Martin de Candre shaving soap - Mühle R41 safety razor
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ย. 2024
- Today's shave: The Mühle R41 safety razor and a sample of the Martin de Candre shaving soap, followed by the Elvado shaving tonic.
** Kit **
* Martin de Candre lavender, rosemary, and lime soap
* Mühle R41 safety razor, iKon bulldog handle
* Semogue Owners Club boar brush
* Elvado "Royal Tahitian Lime" aftershave balm
** Intro / Outro **
Intro: "Spygame" by Parov Stelar
Outro: "Booty Swing" by Parov Stelar
I love your videos, especially because of your honest and to the point opinions on products, no skirting around the matter.
Take care.
The closest shave I’ve seen you have. Great review
Hi Michael- Very nice shave today and review of the Muhle R41 and M de C soap; thank you. Great job with the R41 and the description of the attributes of the shaving soap; much appreciated. Have a great week ahead and all the best!
I bought a small sample of the M.D.C original soap a while ago and fell in love with it.I recently bought a full jar off a B.S.T group and it will stay with me for the rest of it's life,awesome.Worth every penny.
I totally see why people love it: it smells fantastic, it is really easy to lather, the soap is slick and feels great on the face, and makes for great shaves! I liked it a lot, but it did not blow me away -- and that is really a testament to the quality of the artisan soaps on the market today, given how good this soap is.
How much are you using per shave? Does it feel like only a little bit?
Great video Michael. Your opinion of the R41 is almost exactly the same as mine. I sold mine. I didn't find it comfortable to use and for me, there was too much blade feel on the face for it to be useable. I keep wanting to try an R41 again just to make sure I definitely done the right thing in getting rid of it. Lol! All the best. Kevy 👍
Kevy Shaves As a daily shaver I agree with you Kevy. If I only shave 2-3 times a week it would be OK but not daily at least not for me.
Kevy, don't overthink it! No regrets :-)
The blade feel is just over the line for me, it's distracting and makes the shave less enjoyable that it could be, and then on top of that you run the risk of an "accident". I am keeping it because it is a gift and I will - because I love both fun and danger - drag it out again.
Keep up the great videos, really enjoying them!
Kevy has a great sense of humour ..... i remember him impersonating someone ' oh scottish summers'
Wow, you pronounced Martin de Candre almost perfectly, well done !
Thanks, I do really always try to get the names right, it's the least you can do!
I have a Muhle R41 that I haven't used that much , I am slowly conquering my fear of it though :-) I did overshave with it last time and it left my face red and burning for a day. It was interesting for me to see your take on it although I would never ever attempt a 4 pass shave with it, you are a brave man. I enjoy your videos Michael and your quirky sense of humour so keep up the good work with the shave reviews.
Thank you for watching, and so glad you are enjoying the videos!
Overshaving is hard to avoid, but now you know what to watch out for: keep the pressure light, don't shave over the spots you have already done, make sure your lather is good, and STOP when you are done.
Trust me, we all have to watch out here, because we know just how good a great shave is...and maybe just a few more strokes here? Nope, STOP!
It was a long time coming seeing you shaving with the Muhle R41 which is something everyone was expecting to see
And? Is everybody FINALLY HAPPY??
Overall pretty good shaves, and I will be back with it, and then people will be even happier!
Miss you Michael ,,, well videos anyway☺
Mühle R41 aggressive...still a great shave👍. Thanks for the video.
Indeed, and every shave was really quite close -- now I just need to figure out how to improve the comfort!
Thanks for watching!
Hello Michael,
I have not use my R41 in a while, I prefer more relaxing shaves with razors that are marginally less efficient, but way more pleasant. I still keep it, just as a reminder of what an aggressive razor feels like, and because I have the "twist" version which is actually really good looking. I think that the scents of Martin de Candre are truly wonderful, my favorite being the Vetiver, Fougère and Lavender also wonderful. As to the technical qualities of the soap, I don't have anything to add to the vast literature already existing, but for me is one of the very best ones.
Thank you again for your video, well done!
Thanks so much, and I agree the soap smells amazing! Clearly this soap really hits the spot for many wetshavers and I hope they continue to enjoy the MdC soaps for years and years to come!
I will have to try the R41 with some different handles, see what changes.
As always, thanks so much for watching!
I had good results with a Astra Superior Platinum on my R41. The Rapira Platinum was a no go in that razor. Hated it....
The description of the R41 is spot on. Brutally efficient. I can get a great shave with two passes.
Just remember to pay attention and shave carefully :-)
great video Michael!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
I have the R41 - only used i once. LOL. I got so many weepers that first time I used, that I have to find my courage to use it again. I guess it would go much better now, when my shaving technique has improved really well since that time.
