Edwin Jagger DE89 Review – A Class Mild to Medium Razor
Edwin Jagger DE89 Safety Razor
A mild safety razor that has been popular for some years in the traditional wet-shaving community is the Edwin Jagger DE89. An attractive chrome razor with various handle options. I found it a mild to medium shave!
Pros
The design and hand-polished chrome finish make this razor attractive
The option to choose various handle designs and sizes
A good weight
Good choice of mild and beginner razor
A good option for those who shave daily
Good drainage and easy to rinse
Good price point for the quality
Cons
It will be too mild for some guys and not the best option for coarse growth
Handles, even knurled, do not offer much non-slip grip as deeply knurled
The Sheffield (UK) born Edwin Jagger DE89 is a double-edged safety razor that’s high up in the recommendation charts for those learning to wet shave using safety razors.
The primary reason the DE89 is recommended for beginners is that it’s a mild razor that is not too aggressive and fairly easy to use. I would say it leans towards mild to medium in aggressiveness, though!
The English brand Edwin Jagger is among the select top brands worldwide that make and sell traditional safety razors to high standards, and as a user of many brands, I can attest to their high standards.
Let’s take a closer look at the Edwin Jagger DE89 safety razor and tell you how it fairs.
The DE89 made it into the Best Safety Razors for Beginners roundup.
Video
The YouTube video I created for the DE89 might provide some additional information, and/or the visuals might help you out.
Description & Features
There are five DE89 models: the classic or standard with a smooth handle (DE89bl), the lined handle (DE89Lbl), knurled (DE89KN), and octagonal handle types (DE898bgbl).
I will run through some of the differences between the five models shortly in the review and explain how each may benefit a user. It’s basically about handle grip and length.
- Chrome finish – The glossy chrome finish on this razor makes it look like a high-quality and well-designed product, and Edwin Jagger states the razors are triple coated. The only issue with chrome-plated metals is the chrome can eventually wear.
- Handle – The five handle types are smooth, lined, barley/engraved, octagonal, and knurled. The knurled and octagonal offer more grip than the barley, the lined, and the smooth, which do not have much grip and offer more of a glossy, attractive appearance.
- Double-edged – You can shave with this razor on both sides and use a double-edged blade on the head. DE razors are the most commonly used.
- Closed comb – The bottom section of the razor head is a straight safety bar with a row of grooves to guide the hair, and this type of razor is safer and easier to use than open comb razors. It may not be best for those with dense and thick growth, though.
- Blade replacement – This razor comprises three parts: the handle, upper head, and lower safety bar. The handle is unscrewed from the bottom while holding the razor head, and when it comes apart, you have three pieces. These types are harder to replace the blades than others; however, they are the best when cleaning them up.
- Blade gap – The best measurement I could find was 0.71mm (0.027in).
Versions
Classic
This is the classic/standard DE89 with a chrome-finished handle.
Dimensions: 93mm (L) – 41mm (W) – 85mm (handle length) *
Weight: approx 68g
Lined
This lined handle version provides more grip than the classic/standard.
Dimensions: 93mm (L) – 41mm (W) – 85mm (handle length)*
Weight: approx 68g
Knurled
The DE89 Knurled model offers more grip than both the Classic and Lined versions.
Dimensions: 93mm (L) – 41mm (W) – 85mm (handle length)
Weight: approx 68g
* Longer handles – Both the DE89 Classic and Lined models are also sold with a longer handle. The handle length is extended to 93mm, and the overall length is 101mm. These are also slightly heavier (only 2 grams) and suit those with a bigger hand or who prefer a longer handle.
The next models are not quite as popular, and they’re more expensive. The only differences are the type of handle and cost.
Barley
The only difference with the Barley is the engraved grip handle.
Dimensions: 93mm (L) – 41mm (W) – 85mm (handle length) *
Weight: approx 68g
Octagonal
This one comes with an Octagonal handle that’s exceptional for grip.
Dimensions: 93mm (L) – 41mm (W) – 85mm (handle length)*
Weight: approx 68g
Other Finishes/Plated
Some of the five types are also available with various finishes or plating. There’s Rose gold, Gold Plated, and Black Gold. They are all very beautiful, cost a bit more, and availability is more scarce.
