EJ 89L plus Feather

[PipPip]

I've been DE shaving since I got a Merkur 34c HD for christmas. I tried all sorts of blades with it (Merkur, Gillette Bleue, Derby, Personna, Feather, Astra, Crystal). Top 2 were Astra and Gillette Bleue, similar shave quality but occasionally in the Gillettes would be a low quality blade that led to a lot of blood. Feathers in the HD was way to harsh for me, I felt like my face had been sandpapered.

Last week I bought an EJ 89L just to try something different. First few days I used my usual Astra blade. Results probably marginally less good than with the HD/Astra combination. More rough patches after 3 passes that needed additional passes.

Last night I tried a Feather in the EJ 89L on the recommendation of a few posters on here. I was a bit fearful after my last experience with them but all I can say is wow. I never experienced such an incredibly smooth, effortless and ultimately amazing shave. They work SO well in the 89L. The usual places on my neck where I am usually left with slight rough patches that turn to rash/cuts if I get carried away trying to get them really smooth were absolutely silky smooth after 3 passes. I now know that I never truly achieved BBS. I have found the ultimate combination for me as far as I am concerned.

One question: anyone know the best place to bulk buy Feathers?

 

[baggiez]

I agree, it is a great combo.

Try dridiot on this forum - I've bought Feathers from him twice with zero problems and good prices for shipping to Australia

 

[PipPip]

I agree, it is a great combo.

Try dridiot on this forum - I've bought Feathers from him twice with zero problems and good prices for shipping to Australia

Thanks, order placed as dridiot price is impressive. Even with shipping costs to France buying 100 Feathers works out quite a bit less per blade than Gillette Bleue Extras from my local supermarket, i.e. the bulk purchase discount more than outweighs the shipping costs.

 

[Dave Deluxe]

"I never experienced such an incredibly smooth, effortless and ultimately amazing shave. They work SO well in the 89L. The usual places on my neck where I am usually left with slight rough patches that turn to rash/cuts if I get carried away trying to get them really smooth were absolutely silky smooth after 3 passes. I now know that I never truly achieved BBS. I have found the ultimate combination for me as far as I am concerned."

I have a EJ D89L and that is exactly my experience too. The only problem is that the D89 / "Feather" combination spoils you for using any other blades. The only other thing, that I recently discovered, that rivals this combination is SE shaving. If you decide to pursue either of these just remember to bring your "light" touch and you will be in shaving heaven.

DD

 

[smrex13]

Couldn't agree more! The EJ89L/Feather combination (or perhaps it's more accurate to say the Muhle head/Feather combination) has ended my RAD. I'm glad I started with a Merkur HD and a 38c if only to have worked on my technique enough to appreciate the exceptional performance of the EJ.

I just received a GEM 1912 that I ordered from EBay, so as soon as the blades arrive I will compare a SE to my DE nirvana.

Cheers,
Scott

 

[El Comanche]

It's such a good combo I'm no longer looking at anything else. As for soaps and creams, the obsession continues . . .

 

[Dave Deluxe]

"It's such a good combo I'm no longer looking at anything else."

The biggest problem with becoming accustom to the "Feather" blade, is that it makes all the other blades feel like they are "used", worn-out and not very sharp, even when they are fresh out of the wrapping paper.

DD

 

[smrex13]

I have to say that I am surprised that EJ/Muhle isn't much more popular than Merkur. From what I have read on the site, most who have tried both overwhelmingly prefer EJ/Muhle. I think the beginning of my wet shaving career would have been a lot less painful had I gone with the EJ instead of the Merkur HD. I know that everyone has his/her own preferences, but it seems that there are certain products that work very well for the vast majority of people. The EJ/Muhle certainly falls into that category.

Scott

 

[TiberiuR]

I have to say that I am surprised that EJ/Muhle isn't much more popular than Merkur. From what I have read on the site, most who have tried both overwhelmingly prefer EJ/Muhle. I think the beginning of my wet shaving career would have been a lot less painful had I gone with the EJ instead of the Merkur HD. I know that everyone has his/her own preferences, but it seems that there are certain products that work very well for the vast majority of people. The EJ/Muhle certainly falls into that category.

