Hey everyone. I'm about 12 shaves in to de shaving. I was kinda just wondering when is it an appropriate time to get a new razor. I currently have a edwin jagger de89. I love it but wanted a new piece for the collection and was thinking about the Merkur 34G Heavy Duty Classic Safety Razor, Gold. Should I stay with the ej for a little longer or is it ok to switch between the two. Thanks
De razor opinion
- Thread starter Bullshark
- Start date
I think that's up to you.
Conventional wisdom would say you should stick with one razor for a while; perhaps until your technique is solid. Of course, I did not follow this and I suspect not many others here did either. With that preface I will say I did not see much difference between the 34C and the DE 89 razor so I sold the 34C. Both gave great shaves but the DE 89 was my "first" so I kept it (and still have it). Assuming you are going to by at least one more razor anyway (most of us buy several but that is another story) I would look for a vintage Gillette or perhaps even a slant. One well respected shaving book suggests your second razor should be a slant and he may be right. I really, really like my slant and am considering getting another.
As always YMMV. Please post your decision and how you came to it in any event.
As always YMMV. Please post your decision and how you came to it in any event.
I've been at this for 5 months now and have 4 razors so I may not be an objective person to discuss this with!
My first razor was the Merkur 47C long handle. It is a very mild razor and was great for me to start on. I still use it just because it was the razor that "got it all started!" After about a month I purchased my DE-89L and then about two months after that a Merkur 1904 closed comb.
To me both Merkurs are milder than the DE-89 and I agree that the Merkur HD would be very similar in performance to the DE-89.
I just recently bought a 37C slant bar and love it. If you feel like your technique is solid I would recommend looking into the slant bar. It gives one wonderful shave. If you weren't interested in the slant, maybe take a look at the Merkur 38C. I believe they call that the barber pole. That would be similar to your DE-89 but a little heavier and therefore perhaps a little more aggressive. You could also start looking at an open comb style razor.
Lot's of great options though.
That's my two cents.
Good luck with it.
My first razor was the Merkur 47C long handle. It is a very mild razor and was great for me to start on. I still use it just because it was the razor that "got it all started!" After about a month I purchased my DE-89L and then about two months after that a Merkur 1904 closed comb.
To me both Merkurs are milder than the DE-89 and I agree that the Merkur HD would be very similar in performance to the DE-89.
I just recently bought a 37C slant bar and love it. If you feel like your technique is solid I would recommend looking into the slant bar. It gives one wonderful shave. If you weren't interested in the slant, maybe take a look at the Merkur 38C. I believe they call that the barber pole. That would be similar to your DE-89 but a little heavier and therefore perhaps a little more aggressive. You could also start looking at an open comb style razor.
Lot's of great options though.
That's my two cents.
Good luck with it.
You already own one of the best razor available, so there's no practical reason to get another--unless you want to experiment or start a collection, which are both good reasons. I would suggest that in that case, you should also consider getting a Shick or Pal injector razor. Injectors are excellent razors, they are relatively cheap, and the blades are readily available online. Injectors are very different from DEs and, IMHO, are very much underrated for the wonderful shaves they produce.
I wouldn't use any other razors until your technique is to the point where you can get a consistently good shave without any irritation from your DE89. If you avoid changing things you will get better faster.
If you have enough willpower to buy something and not use it for a little while longer then go ahead and buy it now.
You should probably be getting pretty good shaves at about the one month mark, so that might be a good target for you.
But it really depends on you.
Whenever you think you're ready.
An all stainless steel Weber $70 or a Merkur 39c slant $50 might be a good next razor.
Read lots of razor reviews and choose your next razor carefully.
If you have enough willpower to buy something and not use it for a little while longer then go ahead and buy it now.
You should probably be getting pretty good shaves at about the one month mark, so that might be a good target for you.
But it really depends on you.
Whenever you think you're ready.
An all stainless steel Weber $70 or a Merkur 39c slant $50 might be a good next razor.
Read lots of razor reviews and choose your next razor carefully.
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I'd stick with the EJ for now, but it's totally up to you. Reason being I don't think you'll notice much difference, if any, between the two.
I bought a 34C. Didn't like the short handle, wanted something longer, bought a 38C. Shaved with that for a long time then wanted a new razor and got an R89. Very, very little difference in the final shave between the two. Maybe the R89 shaves me smoother but idk.
If you must have another razor, and sometimes you must, go for something different.
I bought a 34C. Didn't like the short handle, wanted something longer, bought a 38C. Shaved with that for a long time then wanted a new razor and got an R89. Very, very little difference in the final shave between the two. Maybe the R89 shaves me smoother but idk.
If you must have another razor, and sometimes you must, go for something different.
If you're going to do anything, make sure it's different than what you have, even though I think 12 shaves is quick to change things up. I'm at about 2 years and it was a good 6 months in before I started experimenting with different razors. I would concentrate on technique first (even though each razor has their own nuances), but start poking around to see what's out there. I rotate between a Merkur Futur and Vision, straights on the weekends, have about 8 vintage razors that I collect and don't shave with(great, if not perfect condition).
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Yeah, I too played with different razors way too early. If you really want a long list, I'd consider: Gillette New short comb (or British long comb) Gillette Tech, Gillette adjustable (Fatboy or Slim or Super Adjustable), Merkur Slant, Muhle R41 2013, and single edge razors (GEM Junior or Damaskeene 1912, others).
Maybe we should be asking why you want to replace the razor.
If you just want to have another one because you'd like to start collecting them and try something different then that's great and you don't have to read any more of this.
