DE89L versus PILS - surprising results...

[Duncanh48]

I've been shaving almost exclusively with my PILS since purchasing 2-3 months back, however last week I decided to give my EJ89L a run out and have to say I was stunned by the results.

I get good shaves from the PILS, although getting a BBS neck and chin can take a little work (and if I'm honest I haven't been getting as smooth as I'd like on occasion). However, with the EJ89 I've been getting consistently BBS shaves with no irritation - a real pleasure.

We all know that the PILS is a beautifully designed and engineered razor, but now I'm questioning whether I could be getting a better shave from a relatively modest priced DE.

So, I'd be interested in your experiences, Am I committing some form of blasphemy by questioning the PILS and has anyone else gone back to a once loved razor and been pleasantly surprised by the results?

 

[ssultan]

I find with the PILS you really have to be careful about maintaining your angle...too much or too little and it does nothing!

 

[kg0mz]

I don't know about those apples, but I have a Feather All Stainless. After using it for a couple of months and thinking it was tops, I tried a Bolzano blade in my Futur (set on 3.5). OMG, what a close shave. After a few shaves with the Futur I went back to the Feather with a Feather. OMG, what a close shave. I guess that's why we set up a rotation schedule. Tomorrow maybe a Shark in the HD.

 

[Hayden]

While I havent shaved with the Pils, Ive shaved with a ton of other razors and the Ej de89l is my day to day razor now.

 

[Im_leary]

My, but the PILS certainly seems to be the topic of late. I have tried the PILS and found it just adequate. Far more effort is required with the PILS, as compared to my Gillette Super Speed or Slim-Boy, in order to get a reasonably smooth shave. Further thoughts on this razor can be found in the thread "An Engineer's Approach to Shaving".

 

[K.T.]

WHAT?!? How dare you?

I've never used a PILS, let alone even seen one in person, but I can tell you you are WRONG!

Ha, ha. Just kidding. The DE89L is, indeed, a fine shaver. No idea about the PILS, though; never used one, let alone even seen one in person.

 

[papi]

I have many razors and I have to say that my muhle R89 which is the same exact head as your razor, is the best darn shave I can get from all the razors. I dont think you can beat it. Now thats for me, considering everyone has different skin conditions. I will say that as I improve my technique and especially my preparation, I am starting to really enjoy all my razors. You have to treat each one a little bit different. Its funny, a gillette tech, that I stopped using years ago, is back to one of my favorites. If you think about it, if you are making 3 to 4 passes, why finish with an aggressive razor. I mild razor is great for the last pass. I have used two razors per shave more than once. I think aggressiveness is just a matter of time. Even if a person has a real heavy beard, if they take there time with a mild razor, it will still achieve a good close shave. But then again, I have only my own face to relate to.

-=I am the same age as my face, but a lot older than my teeth=-

 

[nEver-Ready]

I'm a rarity in not being a lover of the DE89L, but I will say that I have a ton of other razors that give as good or better - and easier - shave than my Pils - New Deluxe, New, many SE's, Super Speed/Rocket......................................................

 

[talibeard]

I just checked to be sure but still no rust on my Mühle R89. Don't know how the PILS shaves but with the story about that razor unfolding I looked at my Mühle with renewed love....

 

[Mr.K]

expensive does not equate to good.

 

[AJMiami]

I have 3 R89 type, Muhle, EJ and EJ Chatsworth...I like the chatsworth the best, with the EJ 89 next, and then the Muhle. I really don't need anything else in my arsenal

 

[Born2bwire]

I'm a rarity in not being a lover of the DE89L, but I will say that I have a ton of other razors that give as good or better - and easier - shave than my Pils - New Deluxe, New, many SE's, Super Speed/Rocket......................................................

After seeing the pics of your rhodium plated President I can't imagine you being able to love anything else... While I am waiting for my replacement R89 I am using my old Murker Classic. The first shave with it was pretty darn good and I even started practicing buffing with it. I don't know what it is, maybe it's because we always use new blades when we switch a razor or something but the first shave with a different but familiar razor always seems like a siren's call. Usually after a week's worth of shaving I remind myself why I don't use that particular razor much anymore.

