Started with a EJ89l. Where to go from here?

[farris207]

I want to start by saying thank you to everyone here on B&B. I started wet shaving a couple months ago and have gained so much in knowledge from everyone on here about every aspect of shaving.

After reading other requests for help it seemed the first responses were asking for more info so here we go...

After shaving for a while now I feel that there is a bit to be desired from my razor selection. Like most I started out thinking I had super sensitive skin because I got such bad razor burn and so many ingrown hairs from my mach 3. Now I'm starting to feel differently. Through much research on here I started out with a gillette tech and EJ89l. The tech I found to be too small in my hand and too much touching up after a couple passes. The EJ89l is a very good razor. I enjoy everything about it but would like to move to a razor that can do better with less passes. I use a feather blade and four passes on my face with only two passes on my neck for a weekend shave or two passes everywhere for the weekdays. No irritation or razor burn. I also shave every other day. Some times on my ATG pass it feels like the razor skips a bit and requires a touch up in that area, though I'm not sure if that is the razor or me.

As for what I would like to find in a new razor.. I would like to find something that leaves less stubble when I do two passes and doesn't require all four passes to get a BBS. I am open to any type of razor and a bit curious about an open comb or slant.

 

[RailroadMan]

I love my slants, but I don't know if you will need less passes. The FaTip gets a lot of love here, but is a little too much for me. The new stainless razor about to be offered by Above the Tie is the only thing I have used that made me wonder why I made my normal 3rd pass on my neck. The Tradere OC and Gillette Long Comb New are also great shavers that cut very closely. Good luck, and have fun experimenting.

 

[Den]

Firstly, welcome to B&B!

While it may not satisfy the need to buy a new razor, you could always try adding a Shim to up the aggressiveness on your EJ.

If you're unsure what I mean by a "Shim", it's simply a blade (use an old one) with the sharp edges cut off. You can accomplish this with a pair of scissors. Then place it under your actual cutting blade, and you've just added a little aggressiveness to your razor. Add as many Shims as you want.

 

[Shave_Rat]

The Cadet TP-26 with the open comb head has gotten some great reviews, and it's a very reasonable price over at shave a buck. Not sure if you'd reduce by more than one full pass no matter what you go to, but for the small investment that you can BST if you don't like it, could be worth the try.

 

[MightyPir]

If you are happy with the EJ and getting good comfortable results then don't change it. Try some different blades....I find that Feathers work very well with the mild EJ head.

If you are dead set on getting another razor try a Merkur HD, it's a bit more aggressive than the EJ but not significantly so.

I would not try a slant or an open comb yet, but YMMV.

 

[attime6]

I'd recommend a Super Speed.

 

[Krona Kruiser]

Welcome abroad. A long comb NEW or Merkur Progress will do the trick. You can also get a Slant and R41, but you'll learn to appreciate them more once you get a taste of the "classics."

 

[droth455]

Welcome to B&B!!

If you have large hands, the Futur has a nice long handle on it and should take you from caveman to gentleman in less than 4 passes.

 

[mspk1111]

I would say if you want something a bit more aggressive there are a large amount of people here who love both the progress and futur. Both are adjustable and each come with their own subgroup who thinks it is best. I would say this is a good go to for trying out a more aggressive razor. Also if you don't like it they go very fast on BST.

 

[RainmakerFL]

If you are happy with the EJ and getting good comfortable results then don't change it. Try some different blades....I find that Feathers work very well with the mild EJ head.

If you are dead set on getting another razor try a Merkur HD, it's a bit more aggressive than the EJ but not significantly so.

I would not try a slant or an open comb yet, but YMMV.

I agree, slants 'n' combs are a giant step...different blades are the way to go first. I use a Feather when I use my Mick Jagger and it cuts lots 'o' fur...I like the Astras too. Best of luck!

 

[BigBull]

You've tried a great safety bar razor in the EJ89. If you want more aggressive, sure you can get another safety bar razor, but why not branch out into something very different? Try a Gillette New, FaTip on an R41 if you want to go with an Open Comb. Maybe you like the look of these razors? Give em a shot. I'd start with the Long Comb New or the FaTip.

Otherwise, why not go totally different and try a Slant. From what I understand, you'll know right away if it's for you or not...and they sell on the BST very quickly if you don't like it - wouldn't cost much at all to try it out. My $.02. Enjoy!

 

[farris207]

Thanks to everyone for the responses. I think I'm going to start with shimming my EJ to see if a more aggressive razor is what is needed or if my setup is doing good the way it is. I've seen many recommend the R41. I thought this was supposed to be the most aggressive razor made? One that I had researched myself is the Merkur 12C long handle or 25C. How would that compare to my current setup with the EJ?

 

[FL shaver]

34C for a nice step up in blade exposure.

 

[Fresh shave]

I strongly recommend a Gillette New. Super smooth yet a vastly different experience than your EJ. Both short and long comb are great.

 

[cpcohen1945]

In your position:

. . . I'd shell out the money for an adjustable DE -- Merkur Progress or Futur, or any of the adjustable vintage Gillettes.

That way, you get to choose how aggressive you want to be. And you can "dial-down" the blade exposure for the ATG pass.

But I'm happy with my EJ DE89, so far.

. . Charles

 

[celestino]

Why don't you try shimming your EJ89. Cheapest way to make it more aggressive and it works phenomenally! Try with one shim and you can move up to two or three if you need, but i doubt it as one is wonderful.
Try this before spending money on another razor. i, too, had the same issue and after ten months of not using my EJ89 for the very same reason, i now love using it! If you don't enjoy it, then go for another razor. Good luck.

 

[MikeGJ]

You can explore various "vintage" razors at low cost. Gillette Super Speed, Schick Krona, Gillette Slim are recommended! Gillette Red Tip fits the bill for "more aggressive".