Sometimes an old enemy turns out to be a new best friend after letting old grudges go :-)
I own the Merkur 34C, 37C Slant and the Mühle R41 (2013 version). Since I’ve gotten used to the efficiency of the R41, I find it hard to grab one of my other safety razors when I’m about to shave. I shave every 2 to 3 days.
I agree with you that it’s less comfortable than the typical mild(er) safety razor. You can feel the blade a lot more. However, I don’t find it to be uncomfortable.
I can say though that the R41 takes some time getting used to. The best example of that is the shaving angle in my opinion. Since the blade is less curved in the R41 compared to e.g. my Merkur 34C, I don’t use the same shaving angle otherwise I’ll get much more of a scraping feeling (instead of a slicing feeling). Whenever I use the R41, I use a shallower shaving angle than I do with my milder safety razors (so the handle more parallel to the ground).
You might also want to experiment with different blades. I prefer blades on the sharper end of the spectrum in the R41 (e.g. Personna Platinum a.k.a. Personna/Israeli Red, Perma-Sharp Super or even a Feather blade). Some people like to use Voskhod blades in the R41. As always, YMMV of course.
All good points, and yes, I will try other blades as well as play with the angle. I do find that the more horizontal the handle (further from vertical), the more unnatural the razor feels in use, so I tend to ride the guard and go for the steeper handle angle.
nice video as always!
All the European shavins soaps, are mild scented, or mild medium. This is because in Eueopean union it is NOT allowed to put more than 3% essential/fragnance oils :)
I love my muhle R41. It always give me bbs shaves in just 2 passes,and maybe a few touch ups.
As far as the soap in concerned, I really don`t want to spent 45 EURO for a single soap, even if its is a big container. I have many soaps, so I try to find small containers, because mostly I will shave one time/month with a single soap! :) Still, so many to try!
The paradox of the modern wetshaver!! Too many choices, and so you spend too much money while you try to save money...
Good point about the soap scent restrictions, I wonder what that does to the US artisans ability to sell overseas? Some of them may not be able to comply with that specific restriction.
45 Euro for the soap - it better be fantastic, last forever, smell amazing, and make your skin glow!! For some, that is clearly the MdC !
It is very difficult for a european store/vendor to LEGALLY import US soaps,mailnly because of that 3% scent regulation. there are american soaps in the EU market, but most of the stores(not all) do not have the proper licence from the drug and health administration. I know for a fact that they are some major soap artisans in the states, that try for months now to make their products legally represented in Europe, cause we are a huge market. It is not easy. Also, I have smelt a single artisan`s soap that has a representative in EU, and they were clearly under-scented! I guess this is why he managed to get his products here.Probably he maked some batches with less scent, to meet the 3% regulation. I cannot tell you who he is, but if you really want to know, send me a message here, or in the big shave facebook page, I am Dimitrios Jimbo.
As always, keep uploading GREAT videos sir! :D
You don't need more than 3% essential oils to have a strong scent. You don't even need essential oils, there is an excellent french shaving soap, Lainess Donkey's Milk Soap (with honey, Michael made a video, the scent is strong and delicious) and there are no essential oils (just flagrance because Gaelle thinks essentials oils are potentially allergenic).
Gaelle made two other marvelous soaps (in collaboration with Le Pere Lucien), Lainess cherry and Lainess peach
For me, Proraso red or Cella don't get a light scent. (YMMV)
The scent of Le Père Lucien, Fougère, got a powerful scent.
And what about the german soap, Tabac and his lovely scent ? :)
This is, IMHO, more a cultural thing than a result of legislation.
This is fantastic razor if you shave every 3 days.
What I might do for next time is use it for two weeks and each time shave every three days, OR just go crazy and shave every day again -- why not??
The Muhle R41 I do not find it to be as aggressive as a lot of people think I have over a hundred and twenty shaves with mine and no cuts and only about 10 times very tiny weepers no irritation and I only used Wickhams Soap with this razor which in my opinion is one of the best soaps on the market.
I would agree, the Muhle R41 is not the dangerous weapon people make it to be, but to be fair, if you DO cut yourself, it's going to be bad. I was surprised, actually, at how good it felt, but I did shave pretty carefully as well.
Wickham Soaps -- I agree, great stuff!
Compliments 8k follower, Great sir at least you ought a new Martin de Candre 200gr. Jar..... For the next 8000 you have enough.... Greatest soap
Hi Michael. Aggression vs. comfort. Thats the ongoing delemna I guess. Soap is a winner of course but should be at that price. See ya next time. Thanks.
Dilemma indeed - and I will be back to the R41 to see how it does next time, I have high hopes!
The soap better be a winner, and I totally get why some people love it - but I would spend my money on other alternatives, personal preference and no slam on the soap.
See you next time, hope you have a great week!
I agree on the R41. It's like flying a plane if you don't pay attention you will crash. It's not the razor you choose for a relaxing shave.