 

[Harvey]

Interesting experiment ..add a Gillette Sensor excel and you will be amazed. The razor you like and MASTER is the one that shaves best..time after time. Face prep,a bit of time and almost anything will work. I have a PILS ..and that is for RAD and that is another issue...we collect these things because we are all perfectionists looking for the best...If we admit we have it ..what will we collect next? think about it and keep buying razors,soap,after shave,lotion,brushes and bowls..good for the economy and cheaper than therapy!!!!

 

[nEver-Ready]

After seeing the pics of your rhodium plated President I can't imagine you being able to love anything else... While I am waiting for my replacement R89 I am using my old Murker Classic. The first shave with it was pretty darn good and I even started practicing buffing with it. I don't know what it is, maybe it's because we always use new blades when we switch a razor or something but the first shave with a different but familiar razor always seems like a siren's call. Usually after a week's worth of shaving I remind myself why I don't use that particular razor much anymore.

The President is a real nice shaver as well. Regarding Merkur, while their fit and finish leave something to be desired, I'll pick my 1904 and Slant over the DE89L any day as a shaver.

 

[SpyvSpy]

expensive does not equate to good.

 

[global_dev]

I don't know about those apples, but I have a Feather All Stainless. After using it for a couple of months and thinking it was tops, I tried a Bolzano blade in my Futur (set on 3.5). OMG, what a close shave. After a few shaves with the Futur I went back to the Feather with a Feather. OMG, what a close shave. I guess that's why we set up a rotation schedule. Tomorrow maybe a Shark in the HD.

couldn't agree more... i am also throwing in a Bic Metal disposable just to feel the difference in shaves with the rotation...

 

[Thebigspendur]

You really have to careful when people get the idea that if any product is made in one specific country that equates to it being the best there is period. No matter how good any country may be at manufacturing products they have plenty of duds. You need to evaluate every product on it's own merits.

 

[sjohnr]

I have both the 89 (not the 89L) and the Pils and I can say there’s no competition, the 89 wins every time. Occasionally I’ll get the Pils out and try again but every time I’m disappointed. The amount of effort required to get a half decent shave is ridiculous. The 89 on the other hand is just easy.

As another poster has pointed out, the combination of the words Germany and stainless steel unfortunately are enough to send some consumers reaching for the card, although to be fair the Pils has been given some good reviews by some. Not only does the head not work, the ergonomics are all wrong: the head is too heavy and the handle is too thin. The styling is decidedly modern and very attractive but a good designer would have researched the handling side more thoroughly.

The build quality of the Pils is superb with a very practical finish, and I’m lucky enough to have the model that has no “rust” in the inside corners of the cap.

For the DE89 there’s no doubt that they’ve put the effort in to the head, and the whole package works really well. But I still think it’s a shame that EJ don’t produce a razor that is modern in design.

When I first tried the 89 I was alarmed by the lightness of it (compared to the Futur and to the Pils) but I now find I prefer a lighter razor generally.

 

[guenron]

I always enjoy these educated opinions... Most, except mine of course, are almost as ludicrous as religion and politics. Why I have a ... Fill in the rest for a good giggle.

I too have all of the above and I also have my beard, not yours, nor your prep, nor water, nor any of those things that make you and your experiences unique, just like everyone else.

So I would suggest thoughtful reflection when about to arrive at one of these sweeping universal truths about which razor is better..

 

[sjohnr]

I do find these kinds of patronizing comments quite tiresome.

I always enjoy these educated opinions... Most, except mine of course, are almost as ludicrous as religion and politics. Why I have a ... Fill in the rest for a good giggle.

I too have all of the above and I also have my beard, not yours, nor your prep, nor water, nor any of those things that make you and your experiences unique, just like everyone else.

So I would suggest thoughtful reflection when about to arrive at one of these sweeping universal truths about which razor is better..