Sold on Edwin Jagger

Group,

I have been using the Ediwn Jagger DE89 as a back up for my str8 for the last 1 1/2 months. I convinced my wife to let me get her a DE for leg shaving. She wanted a textured long handle so I got her the Merkur long handled classic. She used it once and didn't like it, so it became mine.

I shaved with it today, and I have to say that there is no comparison between the Edwin Jagger and the Merkur. The Edwin Jagger is much better made, smoother edges, better chrome and just a delight to shave with.

The Merkur was just mass produced looking and feeling. There were at least two burrs on the bar I had to remove and the knurling on the handle is very uneven. I believe the shave is better with the Jagger as well.

Afterwords, I got online and bought another Jagger to put in my DOPP kit. I bought the DE89L this time because I like a textured handle.

There is my two cents worth.

David

Thanks for sharing. How does the weight of the Edwin Jagger compare to something like the often recommended Merkur HD? What's your favorite blade to use with it?

I use a Merkur slant bar with a feather blade sometimes and it's a great razor but I do like the look of the Edwin Jagger razors I fancy one with a nice ivory handle.Oh,and I'll be needing a new brush to match it.....here we go again with the rad LOL.

Hello, everyone:

I have had both the Edwin Jagger 89L with the lined handle (and its close cousin, the Muhle Pinsel 89R) and the Merkur 34C HD. I no longer have them. If I remember, the Merkur was heavier.

I liked my Merkur 34C HD as well as the 38C "barber pole." They are both fine razors. Yet, to me, I will take the Edwin Jagger 89L over any of them. This is a beautifully made razor, from workmanship and fitting to shave quality. I believe it uses the Muhle Pinsel shave head.

I also have a Merkur travel razor, which breaks up in three parts that can be fitted in a tiny pouch. For this one, I have replaced the head with that of an Edwin Jagger 89L. Now it's a great little backup shaver for my Dopp travel kit.

If there is any voting to be done here, I'll put mine in for the Edwin Jagger 89L.

Regards,

Obie

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Originally Posted by Obie

Hello, everyone:

I have had both the Edwin Jagger 89L with the lined handle (and its close cousin, the Muhle Pinsel 89R) and the Merkur 34C HD. I no longer have them. If I remember, the Merkur was heavier.

I liked my Merkur 34C HD as well as the 38C "barber pole." They are both fine razors. Yet, to me, I will take the Edwin Jagger 89L over any of them. This is a beautifully made razor, from workmanship and fitting to shave quality. I believe it uses the Muhle Pinsel shave head.

I also have a Merkur travel razor, which breaks up in three parts that can be fitted in a tiny pouch. For this one, I have replaced the head with that of an Edwin Jagger 89L. Now it's a great little backup shaver for my Dopp travel kit.

If there is any voting to be done here, I'll put mine in for the Edwin Jagger 89L.

Regards,

Obie

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Obie,

Aha - I was wondering if the Jagger head would fit the threads on the Merkur Travel razor. I am all over that one!

And you are right. The finish is absolutely first class on the Jagger.

Thanks for the post.

By the way, what do you do with the blade when the razor is broken down for traveling? Or do you just put in a new one when you get to your destination?

Thanks in advance.

David

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Originally Posted by sensei_kyle

Thanks for sharing. How does the weight of the Edwin Jagger compare to something like the often recommended Merkur HD? What's your favorite blade to use with it?

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sensei kyle,

I don't have the Merkur HD, but all of the reviews I read said that have about the same heft.

But again, the Jagger has a beatiful chrome plating . The head is much more substantial. It just feels like solid equipment in your hand.

I have been using Derby blades, which I like a lot. I have a large assortment pack I ordered with the razor, but I have not tried many of them. The Derby's are kicking butt right now.

David

Hello, David:

The shave head works on mine. I love it. As for the blade, I don't pack it with the razor in the tiny kit. I throw it away.

Regards,

Obie

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Originally Posted by Obie

Hello, David:

The shave head works on mine. I love it. As for the blade, I don't pack it with the razor in the tiny kit. I throw it away.

Regards,

Obie

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Obie

Ok, that is what I suspected. They are cheap enough to do that with. How about when you fly? Where do you put the blades then? Do you have to put them in checked luggage or do you just buy some at your destination?

David

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Originally Posted by Alembic

Obie

Ok, that is what I suspected. They are cheap enough to do that with. How about when you fly? Where do you put the blades then? Do you have to put them in checked luggage or do you just buy some at your destination?

David

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Hello, David:

When I fly, my dopp travel kit, which contains all my shaving razors and products, is checked with my luggage. No problem, then, with the good folks from security. Pack everything in your luggage, check it, and board the plane smiling.

Regards,

Obie

My friends, I just used a Merkur blade in my Edwin Jagger this morning. There shall not be an additionally morning for that blade - Gone- gone - gone!

One of the worst shaves I have gotten in a looong time.

Hello, David:

From what I gather, few people seem to favor Merkur razor blades. I, too, eventually abandoned them.

After going through a wide collection of blades, I have finally settled on Feather and the Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharp Edge (yellow pack). They seem to be the perfect match for my beard. Of course, beards are different, as we know, and those same blades might not work for others.

Feather or "yellows" in my Edwin Jagger "Chatsworth" barley are a sweet pairing.

Regards,

Obie

While they make nice razors, I find Merkur blades to be less than desirable. Derby & Feather blades are what I feed my Merkur HD and I've never been disappointed.

