Which DE razor should I get?

[juscuz3713]

Hello all!
I am trying to get away from cartridge razors (ingrown hairs blotchy spots etc) and I was searching on youtube and found geofatboy's channel. After watching his beginners guide and seeing what ones he recommended based on thickness of beard, amount of growth daily and others he mentioned a few good choices...
Edwin Jagger DE89
Merkur HD 34C
Muhle R89
Parker 99R
I have a thicker beard and even when shaving at 6am I will get a shadow before noon.
He mentioned that these were the four he recommended and that they are "aggressive" razors. Does anyone have any experience with these and are they any good?
Thanks to everyone who gives constructive feedback.

 

[Toothpick]

out of the 4 i've only used the merkur 34C. it doesn't seem to be aggressive for me and i have a heavy beard as well. i've heard members say the DE89 and Merkur 34C are very similar. i personally think the 34C is rather medium and a decent blade in it will handle anything.

the 34C has a short handle, so if you have large hands you may wont something with a long handle. thats the main thing i'm looking for now. it was great to learn my technique with but now i want a razor that fits in my hand better.

 

[juscuz3713]

Oh one more thing, If you think that maybe an aggressive razor isn't a good choice to start with then give me a suggestion as to a good starting razor.

 

[Mick]

They are all very good razors. The DE89 and R89 are basically the same razor from different manufactures (same head, different handle and finish).

You might also want to look at either the Merkur 37c (short handle) or 39c (long handle) slant razors.

You may find either of these a little better for mowing down a heavy beard.

 

[Toothpick]

i did a lot of research before i got in to wet shaving and the Merkur 34C and EJ DE89 were always top for beginners. i'm not familiar with the other 2 razors. the biggest thing i'd suggest after you choose a razor is to get a blade sampler pack.

 

[hillbilly pick]

I have a thick beard and would get a shadow around 2pm. I would recommend getting the DE89 Barley and Astra SP blades. I have found this combo with a good soap to give me a BBS and no shadow until about Noon the next day.

 

[bodistaffa]

I like adjustables. You get to decide how aggressive the razor is Merkur future, progress and old faithful gillette fatboy. A sample pack of razors is must!

 

[gmgaj]

I like adjustables. You get to decide how aggressive the razor is Merkur future, progress and old faithful gillette fatboy. A sample pack of razors is must!

+1, and you can add slim adjustable and black beauty adjustables to the list. Mild to start, and more aggressive if you need it, and no need to buy another while you learn and improve. Hard to beat gillette adjustables.

 

[deruitem]

EJ89 for sure, same as head as the muhle. Save the money and spend it on software

 

[oxford1833]

I dropped cartridges for the same reasons plus pulling. No matter what cart I tried, I always ended up pulling almost as many hairs out as I cut.

I have the Parker 99R and it's a beast--heaviest razor I've got. I don't find it to be terribly aggressive--maybe equivalent to a Gillette adjustable on 5. I also like adjustables but would recommend the slim. It's very similar to a fatboy but can typically be had for $15 or less.

I would suggest starting with something inexpensive (until you know you're going to stick with it) and relatively mild (until your technique is solid). A Super Speed or Tech would fit the bill nicely. I think you'll find most DE blades in just about any razor will do the job far better than whatever cartridge last assaulted you. Well, maybe not a Derby.

 

[DICE]

I only have the Edwin Jagger DE89 so I will go ahead and recommend that. It is reasonable priced and the thing is a work of art! Fit and finish is perfection. Plus if they still have stock, they are selling for $26.20 with 5 blades and free 2 day shipping: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/318155-Edwin-Jagger-DE89-and-Free-2-Day-Shipping-26-20

 

[juscuz3713]

Just checked it and the price is $36.99 which isnt too bad of a price.

 

[Tauntman]

The first DE I purchased last year was the EJ89 Barley and it seemed rather mild. For a thick beard I would lean more towards the Merkur 39C. If I have a couple days of growth or wait a little more than a day I use the slant and it shaves it down like butter. And I do not recall ever nicking myself with it.

 

[CigarettesCigars]

I'll give you a super speed and a couple packs of different blades. PM me and we'll work something out.

 

[JFielder23]

I'll give you a super speed and a couple packs of different blades. PM me and we'll work something out.

Awesome! The generosity around this place is amazing!
No better place to start than with a SS. I hope he takes ya up on this offer.

 

[rushchairman]

i like my edwin jagger. i dont think i'll bother with another razor

 

[DICE]

Just checked it and the price is $36.99 which isnt too bad of a price.

There is a coupon code you have to type in....It's EVERYDAY1.... Read the full post I linked it explains everything. But you can still get the smooth handled one and 5 blades for $26.20 with free 2 day shipping and the lined handled one for a few dollars more.

 

[NYShaver]

I consider the 34C slightly more aggressive than the EJ89, but both are excellent razors to start with. The 34C is probably the best selling DE razor on the market. If you would like to try an adjustable, you should look on eBay for a Gillette Super Adjustable or Slim (decent Fat Boys are becoming a little pricey). With a heavy beard, I would also use a very sharp blade in any of these razors, such as a Feather, KAI, Polsilver Stainless, 7 O'Clock black, or even an Astra SP or SS and find one that works for you.

 

[CigarettesCigars]

My Merkur 34C is a fine shavers but I haven't went back to it in over a year. I wouldn't invest over $30 into my first razor, most peoples find a new razor that works better for them within a few months and their first razor sits in a drawer collecting dust. I personally would buy a Fatboy if I could find one for a decent price. It's a razor that could possible be the only razor you will ever need. (Unless you get RAD like most of us)

If you want to get into more aggressive razors later on that's fine. I wouldn't start with a open comb unless you like bleeding, but you might find that you like OC's later on. Hence another reason I wouldn't go hog wild on my first razor.

Edit: I guess I should add an endorsement for a modern DE: http://shaveabuck.com/cadet-razor-three-piece-model-tp26-p-784.html

 

[Lion and the Fox]

I like adjustables. You get to decide how aggressive the razor is Merkur future, progress and old faithful gillette fatboy. A sample pack of razors is must!

+1 I would definitely go with an adjustable, as you'll have a razor that can adjust to you. I have the Edwin Jagger and I find it to be a mild razor. The vintage Gillette Fatboys and Slims, as well as the Merkur Future and Progress are all good alternatives. Good luck!