Which is looks better?

[aeonius]

Hello Gents,

I am in the process of deciding which of the following razors to buy:

The Edwin Jagger DE89 Barley Gold Finnish

or

The Edwin Jagger DE89 Ball End Gold Finnish


Here are two more pictures of the Ball End to the left and the Barley to the right:



I think both razors look beautiful but I cannot seem to decide which one is just a tad more beautiful than the other. Since this truly is the Problem of the Day, I turn to you for input. As I understand it the knurled finish of the Barley is barely less slippery when wet, compared with the Ball End. But this is only what I've read here on B&B. It would be very much appreciated if you could also give a reason for your preferred choice.

P.S. The pictures are owned by http://www.classicedge.ca . There you can find more pictures of both razors.

 

[mdevine]

I like the textured one on the top.

 

[BearHeart]

textured handle

 

[noelekal]

Are those smooth finished handles quite a bit more of a chore to grip?

 

[aeonius]

Are those smooth finished handles quite a bit more of a chore to grip?

As I understand it the knurled finish of the Barley is barely less slippery when wet, compared with the Ball End. But this is only what I've read here on B&B; I haven't tried either of them myself so I could be wrong. Can anybody confirm?

 

[BennyVega]

Get the one with the textured handle. It looks better and will provide a nicer grip.

 

[NeverOne99]

I have a smooth handle in silver and I bet it's not any slipperier than the barley. That barley texture is not deep cut knurling like what you'd see on a vintage Gillette or Gem. The smooth handle isn't slippery when wet but is slippery in soapy water.

 

[skleice]

I vote smooth.

 

[fcdiscus]

Quite a dilemma- flip a coin, they are both beautiful looking razors!

 

[mistercitizen]

I have a smooth handle in silver and I bet it's not any slipperier than the barley. That barley texture is not deep cut knurling like what you'd see on a vintage Gillette or Gem. The smooth handle isn't slippery when wet but is slippery in soapy water.

+1 I have the chrome plated smooth handle one as well.... but I like the looks of the barley textured handle better. I vote the barley based on looks because I don't think performance wise there is much of a difference.

Ben

 

[daccpa]

Easy peasey - just get both. That's what I do.

 

[aeonius]

Easy peasey - just get both. That's what I do.

Hehe. There is this one little hindrance called SHMBO, if you know what I mean.

 

[Loganpass]

I've been surprised to find that the handle texture didn't make much difference on several razors, I think you should choose based on what will make you smile. Oh, and my vote is for the smooth handle, it makes the ball end stand out more!

 

[aeonius]

I've been surprised to find that the handle texture didn't make much difference on several razors, I think you should choose based on what will make you smile. Oh, and my vote is for the smooth handle, it makes the ball end stand out more!

I started thinking in those terms as well. The smooth handle matches the head and the "neck" of the razor better. On the other hand the knurled handle matches the ball end more. Decisions, decisions... .

 

[NeverOne99]

Neither one would be hard to keep clean but the smooth handle would be easier to keep clean.

I started thinking in those terms as well. The smooth handle matches the head and the "neck" of the razor better. On the other hand the knurled handle matches the ball end more. Decisions, decisions... .

 

[MajorMoran]

Barley.

 

[aeonius]

Gents, I will now go to sleep (the clock on my computer is showing 11:45 PM). I'm telling you this so you won't think I stopped reading your comments. Have a nice morning/afternoon/evening/night/whatever and please keep posting your comments. That way I'll have something to look forward to reading while eating my breakfast tomorrow morning. I bid you Good Night.

 

[MattSD]

I personally prefer the smooth finish on that particular razor. I have tried the smooth handle (in silver) and was worried about it being hard to hold. It's not. For me the mirrored chrome plate finish is just a touch nicer and a little less industrial looking, although that may be why some people love the knurled version.

 

[Invicta]

The smooth handle is not as secure in the hand. I have the chrome version and the smooth handle is the only disappointing aspect of this razor. However, as has been previously said many times, the problem only manifests itself with wet and soapy hands. Drying them is an easy fix.

 

[dieselfuel79]

Get the top one. (Barley.) You'll be happy since the razor won't be slipping out of your hands.