Another comparison shave off between what are ordinarily viewed mild razors.
King C. Gillette
This razor has been around for a few years now and was actually the razor that brought me into DE shaving. It is available from your usual drugstore (at least here in the Netherlands). There has been a lot of debate about the origins of this razor. Where the Gillette Heritage was clearly associated with Mühle, the design of this one is more vague. The head is somewhere between Mühle and Merkur. My 2021 version mentioned the head was made in Germany and the handle in China. Current versions are all made in China according to the packaging. The handle is on the heavier side and people have varying opinions on its grip (or lack thereof). I actually like it. I also like the KCG monogram on the cap - it has a nice look to it. The razor weighs about 102-103 grams and the handle is about 9.5-10cm. The head is zamak and the handle (as far as I can tell or know) brass - or at least brass threading (it isn't steel I think, because a magnet doesn´t do anything).
The angle is about 30 degrees and it has some blade feel to it. Not R41 or anything, but the blade is more present than in the R89 - at least for me.
Mühle R89
According to Geo's website the R89 rose gold weighs 62g with an overall height at 95mm. So it has similar length to the KCG, but weighs far less.
Tech
This razor obviously needs no introduction. I actually used two different Techs, an English and a US one, but I find them very similar. Both have a fat handle. The fat handle is hollow making this very light razors and the lightest razors in my collection. This is a fun razor for both beginners and experienced shaves. It depends more on the blade you are using and the number of passes you need. Speaking of blades: blade alignment is spot on. No Fatip exercises in zen blade placement here. Pop in the blade and done. Blade overhang is present and manageable. Very clear why this allegedly is the most produced and sold DE razor in history.
Summary of results
Notes
Shaving with the R89 is a delight. Smooth, simple, gives a lot of confidence and the angle is quite wide so this is a razor that provides something for all types - steep or shallow. Despite reading other reviews I had the impression this razor is actually very different from the KCG razor. Easy DFS++/BBS levels whereas this was the initial struggle I had with the KCG that lead me to try out other razors. The KCG is a four pass razor for me whereas this R89 shines within 3 passes and a touch up. Really nice. An excellent razor for beginner and veteran in my mind that can give you a smooth result while being in autopilot mode.
In this comparison the R89 also did better than both Techs, but the results are less different than compared to the KCG (is actually for the Techs and the R89). What puzzles me about the comparison is that I used to get BBS shaves with the KCG all the time. There was a time (when life was simple) when the KCG was my only razor and it worked. I stepped up to a Fatip to increase my efficiency and effectiveness, but the KCG kept delivering. For some reason beyond my reasoning I have not been able to easily get BBS with it anymore. It appears to be more picky about its angle than I can remember from the first months DE shaving. It is still a nice razor that would also be very fit as travel razor.
The Techs and the R89 are completely auto-pilot razors. Insert blade and go. The R89 feels just that little bit more comfortable than the Techs, but again the difference for me is minimal. Funnily enough the challenge I have with the KCG to get to BBS I also have with the Flat Bottom. BBS used to be easy, but nowadays more challenging it appears. I am guessing this is all down to the operator.
All three are great milder razors that do the job they are intended to do. Sharper blades give each of them a little more punch. The KCG blade fits the bill as far as I am concerned.
King C. Gillette
This razor has been around for a few years now and was actually the razor that brought me into DE shaving. It is available from your usual drugstore (at least here in the Netherlands). There has been a lot of debate about the origins of this razor. Where the Gillette Heritage was clearly associated with Mühle, the design of this one is more vague. The head is somewhere between Mühle and Merkur. My 2021 version mentioned the head was made in Germany and the handle in China. Current versions are all made in China according to the packaging. The handle is on the heavier side and people have varying opinions on its grip (or lack thereof). I actually like it. I also like the KCG monogram on the cap - it has a nice look to it. The razor weighs about 102-103 grams and the handle is about 9.5-10cm. The head is zamak and the handle (as far as I can tell or know) brass - or at least brass threading (it isn't steel I think, because a magnet doesn´t do anything).
The angle is about 30 degrees and it has some blade feel to it. Not R41 or anything, but the blade is more present than in the R89 - at least for me.
Mühle R89
According to Geo's website the R89 rose gold weighs 62g with an overall height at 95mm. So it has similar length to the KCG, but weighs far less.
Tech
This razor obviously needs no introduction. I actually used two different Techs, an English and a US one, but I find them very similar. Both have a fat handle. The fat handle is hollow making this very light razors and the lightest razors in my collection. This is a fun razor for both beginners and experienced shaves. It depends more on the blade you are using and the number of passes you need. Speaking of blades: blade alignment is spot on. No Fatip exercises in zen blade placement here. Pop in the blade and done. Blade overhang is present and manageable. Very clear why this allegedly is the most produced and sold DE razor in history.
Summary of results
| Date | Razor | Blade | Quality | Comfort | Effectiveness |
| 16.01.2024 | King C. Gillette KCG | KCG (6) | 10 | 10 | 7 |
| 17.01.2024 | King C. Gillette KCG | KCG (7) | 10 | 10 | 5.5 |
| 18.01.2024 | Mühle R89 | KCG (8) | 10 | 10 | 8.75 |
| 22.01.2024 | Gillette Tech Flat Bottom | KCG (12) | 10 | 10 | 8.25 |
| 24.01.2024 | Gillette Tech Prewar | KCG (14) | 10 | 10 | 8.25 |
| Average KCG | 10 | 10 | 6.25 | ||
| Average R89 | 10 | 10 | 8.75 | ||
| Average Tech | 10 | 10 | 8.25 |
Notes
Shaving with the R89 is a delight. Smooth, simple, gives a lot of confidence and the angle is quite wide so this is a razor that provides something for all types - steep or shallow. Despite reading other reviews I had the impression this razor is actually very different from the KCG razor. Easy DFS++/BBS levels whereas this was the initial struggle I had with the KCG that lead me to try out other razors. The KCG is a four pass razor for me whereas this R89 shines within 3 passes and a touch up. Really nice. An excellent razor for beginner and veteran in my mind that can give you a smooth result while being in autopilot mode.
In this comparison the R89 also did better than both Techs, but the results are less different than compared to the KCG (is actually for the Techs and the R89). What puzzles me about the comparison is that I used to get BBS shaves with the KCG all the time. There was a time (when life was simple) when the KCG was my only razor and it worked. I stepped up to a Fatip to increase my efficiency and effectiveness, but the KCG kept delivering. For some reason beyond my reasoning I have not been able to easily get BBS with it anymore. It appears to be more picky about its angle than I can remember from the first months DE shaving. It is still a nice razor that would also be very fit as travel razor.
The Techs and the R89 are completely auto-pilot razors. Insert blade and go. The R89 feels just that little bit more comfortable than the Techs, but again the difference for me is minimal. Funnily enough the challenge I have with the KCG to get to BBS I also have with the Flat Bottom. BBS used to be easy, but nowadays more challenging it appears. I am guessing this is all down to the operator.
All three are great milder razors that do the job they are intended to do. Sharper blades give each of them a little more punch. The KCG blade fits the bill as far as I am concerned.
