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Let this be a lesson... When closing/tightening your DE razor after swapping blades, no need to force the thing shut, or it'll eventually break. I learned my lesson the hard way last night.
The head and the screw on my Parker 98R Barberpole decided to divorce from each other, so I trashed it (I didn't deem it fixable, at least not by me) and now I'm ordering the Edwin Jagger Barley Handle (DE89BA11b). I'll be gentle this time, I promise!
Cheers.
I finally had a chance to shave with the EJ-DE89BA11bl last night and it's a two-thumbs-up conclusion.
The blade was a Merkur and the soap was Edwin Jagger Sandalwood.
Compared to the Parker 98R Barberpole...
With an inch shorter and almost half the weight, the EJ's maneuverability is through the roof and the Barley handle provides a steady and precise hold.
The lighter weight combined with lots of blade exposure gives a lot more feedback from the blade itself and helps in attaining that perfect angle.
Price-wise, it's still pretty affordable at 44$; the Parker was 33$. The extra cost of the EJ is worth every penny.
In conclusion, a clean DFS.
Cheers.
You should try feather blades on it next - i think you'll like them!
Either Feather or Astra would be my suggestion. I use both.
I agree, if you use a blade other than Merkur you're likely to be even MORE impressed :)
I was going to go with the Astra next. The Astra SP was my favorite with the Parker, sharp enough and as smooth as it gets.
I took the Merkur simply because it was there in the cabinet and it was the last of that pack I was going through when I broke the Parker. I actually don't like the Merkur that much, sharp but mot as smooth as the Astra (and also 5 times the price of the Astra).
Feathers were amazing, but really harsh if not well lathered (they do get smoother after 1-2 shaves as they dull a bit). Same with the Wilkinsons, great blades but good lathering is the key.
Derby, Dorco and Precision were simply not sharp enough for me. Lots of pulling.
I still have a couple blades from each of those brands from the sampler pack I got last year with the Parker, so it's pretty much back to square 1 in terms of trying all of them with a new DE razor. But in the end, I'll probably get the Astra SP in bulk and keep a couple packs of Feathers in the rotation for good measure.
BTW, the second shave was just as great. I still can't believe how great the EJ is light and easy to maneuver in comparison.
Thanks!
I shave with a straight most of the time but when I'm in a hurry I love a safety razor. I have a Parker and a old Gillette. The Gillette seems to have two short a handle. I like them at almost a 4 inch total length. Its a nice razor enjoy.
Ben