Looking for a shaver more durable than a EJ89

[Readymade]

On Sunday my EJ89 took a nosedive and fell on the bathroom floor. The screw part of the top plate broke off.

Well, I did enjoy using it a lot, but this is an opportunity to get a new razor.

At first I was thinking of a Merkur 34c, but it seems that it's made of pot metal like the EJ89 :/

So now I'm thinking of --

1) Getting a modern stainless steel razor. (They're more expensive but at least they won't break when I drop 'em, will they? I've only seen the Feather and reviews for that were mixed. What other brands are worth checking out?)

and/or

2) Getting a vintage razor made from brass. The fat-handled Gillette Tech looks nice.

Thoughts anyone?

 

[keithmax]

I have the Above the Tie Atlas with all three base plates. If you drop it will not break. The H and R plates give me fantastic shaves. It maybe sacrilegious but I get better shaves from the modern razors. I prefer aggressive razors and never a vintage razor that was aggressive but still smooth like my ATT.

 

[ArNav]

Get a Weber. Really.

 

[Atalk]

When it comes to durability, both of your options are supremely better than any modern EJ/Merkur razor. Either option will more than likely outlast you and would be worthy to pass down through your family. With stainless steel, you will worry more about the damage to the floor (heaven forbid if you have tiles). Brass is not as durable as SS but it will still take a bit more abuse than the pot metals in most modern razors.

• Stainless steel can be very expensive but there are several choices out there - Tradere, Ikon, Feather, AboveTheTie (ATT), Weber, etc
• Vintage-wise - I do like your recommendation of a Fat Handle Tech as it's my daily shaver, but I *believe* its top thread piece is actually made of copper while the rest of the body is brass. Copper is not as "strong" as brass so do keep that in mind when you look at other vintage razors as they may not be completely brass.
• In my opinion, go vintage first as the initial cost of one is significantly cheaper than a full SS razor (and can be cheaper than most modern razors). Heck, you can probably get a good fat handle tech or a superspeed for not much more than $10-$15 on the 'bay

 

[rxonmymind]

All the above replies are blasphemy! The EJ is the beginning and end of all razors! Top of the mountain stuff.....until it falls off the cliff....
Ok, yes I think a better choice for you would be an Atlas or vintage Gillettes.

 

[Goden]

Unless it's incorrect, I've often seen Parker razors refereed to as having a "brass frame".

I find it strange how a more budget line of razors like Parker can be made of brass yet the higher-end big names use pot metal.

 

[Sceptic Pencil]

FaTips are made from plated brass. They are somewhat "rustic" in terms of build quality, but they shave very well & are inexpensive.

I can also vouch for the stainless steel Tradere in terms of build quality & durability. At just over 4oz in weight, your floor is more likely to break if you dropped it!

 

[wagstaff]

Even the ATT "M" plate is much more aggressive than your departed Jagger (RIP). And the Tech is perhaps milder. So think about what you want in those terms, too; I'd recommend (as ArNav did) the Weber; it's half the price of other Stainless, and while it has more blade gap than the Jagger it feels comparably smooth, and I think more efficient. At least for me.

I also really like your basic flare-tip SuperSpeeds. They're more robust than your Jagger was and for me shave about the same. The "TTO" is cool. You can't switch handles like on a three piece, which to me is the only downside. But you're not going to wrong with a different stainless or different vintage, either. Not predictably so, anyway (i.e., no telling how your mileage may vary).

I bought a Fatip because I wanted a brass modern razor, and I like it. But it took a while for me to like it. It is another of the more aggressive choices, and for me it's easy to get razor burn or weepers with it if I'm not properly focused and prepped.

 

[Chadao]

I like the Weber. It is a little more aggressive than an EJ, but not terribly. The stainless steel does have a nice feel. I just bought an Ikon and the Closed Comb, is, to me, a lot more aggressive than the EJ.

 

[Lothar101]

The fat-handled Gillette Tech with the triangle slots as well as the British techs are in the same aggressiveness range as I would say a red tip SS. I used mine this morning

 

[nymtber]

I had an EJ89. Then I got a nice shape '54 Gillette SuperSpeed. Sold the EJ89.

My issue with the EJ is WAY too mild for my face. The superspeed is still mild, but much more efficient.

Can't argue with a triangle-hole Tech, I have one and its a good shaver. Superspeeds and Techs are pretty easy to get ahold of, if you break one. I personally prefer TTO razors, for safety...There is also the Schick Krona. I just got one in today, I think I'll give it a shot tomorrow

 

[oldtrout]

I have the Above the Tie Atlas with all three base plates. If you drop it will not break. The H and R plates give me fantastic shaves. It maybe sacrilegious but I get better shaves from the modern razors. I prefer aggressive razors and never a vintage razor that was aggressive but still smooth like my ATT.

+1 (The M plate is fantastic too!)
I don't know of a higher quality DE razor than the ATT. For an open comb I'd recommend the Tradere.
The Joris brand has its fans, but I haven't tried one yet.

 

[Invicta]

Might be worth trying to source a replacement cap from Edwin Jagger. I would think they are used to such requests. Maybe someone on this forum has been through this experience before.
Of course, if your mind is set on a new razor you can a few razors for price of a single stainless steel razor. There are many options is a second hand Gillette.

 

[wimbouman]

Nothing wrong with the full brass Pearls!
They come under a variety of brand names (Cadet, matador, ..) ; I mean these:



Also a + 1 on the full brass Fatip!

 

[VerbaVolant]

Nothing wrong with the full brass Pearls!
They come under a variety of brand names (Cadet, matador, ..) ;...

I am just curious what do you mean by "full brass Pearls"?
You think the other two razors you mentioned have brass heads?

 

[Readymade]

Thanks everyone for all your comments and recommendations Am looking at all of 'em. In the meantime I've decided on a Weber polished head with bulldog handle. Received it today and waiting for stubble so I can try it out.

 

[mistercitizen]

Weber is a great choice for the money. The Above the Tie Atlas is my favorite stainless steel razor to look at, but I need to try the M plate, because the R plate is a bit too aggressive for me to use daily. The modern stainless steel razors seem to be built like tanks so they are going to withstand a drop better than just about anything else. For a vintage 3 piece solid bar that is a comparable shave to the EJ DE89, I'd look no further than a Fat Handle Tech. Get a nice heavy duty stainless steel modern handle like a UFO and use it with the Tech head for a modern touch.

Ben

 

[ArNav]

I think that the original handle of Fat Handle Tech is a good one as to itself. No sense in paying 5-10 times more than the razor itself for a UFO handle to put it on.

 

[jbaca]

Dropping any razor will most likely cause breakage with that said consider the Slab 39.oo
from Italian Barber. Stainless handle with pot metal head slightly aggressive a great shaver. He sells Ikon too!

 

[Battou62]

Get a Weber. Really.