Alright, here it is. I'm placing an order Tuesday for my first DE razor and "stuff". I got some great responses from my post looking for suggestions on my kit ideas and I'm hoping for a great response to my final dilemma. I had said I was thinking of the Merkur and had several responses asking me to consider the EJ. Then I read the thread about the EJ a couple days ago. I've done some other looking around and . . . I'M TORN! How do I decide? Both seem well suited and highly recommended as a first razor. Honestly, I'm thinking right now that I may just get both! Am I crazy? Probably. I haven't even had my first DE shave and already I'm turning into a collector. LOL. I get the whole YMMV but if there are some of you out there that can offer a good comparison between the two razors or at least offer some REASONS to go with one over the other that would be helpful. Thank you all. P.S. The cost variable is not really an issue, so if you could avoid it in your consideration that would be helpful.
I thought your original choices were excellent. Your choices were well thought out and illustrated a smart economy along with a bit of luxury.Never tried the EJ but the HD is what most wetshavers start with , a nice solid razor thats a breeze to use. It might be good to start with HD and get comfortable with your technique and a feel for how different blades work for you. The EJ can be a future purchase.
Well I think I'm the right candidate here. I am a relative new wetshaver. Long story: I started out with the HD. It was a good razor. Worked well with Derbys, Super Iridium. But worked awful with Astra blades. I then tried the Astra in my Feather popular razor, and it was much better. I came to the conclusion the the HD, isn't great for sharper blades. At least that was my impression. I then thought of buying and open combed razor. The Merkur 11c. But then I saw the Muhle R41. A muhle razor, with the 11c Head. And then I saw the Muhle R89! Wow what a good looking razor. And read that it was mild and smooth. I couldn't resist. I bought it! When I tried it, I took a Super Iridium blade. It shaved awesome! The best shave I had in my life! It was very smooth, comfortable, no irritations, forgiving. This is very important for a newbie! You can learn how to shave, improve your technique, and still enjoy the great shaves! I think it is critical. I tried the HD again, but still I wasn't satisfied with the shaves. I cannot shave without my Muhle razor. I keep the HD. Maybe latter I will found something that I really like about it. One thing is for sure. The HD has a brilliant and simple loading mechanism, and a very good grip. But I don't feel comfortable with as much as with the Muhle razor. Short Story(sort off..) I recommend a Muhle R89 razor. The same as EJ. Go with the EJ! If I would have bought a Muhle in the first place, I would have loved it. I am relatively new like you are, and love the Muhle. I'm not using the HD anymore. But I doubt you could resist the temptation of buying a HD to compare it to the EJ. If you can buy both and don't feel bad about it, go for it! And let us know which is BETTER FOR YOU!. For me it is the Muhle. Same as EJ!! Start with the EJ. It's smooth, you can learn how to shave and it will reward you each time. Then, if you want something different try something more aggresive or buy an adjustable!
Simply put I think they are both very fine razors. No matter which one you choose it will not be the wrong decision as they are both excellent shavers. Just go for it! ________ Honda Dream 50R
But make sure you get the EJ! Just kiddin' :happy097. Buy whatever you think is best! This is solely my recommendation.
Ahh, get em both, you will anyway. Why fight it? Only way to know for sure. Come on, $40.00 more or less is standing between you and financial independence?
Hey, that's exactly my thought right now. Really the cost is negligible. I just don't know enough about the razors yet and was wondering if they were actually/practically the same, where buying both would be redundant and a waste of money: Like buying paper from Wal-mart or paper from Staples--there would be no point in buying both. But it sounds like there are differences that could result in different shaves for different people--like buying an Ipod from Apple or an MP3 player from "xyz".
Write down on a piece of paper: HERE ARE THE RULES: Heads = Merkur ; Tails = EJ Then flip a quarter high in the air. When it's in the air, if you find yourself hoping "Come on, TAILS!!" then that is your gut feel decision. Ignore the coin, get the Tails razor. On the other hand if you are completely indifferent to the fall of the coin, then obey the coinflip + RULES. I can testify that this method works well. I've used it to pick a job offer (more than once!) and never regretted the decision. Your subconscious mind, the part of you that yells "Come on, TAILS!", is generally right.
Since both the 34C and DE89L are highly recommended and cost is not an issue, why not simply get both? If it turns out that one of them shaves much better than the other, you can always sell the less satisfying razor on one of the forums. Like many, I started DE wetshaving with a 34C, primarily because the local cutlery store had them in stock. The wetshaving forum groupthink prevalent at the time was also a factor. The 34C has been a pretty good razor, although not perfect. There was a very minor blemish in the chrome plating on top of the razor, although it was easily rubbed off. The razor now looks great. It shave much better with some blades than others, but YMMV seems to figure prominently here. You might want to consider getting only one razor now and purchasing a vintage razor later on. The 34C is nice, but my Gillette Slim gives noticeably better shaves.
If it is ok with you, get both of them. You won't waste your money. There are differences between them. As our buddy confirmed above. For me, there are noticeable differences. Besides looks, the 34C is heavier, especially in the handle. The EJ most likely has a lighter handle and a heavier head. Perfect balance, in my opinion for the EJ/Muhle razors. But get both and find out for yourself. You might like the 34C over the EJ. YMMV!
I say if you can get both; do. I do not own an Muhle/EJ 89 yet,but plan to purchase one. I do own a Merkur 34C and it is hte best razor I own. I disagree with an earlier poster who said the 34C does not work well with sharp blades; my best setup is the 34C with feathers. This just goes to show, that your milage may very. If you don't like one, you can sell here or on ebay and cut your losses, but you need to give it alot of time; it's taken me a year, and a dozen differnt razors to to know my best setup. Best of luck, Moe
Thank you for the advice Moe. I'm really leaning toward going with both. It's not like they'll be the only two I ever buy.
I have both the HD and the EJ (among others!). And both are good - however, I think as you are just starting out with a DE, the EJ is just that little bit milder - and that little bit less likely to "bite" you. I tend to use one of the Merkurs at home and an EJ when I travel. The EJ just makes it harder to cut myself if I'm in a hurry, or away from home without my full kit of "prep" materials. I'd start with the Muhele/EJ and then get either an HD or a slant later when you get your moves down pat. Cheers
If you get both then your next decision will be which to use first! Not to worry there are plenty of guys who will give you advice on which it should be. My advice would be to use the first one that hits the mailbox. Don't wait for the other.
I own both, like them both, the EJ is better finished, I use the Merkur more. Go figure. Buy both if it's in your budget before the gummint comes to take your money (which will be shortly).