It's actually quite funny, but I've cut myself more with my mild Merkur 34C than with my aggressive Mühle R41 (2103 version). I think that's because I constantly feel the blade in the R41 and know what it's up to. It gives you proper, non-stop feedback. Because of that it's easy to properly adjust your handling. With the Merkur 34C I can hardly feel the blade and sometimes it just bites out of nowhere.
No relaxing, at least not in the "lost in thought" kind of way - but you are at least focused on just one thing!
PaulH seems to have the same issue with the milder razors: they tend to bite him more than the aggressive ones, perhaps for the same reason -- you get lulled into a sense of safety and then...oops!
Nice shave. Never thought I'd ever see you use the Mühle R41 (given the aggressive reputation many place upon it), but should you incorporate it into more shaves you may find your skin slowly adjusts to it and shaving with it becomes second nature (and almost without fear). [Nick Shaves seems to have become accustomed to it.] Treet Platinum blades worked for me (though I hope to try Super-Max Super Platinum blades at some point) -- along with the Maggard MR5 handle.
I think I could absolutely learn to shave with this as my every day, all the time razor, but that would take some adjustment: find the right blade, fiddle with the angle, and get used to the blade feel. That last one is hard, because the razor is working so hard to remind you that you have a very sharp edge RIGHT ON YOUR SKIN!
Treet Platinum, eh? Ok, I was thinking Polsilver or perhaps a Feather...next time!
I agree that there is such a thing as too aggressive. When you have razors in that level of aggression, razors like the Ikon Tech (which is what I have so I will draw comparisons to), you find that there's a lot more blade feel but the razor isn't one hundred times more efficient than a milder razor, there's a rate of diminishing returns once you reach a certain level of aggression. Something a little closer to mid aggression will be more comfortable to use and will still get you there in a reasonable amount of time. That's why I prefer to use something like a Fatip, like you.
Only thing I can say is that my R41 (version 2013) is in another league compared to my Merkur 34C regarding efficiency. When I stretch my skin and go ATG just underneath my jawline I notice the day and night difference between the R41 and the 34C. With the R41 I only have to go over it once or twice to get BBS (this is the clean-up pass after having done two full passes), with my 34C I don't even get the same BBS result after 3-5 attempts.
For some reason people remain convinced that the only TRUE safety razor shave is the one with the most aggressive razor possible, which I really don't understand. I totally agree that at a certain point the razor is unbalanced when the "efficiency" almost hides any semblance of comfort, and the iKon Tech seems to be one of those razors. I would always choose for more comfort, I can work around a less efficient razor. Go Team Fatip!!
Fair point, if you can manage to keep the risk of razor burn or nicks/weepers down in that last clean up pass. The R41 will absolutely give you a very clean shave with less work, but also (at least for me) less comfort and, dare I say, less joy.
Surprising that the Rapira Platinum lux was so unpleasant for you. If you haven’t see it, the PaulH shave is a bit different this sunday.
I did see it, it pays to have a twin brother :-)
That blade was terrible, but I have some others waiting in the wings that might make for a better shave. Let's see in a couple months what we get.
I have tried using R41 but just too much raw blade feel. I get a close and comfortable with Merkur futur. You should try the futur. Enjoy your videos very much. Thanks jack b.
Another razor I have never tried, still on the list -- could well be in my futur. Sorry, too easy a joke!
G'day Michael....Is about bloody time to see your first shave with the R41, this is the first time I've never seen you had a bloody small nick on the chin since I've been watching all your wet shaving TH-cam. A question will you shave again with the R41, will you be able to have your own R41 to keep in your den. Next time when you used the R41 again, try the Astra Superior Stainless is a fantastic combination together with the R41 during your shaves without any issue. I LOVE my R41 is a real keeper in my den, I only shave every second day with the R41.
I am keeping the head, it was kindly gifted to me, and in the den it will stay.
I normally never really nick myself, and this was not even really a cut: just a weeper that stopped bleeding as soon as the alum touched it.
I will have try more blades, not sure I have any Astras at the moment!!
Ok, this shave is dedicated to TRex!
Look at this blade exposure. I overdo it often with it. 4 passes. So much razor burn. But, you did so many passes and only one weeper. I always get some near my chin and over it. You should also try the PArker 97R handle with R41 head. Great value.
Don't want to be disrespectful but I prefer Le Pere Lucien soap. Cheaper & same quality.
Preferences are just that: an expression of what you like! Liking one thing over another does not mean one of them is bad.
The R41 - don't overdo it :-) I did have a weeper at the end, just a tiny dot that stopped bleeding as soon as I touched it with the alum. And that only happened in the last pass, at the last moment: another sign from above to stop overshaving!!
I have my eye on some custom handles, but nothing solid yet...
