Thread: Bought one!

Since I travel a bit for work, and do not take my straights, I ordered one of these today from Italian Barber:
1 x Edwin Jagger DE 89BA11 Razor - Barley Chrome Plated
And some sample blades.
Hope I don't cut myself.

I shaved with a straight all of 5-6 times before making the switch over to a safety razor, and (probably due to inexperience and poor prep and technique with the straight) loved it! I sent my straight in to get sharpened and haven't touched it since it made its way back. Just a pleasure to shave with and maintenance is nowhere near as time-consuming as with a straight razor. Enjoy! (And if you don't, try some other blades!) What did you order?

The razor comes with some derby blades. I also ordered the sample pack that contains:
10 (1 pack of 10) Feather New Hi Stainless Double Edge Blades - Made in Japan
10 (2 packs of 5) Astra Superior Platinum Double Edge Blades - Made in Russia
10 (2 packs of 5) Lord Platinum Double Edge Blades - Made in Egypt
10 (1 pack of 10) Croma Diamant Double Edge Blades - Made in Germany
That should be a good start, hopefully one of these will suit me well.

I love my straights, but travelling w/them is not easy. Especially in a carry-on. TSA frowns upon that.

Very nice, I'm sure you'll find something that you like in there and if not I'm sure there will be plenty of good alternatives for fairly cheap. It was a bit awkward getting used to the notion of holding a safety razor properly at first, but you get used to it. If you happen to be travelling with a DE razor kit in your carry-on, people recommend that you either buy serviceable blades at CVS/walmart when you touch down, or mail ahead a couple of blades taped to an index card to avoid having them confiscated at security.

Originally Posted by RJD

Since I travel a bit for work, and do not take my straights, I ordered one of these today from Italian Barber:
1 x Edwin Jagger DE 89BA11 Razor - Barley Chrome Plated
And some sample blades.
Hope I don't cut myself.

RJD,

You chose a fine double edge razor in the Edwin Jagger DE 89BA11. The razor comes with impeccable workmanship and a gentle and silky shave. Remember, the straight and the DE share many characteristics. With the EJ, keep the pressure light and use short strokes. Also, refrain from shaving over the same spot excessively to avoid razor burn.

In the past I traveled with the straight and a DE backup. Now I travel with only the DE. My wet pack, which contains all my needs including several brands of blades, is always checked with my luggage. I find the blades sold in pharmacies and department store rough, so I avoid them. Others like them. And that's how it is with the world of DE shaving.

The blades I use, after having tried just about every blade out there, comprise of: Feather, Gillette 7 O'Clock "SharpEdge" in the yellow packet, Perma Sharp Super, Super Iridium, Derby and Israeli Personna. They work quite well for me. You, of course, will eventually settle on what works best for you.

Finally, I always remove the blade after the shave and store it in a safe place until the next shave. Then I rinse and dry the DE before putting it away in the rack. That's because my Mama always told me to be a good boy and keep my things clean.

Stay well.

That is a fine looking DE you have bought and would be at the top of my list were I looking for a new DE. I don't travel with a straight for the same reasons you do preferring my Gillette Fat Boy instead. Love the challenge and ritual of using a straight at home though. If you can manage a straight a DE should not be a problem.

Bob

Originally Posted by Obie

RJD,

You chose a fine double edge razor in the Edwin Jagger DE 89BA11. The razor comes with impeccable workmanship and a gentle and silky shave. Remember, the straight and the DE share many characteristics. With the EJ, keep the pressure light and use short strokes. Also, refrain from shaving over the same spot excessively to avoid razor burn.

In the past I traveled with the straight and a DE backup. Now I travel with only the DE. My wet pack, which contains all my needs including several brands of blades, is always checked with my luggage. I find the blades sold in pharmacies and department store rough, so I avoid them. Others like them. And that's how it is with the world of DE shaving.

The blades I use, after having tried just about every blade out there, comprise of: Feather, Gillette 7 O'Clock "SharpEdge" in the yellow packet, Perma Sharp Super, Super Iridium, Derby and Israeli Personna. They work quite well for me. You, of course, will eventually settle on what works best for you.

Finally, I always remove the blade after the shave and store it in a safe place until the next shave. Then I rinse and dry the DE before putting it away in the rack. That's because my Mama always told me to be a good boy and keep my things clean.

Stay well.

Thanks, Obie. When researching DE's, I stumbles across a few threads where you mentioned this razor. You'de mentioned the silky shave, and I thought, "hey I like silky shaves", so I bought one. Thanks again.

Originally Posted by RJD

I love my straights, but travelling w/them is not easy. Especially in a carry-on. TSA frowns upon that.

Frowns upon it? I think they would have a slightly different reaction than that.

I definitely like ak1m's idea of mailing them ahead. Luckily DE blades are extremely light and could just be mailed in an envelope (not sure about the legality of that though...but what are the chances you get caught). Otherwise I think most Walmarts have DE blades, although probably only one brand (I think Wilkinson swords?) and you may notice that you become very picky about the type of blade you like.

Obviously putting them in checked baggage is the most hassle-free but in today's world of expensive baggage fees and fast travel that probably always isn't an option.

--

I've heard great things about the EJ 89 though. I was trying to decide between it and the Merkur 38C and eventually went with the Merkur. I made the transition from electric with very minimal injury (although I watched upwards of 2 hours of youtube videos), so I'm sure you'll handle it fine coming from straight.

The Barley is great. I use mine regularly when I don't use a straight (for time or convenience). It's a very good DE and I've enjoyed mine a lot. It gives a smoother shave than many of my old Gillettes with the exception of my 46-7 Aristocrat.

BTW: I also take a DE for travelling and find it easier to manage my kit that way. I do put blades in checked luggage, but otherwise you can also arrange to send blades to yourself your hotel in a package (if you inquire first with the hotel) that they'll hold for you. If you don't want to check a bag, the Walgreen's or wally world are serviceable. I also take a shave stick and a brush and keep them both in the big plastic prescription bottles I can get from Walgreen's for the asking.

First, Congrats on the DE. I have several of them and use them periodically when I travel or when I am very pressed for time. Nice to have an alternative. I'd continue to try to learn to shave with a Str8, it can be very rewarding.

As far as a Str8 on an airplane is concerned, they are not permitted in the cabin/carry on luggage. You are permitted to have them in your checked luggage.