Muhle R41 vs Merkur 34C

To put it simply, the Merkur 34C and Muhle R41 are two completely different safety razors.

The Merkur 34C is a popular beginner-friendly safety razor with a closed comb head and delivers a mild to moderate shave. On the other hand, the Muhle R41 is an extremely aggressive open-comb safety razor that is well-suited for more experienced wet shavers.

However, if you want to learn more about the differences between these two safety razors, please read on.

Product Comparison

Weight

The Muhle R41 is a bit heavier than the Merkur 34C, weighing in at 3.17 ounces (90 grams) compared to the latter’s 2.72 ounces (77 grams).

This extra weight provides stability and pressure during your shave, allowing you to basically steer the razor along your face.

Despite the lighter frame of the Merkur 34C, it does pack a bit of heft and should be able to provide a solid shave for most beard types. Men with exceptionally thick or heavy stubble may be required to apply a slight amount of added pressure when using the Merkur 34C.

Length

Nearly 1″ in length separates these two razors, with the Merkur 34C checking in at 3.19″ (8.1 cm) and the Muhle R41 standing at 4.21″ (10.7 cm).

Most people love the length of the 34C as it provides great control and precision during a shave. However, if you have larger hands, you might find that using the razor can be a bit cramped. In this case, you might prefer the length of the Muhle R41, which gives you a bit more of a handle to work with.

One advantage that the R41 does deliver is that the longer handle will make it a fair bit easier to reach your neck and visually see in the mirror where you are shaving without your hand obstructing any part of your vision.

Comb

The most distinct feature between these two safety razors is the comb. The Merkur 34C features a closed comb paired with a scalloped safety bar, while the Muhle R41 boasts an open comb that looks similar to a rake.

While we provide a lengthy explanation about open comb vs. closed comb razors here, here are a few important takeaways:

• Closed comb heads are typically more beginner-friendly as they deliver a milder shave. The safety bar flattens the skin and feeds your facial hair into the narrow blade gap. The lack of an exposed blade between the teeth of a closed comb head also decreases the risk of cutting yourself compared to an open comb safety razor.
• Open comb heads have a rake-like design that lessens the pressure on the skin, bringing it closer to the exposed blade. Because of this, open comb heads are considered more aggressive than closed comb head designs and are thus mainly used by experienced wet shavers. Additionally, the lack of a safety bar makes it virtually impossible to clog – which can be good when shaving longer or thicker facial hair.

If you are simply getting started with wet shaving, only consider a closed comb safety razor. However, if you are confident in your abilities and want smoother skin after shaving, then definitely give an open comb safety razor a try.

Composition

The Muhle R41 razor is made of brass, while the Merkur 34C is made of a brass and zinc alloy. So we’d say these are pretty equal in terms of composition.

The Muhle R41 and the Merkur 34C also feature chrome plating to protect the frame and provide a nice rust-resistant luster.

Grip

Along the handle, the 34C provides a reliable diamond knurling that offers great grip in all sorts of scenarios. This is one of our favorite grips as it makes it easier for your hands to get a good hold, even if they are soapy or wet.

The R41 has a unique wavy pattern that extends throughout the handle. This offers a solid grip, but compared to the 34C, it simply isn’t as good.

Country of Origin

Germany is renowned for its engineering prowess, and that is evident in the quality of its razors. The Muhle R41 and the Merkur 34C are both made in Germany and look and feel like they were made with precision and care.

Number of Pieces

The Merkur 34C is a two-piece safety razor, while the R41 is a three-piece. Comparatively speaking, the R41 is a bit better as it will be easier to clean and maintain.

Given that the 34C is two pieces, there is a potential for the baseplate and handle to break apart or loosen if dropped.

Price

If budget is a concern, look no further than the Merkur 34C. This razor is one of the cheaper options on the market but doesn’t sacrifice quality or performance. You can typically find it for roughly $36.

The Muhle R41 is a bit more expensive and can typically be found for around $56. This is a bit more expensive, but it’s not a huge difference.

Blade Compatibility

The Muhle R41 and the Merkur 34C rely on double-edge safety razor blades, giving you various blade options. However, when testing brands, we recommend sharper blades (i.e., Feather, Gillette Super Blue, Wilkinson Sword, etc.) with the 34C if you want smoother results.

However, if you want to lessen the aggressiveness of the Muhle R41, then you should use a milder blade (i.e., Derby, Super Shark, etc.).

Shave Performance

As expected, the Muhle R41 and the Merkur 34C deliver completely different shaving experiences.

Here’s how:

Merkur 34C

This razor is fairly mild and can provide close results in only a few passes. However, if you want closer results, you can add different directions to your passes (across the grain and against the grain). Additionally, the 34C small frame made it quite easy to navigate around the contours of the face.

Muhle R41

When picking up the R41, expect an intense shave that will leave your face feeling alive. If it’s your first time using a razor of this aggressiveness, expect to nick yourself a few times, so keep your styptic pencil ready! In terms of maneuverability, the R41 isn’t too unwieldy (especially not as much as the Merkur Futur) and can still be used to get around goatees and other tricky parts of your face.

Alternative Razors

While the Muhle R41 and the Merkur 34C remain worlds apart in terms of performance, there are a few other options that you might want to consider.

• Merkur Progress: With a simple twist of the handle, this razor can easily adjust for different types of shavers. Featuring the same level of craftsmanship as the Merkur 34C, the Progress is far more versatile (full review here).
• Parker Variant: This razor is a bit pricier than the R41 and 34C. However, it is another adjustable razor with a similar range of adjustability to the Merkur Progress (full review here).
• Muhle R89: This is Muhle’s entry-level razor and is a great option for those who want a less aggressive but still quality shaving experience (full review here).
• Merkur 25C: Did you know Merkur also makes an open comb version of the 34C? If you like the Merkur brand but want something more aggressive, you might want to check this one out.

Here’s a table comparing the razors mentioned above:

Conclusion

The Muhle R41 and Merkur 34C are both great safety razors. However, they are very different in terms of performance. First-time wet shaving? Go with the 34C. Looking for a more aggressive shave? Then the R41 is the way to go.