Which is best?

[Speedwell68]

I am new to DE shaving and I am currently using a Wilkinson Sword Classic razor with Derby Extra blades, yes the plastic one. I got it because it was £4 and I didn't want to wasted a lot of money until I knew I was going to get on with a DE razor. So I am now in the market for a better quality razor. Here are my choices so far...

Merkur 23C
Muhle R89
Parker 91R

I am confused as to which one would be best. I am favouring the Merkur 23c as I think I would be better suited to a longer handle. I like the look of the butterfly opening of the Parker and I have been led to believe that Muhle are the best quality. Opinions gentlemen please.

 

[dtb]

The Parker 91R is not a butterfly razor.. It is a 3 piece just like the Muhle, etc. The Parker 22R and 82R are butterfly razors...

 

[mdevine]

you can pick up a tech or SS cheap on BST. They are great razors (don't let the price fool you).

 

[Ceri]

I started with a Classic too, and moved onto a 23C. It's a definite improvement on the Wilkinson, and the handle is good if you're more used to cartridge razors.

I followed it up with a Muhle R41, and the finish is IMHO more pleasing. There's also the Edwin Jagger DE89L a razor of great beauty... that said I received mine yesterday, but after weeks of using the R41 and a long tooth NEW, managed to run out of lather on my neck twice on my neck this morning and got a couple of nicks for my trouble.

 

[Speedwell68]

The Parker 91R is not a butterfly razor.. It is a 3 piece just like the Muhle, etc. The Parker 22R and 82R are butterfly razors...

Sorry my mistake, I have been looking at that many razors today that I have got confused with all the model numbers.

I started with a Classic too, and moved onto a 23C. It's a definite improvement on the Wilkinson, and the handle is good if you're more used to cartridge razors.

I followed it up with a Muhle R41, and the finish is IMHO more pleasing. There's also the Edwin Jagger DE89L a razor of great beauty... that said I received mine yesterday, but after weeks of using the R41 and a long tooth NEW, managed to run out of lather on my neck twice on my neck this morning and got a couple of nicks for my trouble.

Thanks I am going to look closer at the R41.

 

[talibeard]

A vote for the Mühle. Merkur 2nd and Parker is not on my list.

I have to admit that your current combo is my shaving nightmare aside from cartridges. The Wilkinson (rebranded Treet from Pakistan) is my worst shaver and the Derby one of my worst blades.....

 

[Antonio]

you can pick up a tech or SS cheap on BST. They are great razors (don't let the price fool you).

Buy Gillette from the BST. You can spend 10$ and have an equal quality (and better in some cases) razor to any of the ones you have listed.

 

[Marco]

Muhle R89.
Hands down.
It has the best Chrome finish, building technology and overall quality a DE razor can have.
Enough said.

 

[Speedwell68]

After reading all the reviews and listening to the advice given here I am about to order a Mühle R89. Hopefully it will give me a lifetime of perfect shaving.

 

[JJMontague]

The Muhle handle is by no means small. Compare it too most classic Gillette handles and you'll see it's actually larger than most. And it's got in my opinion the best head and hands down the highest quality finish.

 

[BRuhling]

I started my DE journey with a Muhle R89 about a month ago. I don't think you can go wrong there. Since then, my RAD kicked in and I have picked up a 40s SS and a Red Tip. I tried the SS and found it a bit more mild than my Muhle, but a great shave. I haven't tried the Red Tip (that's for tomorrow)...

 

[Uncle Erik]

Good choice on the Mühle, that would be my pick, too. I have the DE89L and the head is one of the finest available at any price. The Merkur is OK, and I haven't even considered a Parker.

Also, this probably won't be your last razor. Curiosity will bite sooner or later.

 

[Chester]

The 91R was my first DE razor. If I had to do it over again, I'd have gone with merkur, even with their plating problems and customer service problems. The 91R is very aggressive -- kind of a meat slicer, but it did go a long way to help me learn good technique. The handle will fit other gillette heads, so it's not bad in terms of what can be done with it, but my 91R suffered from the same uneven blade exposure issues as many of their other models.
I'd recommend buying a nice superspeed or slim from the B/S/T, frankly.
Hope it helps,
-- Chet