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Money has a wish to be spent . . .
I have a Gillette Tech and Gillette Aristocrat. I prefer the Aristocrat. They were both low-cost antique store finds.
I'm thinking about getting a Jagger 89 Barley, just to see what a modern, high-quality DE razor is like.
Can somebody compare the three? or compare the Tech or Aristocrat to the Jagger?
Thanks --
Charles
Hello Charles,
The two Gillettes and the Edwin Jagger come from two different worlds. Of the Gillette line, I prefer the Aristocrat. I have one and use it for travel. The Tech is a good razor, too, and on the mild side. They both give good shaves, and are well made — true American workmanship. By the Edwin Jagger 89 "barley" I assume you mean the new EJ, the 89BA11. This is a stunning razor in every way. The workmanship is dazzling and the shave silky. Which one would I choose? Which one would I recommend? The Edwin Jagger, of course.
Stay well.
I don't have the Gillettes you mention just the Fatboy and it's a very good shaver but Obie is correct. No matter how I fiddle with the settings on the Fatboy the EJ simply gives a better shave in every way as does the Feather Stainless for that matter. I guess the modern design is just superior.
agreed with all. Go EJ!! I do like them all but the EJ is the best for me with many different blades
Paul
OK -- thank you all.
I just looked at the eBay items of "cedarfurnitureman". Considering what vintage DE's are selling for, the Jagger doesn't seem so pricey!
Charles
I have a Tech, I think it is one of the first ones. I also had one of the later ones, and I can tell you that hands down, the older one is better. I also have a couple of the first DE razors, they all work well enough. They're all great shavers...though none are (as) close shavers as a straight. But man-oh-man, was it a steep curve...but I would never go back.
I've been straight razor shaving for about ten years now and recently bought the DE Jagger (was looking for a birthday present). I've used a DE Gillette as well and have to say the Edwin Jagger is superior, hands down. It is so smooth. Just make sure that you loosen it all off and rinse it thoroughly after each shave.
You know, it's kind of funny, I also notice a difference in the DE razors. I have used the same type blades in the variou razors such as the several Tech(s), the Merkur nd a couple of the older Gillettes and I know that some definitely shave better than others. I think it has to do with the placement of the blade, where it ends up being situated in the razor itself. I mean, that has to be it...I think so anyway.
Just to close this thread . . .
I got the EJ 89 Barley yesterday -- it's big and shiny (beautiful chrome!) and heavy ! The barley handle gives good grip, not as solid as the Tech and Aristocrat, which have more aggressive handle patterns. But perfectly adequate for soapy hands.
I put a Feather blade in, and shaved with it this morning. Did 3 passes with MWF lather.
. . . No irritation at all, and _almost_ BBS results.
It's a very nice razor. Thanks to everyone for their encouragement. It's not cheap, but you can see and feel the quality.
Just for fun, I did some measurements:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Weight . . . Length, blade to end of handle
Gillette Tech . . . . . 48 grams . . . . . . . . 77 mm
Gillette Aristocrat . . 70 grams . . .. . . . . . 77 mm
EJ 89 Barley . . .. . . 76 grams . . .. . . . . . 90 mm
. . Charles
Shucks! I had almost forgotten that I need to try out an EJ sometime. ::banghead:
Which 89 did you buy!
The new 2011 with the octangular handle?? Or ???
This one:
Edwin Jagger Classic Safety Razor, Barley Handle | Fendrihan Shaving Store
The "barley" pattern is like a light knurling, or gunstock checkering. It reduces the "bling", but improves the grip with wet, soapy hands.
I suspect that it's impossible to have both (a) good chrome plate, and (b) sharp-edged, deep knurling. Under magnification, you can see that the "barley" pattern was designed to avoid sharp edges. Maybe somebody who understands plating can explain it.
Charles
Jagger by far the best of the 3...
I can make no comparison because my one and only DE is the Jagger.My wife bought it for me for christmas. I must say that it has given me a very quick and comfortable BBS shave. I have only used it twice because its really hard to pick up when I have a bunch of straights ready to rock. I use the feather blades with it FYI.
After reading this thread (thanks all) and checking prices, I got a EJ barley yesterday and tried it today. Its feel (heft, balance and longer handle) is superb. I used a Gillette Yellow 7 o'clock and it was a very good shave. It just seemed to glide.
As for the EJ barley vs. the Aristocrat? Close--I still love my Aristocrat which shaves IMHO as well, but the barley is without doubt a keeper for those times when I don't have time to luxuriate with a straight shave.
BTW: I got mine at Merz in the Palmer House in Chicago; they had them at a price comparable to others and are available on-line. Interestingly, I was told that they had sold four (!) of the EJ barley over the weekend and Monday. It must be a hit/popular DE. Merz was one of the sponsors, if those in the area recall, of the Chicago Great Shave get together fest last November at the Palmer House.
I also have two vintage Gillettes ('64 SS and '50 Aristocrat) and an EJ (lined). The EJ is my favorite of the three and I use it all but two days a week (when I like to shave old school). I haven't tried a Merkur but the EJ satisfies my modern safety razor jones and could easily be my only razor.
I seem to remember from somewhere that EJ started with the Merkur head though they improved on the finish of it. Does anyone know if this is true (still)?
Will N.
Will, to my knowledge, Edwin Jagger now uses the Muhle shave head.