Edwin Jagger DE 89 or Merkur HD

[azrichter]

The Merkur seems to be the standard for entering DE shaving and I'd like to get an HD or 23.

However, reviewers seem to prefer the Edwin Jagger's finish and overall quality over the Merkur.

Any comments before I pull a trigger?

 

[shavervinnie]

Quality of the EJ is great. The Muhle head shaves great and the finish is beautiful. I'm just not totally comfortable with the feel in the hand. Sometimes it seems slippery, even with the lined handle. Others disagree. YMMV

The feel of the HD in the hand is better to me. It shaves great. Nice heft. Pretty nice finish as well. I did have one break where you screw into the head. That was a few years ago. I have heard QC issues raised by others. But, there is also a lot of love on this forum for it as well.

Hey, I know. BUY BOTH !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PlayerPiano]

EJ89 is a fine razor, as is the HD. Really, you can't go wrong with either of them! I love my HD though, no quality issues with mine and the grip is excellent.

 

[wimbouman]

The Merkur seems to be the standard for entering DE shaving and I'd like to get an HD or 23.

However, reviewers seem to prefer the Edwin Jagger's finish and overall quality over the Merkur.

Any comments before I pull a trigger?

Buy both indeed, and then sell the Merkur at the B/S/T

 

[David in Boston]

After trying a EJ and Muhle razor I said goodbye to Merkur.

Muhle razor heads are better quality and they shave with such smoothness.

 

[pal]

ej89 is a fine razor, as is the hd. Really, you can't go wrong with either of them! I love my hd though, no quality issues with mine and the grip is excellent.

+1

 

[ginhud]

I have a 38c blue handle and a 23c and recently bought a EJ DE89. I like all three of them. All give great shaves. Fit and finish are top notch on all three! I'm thinking to do a Christmas list for a D R Harris Ivory. Enjoy the looking and choosing and when you decide = good for you! Hoping you enjoy your next razor...and if you're like many of us, the next...and the next etc!

 

[takeshi]

I prefer the DE98L over the 38C. YMMV, as always.

Sometimes it seems slippery, even with the lined handle. Others disagree. YMMV

I bet technique, style and water hardness can make a difference. I don't get much water on my handle and the water is quite hard here. The handle of my DE89L has never been slippery for me. I'll have to see when I travel somewhere with soft water.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Guess I'll be the odd one---my EJ 89L just gives horrible crappy shaves---Merkur all the way.

 

[armykunin]

I had a Merkur HD before I bought my EJ...the EJ shaves much better and just looks really nice as well. I put my Merkur up on B/S/T the first time I tried the EJ since it was such a better shaver than the Merkur was.

 

[CB_DoubleEdge]

I began with the HD and it didn't work out for me. Just too aggressive. I wish I had gone with the DE89.

My distaste of the HD led me to buying a vintage Gillette seeking a better shave. I got it with the Fatboy. The only problem is now I have a dozen or so other vintage Gillettes. All because I didn't like the HD. Cripes!

And I still want a DE89...

 

[jgjoneslaw]

Started with an HD as well and while it's a fine razor, the best DE razor I have found is the EJ 89L. However, if I was starting out with only one razor, knowing what I know now, I would go with the Gem G-Bar or 1912 SE!

 

[jgriffith]

While I don't have an HD, I do have an 89L. I was in a similar position that many describe here "what razor to get". After several months I've gone through blades like crazy, and started acquiring various razors (bought and borrowed).

After a number of razor and blade combos (including Gillette RedTip and Mergress) I have always come back to my Edwin Jagger. For me this particular razor seems to sit right in the sweet spot or the middle of the road. I can put a feather blade in it and get a slightly quicker shave, or a Derby and get the same shave with maybe a little extra touch up.

I've heard great reports about the HD so I don't know what might suit you best. But what I can say is that I don't think you'll be disappointed with either. The EJ is wonderful, and the really interesting part begins when you start trying different blades and even soaps.