Should I buy a Edwin Jagger DE89?

[amit711]

Hi All,
A simple question (which may not have a simple answer): Should I buy an Edwin Jagger DE89? Variables in my shaving method are as follows:

1. I currently use a Merkur 38C barberpole with Astras and Permasharps as the blades to go. I use MWF and Shavemac 23mm Silvertip badger brush. Other soaps which I use are Proraso white tub and Tabac.
2. I get decent shaves with this set-up. I can't do a BBS as some areas like the jawline and neck area under the chin are too sensitive. I do 2 passes (WTG, XTG) with plenty of touchups. I can't get a smooth shave by shaving on the same area just once like what Mantic or Geofatboy show in ther videos. I need to go through some troublespots several times. Do get occasional nicks and cuts, but razor burn has vastly reduced with this setup.
3. I prefer shaving every alternative day if I can, as it lets my face heal.
4. I am a DE user since the last 4 months (actually my 2nd foray into DE shaving). I believe that my blade angle is more or less correct.

Regards
Amit711

 

[Chevyguy]

You could go with a DE89, or a DE86, they have the same heads. I've owned both and they are gentle shavers. My DE86 with a Red Personna, or a Crystal, always gives me a comfortable smooth two pass shave.

Clayton

 

[Chaucer]

I use a Muhle 89, and it's a keeper. (I've sold a number of others that don't do it for me, including two Feathers and a Pils.) So, if you have the itch, scratch it.

 

[Eeyore]

Is the Mühle head that different from the Merkur? If I were in your position, I would exclude the other variables (lather, prep, technique, blades) first.

 

[YMMV]

You are using top products already. I think that you must spend more time for preparing your face and lather. Perhaps you don't add to much water, or you use too little of it and the lather dries up?
As a first step, I would also suggest that you use Personna Platinums or Personna Lab Blues as these seem to work well for most people (including me).
I had the exact opposite experience from you. I used a DE89 as my first DE razor and had quite a few nicks and cuts, then I got a Merkur 33c and suddenly I could shave so much better. BUT I went back to EJ89 after ten or so shaves, and found out that I could shave with is just as well! So I guess my technique was wrong not the razor.
That said, keep in mind that the EJ89 is slightly more mild than the Merkur and a great shaver overall. I do not think you can go wrong with it, just make sure you prepare your face well before shaving, you make a nice thick lather, and that you have a reference blade to start with.

 

[rxonmymind]

It's an excellent razor. I've had many, many, razors go through my den and have kept my EJ89. It's a whisker above mild ( other vintages are milder) and an excellent razor paired with a sharp blade.

 

[vferdman]

I have what may seem like a counter-intuitive advice.

To answer your direct question of whether you should buy an EJ DE89, I would say, no. Let me rephrase that. If you want a very similar shave to your current razor, Merkur 38, then go right ahead and buy the EJ. Few people on this forum will talk you out of it, including me. EJ DE89 is a wonderful razor, however, it is not very different from your Merkur as far as the shave goes. I think it's better finished and prettier than Merkur, but not a very different shaver. Six of one, half dozen of the other.

What I would propose is you get yourself a razor that is aggressive. I say this because from my experience with my trouble spots, I have learned that the only way to get a smooth shave all over is a more aggressive razor. Paradoxically, once you get a hang of a more aggressive razor your sensitive skin will thank you very much. You will need to do fewer passes to accomplish a smooth shave. And that will stop you from having to go over and over the same spot. Also, if you ever DO go over the same spot, never, NEVER do it without re-lathering. Sounds simple, but we all do this out of habit. Fell a little stubble, just hit it with the razor again. Bad idea. Put lather on it first, then you can hit it and it will be more effective. That aside, a more aggressive razor will eliminate most of your trouble spots. I would recommend keeping your 38C, it's a fine razor, but add something more aggressive. Don't be afraid of aggressive razors, they actually save your skin once you learn how to use them. Basically, there is nothing different you need to do, but watch your angle and go light. A more aggressive razor will take care of the rest. I would recommend a Merkur Progress, as it adjusts from very mild to very aggressive and everything in between. I would start with that. Set the Progress to between 3 and 4 and you will be just a touch more aggressive than your 38C. Set it to "4" and watch your trouble spots melt away. Not magically, just because you have a different razor, but it will take some learning, but once you have learned an aggressive shave, you will shave much more effectively.

Of course, YMMV needs to be said, as always, but I shaved with mild razors for about 8-9 months before I realized this. I started with an EJ DE89 Barley Chrome and it's a great razor, belive me. I also tried the Merkur 34C, which has the same head as your 38C and that was also great, but I kept getting irritation and trouble spots rarely got BBS. My neck is particularly sensitive and the hair grows in different directions and I pretty much gave up on BBS on my neck for a while. If I got anything close to BBS on neck, it would almost glow red for hours. Once I got a Progress and started playing with aggressiveness on it I realized that an aggressive razor with a milder blade such as Merkur or even Dorco ST-300 would give me better results than my EJ DE89 with a sharper blade such as Astra SP or Feather. I have stuck with the Progress for a bout six months as the only razor. No razor rotation at all. I slowly increased the aggressiveness on it as I got better and better at my technique. As I dialed up aggressiveness I noticed that my trouble spots started to disappear. I then started trying more aggressive OC razors and now I am pretty much settled on RazoRock/Cadet Open comb head as my go to for a BBS. It's aggressive, but differently than Merkur set to "4-5". Merkur mostly increases the blade gap, but the RR/Cadet OC is aggressive based on blade exposure and the angle of attach is shallower on it (less of a bend in the blade when clamped down). Also find open combs easier on my skin as less of the lather is scrubbed off before the blade hits the whiskers.

