Edwin JaggerDE89LBLAMZ Classic Double Edge Manual Eco-Friendly and Reusable Safety Razor for Men and Women for Shaving Cream or Soap (Lined)

Reason for 5 stars? Because the Edwin Jagger it is exceedingly beautiful, shaves well, and is something I think anyone would be proud to own. Interestingly though ... its not the razor I use to shave with in the final analysis. However that's not to say that it doesn't provide a good shave ... because it does.Since 1960 I've been shaving with my father's two old 1950s vintage Gillette razors (butterfly opening type ... one made in the U.S. and the other made in England). But when he died I inherited his razors (so they're special to me). But this past April it occurred to me that these were the only razors I had shaved with all my shaving life ... so I decided to go ahead and see (for the first time) what it would be like to shave with a new razor.After researching a bit I bought a Merkur 23C (also known as the Merkur 180). Its a nice razor with a very nice and relatively light, hollow 3-7/8" handle. However I found that it doesn't provide nearly as close a shave as my old Gillett razors. After shaving with the 23C I can re-shave with my favorite Gillett and take off more whiskers for that infamous "baby bottom smooth" shave. I just can't get that with the Merkur. That made me curious. That curiosity led me to buying another razor called a Maggard (an internet search will take you to the Maggard site if you're interested ... there are also a few good videos on Utube as well). I bought a Maggard MR18 (for $15.95 no less) and found that it did provide a shave that is the equal to my favorite Gillett ... and in some ways better). On the Maggard site I learned that the Maggard has the same blade gap as the Edwin Jagger (0.030 inches). After investigating the Jagger I bought the Edwin Jagger DE89Lbl. And there is no getting around it ... the Edwin Jagger is a most beautiful razor. But I discovered that while it provided a closer shave than the Merkur ... it really didn't quite match the shave I get with the Maggard ... not quite. Why I wondered? That question led me to the realization that what you really find on most sites is people's opinions ... and that's all ... but nothing based on measurable facts. And I realized that the manufacturers seem negligent in providing design type information (other than size and weight information ... excepy the Maggard site states info on blade gap). That led me to realize that a razor is the result of a design process where a manufacturer constructs his razor based on certain parameters. The question is ... what are those parameters? Obviously two of them are blade gap and weight. For those who would like to know a bit about this read on:The aggressiveness of a razor largely relies on 5 different factors.Blade gapexposureBlade angle in the razorRazor weightDistribution of the weight. (Heavy head/light handle vs. all heavy.)Blade angle applied by the userThe most important factors appear to be blade gap, exposure, and weight.The greater the blade gap the more aggressive. The greater the exposure the more aggressive. The greater the weight the more aggressive.The Maggard and the Edwin Jagger both have blade gaps of 0.030 inches. What I discovered is that the Merkur 23C has a blade gap of only 0.025 inches (so blade gap wise its less aggressive and so isn't as likely to provide as close a shave as the EJ or the Maggard). Just FYI ... the Merkur 34C has a blade gap of 0.028 inches ... so it will likely be more aggressive than the 23C but not as aggressive ... and therefore not give as close a shave ... as the EJ or the Maggard. I won't discuss the razor weights here as that's information easily found. Information on blade exposure is almost impossible to find. I wondered why the Maggard gave me a closer shave than the EJ. I found what I consider to be the reason. A three piece razor has a razor head made of two parts ... the cap and the base (where the safety bar constitutes part of the base). I found that the EJ cap and the Merkur23C cap have what appears to be exactly the same width (standing them side by side). So the primary difference in the two is the blade gap ... and that appears to constitute the primary reason why the EJ provides a closer shave than the Merkur (and its a bit heavier as well I believe). However ... the Maggard's cap is not quite as wide as the EJ and Merkur caps. This means the blade is a bit more exposed on the Maggard than it is on either the EJ or the Merkur. And I think this is the reason it provides a closer shave than either the EJ or the Merkur ... it has a bit greater blade exposure ... and its heavier than either the Merkur or EJ.Anyway ... these are some of the things I've learned in my researching and I hope they help you in your search for the perfect razor.With that said ... I still will say that I am still pleased to own the Edwin Jagger as it is an exquisite thing of beauty ... something anyone would be proud to own. But the fact is ... the razor I shave with now actually is the $15.95 Maggard. And actually ... if one is not adverse to buying a Maggard that has some cosmetic imperfections he can buy such for $10.95! In fact I just bought a couple of these for my sons. Happy shaving ... and "shave on"!

