Edwin Jagger Chrome-Plated Lined Handle Double-Edge Safety Razor

Realising that I have been using each Fusion cartridge razor head for too long because they're so expensive, I started looking online to buy them cheaper. What I ended up finding instead is that many people are switching to 'old-fashioned' double-edged (DE) razors like this one. I remember my grandad had one, and you can pick up antique ones in flea-markets for silly money. I didn't realise they were still available, and a realistic option to use.Having read the reviews here, and looked at some of the online shaving tutorials I decided to order this Edwin Jagger razor. On taking it out of the good-quality packaging I was surprised at the weight and heft of it. It oozes quality and feels like it will last for many years (hence, I suppose, the fact that you can find these things in antique shops) and - most importantly - it gives a really good shave.There's no voodoo or magic to shaving with it, and it's possible to shave almost as quickly as you can with a cartridge razor if you want to. Of course you can take longer, and enjoy the ritual - but you don't have to. In the week or so I've been shaving with this, I've only caused one small nick - and it's not unknown for that to happen with a cartridge razor.I already had a decent shaving brush and some shaving soap, but I did buy a small block of alum (Osma brand) and a pack of Derby blades. That should set me up for months of shaving, at a fraction of the price of horrible cartridges. I'm really happy with this product.

Having moved over from multiblade systems that were costing an arm and a leg and not doing the best of jobs at keeping my face smooth, this is my first DE razor that I chose after checking out all the reviews of the different brands on Amazon.Made in Sheffield, I could finally support some British company for some quality workmanship.It feels fine weight wise, and although the handle is short for my very long fingers, I can hold it fine and let the weight of it do the cutting without needing to press. I followed the other review recommendations of watching various videos on youtube byape2gentleman. Can't stress enough not to press whilst using as it will leave cuts across your face. Also, always go in one direction of travel with each stroke. If you try to turn the blade in the same stroke, you'll get a nasty cut. Start soft with 2 passes for a week, then move on to 3 passes and after about 2-3 weeks it's much much easier to get a comfortable shave that looks better than with multiblade systems, feels better doing, and leaves your face smoother that anything you could imagine.Great razor, especially with the 5 derby blades that come with it. If you get on well with the derby blaades, you can get a pack of 100 for about £7 online at amazon too. That will will last you a good many years.

Blades don’t come as advertised

GeneralI have been using a cheaper double-edge shaver for about a year now, I prefer using DE razors for the ease, the price of the blades and the closeness of the shave. Even with my cheap shaver I achieved great results from shaving and thus is why it took a year for me to buy a decent one. In general, for people that clean-shave DE razors are incomparable even for beginners, but the negative aspect is accuracy. Not to say these types of razors aren't accurate to a point but it's much easier to be accurate with common shavers (even cut-throats have ease of accuracy - but I wouldn't recommend beginners shaving with the cut-throat).Edwin JaggerFor this razor in particular I have to say it is far better than my cheap one and it is only slightly more expensive than common razors. It is very solid, durable and perfectly weighted. One thing instantly noticeable about this razor is how beautiful it is, once unboxed you will see that the shine is exactly as it is in the picture. The design is perfect, the ridges underneath where the blade sits can store more hair in them than my cheaper one and thus provide scope for double the amount of strokes before discarding the hairs in water - to put this in perspective a typical razor will do you for one or two strokes whereas my cheap DE has two sides and thus does double that of a typical Razor; the Edwin Jagger does DOUBLE THE STROKES OF MY CHEAPER ONE. The top curve provides enough distance for the blade to be angled perfectly with every stroke. The ridges on the shaft give good grip but I imagine if you want to buy the slightly cheaper version without the grip it wouldn't be of much disadvantage to you although it won't feel as good.Free BladesTo top off this excellent product you are given some free Derby blades (5) which I have to say are very good. I use cheap ones that are also fairly decent (Supermax blades) but have not used these blades with this shaver yet, I will add an [EDIT:] here soon to comment on if the shave was superior because of the blades or just the shaver. At the moment I shave twice per Derby blade and once per Supermax blade (my facial hair is quite thick and I will get a rash if I use more than this) but I have been told by work colleagues that there are more expensive blades that will last for weeks!CompetitionI have also seen the "Parker 99R Heavy Duty Barberpole with Butterfly Opening" razor also sold on Amazon which is about the same price. The Edwin Jagger razor is better packaged, better looking and comes with free blades. I have not shaved with the Parker so I cannot comment on it's durability or shave quality but the butterfly opening adds a mechanism to the razor that makes it seem like it could be less durable and takes some weight from the top. It certainly has a different feel to it and the weight balance is slightly less comfortable for me personally.In conclusion am very happy with my purchase, I'm excited to start buying and reviewing DE blades in the future but I want to try a variety first which will take time.

This is the second Edwin Jagger DE89 razor I have purchased, the first one lasted 12 years.I bought the original as my first DE razor and it has been great. it has a nice weight to it and is very smooth. i didn't hesitate to buy it again.ConsMy first one did suffer with corrosion on the screw and the screw did snap off. it seems this is a common problem but have 12years service for the sub 20 pound price i cannot complain. there are replacement parts available direct from Edwin Jagger but i decided it was more economical to buy another razor.