I've been doing a ton of reading on the forum as I'm trying to put my first DE shave kit together. At first, I was ready to get the HD, but I have large hands and was going to go with the 38C. Some reviews say the 38C even shaves better that the HD. Now I've stumbled across some posts about the EJ DE89L and a lot of people are talking about how they are better than the Merkurs. I'm a beginner to DE shaving and would like to buy one razor ot last a very long time. Are the EJ razors still an option for a newb?
Deciding on 1st DE
- Thread starter RockyNomad
- Start date
If I'm not mistaken, the EJ's use Merkur heads. At any rate I think a 38c or 34c would be an excellent beginner razor. Don't forget to look at the merkur 1904 either. It is a nice razor, gives great shaves, and is a good price value.
DL
Let me second the 1904. The HD is a great razor, that was my first DE. I also have large hands, but for me the longer handle on the 38C just got in the way. I prefer a shorter handle razor, of course here is a perfect example of YMMV.
Once I tried the 1904 though, that was it. the 1904 is now my go to DE, and I have it in both safety bar and open comb. I've tried over a dozen DE's, and IMHO nothing beats the 1904.
Let me second the 1904. The HD is a great razor, that was my first DE. I also have large hands, but for me the longer handle on the 38C just got in the way. I prefer a shorter handle razor, of course here is a perfect example of YMMV.
Once I tried the 1904 though, that was it. the 1904 is now my go to DE, and I have it in both safety bar and open comb. I've tried over a dozen DE's, and IMHO nothing beats the 1904.
The current EJs use Muhle heads, rather than Merkur ones. These are beautifully finished and make for super-smooth, fairly gentle shaves; good for a beginner and expert alike in my view. I would definitely go for the EJ or its cousin the Muhle R89 which is my go-to razor. The HD was my first DE and I used to cut my neck up all the time at first; I found it very unforgiving of slight lapses in angle etc
I'm a newbie too, but I've bought all of the recommended razors listed above, and a few others not yet mentioned but sure to be, and for me the most forgiving razor has been the Merkur 1904 classic closed comb. It really is a nice razor, nickel plated instead of chromed, nice newbie friendly balance, and an excellent shaver.
Now that I've tried the vintage razors, the Muhles, an EJ, and a couple of Merkurs, I think the razors that will stay in my house will be the 1904 and an NOS vintage slant.
I don't know that this will help you, as YMMV, but that's my experience so far.
Now that I've tried the vintage razors, the Muhles, an EJ, and a couple of Merkurs, I think the razors that will stay in my house will be the 1904 and an NOS vintage slant.
I don't know that this will help you, as YMMV, but that's my experience so far.
Are you shying away from vintage Gillettes? My favorite razor to recommend for someone starting their DE journey is the Gillette Tech. It is a nice, mild razor. It's great for practicing technique, and gives a very nice shave.
For my daily shave, I switch between a Merkur slant and a Gillette red tip. However, I still like to return to the Tech every so often because it's such a nice razor. The Merkur HD has a strong following around here, but I never enjoyed shaving with it. I found it to be too aggressive (yeah, I found the HD MORE aggressive than my red tip or slant -- go figure).
For my daily shave, I switch between a Merkur slant and a Gillette red tip. However, I still like to return to the Tech every so often because it's such a nice razor. The Merkur HD has a strong following around here, but I never enjoyed shaving with it. I found it to be too aggressive (yeah, I found the HD MORE aggressive than my red tip or slant -- go figure).
From what I understand, EJ used to use Merkur heads. However, the new one is a joint effort between EJ and Mühle. Supposedly, they spent something like six months tweaking and perfecting the new head.
My recommendation is to go with a DE89L or one of the variants that uses the new head. My DE89L is easily one of my favorites, despite owning lots of vintage Gillettes, the Pils, Feather Stainless, Goodfella, Futur, Vision, Mergress, and a few others. The DE89L really is that good. Considering the price, it's hard to believe that more people don't own one.
I haven't shaved with any of the fixed Merkurs, but I've handled all of them. The EJ/Mühle razors have considerably better fit'n'finish.
My recommendation is to go with a DE89L or one of the variants that uses the new head. My DE89L is easily one of my favorites, despite owning lots of vintage Gillettes, the Pils, Feather Stainless, Goodfella, Futur, Vision, Mergress, and a few others. The DE89L really is that good. Considering the price, it's hard to believe that more people don't own one.
I haven't shaved with any of the fixed Merkurs, but I've handled all of them. The EJ/Mühle razors have considerably better fit'n'finish.
S
siouxsie
I also think you should go with one of the razors with the new EJ/Muehle heads. They are nice and mild yet effective. They did a great job designing these. So just decide which model you like best. In EJ, there is chrome, lined chrome, faux ivory and faux ebony. In Muehle (a bit more expensive), there is knurled chrome (or nickel, I forget) and faux ebony. All closed combs. There is an open combed model, but I think that has the Merkur head.
The Muehle razors are lighter than the EJ's so also factor in whether or not you like heavier or lighter razors into your decision.
I also was surprised by how well the 1904 shaves. Not quite to par with the new EJ/Muehle heads but very nice.
