Hey all
Just trying to catch up on 5 years of wetshaving developments.
When browsing various threads of new razors on the market, one caught my eye… the Muhle Rocca R95 with birch handle.
I have a few questions.
1) Is it as stunning in real life as it looks in the pictures?
2) What’s the shave like?
3) Doesn’t the birch bark eventually break apart?
4) Is the handle stainless steel (excluding the birch)?
5) The stainless handle is also stunning… which do you prefer?
Thanks y’all.
Greetings, as somebody who owns the R94, R95 and R96 my high opinions of the Rocca V4 are well know so I'll do my best to answer your questions:
1) The Birch Bark looks as good as it feels and has held up with regular use after applying some oil but this isn't really necessary. One of the nicest handles I've seen and I'm a stickler for shinny metals having owned, copper, brass, bronze, titanium, wooden razors/brushes the Birch Bark is super unique.
2) For me the Rocca V4 is my favourite DE razor as the shaves are very rewarding with performance between the DE89 (smoothness) and R41 (efficiency). Premium results when using Wizamet Super Iridium, Gillette Minora/Red & White Stainless/Yellow's or BIC chrome blades as the shave can feel harsh using other blades so YMMV.
3) The Birch Bark feels like cork so super grippy when wet yet its manufactured to resemble the material you find with canoe's so built to last and repel water. I've yet to see any mention of long term damage which isn't to say it won't happen but after nearly a year I'm happy to report my R95 is as good as new.
4) Razor + handle is all Stainless Steel with vast improvements made to V4 with CNC machining as opposed to QC issues with the earlier MIM versions. Unsure of what type SS but they all feel sturdy and clean up well after use.
5) Of the versions I find the all SS R94 feels the best with matte finish yet the R95 Birch Bark gets points for sentimental value and is lighter due to the bark but still nice in hand. The R96 is nice with the black finish on the handle and I gave mine a light polish on the SS parts to leave it looking shinny.
Overall the Rocca V4 provides great value if your after a mid-aggressive razor that sits perfectly between the milder DE89 for smoothness and is just as efficient as the beastly R41 but without the blade feel. Very comfortable to sue as daily shaver and if I had to trade all my current razors I'd happily keep the R94, R95 and my Vector which tells you how highly I rate the Rocca V4... Happy Shaves!
This is a shame and I have found the same with some other razors. Before you sell the razor and I have not read the entire thread, worth giving Gillette Yellows and Shark SS's a go if you have them as well as other blades. Also experiment if you can with different angles under the chin. I am...
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