Thread: EJ Chatsworth/Muhle/Feather AS

Hello all,

I currently have a Merkur 34C DE razor. I like this razor, but I have been considering getting a razor that is little less aggressive. The EJ Chatsworth, some of the Muhle DE's, and the Feather AS look really good. I was wondering if any of you guys own these DE razors? If so, could you provide your impressions on these razors? It would be of great help to me and possibly others.

Thanks for any help and comments!

I have the Chatsworth and the Feather.

my view is they both give equal shaves which is a good thing because they both are great shavers. The Chatsworth is a thing of beauty, a real looker. the Feather is a purpose built instrument that doesn't look like much at first but once you use it you appreciate it's understated quality and simple looks and great feel in the hand. Either way you won't go wrong. I keep my chatsworth for special days and use the Feather DE for daily shaving when I don't use a straight.

ok.. i haven't used any of the above mentioned razors.. but i just wanted to ad.. the chatsworth is unbelievably good looking.. i was looking at one in a cutlery shop and i gotta say.. a very handsome looking shaver.. it's something you keep out on the counter.. very very nice.

Hello, Altshaver:

I have owned many of the Edwin Jagger "Chatsworth" series, and the 89L. They all have been good shavers and lovely to look at. Currently I have only the Edwin Jagger "Chatsworth" barley. It is a lovely razor in every way.

I also have the Muhle-Pinsel 89R, which is EJ L89's richer cousin. This is similarly a lovely razor and a good shaver. To my knowledge, the new Edwin Jaggers use the Muhle-Pinsel shave head.

The Feather stainless steel is in the near future for me. From what my friend thebigspendur says, it is an excellent shaver and quite functional, and I respect his opinion.

So you will not go wrong with any of these razors. As for the looks, the Edwin Jagger "Chatsworth" barley is a stunner.

Regards,
Obie

Originally Posted by altshaver

I currently have a Merkur 34C DE razor. I like this razor, but I have been considering getting a razor that is little less aggressive.

The 34C may not be considered extremely mild, but can it really be called aggressive?

Thanks for the responses. Currently, I am favoring the EJ Chatsworth.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

The 34C may not be considered extremely mild, but can it really be called aggressive?

Compared with a Slant-Bar, no, the Merkur 34C is not an aggressive razor. However, there are less-aggressive razors. The 34C is nearly in the middle of the road as far as aggressiveness is concerned. The 34C is usually the recommended starting razor because it is in the middle of the road for aggressiveness and because it is usually not as expensive as other Merkur models. Given my experiences with the 34C, I would like to try the less aggressive path for a little while.

Originally Posted by altshaver

Compared with a Slant-Bar, no, the Merkur 34C is not an aggressive razor. However, there are less-aggressive razors. The 34C is nearly in the middle of the road as far as aggressiveness is concerned. The 34C is usually the recommended starting razor because it is in the middle of the road for aggressiveness and because it is usually not as expensive as other Merkur models. Given my experiences with the 34C, I would like to try the less aggressive path for a little while.

Hmmm, different strokes I guess. I do seem to remember having this same discussion with our friend Obie some time ago. I have read mnore than once that some feel it is a bit on the aggressive side, yet IME the 34c/38c seem fairly tame yet excellent shavers. Oh well, personal preference is the beauty of this sport.

On the other hand I don't think it would take much arm-twisting to convince either one of us that we want an EJ Chatsworth.....

Well, I have an EJ Chatsworth Barley Chrome safety razor on its way to me. I'll update this thread with my impressions if anyone is interested. Man, this model of the razor has to be the nicest looking safety razor I have ever seen.

Originally Posted by altshaver

Well, I have an EJ Chatsworth Barley Chrome safety razor on its way to me. I'll update this thread with my impressions if anyone is interested. Man, this model of the razor has to be the nicest looking safety razor I have ever seen.

yes, you're going to be in for a real treat both visually when you get it and when you shave with it.

I just received the razor today. The chrome plating is a few notches higher than Merkur's plating. The razor has very beautiful shape. It is a three-piece razor, and it might be a little haphazard to load and unload razor blades to and from it. However, the three-piece design looks like it is easier to clean than say the silo door mechanisms of the vintage Gillette razors and perhaps even easier to clean than the "two-piece' designs of the Merkur 34C. The shape of the handle feels great, but it is a little slippery compared to the 34C. The length of the handle is very nice too. I'll have to see how it shaves in the next few days. The head of the razor does not look too dramatically different from the Merkur heads.

Perhaps a silly question, do any of you lubricate the threads of the razor head and handle with oil to prevent mechanical deformities in the threads and chrome plating loss? Or have those that use this razor find that it holds up really well? Thanks in advance.