Also watched a video of you shaving with the Rockwell 2c razor I believe as was thinking about ordering that razor but now I decided to wait for the new Rockwell Model T to come out as that razor would seem to be more simpleted than using the Rockwell 2c or the 6c. Okay have a nice day Cheers

Hi Mark, the one soap I could use happily as the one and only would have to be Acca Kappa White Moss. Maybe it is a nostalgic choice, considering that the brand factory is located near Venice Italy, where I was born. On a different note, it is a hard cream that has a wonderful scent (to my nose), excellent slickness, and is kind to sensitive skin - a joy to use. Regards, Roberto

Hi Mark, I know this is an old video of yours that I'm watching now but my favourite shave cream is executive shaving company because you only need a really small amount of cream to whip up a really good leather, if you hasn't tried brians former business (Products) you have been missing out Brian, I'm using there's Bay Rum scent and it's amazing feel on your face. My other one I use is Edwin Jagger shave soaps these are top products too even though they are only 65 grams of soap, they shave terrifically.

hi Mark hope you're well please tell me can I use the octogonal handle of my Edwin Jegger at a head of the Meuhle r41? it fits? Best regards Sebastian

If you want the razor to be heavier,buy a windrose handle off E-bay,they have some really nice styles,good prices to.

I just bought the r41 head. Used it with a barber pole and, for a change, a short handle, which I quite like. I used the handles off Sharpy razors that are on eBay and are ok for £10; as well made as anything else.

So far I only have ten soaps Mark..but out of them my favorite would be the proraso blue in a tube.. My question to you sir is.. Would this razor be a good purchase for me to step up from the ej89? If not any suggestions would be welcomed. Thank you for your time mate☺👌

I have the r41 the grande version and it has the right weight. It's around 80gms in total weight. The r41 regular is 70 grams. You have the regular r41 . muhle r41 is my favorite razor and gives the best shave. The slim adjustable is the second best.

Great!! At last!!!

Hello Mark, could you please tell me which ones you watch? I would like to check them out!! My favorite is Tabac Original Shaving Soap!

That was a nice shave. I'm glad you enjoyed the R41- it's one of my favourite razors. One shaving soap for the rest of my life- Martin de Candre. I love the stuff.

Tied for top soaps are: Saponificio Varesino (Tundra Artica), Fine (Italian Citrus), Barrister &Mann (Beaudellaire). All high on the slickness scale and easy lathers.

Which soap is my hands down favourite ? That's like asking which of your children is my favourite,l.o.l.

I received my R41 razor head today and before I shaved with it I have been watching R41 shaving reviews. I was particularly interested in your review because you and I had the same impression about the Rex Ambassador when it comes to the positive blade exposure and not giving a comfortable shave. Do you consider the R41 to be more comfortable and to have less blade feel than the Rex Ambassador? Long ago I had decided never to shave with the R41 based on all the talk about its aggressiveness and especially being nicknamed "The Beast.". But when I learned that I could order the razor head for a reasonable price and use my Rockwell 6S handle, I decided to give it a go. Thanks for any comments you can provide. My regards...Bart.

Nice shave

love that wallpaper, where did you get it...??

How come you dont have this in your den anymore??? you seem to really like it..

Mark, did you just learn your technique over time, or did you learn from watching others? I hope I can master my technique to be able to shave with a Muhle R41, GS stainless steel. I better my friend, because I just spent $150 on one. I bought Astra SP razors because the Feather are too rough for my face....

Hi Mark do you think he's fitting a harder handle?

One soap for the rest off my life, hase to be Stirling Coniferous. A scent from a deep old wood. Love it.

Hallo. Mühle hat auch noch ein r89 Rasierhobel. Bei dem ist der Kamm geschlossen. Ich habe eine Frage wegen Rasierklingen. Was soll ich tun, wen für mich selbst die 7 o´clock gelbe Packung zu stumpf sind? Die sind ja schärfer als die Feather Klingen aus Japan. Aber trotzdem sind die unangenehm für mich, ich habe trotz der Schärfe dieser Klingen, unangenehmen Gefühl bei der Rasur.

Hello, Mark is there a difference between the head of 2011 and 2013? thank you Best regards

The R 41 makes you hold it at the correct angle or it makes you regret it, so in a sense it makes your shaving technique excellent!😁👌I’ve had mine about a week now and I do a WTG and (Against)TG pass and it’s so close sometimes I think my beard will never grow back lol

Are you still using the muhle r41

What would you compare Voskhods too? I’m about to get a hundo pack

R41 is it. It gets even better with a grippy handle like the OSS or Bulldog. Personally, I could let all my other razors retire and I will never need to try any other razor, unless Muhle would come up with an upgraded luxury R41 stainless steel head or something. Imagine that, R41S, I would buy that, for sure.

van der Hagen unscented luxury glycerin soap or Derby menthol creme is what I always use

Sorry I want to say: R41 better with a harder handle?

I would say Proraso Green.

In 25 years time I will be 57 and the Gillette Polyfusion with 20+ blades will likely exist. please pass my regards to Cynthia :D

Shouldn’t need three passes with that razor....try German 37 slant you’ll do it in 2 passes

yeah a lovely piece made out of pot metal or whatever they call it. I don't understand why they use this material to make razors. I have a fatip piccolo and it is made out of brass, completely different feel in the hand. Yes it has imperfections but the point is if Italians can use brass and sell their razors quite cheap why can't the other manufacturers also do that.