I purchased a new DE89L and could not wait for it to arrive. I received it one week before Christmas and the wife snatched it away from me and told me that Santa was giving me this razor as a gift. For the next week I had to stare at this pretty little wrapped gift under the tree knowing that I just wanted to rip the wrapping off of it so I can try it out. Ahh, Christmas morning and the first thing I want to open is my new DE89L, but it is gone. No where to be found!! The wife hands me a gift to open as she opens one for her. Very nice gift I said, but where is my razor? She hands me another gift and then sits at the tree and unwraps one for herself. Again I say very nice gift dear thank you very much, but where is my EJ at? She says maybe the dog ate it up last night. I look over at the 90 pound German Shepard we have and he is licking his chops as if he just ate a brand new EJ DE89L! I can't stand it now. I tell the wife "the next gift in my hand better be my razor". She started laughing and tells me to "chill out". I am 60 years old. I don't have time to chill out. Give me my razor. Finally she hands me the nicely wrapped box. I tore into it like a little kid looking for his fire truck. Got the razor opened and ran to the bathroom and got things ready. Brush is soaking, radio on, coffee cup sitting next to the lather bowl. I jump in the shower and soap up. Finished up and started my lather. I was waiting for this moment to come and finally it has arrived. After a full three passes with the DE89L and a new Derby blade, I was slicing off the two day growth I had saved for this morning. I could not even feel the blade on my face. It was everythng I wanted and expected from the DE89L. All I can say is it was really worth the wait for my gift.
You will enjoy the EJ89. I think it is the best current production razor made today because it can handle sensitive skin all the way to tougher skin types. One of the few current razors that will make me take a break from my vintage razors.
Only problem I have is the slick handle. I have tried drying my hands after each pass, but as you rinse the razor and lift it to shave again, the water will come back to the fingers. I had to change out the handle with a knurled handle so I can continue to use it. I am thinking of getting a new Feather AS, or wait for the Weber to come out with the black coated handle model that will match the black coated head that will take another month or two according to an email I got from Weber.
Go get one of these and use the handle. They are inexpensive and all over e-Bay and some other sites. It is a Junjie or Shenglong shaver. The handle is solid and a proper weight and balance. The head is not so good so don't worry about it. The handle has a silicone coating that makes it easy to grip. I have one and it looks and feels nice.
Congrats on that EJ! I have that razor and LOVE it! Enjoy your GSD (German Shepherd Dog) too, they are such wonderful dogs....I'll have one again one day. Happy Shaving
I was going to recommend rubbing a little alum on your fingers to help the grip, but that BRW handle blows my suggestion out of the water. Sweet handle!
I stayed with the original DE89 handle and made it work OK by rinsing my hands after each lathering. Barry
You can't go wrong with the EJ DE89! I'm fairly new to DE shaving and it has been a please with this razor so far.
Hi Elderberry99.. I enjoyed your new razor's background story. Felt like I was also there and getting one too. The EJ is a good razor and do tell us how your works out. I for one will be looking forward to reading about your adventures. Well take care and enjoy the new shaver in good health.. Joe
This is the very first DE shaver I bought. Love it. It has a very small learning curve. The only times I have cut myself have been when my children were running around the bathroom and I wasn't paying attention. Otherwise, great shaves. I'm surprised to hear folks complain about the handle. I don't find it slippery even when it is wet (soapy, yes). Anyway, I always recommend it to new wet shavers as a first.