If youre looking at this review, it probaly means you are researching wet shaving and wondering which of the 2 razors always mentioned for beginners to choose - you should actually put down your money on. Having owned both of these super popular and recommended razors I will provide the absolutely immediately noticeable difference. As objectively as I can, here is the comparison of these 2 wildly talked about/recommend "industry standard" razors.Merkur is the more aggressive razor, actually it's rather noticeable (although still considered a mild/beginner razor)EJ is the much more forgiving razor and smoother (and the "prettier", "shiny", aesthetcially pleasing razor as people keep commenting).Merkur is a much smaller/skinnier razor (the 34c which most people get.. come with a much heavier/thicker handle) and has a MUCH better grip (with the knerling pattern and "ring" near the bottom of the handle).EJ is chrome-plated and much smoother and aesthetically "wow". The hanlde is much wider and a bit longer, but the grip can easily become challenging if handle or fingers get semi slippery.The Shave:I found the Merkur to be very noticeably aggressive and thus much more susceptible to discomfort and irritableness of skin. (but read on on my 'ultimate lessons" regarding all this below). Most will tell you "the more aggressive, the closer the shave possible" and yeah theoretically i can't argue.. EXCEPT.... the EJ hands down gives you a smoother, closer shave from my experience (my latest test was to use both during the same head/face shave.. using the same blade... with the Merkur getting the fresh Feathers blade and the EJ having gone through a full set of shaves that i end up typically having to toss out the blade when using Feathers). Hands down the EJ was much smoother, needed less clean-up time to get there, and felt much more comfortable throughout. I ended up using the EJ to clean-up the Merkur side (b/c the Merkur side was just becoming too uncomfy and raw on my head).The one advantage of EJ i've come to think of having read all the reviews is... the EJ head is somehow holding the razor just a bit better to create a closer, while more comfy shave and somehow EJ just seems to work REAL WELL with the sharper blades like Feather (infact Feather is specficially mentioned as a blade that works and feels REAL GOOD with the EJ razor). Given that I have narrowed down my favorite blades to the mild and universally considered "sweet spot" Astra blades and "sharpest in the industry/clinically sharp" Feather blades. I think that EJ feels comfortable and gives a nice smooth/close shave with both blades is a strong testament to that.So.. winner EJ. Its' far more forgiving. It actually gives a closer shave on top of that (rare to hear both). Seems to be compatible and work extra well with multiple different types of blades (be it mild or sharp). Has the larger/longer handle (although not so good with grip.. but wait.. for my "ultimate lessons"), and i think is even cheaper now (on Amazon atleast by a few ~ you can get it for $28.. while the merkur i think is in the high 30/low 40s). Plua it's prettier, comes in a super nice box, etc. It's just hard to beat.NOW.. "ultimate lessons".firstly on these two razors. I recommend getting a 3-piece razor over a 2-piece razor (which is why I say if you like and want to try Merkur, get the classic safety razor instead of the 34c... the 34c is a 2-piece, the classic safety is a 30piece). With 3 piece razors you can mix/match heads, holders, handles from any brand and mix them up to customize a razor exactly the way you like it. This saves you some money as anything you buy you can use and swap with 3-pieces, not so with 2-pieces or butterfly heads (which are 1-piece). dont' like the handle of the EJ de89 (most don't.. ) not a problem - just get a new handle you like and you can still enjoy the benefits of the ej de89 razor head/holder.Next.. what's more important in yoru shave experience and performance is prepping your face well and the crème/soap you buy to lather with. And what you want to look for... is long lasting, and re-activating SLICKNESS ~ one that doen't quickly dry up whie you shave. The razor "glide" on your face is everything - so focus on SLICK (most people will just review based on latherability, richness, and smell - enh.. not helpful in the end). Let's face it.. we're here to shave.. so how it comes off with the razor is really what's important (not how it goes on!). The best product i've found so far.. which i recommend you get , available locally in drugstores, is Cremo Crème. Its super slick, don't need to lather, and re-activates with water. By far the most comfy, smoothest, "glidiest" shave. But I'm continuing my search now with soaps (figure they're slicker than crèmes in general).OH... brush.. Badger? Boar? Synthetic? To beginners I would say get a synthetic until you learn more, get more experience, become more acquainted with what you like and brand names and reputations so you can hone in on the exact brush you want and why. Can't go wrong with a Synthetic until you can find better elsewhere. (they clean easier, dry faster, are soft, don't shed as much, don't smell, and cheaper.)Happy Shaving and have fun....