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Originally Posted by Obie

Hello, David:

From what I gather, few people seem to favor Merkur razor blades. I, too, eventually abandoned them.

After going through a wide collection of blades, I have finally settled on Feather and the Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharp Edge (yellow pack). They seem to be the perfect match for my beard. Of course, beards are different, as we know, and those same blades might not work for others.

Feather or "yellows" in my Edwin Jagger "Chatsworth" barley are a sweet pairing.

Regards,

Obie

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Obie,

I am jealous of the Chatsworth barley. Looked for one yesterday - very hard to come by. Most sites are out.:boohoo:

I don't have either of the blades you mention - but there is always my next order :)

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Originally Posted by sensei_kyle

While they make nice razors, I find Merkur blades to be less than desirable. Derby & Feather blades are what I feed my Merkur HD and I've never been disappointed.

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Sensei Kyle,

I heard a couple of people say thea Derby's have some quality issues. I have been using them for a month now and really like them. I have not tried Feather baldes, but they will be in my next order.

Thanks

David

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Originally Posted by Alembic

Obie,

I am jealous of the Chatsworth barley. Looked for one yesterday - very hard to come by. Most sites are out.:boohoo:

I don't have either of the blades you mention - but there is always my next order :)

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Hello, David:

She is a sweet razor, too. It is not only a great shaver, but the workmanship on it is something to behold.

I leave it at home, though, and take a Gillette Superspeed "Red Tip" to the gym for backup to my straight.

Also, you must try the Feathers one of these days. I also recommend the Gillette 7 O'Clock "yellow" as a high quality blade and extremely smooth.

Regards,

Obie

Now I really want that EJ :gaah: How is the head shape different from the Merkur?

I've never found the Merkur blades to be lacking, but I've only tried a few - Derbys, Topaz, and old English made Wilkinsons. :shrug: but that's just me.

Jordan

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Originally Posted by jnich67

Now I really want that EJ :gaah: How is the head shape different from the Merkur?

I've never found the Merkur blades to be lacking, but I've only tried a few - Derbys, Topaz, and old English made Wilkinsons. :shrug: but that's just me.

Jordan

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Jordan,

I break the differences into three catogories:
1. Thickness and heft
2. Finish
3. Critical blade angle

For thickeness and heft, the comparison is like something forged or machined from a solid billet vs. somehthing that is stamped from sheet metal. I know that's not how either are made. They probably both start out life as a casting, but that is the impression you get comparing them side by side.

For finish, the chrome finish and buffing is absolutely fist class on the EJ. I am not saying that the Merkur has a bad finish, it is probably more that is necessary to do the job, I am just saying the EJ is better, and boy can you see it and feel it.

For critical blade angle, I have no idea what to say is different about the two. I am sure that whatever difference there is needs to be explained by somebody that understands the science of the angles they built into the heads they created. All I can tell you is the EJ feels better in the shave. It could be due to the heft and finish, I can't tell for sure. But as with all things subjective in this art, I can tell the difference. Just like some skin likes a Derby blade, some skin likes a Merkur.

In any case, have you placed the order for the EJ yet?:D

David

Hello, Jordan:

As I understand, these new Edwin Jaggers use the Muhle Pinsel shave head. I find them smoother, for some reason, and somewhat less aggressive than the Merkurs. I like Merkur, and have owned several through the years, but I love these Edwin Jaggers. I'm sure it's just personal.

Regards,

Obie

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Originally Posted by Obie

Hello, Jordan:

As I understand, these new Edwin Jaggers use the Muhle Pinsel shave head. I find them smoother, for some reason, and somewhat less aggressive than the Merkurs. I like Merkur, and have owned several through the years, but I love these Edwin Jaggers. I'm sure it's just personal.

Regards,

Obie

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Same head, different plating, Obie. The chrome plating on the Edwin Jagger head is done by the same people who chrome plate parts for Rolls Royce cars. I got a DE89L a few weeks ago and the finish compared to my Merkur 34c is much nicer. I usually reach for a DE about once a week and I can't see me reaching for anything other than the Edwin Jagger any time soon. I do find it rewards a sharper blade with 7 o'clock yellows being my current preference.

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Originally Posted by jnich67

Now I really want that EJ :gaah:

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I hear ya. I have time until the tax refund shows up. Maybe I can talk myself out of it by then.

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Originally Posted by sensei_kyle

I hear ya. I have time until the tax refund shows up. Maybe I can talk myself out of it by then.

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:roflmao:roflmao:roflmao

My friend - that EJ is now in your blood. You are running on aquisition disorder - you WILL have that razor come hell or high water!

Cheers!
David

Thanks for the replys. I just started a new job and I'm finding myself a little too rushed in the morning to properly enjoy my straights. So I've been falling back on the DEs. I have my original Progress and I just got a '71 black handled Super Speed last week. I've been eyeing the Merkur HD, but the EJ may have just cut in line. The DEs are generally so much cheaper than a decent straight that it's tempting to buy every one I see. :(

Jordan

I couldn't agree more about the EJ razor, or about the Merkur blades!

I LOVE my EJ Classic in ebony; it's classy, smooth, and reasonably gentle for something that can leave my face BBS.

Merkur blades, however, are NOT for me, or not for my EJ! I bought a blade sampler with my razor, and by far the worst shaves have been from Merkur blades. No major nicks or cuts, but no real shaving either! I would have to make a full four passes, leave myself razor burnt and STILL had little bits of stubble. By comparison, a Derby blade is a two pass max, no razor burn, and leaves me smooth as the day I was born.