The Muehle razors are lighter than the EJ's so also factor in whether or not you like heavier or lighter razors into your decision.
I also was surprised by how well the 1904 shaves. Not quite to par with the new EJ/Muehle heads but very nice.
I started with a HD, and later bought a Muhle R89.
The R89 is more suitable for a beginner. I would go for a Muhle/EJ razor.
The R89 is more suitable for a beginner. I would go for a Muhle/EJ razor.
I started with the HD, which I loved....moved on to the 38c, which I loved even more...and finally went to the EJ 89DL, which is the one I now use 70% of the time. The rest of the time I use the 38c and occasionally a 40s Superspeed just for fun.
I love the EJ so much I sprang for the Georgian model....the one with the bulbous handle. It's on sale at the English Shaving Company. The balance and weight are great for me, and the handle fits perfectly in my hand. It's no more difficult to use than the regular handled one. Failing that, there is the Chatsworth model which is somewhere in between. The latter two (Georgian, Chatsworth) are more expensive though.
At the end of the day, you can't go wrong with any of them. The EJ is just a tad less aggressive, which might be your deciding factor. If you have large hands, though, the handle on the regular EJ might be a bit small... and round and round we go.......
This is why we succumb to RAD!
Hope this helps!
I love the EJ so much I sprang for the Georgian model....the one with the bulbous handle. It's on sale at the English Shaving Company. The balance and weight are great for me, and the handle fits perfectly in my hand. It's no more difficult to use than the regular handled one. Failing that, there is the Chatsworth model which is somewhere in between. The latter two (Georgian, Chatsworth) are more expensive though.
At the end of the day, you can't go wrong with any of them. The EJ is just a tad less aggressive, which might be your deciding factor. If you have large hands, though, the handle on the regular EJ might be a bit small... and round and round we go.......
This is why we succumb to RAD!
Hope this helps!
Okay now that you have a list of good choices I'll add my two cents worth. You won't go wrong with a nice 40's Super Speed. The TTO by which all others are measured. Mild? Yes it's a mild shaver, but there are days when even if you have a barb wire forest for a beard that a mild razor is the order of the day.
Wouldn't the feather portable be a good beginner razor? It's inexpensive and from what I've been reading gives a great shave. 
The Merkur 34C is excellent, and the handle is plenty. It will encourage appropriate grip and pressure. The 38C handle might actually make it unwieldy in some circumstances. They both have an excellent texture to the handle.
The two Edwin Jaggers - EJ89 or EJ89L - and Mühle R89 are excellent choices. The EJ89 is cheapest, but some say too slick to hold as the handle is smooth. The EJ89L (for "lined") ads vertical lines to the handle to enhance grip. The Mühle R89 is a knurled handle, for ultimate grip (a la Merkur 34*). The price goes up with each step, but all three have the same head. The EJ89 is offered in colors (faux ivory and ebony, maybe horn).
The 1904 is a VERY compelling choice because of price, and sharing a head with the 34C (IIRC, correct me if I'm wrong). It also has a sweet, vintage handle. I have eyed that razor for a long time, but have managed to abstain. I weaken with each glance, however.
The two Edwin Jaggers - EJ89 or EJ89L - and Mühle R89 are excellent choices. The EJ89 is cheapest, but some say too slick to hold as the handle is smooth. The EJ89L (for "lined") ads vertical lines to the handle to enhance grip. The Mühle R89 is a knurled handle, for ultimate grip (a la Merkur 34*). The price goes up with each step, but all three have the same head. The EJ89 is offered in colors (faux ivory and ebony, maybe horn).
The 1904 is a VERY compelling choice because of price, and sharing a head with the 34C (IIRC, correct me if I'm wrong). It also has a sweet, vintage handle. I have eyed that razor for a long time, but have managed to abstain. I weaken with each glance, however.
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Wouldn't the feather portable be a good beginner razor? It's inexpensive and from what I've been reading gives a great shave.
It might be a bit aggressive. The graet thing about the EJ/Muhle heads is thet they are very forgiving yet provide a very close shave.
Yep! Very forgiving! I rememeber when I used an Astra in the HD, I got some serious burn. In fact the most burn since DE shaving.
I then compared the Astra in the Muhle and it was way better! No irritations what so ever.
The blade wasn't spectacular, but the razor sure is great!
Plus the EJ/Muhle look great!
'Nother newb here. I have the 87 (ivory handle) and was concerned about grip BEFORE I got it. All I can say is ZERO problems there, zero slip. Have tried a Tech, 40's SS, Flare-Tip and Slim. So far the EJ is my fave. Blade changing is a bit fiddly, but the razor feels SO solid. My best shave so far (gonna go use it soon!)
YMMV
Merkur classic was the first I bouht. Cant go wrong there.
Gillette Tech is a heck of a lot less expensive than any of the other options mentioned in this thread, and it's dead easy to use.
Ultimately, too mild for my taste and my rough beard, but I shaved with one for a few months, and I don't know how I could have done without it.
Ultimately, too mild for my taste and my rough beard, but I shaved with one for a few months, and I don't know how I could have done without it.