Which Model Should You Choose?
When choosing a safety razor, the handle and its grip are important. Some offer more grip than others. However, they may lose their attractive appearance (attractiveness is in the eyes of the beholder, though, as they say!).
- Classic chrome – Choose this for the look. This is very popular.
- Lined – This provides some grip while keeping the attractive chrome finish appearance. I would say this is the most popular.
- Knurled – This one offers a lot of grip without the chrome look. This is the style if you must have grip.
- Barley – The Barley keeps its look and provides more grip than the lined, but not as much as the Knurled. I like the engraved handle looks on this and other razors, and it could be my favorite type.
- Octagonal – This type offers a very good grip and keeps the chrome finish appearance. It is a unique look.
- Other finishes – The other finishes are for those who want gold or another appearance.
Let’s take a closer look at the important features and my thoughts/experience with them!
Handle Grip (Lined and Knurled)
I liked the new knurled version I bought, which provided a little more grip than the lined version I have. It is finely knurled and does not have deep engravings.
The handle grip on the Lined version isn’t quite as good as the Barley engraved (I wouldn’t be happy with the classic no grip). If grip is very important, I would suggest buying the knurled.
Weight and Balance
The balance of the head and handle (approx 68g – 2.3oz) seems perfect, and it is not too light or too heavy, which also makes this a good choice for those new to using safety razors. The longer handle models (approx 70g) only offer an extra 2 grams. I wouldn’t want a razor weighing less than 60g, as more hand pressure would be required.
Look & Design
The chrome finish is attractive, and the design of this razor is made to very high standards. I cannot fault it, and I feel like I am holding a quality product. The triple-coated chrome finish is not likely to last a lifetime, but it should last many years.
Shaving Experince
I was shaving on this occasion with the lined handle version, and while I felt some grip, its grip is not quite as good as the barley engraved; however, there is not that much between them. I do prefer barley, though!
Update: I had to purchase another DE89 for a video review and tried out the slightly longer knurled handle version. I had similar shave experiences and found the knurled offered some extra grip.
As usual, with a mild type razor like this and others, such as the Mühle R89, they tend to leave room for mistakes, or at least the user can shave with ease somewhat. This is why these razors suit those just starting to wet shave with safety razors –they are very forgiving.
We get a free Feather blade with the razor, which is one of the sharpest blades available, and Edwin Jagger recommends using this blade with the DE89. This blade works fine for me with the DE89, but some guys prefer a milder blade, so if you run into problems like getting nicks easily or soreness, then I would suggest going for a milder blade like an Astra or Derby (just two good examples of a milder blade).
The razor gap on the head of the razor is perfect for a mild to medium shave (approx 0.71mm). If you have a very coarse beard or growth, it could be too mild, but you would get there with the use of more passes/strokes and smaller strokes.
I was fine with three days of growth, which is my sweet spot for a comfortable shave, and the DE89 was fine with this.
The bottom line is I get a good shave with this slick-looking razor. It worked through two and three days of growth very well, and I could see it would be a good choice for those who shave daily (I rarely shave daily).
Value for Money
Value alongside quality is well balanced.
The price will depend on the variation purchased and the store they are sold. The non-grip standard is the cheapest.
Of course, it’s not cheap at around $30 – $50 (USD), but it is quality.
In the UK, they cost anything from around £22 to £35.
Final Thoughts – Who Is It Best Suited For?
The Edwin Jagger DE89 is most definitely suited for those new to shaving with a safety razor who want a quality product without breaking the bank.
More experienced guys might also get along well with the razor if they need a mild to medium razor and are upgrading from their old razor or a cheaper model.
Choose your handle well. I prefer the Barley engraved and Knurled types. You may need more grip that the Knurled provides or just want to go for the slick style of the Classic version.
Alternative Mild Razors
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Merkur 34C vs Edwin Jagger DE89– Which Is Best For You?
Best Safety Razor for Beginners – Tried, Tested & Reviewed