Brave man! :) Muhle R41! Enter the chamber of horrors at one's own risk :) I have that razor in my den, and in my nightmares I shave with it. But seriously, it is good of you and interesting that someone once in a while gets this razor out for a shave. I shave on an every other day cycle, and I don't have much use for this razor... other than for penance :) Plus my not so wise way of shaving-- by far against the grain and from the start of the shave.
R41, however, does have its uses, esp. for people who just don't follow short shaving cycles, etc. Also, I give credit to Muhle for coming up with an *original* concept head design. (Not aware Muhle have borrowed this design from the 1920s, '30s, '40s...do correct me any one, please, if I'm wrong about that.)
Still, for this razor head's "unreserved" blade exposure you did do the right thing Michael using an exceptionally rich (high quality no-nonsense!) shaving soap. Thanks for sharing your video!
Wait, what? Against the grain from the start? It's funny, it actually works for a lot of people, and if it works for you, stick with it.
I do think that this razor would do well with a denser beard, but I need to try out some other blades and play with the angle a bit. I was getting very close shaves, but the blade feel is distracting and adds an unnecessary "thrill" to the shave.
Good lather is a must, so next time it will be with a soap that can deliver the goods again.
Thanks so much for watching!
Michael Freedberg ..yes..right from the start against the grain, from the bottom of my neck heading upwards to the cheek, upper lip, etc. I'm glad you tell me others do..That kind of shave particularly benefits from "assertive" razors (slants, open comb,..) for mild ones..one either unwittingly presses hard or starts going over many times..no good then..just as well I shave every other day...like that :)
The R41 only works with a Feather for me. Using another blade, it's a lot more mild. Almost like any other razor.
Really? Wow, that's kind of funny - I know that for some (kensurfs) the idea of a Feather in the R41 is just a no-go shave!
Finally the R41! 😃
You should really try the PAA Original DOC next 😊😊
We shall see, it's not on my radar right now :-)
Thanks for the reply I also own a Ikon Tech razor which in my opinion is far more aggressive than the Muhle R41 when I shave with that beast I really have to be careful with that razor. Cheers
That iKon Tech seems to be kind of over the top -- not the razor for me!
I finally get to the point that this razor because I shave once a week is my good to go razor. Am I crazy? Maybe. Do I have stellar technique? No, but I always get razor burn with other milder razors, because I overshave and press unpurposely down, but not with this one.
I don't know how this is happening but the blade feel keeps me away from overshaving and warns me when it's time to stop. No other razor gives me this information.
It may be that you just need that level of feedback to keep yourself from too much pressure. You could also look to use a heavier handle with some of the more mild razors, that might add the "reminder" you are looking for. OR just don't overshave!!
Thnx Micheal 😅
I somehow feel this is 'cut one hair at a time' kind of tool.....u mentioned in the begining that the blade is placed quite flat inside the razor .... so maybe a little more downward tilt in the angle would have made for more pleasent experience ....
I did alter the angle, but the problem then becomes that the position of the razor handle feels unnatural to me and hard to maintain. Not to worry, though, I will be shaving with the R41 again and soon-ish, and we will see what a different blade and razor angle will offer.
Alright! you got the r41!
I did! Not a bad first outing, next time I will use a different blade and try out some more angles. Overall pretty good, just not one of the razors that makes my heart sing.
I wanted to buy some of that there hoity-toity Martin De Candre but, I decided to pay the rent instead (pricey). Dose the old open/closed comb debate even apply to the R41? Every thing I've heard about it says it's an aggressive BEAST from another planet. Like you found out, it's almost counter productive. I'd never attempt bbs with it.
People have ended friendships over the open comb / closed comb issue with the R41, at least if you can take the Internet "comb wars" seriously. It has the features of both, but it's closed. It is pretty aggressive, but to be fair, the edge control is very good; it just puts that edge right on your skin in a way you cannot (and should not) ignore.
Pay the rent, always pay the rent; shaving soap comes second.
Nice vid. as always, and a good rewiew of mdc! Which razor do you prefer in terms of efficiency and aggressiveness, the R41 or Fatip oc?
No question: I would choose the Fatip OC over the R41 with no hesitation. Much better razor for me, and I will use it again soon!
Thanks so much for watching, really appreciate it, and glad you are enjoying the reviews!
I see you like the boar knots. Have you tried the Omega 10048, father of boar.
No, not yet, but who knows? There is still a bit of space on the shelf for a brush or two :-)
That doesn’t look like my 41, is that the ‘11?
I think this is the "v2", or the 2013(?) version that has been modified to be less aggressive.
As a MdC user, was shocked at the wasteful use of soap. I restrict myself to six sweeps of the tub with my brush and it’s more than enough. 🙈
I feared some community backlash and a strongly worded letter from Martin de Candre himself, but thankfully no such thing happened!