Two classics the Merkur 34C and the Edwin Jagger DE 89. In my opinion you can't bash either one. Both are excellent, it just boils down to preference. For me it's the EJ DE 89. It's the first quality DE razor I used and what made me really love traditional wet shaving.
Nice video. I own both as well & feel the same way. The EJ is a work of art. It’s a little more aggressive, but super smooth. But for some reason I’d take the 34C 9 times outta 10.
i personally have the DE 89 and it is one heck of a razor designed for both the beginner and advanced. I have a beard that is like sandpaper and it mows right thru it. Thx for the video
I love my Edwin Jagger DE89. Awesome razor. I pair it with either a Personna Lab Blue or Astra SP blade. I also use Arko shaving sticks most of the time. Right now I'm flirting with the idea of getting an adjustable razor. Merkur Progress is on my list.
Hello! i have the Merkur 34c and the Muhle r41. i find that the Voskod blades are are tugging more on the first pass, the more aggressive the razor is, but on the second and third they become very smooth. I think you got the same results here with the mild DE89 and medium aggressive 34C. It's not the sharpest blade out there. I think the 89 head may be to mild for my tough beard. Fun fact - The EJ DE89 and Muhle R89 have the same head - no one stole from each other, they just invented it together.
These kind of videos are important . Thanks . I have 3 cheaper Chinese razor. I always get a little razor burn with them but when I use my merkur 38c is aways get a good shave . I think I need a Edwin Jagger. Shaves are to important to get a shit one .
Cool shave Chris. I wouldn't say I hate bowl lathering. What I find is people bowl Lather for the required 3 mins, but only spend a minute transferring the lather to the face. That's why I think the lather wasn't 100%. Could have also been the soft brush. If you bowl LATHER then fair enough, but I'd reccomend spending another 3 mins at least transferring the lather to the face. Otherwise you miss out on the exfoliation and mechanical work that helps with the shave. Great shave though! Keep it up.
James Riley cheers bud! I'm going to be using a much better synthetic with same soap today doing a bowl lather as I know this lather was terrible in my opinion. I believe the brush was the issue! Cheers pal
Hi Cris! I was thinking about the tugging you felt. There's a funny thing about the Voshkod blade: it's the Teflon coating. The coating wears off during the first pass and then the second and third feel sharper. I think maybe the coating was causing it and that's why it felt better after the first pass.
+KHLthe2nd's Shaving and BS'ing thanks pal never thought of that! Well I'm going for a different blade in my next comparison which may be today. Cheers Matey!
Sounds very similar to me, without sounding toooo boring, I’m only really using 1 DE now. The Karve Shaving Christopher Bradley razor with the C plate. I to have sensitive skin and medium/thick growth.
I have both (well the Muhle R89 which is the same head), and also like the 34C best - It's just the right size and balance. In terms of shave though v similar!!
Chris Spertos I’ve had 2 fatip and the fit and finish and blade wiggle caused me to get rid of them ASAP. The first I owned I got fed up trying to line the blades up and never even used it before selling lol
I have both razors. I lean toward liking the 34c but it seems a tad bit milder. I like the DE89 but tend to get more bites and nicks. That's annoying. The DE89 is a work of art as far as its beauty. I also have a Progress which I put on setting 3. My only other razor is a Wilkinson Classic which is my travel razor. I enjoy your videos. Thanks.
Allen Sandusky thanks Allen very much appreciated!! Yes I very much agree that the de89 is a flawless work of art but I do love the rustic finesse of the 34c and I prefer 2 piece razors. It's also got a much better balance aswell as I find I have to put some effort in with the de89, whereas the 34c is effortless. I may have fallen upon a dodgy blade today though. I'm going to try the 89 head on a heavy handle next time and see how she fairs. Thanks for the comments and watching Cris
nice video pal. For me my DE89 just gets it, i just get more good shaves with it than my 34G, but then i like mild razors. Ye brush is good but as its a small knot i have fount it needs either a long load time of soap or a re-visit to the soap, it just about makes enough for a 3 pass shave for me if i get a good load.
+Black Country Shaver I found the soap was a bit off today but I am so use to having a dense knot that it threw me a bit today! I'm going for same brush and soap tomorrow to see if I can better the lather as I know I can! Cheers bud
What I've noticed is, you haven't once cross-grained your neck area and yet your skin and shave condition looks perfect. Is it unnecessary to shave ATG on neck that I'm unaware of?