Scott

I second that! I have a Merkur HD razor, and a Muhle R89. I very much prefer the R89. In fact I haven't used the HD more than twice since I have the R89.
I do believe that gradually people will shift towards the Muhle razors.
And I think it is allot better to recommend Muhle / EJ razors for beginners. They are terrific razors. Smooth, beautiful looking, great performers!

 

[Lando]

In total agreement. I have been enjoying Fat Boy/Feather shaves recently, but nothing beats the EJDE89L/Feather performance for me.

Why do you guys think the razor is so effective? Tell the truth I never thought the razor would make much difference vs other factors...

 

[DonLafontaine]

The EJ 89L combo has been my only combo for the last 4 or 5 months and I love it.

 

[skateblade]

I had my first shave this morning with a R 89 muhle razor with red personna's. What a smooth shave i got ! Had been using an HD , SS and Fatbboy also , And man the r89 was one nice shaver . I'll try a feather in the next few days. When I first handled the 89 I thought I made a huge mistake , tossed a little that night thinking I spent $50 bucks on a loser, due to the feel of the handle ,too smooth I thought, but this morning I was surprised at how good it felt, easing my apprehension. I can see now that I'm not alone regarding the Muhle head ! Now I can look forward to more pleasure with the feather combo ! I hope .

 

[smrex13]

In total agreement. I have been enjoying Fat Boy/Feather shaves recently, but nothing beats the EJDE89L/Feather performance for me.

Why do you guys think the razor is so effective? Tell the truth I never thought the razor would make much difference vs other factors...

I, too, assumed that the razor was a minor factor compared to prep, blades, technique, etc. But the single biggest jump in the quality of my shave has been the use of the EJ 89L. I think one reason for the effectiveness of the EJ is the balance - it is very 'head heavy.' This allows easy maneuverability while applying very little pressure and the head stays on the skin. In addition, the head is so well designed that the blade fits the same every time - there is no need to center the blade. And there must be something about the angle of comb, the angle at which the blade is positioned in the gap, and the length of the blade exposed that all act together to provide such a smooth, close shave. If anyone has any insight, I'd like to know how Muhle did it!

Scott

 

[djh]

Sounds great *adds EJ89 to shopping cart* thanks for the tip!

 

[Razdict]

The EJ89L seems to be a more forgiving razor for the sharper blades. Being new to DE I expected the Feathers to kill my face but they worked quite well with the Jager.

I had to mentally tell myself not to caress my jaw in public the other day.

 

[skateblade]

When you guys refer to the EJ89 is it that the head was designed by EJ and Muhle together or is it that a Muhle head is the same shaving head quality as on a EJ89 and a Muhle R89. So ...either razor has the same head , correct. Different handle.....different price . R89 thus ,I think is cheaper , so someone on a limited budget can gt the same "shave" withanR89 vs a EJ89 ,yes ?

 

[Razdict]

When you guys refer to the EJ89 is it that the head was designed by EJ and Muhle together or is it that a Muhle head is the same shaving head quality as on a EJ89 and a Muhle R89. So ...either razor has the same head , correct. Different handle.....different price . R89 thus ,I think is cheaper , so someone on a limited budget can gt the same "shave" withanR89 vs a EJ89 ,yes ?

My EJ89L head was designed in collaboration with Muhle and the lined handle designed by Edwin Jagger, I presume. It has the newer head redesign with the non-recessed bottom plate. There is a photo of the older design in the saftey razor review section under E.

I'm not familiar with the R89 or any other safety razor really but I tend to agree with the reviews that the balance of the EJ89L is really nice and the price seems to be one of the lowest for a new, quality razor.

 

[Arkansas]

The feather blade is fantastic, but only in the right razor.

I only use feathers in my mergress and EJ 89L.

In my opinion, my long handled mergress > EJ 89L > 39c slant > Merker 23c > Muhle R41 > Future > 34 HD.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I have to say that I am surprised that EJ/Muhle isn't much more popular than Merkur.

Me too. I have a few Merkur razors (and I do like them) but the DE89L is the best razor I've used. It's wonderful with Feathers, too. I didn't like Feathers at first, but have come around thanks to practice and working on my technique.

 

[aimsport]

Couldn't agree more! The EJ89L/Feather combination (or perhaps it's more accurate to say the Muhle head/Feather combination) has ended my RAD.

Have you tried the EJ 89L with Iridium Super ? That combo might change your mind.