EJ DE89L Woes

[Morrigan]

Hi B&B faithful,

I'll cut to the chase. Started wet shaving with a Parker 96R back in February this year and got pretty proficient with lathering, 3x passes and all that good stuff, so I decided it was time to order the much revered Edwin Jagger DE89L. I could immediately tell it was a phenomenal piece of equipment. That's where I started to lose confidence. I went about my routine as normal, and loaded that joker with my favorite blade, an Astra SP. Holy crap, it seemed 10x more aggressive than the Parker I had grown to love. So if anyone of you has made that kind of a jump, from a Parker 96R to the DE89L, could you share your experience? Do I need to learn how to wet shave all over again? Just a little discouraging, should I go back to my old Parker? People talk so highly about that De89 that I feel as though I'm doing it an injustice by not giving it another shot.

Or is this a classic example of the second shave always being better than the initial. I just don't know!

 

[Eeyore]

I made the jump from the Mühle R89 (same razor head) to the Gillette Rocket, and that initially felt like a skin scraper as well. Once I got the angle right, and applied even less pressure, the Rocket gave me a close and comfortable shave. Give the DE89 a couple of days before you make your judgement.

 

[WVUfanMG]

I started with the DE 89 just a few weeks ago, and have had major success with it. My only recommendations would be to REALLY take your time and find the right blade angle and use NO PRESSURE. It sounds super easy, but I still find myself applying a tad bit of pressure especially on my trouble spots (jawline, and neck). That being said, they always say YMMV, and this may be exactly one of those instances where this razor isn't for you. I'd advise giving it some time though and be extra careful with it, because I absolutely love mine.

Good luck to you!

 

[HotToddy]

I'm with johant1968 only the 89L was my first and main razor, I have only one other, a 1940's era Gillette that I got in a PIF and gave it to my brother. He tried it and almost cut his head off, he's much better now, so I took it back. MAN that thing is pretty aggressive in my opinion. I just need to take the time to learn the razor, sounds very Zen, and I should be OK.

Remember YMMV

Cheers Todd

 

[Morrigan]

It took me only a few tried to get used to that Parker. I have 100% gone by the "no pressure" mantra and, well, we'll see. Maybe I just got too attached to the way the Parker shaved... who knows.

 

[Mick]

It will just be a matter of time and patience until you become accustomed to your new razor.

I shave with a different razor and brand of blade every day but I have been shaving for over 45 years.

Each razor is going to perform slightly different from the next. You just need to make those subtle changes that put the DE89 back into the sweet spot to start enjoying it.

 

[Morrigan]

General question, and this may help me out, but do you guys consider the DE89 to be a really "aggressive" razor? No so much as the slants but do you consider it to be more aggressive than most straight bar guards?

 

[DesertJake]

This really surprises me. I am brand new to DE shaving, at a couple of weeks, but the DE89L has never left me with irritated skin and no cuts so far. It seems to be pretty forgiving. I am using a Crystal blade if that makes any difference, but Astra SP is what I was planning on putting in tomorrow. It doesn't seem that aggressive to me, although since I have nothing to compare it to I couldn't really say!

 

[kingfisher]

Shaving angle is different. Go shallow. Put most of the cap on your face. Use a light touch.


Having said that, I don't like the DE89 much at all. But it's not super aggressive.

 

[Wingnut]

It will just be a matter of time and patience until you become accustomed to your new razor.

I shave with a different razor and brand of blade every day but I have been shaving for over 45 years.

Each razor is going to perform slightly different from the next. You just need to make those subtle changes that put the DE89 back into the sweet spot to start enjoying it.

BINGO! With a different head design, a slightly different technique is required. For those of us who have been DE shaving for a while it's an unconscious adjustment, but since you have only had experience with ONE razor, it'll take a few tries to make that EJ sing. When it does, though, it's gonna be BE-utiful!!

 

[Morrigan]

Thanks for the encouragement guys. Ironically I got my hands on a 1960 Gillette Fatboy today too. And a box of 100 Personna Med Preps. Definitely want to get proficient with the EJ before I go crazy. I have tried probably 15-20 different blades throughout the past few months in that Parker.

 

[XTrooper]

General question, and this may help me out, but do you guys consider the DE89 to be a really "aggressive" razor? No so much as the slants but do you consider it to be more aggressive than most straight bar guards?

It is considered mid-range in its aggression and I agree with this assessment. I started my recent DE shaving with a DE89L and my first shave with it was a rather bloody one. I soon discovered I needed to apply little to no pressure when shaving with it and I really enjoy shaving with it now.

 

[mastershake]

the ej was my first de razor, and for me was from the beginning not aggressive enough for my hair. so everything from that point on has been more aggressive and i have found i like the r41 2013 and fatip and most open combs. i was not a huge fan of the de89 but my wife loves it now.

 

[Dools]

I started DE with a Tech, then went to EJ 89 10 days later. Yes, the EJ was more "aggressive", whatever that means to you, it meant, to me, that my new razor cut more hair quicker, and, got a closer shave, but, I had to be just a little more attentive, but, I LOVE the shave I get from my 89.

Also, I was using Schick blades with the Tech, and used the Derbys that came with the EJ. That could be part of it. I really ignored the idea that different razor blades worked differently in different razors, but, have found that there is some grain of truth in there. So, just some food for thought.

I hope it works out for you. If it doesn't, you can BST it......they go pretty quick around here.

 

[franz]

I think your blade angle must be off, as kingfisher said, and/or you're using too much pressure. The DE89 head is a mild one in my experience and shouldn't be chewing you up. It may take some time to adjust to it, but if you can handle a Parker you can handle the EJ -- no sweat.

 

[elverdiblanco]

I'll pitch in by saying that I've only been DE shaving for a few weeks and the DE89 is my only razor. I'm getting good shaves with it with the blades I've tried apart from the Astra SP. The few times I've loaded one of those blades I've had rotten shaves, either a lot of irritation and/or not particularly close. I'm having much more success with Feathers and 7 O'clock yellows.

 

[Morrigan]

Pleased to report that on shave #2, was able to do a very comfortable 2 pass with the same Astra SP from yesterday. FAR better than yesterday's, that's for sure. Angle was the biggest problem. I never had to really use much pressure with the Parker either, but the angle was definitely different. Thanks for all the advice. I can tell this is going to be a great combination; Astra SP + EJ 89!! Can't wait to try out a Personna Med Prep in it. I've read on TSD that it's the Personna + DE89 is the nirvana!

 

[dparish1952]

The B&B Shave Wiki has information that really helped me on arcane topics like razor grip and blade angle. Check it out.

 

[aihpcfl]

I'll echo what the others have said. Take a step back and focus again on the fundamentals. I have trouble believing the DE89 is any degree of aggressive. However, full disclosure, it is the only DE I have used in recent memory.

EDIT: I missed your followup before I posted. Sounds like you are on your way.

 

[DevilDog0402]

The DE89 was my first DE razor, and after a week or two I was looking for something more aggressive. Now with 2 shims, it's great!