@@AnotherCutAbove You do look good on camera. BTW, the same post shave stubble has occured to me as well. I cannot give any commendations since the ease of shaving is really gone with an aggressive safety razor, but it is what it is. One thing to mention is the "refinedshave" de blades tier chart. I wonder if you would like tiering like I do: Feather is one of the blades that wear out evenly. Rapira Swedish Steel, Treet Platinum and Shark Stainless are also similarly even wearing blades eventhough they are much milder. I had success with the Shark brand. You just set it and forget it. Other blades, Voskod included, don't wear out evenly and bite before wearing out since they sharpen as they shave which is perplexing. Thanks for the video, your impressions are really valuable.
Hej Cris, both razors hard to beat, whether beginner or experienced. Amongst mny Muehle razors, the 34C is t h e allrounder and Jagger seems to be satisfied with DE89 sales, no new model, except optical in sight. I often question myself, if starting wet shaving allovr again, those 2 + a Fatboy and thats it... Cheers.
I’m new someone help me understand why the yotubers consider these two “beginner” razor but I also get the vibe that these are considered some of the greatest razor made? If they’re the greatest, then how are they beginner razors?
i have no idea buddy, i guess they are a razor that almost everyone can get a great shave from so they are razors that work for most and therefore deemed good enough for someone to begin on. I personally tend to recommend the Rockwell 6C as it offers a super smooth shave and allows the newcomer to try 6 different aggression levels.
I'm a beginner myself. I came across a plausible answer when I tried a really mild blade. Previously have been using permasharps, but these sharks are something else. The issue with too much aggression is you cannot wet the beard without soaking your skin, making it more easy to peel with the razor. A mild blade solves it midway - what is ideal is that your skin isn't irritated. Permasharps were a little suspect in that regard. What I call a bad temper, the blades get sharper, instead of duller in time. You might not be able to pick which side is less used. It is a total turn off when you find a more consistent blade feel. The choice in razors is an extension of this regard.
No conflict about a razor being good-for-beginners and being great razors. A beginner SHOULD start with a mild razor, and learn to handle the razor for wet-shaving. While still learning, the person has the choice of trying many sample blades. After a while of experience and skill improvement, other decisions may become easier to make.
Unsure if scientifically it makes a difference. It’s more for the sensation during the very very hot days over here. I do find my bristles to be stiffer though and i generally get less irritation as the cold water stems the flow from the pores.
Fwiw, I have very sensitive skin and have found the vintage Gillette Super Speed to be very mild. Doesn't irritate my skin at all. Bonus is that it can be purchased on eBay for less both the 34C and the DE89.
Vintage razors shave amazing well. I just cannot for some reason get attached to them and always end up selling them. Smashing comment and recommendation however!
Wow this is an old video lol 😂 I've got my lathers almost spot on for me now anyways. Hot or cold I don't generally struggle unless it's a head lather. I can't seem to get them spot on. Cheers for dropping by bud Cris
It seems like this is the first time you didn't cut yourself with the de89 Do you think if the de89 had the same weight ratio as the 34C in terms of the de89 being head heavy would have rather been handle heavy like the 34C, you would prefer the de89?
+electrosec very good question, one thing I could do is put the de89 head on my chunky stainless steel handle for the weight and see if it does better! I think in my mind I prefer the 34c but the de89 all round from start to finish was smoother today. And yes no nicks cuts or anything as I usually do with the 89. Let me play around with this experiment a bit more lol. Cheers mate Cris
Yes I have been wondering this for a while. I like the way the 34c feels in my hand compared to the de89 but I prefer the de89. I don't have any heavy handles to try this concept. Looking forward to your experiment with the heavier handle. Thanks
Its been a very very long time since i used it but from emory I do believe there was a discrepency in the way both sides shaved. I would need to try one again to confirm it.
Jonathan Landstrom I have used both bud, however they are far too mild for a head shave in my opinion as I have to spend a long time getting a bbs shave! Great razors but they are no longer in the den as I have found better razors. Cheers Cris
I obviously have a soft spot for the Karve CB razor for all shaves. But the START adjustable razor out of Russia is also superb. One of the best I used was the Razorock Wunderbar but it’s a very aggressive shave and takes a very light touch and patience to get right.
@@AnotherCutAbove Thank you very much for your advices! I will give a look to those razors. I am currently using a Merkur 37C slant and I feel comfortable, it is efficient and smooth, but I am looking for something more aggressive. The Karve seems the good choice for me, just a doubt, does the brass oxidize with time?
