Muhle R41 review

Everything You Need to Know About the Muhle R41

 First of all, you should know that there are actually three different R41 models available to buy: a three-piece traditional, a 3-piece “Grande” and a 2-piece twist. All three models have nearly identical razorheads, but they each have different handles with varying dimensions and qualities.

As you’ll find out throughout the review, the R41 is known for its aggressiveness and ability to really cut through thick, coarse facial hair and give men an extremely close shave. In fact, you’ll hear a lot of veteran wet shavers that will say they only have to do 1 or 2 passes with the R41 whereas they have to typically do 2 or 3 passes with other top-quality safety razors.

Nobody is going to argue the R41 is anything but aggressive, that doesn't mean you should be intimidated by it. In fact, we recommend it for anybody that is capable of consistently wet shaving without making common mistakes. In other words, beginners should definitely steer clear while you learn form and technique. But once you've been shaving with a milder safety razor for a while and are getting good shaves but need a razor with a little more kick, the R41 is a great option.

Product Specifications

• Open-comb, fixed razorhead
• Chrome-plated metal
• 3-piece traditional: 3.7 inches long and 2.2 ounces
• 3-piece Grande: 3.8 inches long and 2.8 ounces
• 2-piece twist: 4.2 inches long and 3.2 ounces
• Double-edge safety razor
• Corrosion resistant
• Handle has texture but it is not cross-sectional hatch

Size and Weight Distribution (4.0)

It’s nice that Muhle has 3 versions of the R41 because it allows you to purchase the size and weight that fits your needs. The traditional 3-piece is the smallest and lightest, followed by the Grande with the 2-piece twist being the largest and heaviest. All three models offer pretty good size and weight distribution, but they each certainly have a distinct feel to them.

The traditional 3-piece model is about 3.7 inches from to to bottom and weighs around 2.2 ounces. The weight is definitely on the lighter side for a safety razor, but it still feels like a solid razor unlike some cheaper plastic razors that are actually around the same weight. If you want a sleek razor that won’t be difficult to maneuver, the 3-piece traditional is an excellent option.

Now if you like the length of the 3-piece traditional but want a little more heft, then you should consider the 3-piece Grande. It's only slightly longer than the traditional 3-piece at 3.8 inches long, but it has 0.6 more ounces in weight for a total weight of 2.8 ounces. We prefer that extra weight.

The twist is our favorite size and weight distribution, but it comes at a cost. Literally. The twist is typically more expensive by about $20 but this is worth it to a lot of men to be able to have that extra length on the handle and weight. The length is noticeably bigger at 4 inches long and it weighs in at roughly 3.1 ounces.

All three razors have slightly different dimensions but they all share some fundamental similarities. First of all, they all offer great length in the handle so it’s easy to get a good grip without being bulky ad difficult to maneuver. The length is right in the sweet spot of what we like.

Secondly, we’ve found that all three are slightly handle heavy. They all have a nice thick handle with a wide circumference which carries a good amount of the razors overall weight. This handle heaviness is more noticeable with the 2-piece twist, but overall they all have a great center of gravity. The weight distribution makes the razor comfortable to hold and well-balanced to help you get your angles right while shaving.

Grip (4.2)

All three R41 models have the same overall grip design but remember that the handles are different lengths and slightly different circumferences. So if you prefer gripping a smaller handle, you might prefer the 3-piece traditional. If you prefer a thicker and longer handle to grip, your best option is either the Grande or 2-piece twist.

Overall, we are pleased with the length of each of the handles. There's plenty of length and girth to allow you to get a good hold on the handle.

The wavelike pattern on the handle is really handsome and has better aesthetics than the typical cross-hatch knurling you see on a lot of similar safety razors. There is a drawback to this pattern though.

Unfortunately, we don't think the pattern cut into the handle is quite as functional as the traditional cross-sectional hatch lots of other safety razors incorporate. Instead of deep cuts of into the handle that give a rigid texture for grip, the R41 has very small wavelike grooves.

The textured pattern is similar to a corrugated groove you see on some metals rather than something that is “cut” into the handle. We really like the aesthetic look, but it has a little more of slick feel than its competition.

Don’t get us wrong though, the Muhle R41 has a comfortably smooth grip that we really like. We just think of grip like money: we tend to prefer more to less. But realistically, as long as you're not clumsy and careless, the R41 provides more than adequate grip.

Expected Aggressiveness (5.0)

If you expect anything other than an ultra-aggressive shave from the Muhle R41, you have done pretty much zero research. The R41 is nicknamed “The Beast” for a reason.