If you are replacing it to get a better shave then you should know that there really is no razor that will automatically give you a perfect shave and without some effort and technique on your part. Even the very high dollar stainless steel ones. You may find some that might be more efficient or give you a closer shave but you will still have to have good technique to accomplish this.
Everyone's face is different and likely you will have some trouble spots that are always difficult to get. You will have to learn specifically how to tackle those trouble spots in order to get a truly great shave. You'll may go after them from different angles trying to get them perfect but may find that this doesn't always work. Just changing your razor likely won't fix the problem by itself. Once you can get irritation free shaves every time then look into techniques like blade buffing and J Hooking to help you with the difficult areas.
If you just want to have another one because you'd like to start collecting them and try something different then that's great and you don't have to read any more of this.
If you are replacing it to get a better shave then you should know that there really is no razor that will automatically give you a perfect shave and without some effort and technique on your part. Even the very high dollar stainless steel ones. You may find some that might be more efficient or give you a closer shave but you will still have to have good technique to accomplish this.
Everyone's face is different and likely you will have some trouble spots that are always difficult to get. You will have to learn specifically how to tackle those trouble spots in order to get a truly great shave. You'll may go after them from different angles trying to get them perfect but may find that this doesn't always work. Just changing your razor likely won't fix the problem by itself. Once you can get irritation free shaves every time then look into techniques like blade buffing and J Hooking to help you with the difficult areas.
What's with all the razor hoard... err.. buying?
Is one not enough?
Is one not enough?
Go for it. Or save your money and wait for a Mergress. I had a gold Futur which was delivered with a loose cap, defective so I sent it back. A Mergress became available shortly after that and I ordered it. I use that razor almost everyday. That Mergress razor shaves so well.
I started out with one and with in 3 months I had a Den full of razors. If you do decide to get a new razor beware of RAD
I think the EJ DE89 is a really good razor, and is what I started out with. If you're just looking to collect, get whatever looks good. If you're looking to evaluate to figure out what works for you, I would try a well-regarded razor that's different from what you have. Therefore, I would try a vintage razor, an open comb, an adjustable, and/or a stainless. As you try things, you'll learn what works better for you and can get closer to what would work best for you.
I also started with an EJ DE 89 and now have a lot of razors, including a few Vintage, several adjustables, and an open comb. I'm finding that I want to use some more than others and am going to be getting rid of some soon, that I don't have any desire to use. I still haven't tried a stainless steel, but it's on the list.
I also started with an EJ DE 89 and now have a lot of razors, including a few Vintage, several adjustables, and an open comb. I'm finding that I want to use some more than others and am going to be getting rid of some soon, that I don't have any desire to use. I still haven't tried a stainless steel, but it's on the list.
If you feel comfortable using what you have, then by all means try to change it up a bit. The whole shaving experience has to be enjoyable if you expect to continue. If you feel that you're still learning, you might wish to stick with what you have while you research the next one. I would suggest thinking about how you wish the shaving experience would change, and then choose a razor that has those qualities. Even if your greatest desire is to add something gold and shiny, that's OK.
You mention starting a collection. If you just want to find the ultimate razor to own, be aware of what you are getting into. It's name is the MOAR! People have been searching for that one for quite some time. I've searched high and low on B/S/T and still haven't been able to acquire one. Maybe I'll find it after I work my way up to a Darwin. lol
Personally, I like the vintage Gillettes. You can find a model for every budget. And even the inexpensive SuperSpeed is held in high regard. I've "rescued" a few so far, and must admit that I get a lot of satisfaction cleaning and polishing them up. They feel more like they are "mine" than if I opened a new box, I think. My 40's SS, with the brassed backplate, is really grateful to have a new home and it treats me really well. I currently use it as a reference point for trying new blades.
Keep in mind that many find they like different blades in different razors. So you may end up coming down with a case of Blade Aquisition Disorder, to boot. If you haven't already done it, picking up a good sized sampler of blades could also make for a good experience for you. By keeping to your well known razor you can really judge the qualities of those blades. Pick up that next razor, and you can do it all over again.
You mention starting a collection. If you just want to find the ultimate razor to own, be aware of what you are getting into. It's name is the MOAR! People have been searching for that one for quite some time. I've searched high and low on B/S/T and still haven't been able to acquire one. Maybe I'll find it after I work my way up to a Darwin. lol
Personally, I like the vintage Gillettes. You can find a model for every budget. And even the inexpensive SuperSpeed is held in high regard. I've "rescued" a few so far, and must admit that I get a lot of satisfaction cleaning and polishing them up. They feel more like they are "mine" than if I opened a new box, I think. My 40's SS, with the brassed backplate, is really grateful to have a new home and it treats me really well. I currently use it as a reference point for trying new blades.
Keep in mind that many find they like different blades in different razors. So you may end up coming down with a case of Blade Aquisition Disorder, to boot. If you haven't already done it, picking up a good sized sampler of blades could also make for a good experience for you. By keeping to your well known razor you can really judge the qualities of those blades. Pick up that next razor, and you can do it all over again.
- Thread starter
- #17
Get 9 razors in one. Buy a vintage Gillette adjustable.
I'm not going to be a good influence here, I only started DE shaving 5 weeks ago and already own 4 razors......
Don't even get started on how many types of blade, or soap, I've got hidden around the bathroom.
This was supposed to save me a fortune according to the guy who talked me into buying my first DE razor
I'm not going to be a good influence here, I only started DE shaving 5 weeks ago and already own 4 razors......
Don't even get started on how many types of blade, or soap, I've got hidden around the bathroom.
This was supposed to save me a fortune according to the guy who talked me into buying my first DE razor
- Thread starter
- #19
Any time at all! 