So, to condense my long-winded response. Buy an EJ DE89 if you want, it's a great mild razor, but do not expect much of a difference in the shave from your Merkur 38C. If you want to experience a difference and improvement in both closeness and skin irritation, go more aggressive in the razor (use a milder blade at first if sharp blades in aggressive razor give you nicks. Once you get better you can dial up the blade sharpness as well). Progress is an awesome razor that can go from milder than your 38C to very aggressive in a turn of a knob. Try to not adjust the razor during the shave, start at "3" or so as it will be similar to 38C and once you are comfortable with the razor (it's a hell of a smooth shaver) then dial up a number. If that's too much, go down half a number. This is shave to shave. Try to get through the shave on the same setting. Easier to judge results that way. Once you are comfortable with Progress on "4" or so you can make a call of how things are going. It may take some time. This is not a "buy a new razor and the next shave with it will a night-and-day experience" kind of thing. Each new razor takes some getting used and perfecting the technique with it. Do not rotate razors.

 

[Hodari D.]

My first razor was a Merkur. After getting an EJ DE86, I sold the Merkur. So that tells you my opinion. I think the EJs are superior in fit, finish and shave, but I like a mild razor. I found the Merkur to be more aggressive than the EJ.

 

[celestino]

Instead of the EJ89, i would suggest a Weber as it is a stainless steel razor and will provide a bit of a more aggressive shave to your Merkur and the EJ89.
Good luck.

 

[MikeAwesome]

Hi All,
A simple question (which may not have a simple answer): Should I buy an Edwin Jagger DE89?

Simple answer is YES! The EJ DE89 is an amazing razor and looks sexy as well.

 

[DrAwkward]

I have what may seem like a counter-intuitive advice.

To answer your direct question of whether you should buy an EJ DE89, I would say, no.

Everything that vferdman said bears repeating. +1. The EJ DE89 is NOT the solution, although it is an awesome razor. That said, you already have an awesome razor.

 

[Graybeard57]

It's a fine razor. You won't be disappointed.

 

[tm3]

Veferdman makes great points

 

[Seisxdm40]

I think the answer is plain and simple, underneath your nose (literally) the whole time. Get the EJ DE89!

Pros of purchasing in no specific order:
-A new DE razor
-Start a collection (if not already)
-Won't break the bank
-Might give you a much more smoother shave
-It's a beautiful razor

Cons:
-Can't think of any....

 

[amit711]

Thank you all for suggestions, tips and advice. I had the opportunity to try out the DE89 and Merkur 39 C (Slant barberpole). The DE89 was much more comfortable to my face. I have finally bought it and had my first excellent shave in many weeks. I am retiring my Merkur 38C barberpole and I will soon put it up for sale in the buy/sell forum here. regards, amit711

 

[Cornishman]

Congratulations on your purchase!
Funnily enough I started with the Merkur 38C barberpole and have'nt used it since I purchased my DE89!

 

[JCinPA]

It's a great razor. It is not mild, people here don't get the concept of a continuum sometimes. On the mild/medium/aggressive continuum, it is solidly in the medium camp. It is very similar to a Merkur HD or a Gillette adjustable on 5-ish, it is a lot closer to those than, say a tech or a blue tip. I don't know why so many categorize it as a mild razor. Lots of R41 users who don't understand the scale, I guess. I know it is subjective, but to call it mild is to clearly not understand the full range of razor aggressiveness and skew the curve a lot, IMNSHO.

See what GeoFatboy thinks of it ... and he's a straight guy, much of the time. You'll know it's not mild then. Not aggressive, either, but not mild. Just right for the average shaver.

 

[tm3]

We need a mild to aggressive scale. Blade gap does not tell the whole story. Something like the R41 is 90 out of 100, the 34 is 50, the EJ89 is 40, etc. Problem is there would be disagreement but something like this would be good on the Wiki. Turtle and Samjax would be reliable sources.

 

[vferdman]

It's a great razor. It is not mild, people here don't get the concept of a continuum sometimes. On the mild/medium/aggressive continuum, it is solidly in the medium camp. It is very similar to a Merkur HD or a Gillette adjustable on 5-ish, it is a lot closer to those than, say a tech or a blue tip. I don't know why so many categorize it as a mild razor. Lots of R41 users who don't understand the scale, I guess. I know it is subjective, but to call it mild is to clearly not understand the full range of razor aggressiveness and skew the curve a lot, IMNSHO.

Well, it's like clothes are devided into S/M/L, but there are so many variations in each of the three categories! In DE razor world it's the same. If you just create three categories Mild/Medium/Aggressive you would lump many different razors together. I fully agree with you that EJ D89 is more aggressive than a tech or a Super Speed, but I will also put it into a mild category. It's a YMMV thing, of course, but the medium category in my book starts with a Gillette New, which is a medium aggressive razor. We could argue all day about how to categorize the razors and it would be a total waste of time as we will remain with our opinions. The fact is the OP did buy the EJ and is enjoying it. That's the important thing. I honestly can to see how the EJ DE89 is different from the Merkur 38C he had, but again it's his face and his experience. To me the solid bar MErkur head and EJ head shave very similarly. He wanted a more aggressive shave, I thought and IU recommended a Progress where he can experiment with various aggressiveness levels. I though that was a reasonable suggestion, especially seeing as how Progress is one of the very best DE razors ever made. But often we already make up our minds and just post these questions to get confirmation. Even in light of different recommendations we'll still follow our previously made decision. It's all good. The OP wanted to try the EJ DE89. There is nothing wrong with it, it's a great razor. Is it more aggressive than the Merkur 38C? I don't think so, but it's not my money and not my face.

 

[ReAndyMator]

Simple question - simple answer.

Yes.