The R41 is ideal for men with coarse, thick hair or any man looking for one of the closest shaves you can get without having to make multiple passes. Overall, we rate the beast as a 9/10 on the aggressiveness scale. So what exactly makes it so aggressive?

Well the first feature that has to jump out at you is the open-comb design. The teeth on the comb are cut extremely deep and have a good distance between them. The open-comb on the R41 really does look like a rake.

The design and features of the open-comb on the R41 complement each other perfectly. Yes, the open-comb allows for a lot of blade exposure so you can get as close of a shave as possible. But at the same time, the deep teeth that are spaced apart allow a great deal of lube through.

Don’t dismiss the importance of this benefit. The open-comb with deep teeth design feature is what allows you to keep your face nice and lubricated without clogging the razorhead. Without this critical feature, men would still get a close shave from the R41, but it would most likely come with a side of razor burn and/or skin irritation.

Look, there’s a learning curve with a razor that is this aggressive. There’s really no reason a beginner should start with the R41. Work your way up to it.

Last quick point we want to make regarding its aggressiveness: use quality blades. You may be able to get away with some mistakes with safety razors that are much milder, but the R41 will make you pay for your mistakes.

Shave Quality (4.9)

The R41 delivers one of the best shaves you can get from a safety razor. It can also deliver one of the worst shaves you can get from a safety razor. Doesn’t that sound kind of contradictory?

Well yes. That is because the shave quality is so dependent on how good the person using the R41 is at wet shaving. Some safety razors can deliver a good/decent performance even if you use improper technique like using the wrong angle, going against the grain or pressing down.

But not so with the R41. If you don’t know what you are doing and have bad technique, you are going to pay for it. We aren’t trying to scare you away from trying out the R41, but you need to be fully aware of how it operates.

The R41 can deliver superb shave quality, but it is not forgiving. But you shouldn’t be buying it to be a forgiving razor. You buy it to get one of the closest shaves you can get with a safety razor.

Durability and Maintenance (4.8)

The overall design of the R41 is extremely strong and durable. The high-quality build is apparent in every design aspect of the safety razor. All three R41 models have a very sturdy construction that is built to last over time.

First of all, the R41 is made from a strong corrosion-resistant chrome-plated metal. This is not some cheap plastic safety razor that will easily break. You are paying a premium for a Muhle safety razor, but in return you are getting a safety razor that is more than capable of lasting decades if you take care of it properly!

The 3-piece traditional and 3-piece Grande are incredibly durable and easy to maintain. Most of the time, our preference is a 3-piece safety razor difficult for them to break down.

The 3-piece is typically our preference, but we really like the R41 2-piece twist. It is also very durable and easy to maintain. Twist-to-open safety razors have more mechanical parts that can stress or strain though. With the R41, the knob at the bottom twists to open the razorhead.

Overall, all 3 models are extremely durable and easy to maintain. Our only advice is if you buy the 2-piece twist, just don’t over tighten it when replacing blades. This isn’t a knock on Muhle or the R41, we have just seen wet shavers wear out razorheads by consistently over tightening TTO’s.

How Does the Muhle R41 Compare to the Competition?

Merkur Futur 700

Are you still on the fence a little about buying a safety razor that is a 9/10 on the aggressiveness scale? Well if you’d like a really aggressive razor but want to hedge your bets a little, the Merkur Futur 700 safety razor might be an excellent option.

Merkur’s Futur 700 an adjustable safety razor that can go from very mild (1/10) to very aggressive (8/10 or possibly 9/10). Overall, the Futur 700 delivers a really good shave, but the design leaves a little more to be desired. If you’re looking for an aggressive safety razor at a similar price point though, this is another excellent option.

Merkur 1904

Another option from Merkur is their 1904 model. The Merkur 1904 razor is significantly less aggressive at only a 5/10, but it does have the open-comb design to help men with thick or coarse facial hair.

The 1904 is at a more affordable price than the R41, but we don’t like the design quite as much. The aesthetics are very original, which some men may like, but the functionality could use a little more grip and we wish the handle was slightly longer.

If you’re looking for a less aggressive razor that still works great on thick beards though, this is a great affordable option.

Parker 26C

Parker’s 26C safety razor is another great open-comb option. Again, it is quite a bit less aggressive than the R41 at a 5/10, but it works great for guys with thick or coarse hair.

The overall design and durability of the 26C is incredible when you consider the price it typically retails at. You are going to have to make another pass or two to get as close of a shave with the Parker 26C that you would with Muhle’s R41, but it still