MÜHLE Grande R89 Double Edge Safety Razor (Closed Comb) | Perfect for Everyday Use | Barbershop Quality Close Smooth Shave | Luxury Razor for Men

I agonized quite a bit over different DE razors before settling on this one, and I'm very happy with my choice.The "89"-style head is shared with the Edwin Jagger DE89 and shaves exceptionally well. The only difference between this and the EJ DE89 is the "grande" handle, which is larger and a bit heavier (though hollow), but very well balanced and proportioned. I've had no problem with the handle being slippery when wet.What's also nice is that I've been able to get the R41 head, which is more aggressive, so I now have an interchangeable system if I want to experiment with a more aggressive head, though the truth is the R89 is all anyone would need. (I have heard/read that the handle is made of brass, while the head is zinc-based "pot metal." This is the case with most safety razors aside from stainless steel. I do worry a bit that the screw on the head may crack if the razor is dropped but the head cap can be replaced fairly cheaply if this happens.)With a good blade I'm able to get much closer shaves than with a cartridge razor using a three-pass shave. The money saved on razorblades more than pays for the razor itself, and a good soap like Cella, RazorRock, Proraso, etc. will last much longer than canned shaving cream. I have to use a bit more care than with a cartridge, but I find I enjoy the experience much more than I did before. I would equate DE shaving to making your own espresso while cartridge razors are like brewing Folger's crystals or Sanka. DE shaving takes more time and care but it turns something that was once a chore into an epicurean experience.I'm grateful I don't have to pay $28 for a handful of plastic cartridges that can only be used a few times and then clog a landfill. Anyone who wants to can buy 100 Personna blades and a kg brick of Cella, which is both incredibly cheap (several years' supply of blades + soap will run you about $50), and involves almost no plastic waste at all. Hopefully we'll soon see shaving go through the same renaissance that coffee went through 20 years ago.All in all, I would encourage anyone on the fence about DE shaving to give it a try.

The Mühle razor is the epitome of precision and elegance. Its ergonomic design ensures a comfortable grip, delivering a smooth and effortless shaving experience. Crafted with premium materials, it combines efficiency, durability, and timeless style, making it a must-have for those who appreciate luxury and sustainability in their grooming routine.

TL:DR Muhle R89 Grande wins on all fronts.I have used a Merkur 23C for about 10 years. For about 1.5 years in the middle I used a Merkur 38C HD barber pole and then went back to the 23C. The 23C is great, shaves well and looks nice but the handle looks not the best, but it is light weight and I love the long handle. The 38C is much better looking but way too heavy. The 38c handle is a little shorter than the 23C or Muhle 89 Grande. I wanted to love the 38c but it was just too heavy and always made my hand ache by the time I was done due to arthritis. The shave closeness and balance are not as good on the 38c vs the 23c. Overall I hated the 38c but liked the looks. Now on to the Muhle R89 Grande... I find it to be perfect! I decided to try it when I replaced my old badger brush with a Muhle M89 silvertip badger brush and loved it. The R89 Grande weight is great right in between the 23c and 38c, the handle is as long as the 23c and looks fantastic! The shave is as good or better than my 23c and much better than the 38c. I was always a Merkur guy but I have to say Muhle looks and feels much better quality and the chroming is better on the Muhle too. The razor and traditional M89 silvertip badger brush and the stand for them look great together and are a fantastic matched set. I'll stick with my Astra blades though. Buy the R89 Grande, it's great! Muhle stuff is expensive but high quality. Besides, with brandon's failed economy and inflation, the price will probably be twice as much next year!

I have been DE shaving for a while and recently picked up this Muhle R89. My regular shaver is a Merkur 38c, which I really like also.What I like:This Muhle is beautiful razor and the quality is excellent. The head locks up nicely and there is no wobble. The blade sits squarely in the head and everything is aligned perfectly. The knurled handle feels good in the hand and you get a good grip even when wet. It gave me a very mild shave, no irritation, no nicks, no razor burn; even with a day old Derby blade.What I wasn’t crazy about:Honestly I really like the razor. And everything I didn’t like was minor. I wish it had a little more weight, especially at the top. I feel like it is a bit light for the size. I also felt like the shave was a little too mild, I had to make 3 passes and a fine touch up to achieve my desired smoothness. I think a little bit if weight in the head could help this out. I also would like a little more of a knob or something at the end, like the Merkur 38c has. This helps a lot with gripping a wet razor.Overall thoughts:Beautiful, well made razor, giving a mild shave. I honestly wish this was my first DE razor instead of the Merkur 34 (which I hated). This R89 will be in my daily shaving rotation with my Merkur 38c. It is the complete opposite of the Muhle R41 I just reviewed and I would highly recommend the R89 to beginners and pros alike.