MÜHLE R41 - Shave 2
The first shave was a bit rough and my face needed a day off. Even now I'm not sure if it is ready for another go with the R41. But I'm stubbly and I don't like it. In the worst case I'll open the old wounds and get a few more.
So what was wrong with the last shave? I felt the handle was too heavy. I want a much lighter touch and choose the handle that originally came with a
Phoenix DOC . Another razor I'll have to try one day. The handle weighs 35.6 grams (that's) only half the weight of the Ikon handle.
Maybe the Voskhod blade was not the right choice for the R41. Today I choose a PolSilver. They are my favourite blades.
Maybe I didn't do enough prep? So today I have a shower, then do a hot towel on the face, then apply some Geo F. Trumper Coral skinfood as a pre shave. The smell of roses reminds me that I have a tub of Wickham Super Smooth English Rose shaving soap I haven't used yet. So (that's) the choice I make. It lathers well, but the scent of roses is a bit too subtle for my nose. Their Club Cola shaving soap really smells of Cola. I think (that's) the only shaving soap with a sense of humour. I sometimes follow that with breakfast consisting of a bowl of porridge flavoured with a few drops of this
Cola Essence. Frivolous. I know.
Back to the R41.
Maybe 4 passes where a bit much. So I think I'll stop after one WTG and 2 XTG passes.
Immediately I like the feel of the smaller handle a lot better. I'm shaving with a much lighter touch. The R41 still means business, but I feel more comfortable with it.
The three passes are all quite easy. That Wickham soap is good, by the way! Three passes with the R41 and not the tiniest weeper in sight. A good shave, but not quite BBS yet.
What the heck! I'll do a fourth ATG pass as well. Except for under the nose where I opt to go XTG again.
This would make a good cliff hanger now...
But I'll continue to report that against all expectations the fourth pass went without incident as well. There. Four pass shave with the R41. Not even the tiniest bit of blood drawn. Full on BBS. The alum block says he has seen worse, two days ago actually. Just a mild sting. Two days ago I didn't dare put Yardley Citrus Wood straight on my face as an aftershave, but today I give it a go. No problem whatsoever.
So what was it? The smaller handle? The blade? The soap? I guess it was the handle. It made a huge difference for me.
I now officially like this razor.