? about the DE89xxx line

[roosclan]

I've decided on what my first new DE razor is going to be -- a DE89 in some flavor (I currently use a '60 Fat Boy and a pre-51 Fat Handle Tech). I have some questions about the razors, though, since they came out with new handles last year.

I'm looking at the DE89L, 89811 octagonal, and the 89BA11 barley finish. What I'm wondering is how much the new handle design improves the razor over the DE89 and DE89L?
Is there extra weight?
What are the handles made out of? One web site I found lists the handles as being chrome-plated resin instead of chrome-plated metal. the Edwin Jagger web site doesn't specify what the handle of the chrome razors is.
How slippery are the handles? Are they slippery enough to justify spending the extra for the barley finish handle?

I'm going to hint to the wife that this would make a great Christmas or birthday present from the kids, but I'd like to know as much as I can before I suggest one.

 

[BigBull]

I've only tried one, the Barley. Appearance alone justifies the cost in my mind...but from reviews it appears the solid chrome may be slippery. For weight differences, I'm not sure but can't imagine there would be a significant enough difference to matter. I'm sure they would all work just fine unless you are playing with a stick of butter before shaving - but then again it's my opinion that variants of minut details like this get way overhyped. Pick the one that's aesthetically appealing to you and run with it!

 

[attime6]

I have the DE89L, the handle can be slippery, one time it slipped out of my hand and the handle now has a dent in it. Performance wise it shaves great.

 

[jmsodpc]

I had the chrome and thought it was slippery in the shower. I sold it and rebought the lined version.
Seems better.

 

[cubfanbob]

I bought the Barley version precisely because of the slippery/slippage concern. It has not been an issue.

 

[shep12]

I like the DE89 with the replacement Weber Bulldog handle. Just makes a nice razor even nicer.

 

[i.am.zed]

I have the barley version. Never had an issue with slippage. It's a very nice razor and I heartily recommend it.

Also, the handle is chrome plated metal (Zamak to be precise).

 

[Attila]

I have the DE89 with the Chrome handle. I found it to be very very slippery once soap and water got on it. I swapped it out for a Bulldog handle and it made a big difference as to how it shaved for me and how easy it was to use the razor. These days a friend of mine is borrowing it and that reminds me...he's had it for an awfully long time!! Great razor, but my favorite razor now is my 39C Merkur Slant.

 

[MajorMoran]

I bought the lined handle as it was, at the time, less expensive, than the other offerings. Paired it with the ikon bulldog and it's a wonderful shaver.

 

[abrasive]

I have the lined version. My hands are relatively weak right now (recovering from having broken both of them ) but I have had no slippage issues.

If I were doing it over I would get the barleycorn just because I like knurled things (I am a bit of a home machinist) and the barleycorn is the closest thing EJ offers to knurling. When I ordered I didn't realize that barleycorn was really just fine (and probably very nicely-executed) knurling.

I will likely end up making make my own handle when life takes a break and I can get out to my shop for a bit...

Dave

 

[FreddyG]

Is there extra weight?
What are the handles made out of? One web site I found lists the handles as being chrome-plated resin instead of chrome-plated metal. the Edwin Jagger web site doesn't specify what the handle of the chrome razors is.
How slippery are the handles? Are they slippery enough to justify spending the extra for the barley finish handle?
QUOTE]

My first DE razor was the DE89811 octagonal chrome. I'm not sure what the handles are made out of but the chrome finish is beautiful to day the least. It is a smooth finish that can be slippy if you have soapy handy. However the octagonal shape helps provide some extra area to grip. The shave is very smooth and the aggressiveness is moderate (depending on the blade). I personally use feathers or kai's in the EJ and get great results. Good luck with your search

 

[edgerunner]

I've tried the Barley and the Muhle versions. They were not slippery but I didn't like the balance of the razor with those handles. The only R89 that works for me is the Chatsworth. It's perfect for this head.

 

[xillion]

Here are some handle weights from my original post on the Barley.

I also weighed my EJ chrome octagon handle and it comes in at 51 grams.

From left: Mühle R89/R41(pre-2011) handle 24g, EJDEA89L handle 44g, DE89BA11 handle 47g, DE89BA11 complete 77g.