I think sometimes the DE89 gets a bad rap. "It's made of crappy pot metal! It's too mild! It's a beginner's razor!" are statements I see too often on B&B. The DE89 was my first razor, and after 10 years, it's still a great razor that fits in my rotation. In fact, of the 50 or so razors I own, it's one of just a few that gets regular use. So I offer my praise to one of the best razors on the market.
- "It's made of crappy pot metal." Yes, the head is made of Zamak which can corrode. About 2 years in, mine did start to corrode on the threads. I'd heard about the world class customer service at EJ, so I contacted them. They asked for a picture, confirmed the corrosion, and OVERNIGHTED a new head FROM ENGLAND to the USA. They didn't have to do that--it probably cost them more than the $30 I spent on the razor in the first place. I'm sure they could have worked with a US distributor and gotten me a new head in a week--but they went above and beyond and earned a loyal customer in me. Also, that second head is now 8 years old and has never shown any signs of corrosion--it looks as good today as it did 8 years ago.
- "It's too mild" Full disclosure, it took me a long time to get shaves with the DE89 compared to my Mach 3 and Fusion carts. But once I got the right angle, pressure, and blade, there's no comparison. This razor rewards people who have the patience to get it just right. I shaved with mine this morning and 4 hours later, my skin is still BBS and I had zero irritation.
"It's a beginner's razor" I don't even know what this means. It can be purchased with everything from cheap handles, up to very nice looking and expensive handles. The head of the DE89 might be the most knocked off head in the industry. People who learn to use it can get excellent shaves. If I hadn't joined B&B, I would probably still be happily using it as my only razor.
So I raise my glass to the humble EJ DE89! Well done, Edwin Jagger--you make a great razor!
- "It's made of crappy pot metal." Yes, the head is made of Zamak which can corrode. About 2 years in, mine did start to corrode on the threads. I'd heard about the world class customer service at EJ, so I contacted them. They asked for a picture, confirmed the corrosion, and OVERNIGHTED a new head FROM ENGLAND to the USA. They didn't have to do that--it probably cost them more than the $30 I spent on the razor in the first place. I'm sure they could have worked with a US distributor and gotten me a new head in a week--but they went above and beyond and earned a loyal customer in me. Also, that second head is now 8 years old and has never shown any signs of corrosion--it looks as good today as it did 8 years ago.
- "It's too mild" Full disclosure, it took me a long time to get shaves with the DE89 compared to my Mach 3 and Fusion carts. But once I got the right angle, pressure, and blade, there's no comparison. This razor rewards people who have the patience to get it just right. I shaved with mine this morning and 4 hours later, my skin is still BBS and I had zero irritation.
"It's a beginner's razor" I don't even know what this means. It can be purchased with everything from cheap handles, up to very nice looking and expensive handles. The head of the DE89 might be the most knocked off head in the industry. People who learn to use it can get excellent shaves. If I hadn't joined B&B, I would probably still be happily using it as my only razor.
So I raise my glass to the humble EJ DE89! Well done, Edwin Jagger--you make a great razor!