Why is the Muhle R89 More Expensive than the EJ DE89L?

**CoolBurn** · 08-15-2010, 09:53 AM

I have been a Merkur HD user for a long time. After reading reviews I just ordered a Muhle R89 which I am very excited to try. Upon further reading I see that many love(and maybe prefer) the Edwin Jagger DE89L. So why is the Muhle so much more money? Almost twice the price it seems. Did I make a mistake? Should I have ordered the EJ?

**wimbouman** · 08-15-2010, 10:00 AM

IMHO, not.
I love the Muhle designs and indeed, the heads are the same.

I did read however that on the Muhle site a R89 is $61 now.
A bit of B&Bgoogling will reveal better prices (I have seen $26,98, as far as I remember).

.

**Chaucer** · 08-15-2010, 10:09 AM

I haven't tried the EJ, but for my face the R89 is so far superior to the Merkur HD that I'm just not using the HD at all. For fun, I still alternate with my Tech, Superspeed and Slim and occasionally a Feather Travel, but the R89 is my current champ.

BTW, the best combo I've found is the R89 with Wilkinson Sword blade (German , not Indian) and Kell's Original stick soap.

**papi** · 08-15-2010, 10:42 AM

the handle on the muhle is suppose to be better. I have the muhle, its a nice handle, but I dont know if its worth all the extra money. The way I look at it is, it is going to be around for a long time, so I got the better of the two. You may be paying just for the name, too. So if Muhle makes both heads, which are very well made, and they put there name on the one, so its worth 20 bucks more, but there may be more work involved in making the muhle handle. Here is another point, the edwin Jaggers with real nice handles with the same head are about $130 dollars. They are real nice handles, but I would never pay that much extra. How about you?

**roboboticus** · 08-15-2010, 11:32 AM

What about the Muhle handle is supposed to be better? I have both and am somewhat split as to which I prefer. I think I prefer the extra weight of the EJ handle, and the look and feel of the Muhle's knurled handle.

The weight difference is slight but noticeable, and probably changes the razor's balance point. Someone posted the opinion that the Muhle's lighter handle makes for a less aggressive shave. I was mostly enticed to get it by the textured grip.

As for price, I'd keep an eye on the BST forum if you want to get a Muhle without paying so much. I forget how much I paid, but it was certainly comparable to EJ pricing.

**alex2363** · 08-15-2010, 05:44 PM

i love my ej..best razor yet

**roboboticus** · 08-17-2010, 09:08 PM

There's a Muhle on BST right now

**Iakona** · 08-17-2010, 09:12 PM

I haven't shaved with the R89, but I've compared it side by side with the DE89L. After feeling the DE89L, the R89 felt like the handle must be just a very thin tube. It felt so much lighter and insubstantial.

**RCC** · 08-17-2010, 09:20 PM

put the head on a RazorWorks handle.
Bob can make you anything you want.

**wulfgar1976** · 08-18-2010, 02:57 AM

Originally Posted by CoolBurn

I have been a Merkur HD user for a long time. After reading reviews I just ordered a Muhle R89 which I am very excited to try. Upon further reading I see that many love(and maybe prefer) the Edwin Jagger DE89L. So why is the Muhle so much more money? Almost twice the price it seems. Did I make a mistake? Should I have ordered the EJ?

They are both about the same price in the UK. I chose the Muehle because I preferred to have the chrome plated handle.

**TheChefs** · 08-18-2010, 03:24 AM

Originally Posted by roboboticus

What about the Muhle handle is supposed to be better? I have both and am somewhat split as to which I prefer. I think I prefer the extra weight of the EJ handle, and the look and feel of the Muhle's knurled handle.

The weight difference is slight but noticeable, and probably changes the razor's balance point. Someone posted the opinion that the Muhle's lighter handle makes for a less aggressive shave. I was mostly enticed to get it by the textured grip.

As for price, I'd keep an eye on the BST forum if you want to get a Muhle without paying so much. I forget how much I paid, but it was certainly comparable to EJ pricing.

My experience is the same. I use ej a d muhle is collecting dust since I prefer the extra weight. I cannot say that I prefer it over hd, since I get the same shave from both.

**kwsher** · 08-18-2010, 04:14 AM

Originally Posted by roboboticus

the extra weight of the EJ handle, and the look and feel of the Muhle's knurled handle.

I was set to buy the Muhle as I like the handle aesthetically more than the EJ lined but on learning that the EJ had extra heft, went with it instead.

The EJ is a fine razor, well finished and delivers a solid shave.

**michiganlover** · 08-18-2010, 04:35 AM

I have a Muhle R89, and it gives wonderful shaves. Easily in the top two of best razors on the market today.

**Laughster72** · 08-18-2010, 06:09 AM

At www.thesuperiorshave.com the Muehle is $45 shipped within the continental US (and I think only $2 more to Canada). It's still more than the cheapest EJ price, but I thought the knurling on the handle would be worth it so I got one. I don't regret my decision one bit.

**pelotonjon** · 08-18-2010, 01:44 PM

There is an even bigger discrepancy in the EJ/Muhle creams, soaps, and aftershaves.

**Slick Rick** · 08-18-2010, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by kwsher

I was set to buy the Muhle as I like the handle aesthetically more than the EJ lined but on learning that the EJ had extra heft, went with it instead.

The EJ is a fine razor, well finished and delivers a solid shave.

I have two EJ's and am very happy with both.

**GentsInstinct** · 08-18-2010, 02:04 PM

If you bought the Muhle case, you might as well go with the Muhle R89.

Case:

**majikmaus** · 08-18-2010, 06:10 PM

A reviewer on the page for the R89 at a purveyor's web site said that he owns both and swears that the heads look alike but (to him) the Muhle was clearly better. Even though the dude was probably a shill, I was influenced to buy the Muhle (which, btw, arrived today and will be up for a tryout in the morning

). I'll throw my 2 cents in after I try it

**wulfgar1976** · 08-19-2010, 02:50 AM

Originally Posted by majikmaus

A reviewer on the page for the R89 at a purveyor's web site said that he owns both and swears that the heads look alike but (to him) the Muhle was clearly better. Even though the dude was probably a shill, I was influenced to buy the Muhle (which, btw, arrived today and will be up for a tryout in the morning

). I'll throw my 2 cents in after I try it

I believe (but please correct me if I am wrong) that Muehle does the chrome plating themselves. That might cause the two to appear different.

**majikmaus** · 08-20-2010, 03:34 AM

I much prefer the Muhle. BBS in 3 unhurried passes and the finish is very nice.

that said, the R89 has a larger yet lighter handle and the knurling is deeper on the 33c giving it a better grip. I'll probably never use the Merkur again but may try swapping the handles if the posts and threading are the same