How solid is the DE89?

[joshuastar]

I see lots of love for these and plan on picking one up in the next couple months, but heard whispers somewhere insinuating they won't last a lifetime.

What's your mileage like, especially on the finish?

-joshua

 

[BigBull]

I see lots of love for these and plan on picking one up in the next couple months, but heard whispers somewhere insinuating they won't last a lifetime.

What's your mileage like, especially on the finish?

-joshua

They are fairly new, so really hard to judge. That said, if you take care of it it should last you as long as you want it to. It's not like the head is going to break without dropping it, etc...so if the chrome flakes you could always get it replated.

They are solid razors! Great shavers, definitely on the medium/mild side.

 

[coburn]

Lots of love is true. Its a good solid razor with some good weight to it. The finish seems to be of high quality. I have heard tale of a few folks with some finish problems but they just contacted EJ and they took care of them.
All in all with proper treatment I would expect mine to last for a long time

 

[drm20]

I just bought one about a month ago. I can't tell you what the future holds, but can say it is extremely well built and finished perfectly. I love the weight. IMO it's nicer than the Merkur's. Get one, you won't be sorry.

 

[crfcom]

Nothing not to like. Excellent head design, great shaver. Especially, IMHO, with a really sharp blade. The finish is beautiful and, if you take care of it, should last as long as you do.

 

[brother cavefish]

solid as one can get without getting the bulldog handle-probably one ,if not the best on the market for non-aggressive razors

 

[ERVARGASNY]

They are fairly new, so really hard to judge. That said, if you take care of it it should last you as long as you want it to. It's not like the head is going to break without dropping it, etc...so if the chrome flakes you could always get it replated.

They are solid razors! Great shavers, definitely on the medium/mild side.

Hate to bust your bubble, But the head does break when you drop these, it has happend to a few memebers on the board.

Besides that head snapping off like a twig when dropped, it can last you your life time if you take good care of it, Also dont mistake this mild shaver as not being efficient, because its one damn fine smooth efficent shaver )

 

[Robert45]

Howeveer, I have dropped mine, or knocked it off the side of the tub, more than once. No damage whatsoever to the head, bar or handle. So...go figure!

 

[BigBull]

Hate to bust your bubble, But the head does break when you drop these, it has happend to a few memebers on the board.

Besides that head snapping off like a twig when dropped, it can last you your life time if you take good care of it, Also dont mistake this mild shaver as not being efficient, because its one damn fine smooth efficent shaver )

No bubble busting going on. Reread my statement. "It's not like the head is going to break WITHOUT dropping it, etc..." put another way - if you drop it, the head may break...in reality, this may happen with any razor head.

 

[michiganlover]

I see lots of love for these and plan on picking one up in the next couple months, but heard whispers somewhere insinuating they won't last a lifetime.

Those whispers are because the head of the razor is nothing more than plated pot metal. As indicated in other threads (that feature pictures) once the plating is compromised water quickly eats away at the underlying metal. The razor most certainly won't last a lifetime if it's plating is in anyway compromised.

These are not like Vintage Gillette's which were for the most part plated brass (some of the late model Techs were also made of plated pot metal); without the plating the Gillette is still fully functional, it just doesn't look very pretty.

 

[Mick]

Those whispers are because the head of the razor is nothing more than plated pot metal. As indicated in other threads (that feature pictures) once the plating is compromised water quickly eats away at the underlying metal. The razor most certainly won't last a lifetime if it's plating is in anyway compromised.

These are not like Vintage Gillette's which were for the most part plated brass (some of the late model Techs were also made of plated pot metal); without the plating the Gillette is still fully functional, it just doesn't look very pretty.

That pretty much covers all modern razors with the exception of the few all stainless steel razors.

If you want a lifetime razor it is going to cost you a lifetime wad of cash for a Pils, Feather, and a few others.

 

[ImTheGluestick]

Can you get Zamac razors replated? I know they can't do aluminum....

They are fairly new, so really hard to judge. That said, if you take care of it it should last you as long as you want it to. It's not like the head is going to break without dropping it, etc...so if the chrome flakes you could always get it replated.

They are solid razors! Great shavers, definitely on the medium/mild side.

 

[ricardo9505]

beautiful craftsmanship when compared to my merkur classic which I also love. very forgiving razor, excellent shave. It's my daily go to. I had a parker which was given to me but I PIF'd. I was learning on the merkur,

 

[showard]

The only razor in the DE89 price range that is definitely built to last is the Fatip. Solid brass with nickel or chrome plating. These are not on the mild end of the spectrum, however.

 

[vocalistbob]

• Items made with Zamac
• Blenders
• Mirror frames
• Plumbing fittings
• Zippers
• Bathroom fixtures (faucets and shower heads)
• Rickenbacker guitar "R" tailpieces
• Gibson Tune-o-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece
• Staplers
• Handles
• Locks
• Die-cast toys[SUP][33][/SUP]
• Sheet metal tooling[SUP][18][/SUP]
• Automotive parts[SUP][33][/SUP]
• Ceiling fans[SUP][33][/SUP]
• Golf clubs[SUP][33][/SUP]
• Fishing reels[SUP][33][/SUP]
• Gyrojet
• Hi-Point Firearms

 

[Sledgehammer39]

They are great razors but, as others have already mentioned when the plating is compromised the pot metal won't last.

 

[JonM]

if the chrome flakes you could always get it replated.

Actually, no you can't. I had inquired about that once when the plating started to flake off my DE89. As it turns out, it's not possible. At least EJ stood behind it & replaced the head for me. As for lasting a lifetime though? Not likely. Zamac is nowhere near as resilient as brass or steel. They're great razors. Just don't plan on them becoming heirlooms.

 

[vocalistbob]

Here's a pic of a pot metal lamp from the Great Depression (this is the side I turn toward the wall). My understanding is that today's pot metal is a much purer product than it was 80 years ago...

 

[DEGuy]

Solidly built razor. It feels heavier-in-hand than ~2.6 ounces (just weighed one of mine). I have two DE89LBL models (pinstriped handle) and the series is, perhaps, a best buy for the money--I use either Astra SPP or Persona Surg Med Prep blades these days. I prefer the DE89 to Merkur's standard-head razors (I've not tried Merkur's HD or Slant Bar). I do like the Jagger's feel-in-hand, weight and balance, and design. Lately I've been using the DE89 and my Merkur Progress (favored razor and a tough one to best). I prefer fixed-head razors for their weight and balance, but this Progress shaves so nicely. I have Gillette's Tech and nonadjustable Super Speed razors coming in to compare to the DE89. I'll likely use a Jagger handle on the Tech.

 

[takeshi]

What's your mileage like, especially on the finish?

No problems so far. I've found fit and finish on EJ/Muhle heads to be better than Merkur.

That pretty much covers all modern razors with the exception of the few all stainless steel razors.

If you want a lifetime razor it is going to cost you a lifetime wad of cash for a Pils, Feather, and a few others.

^ This. Or try vintage.