Muhle R89 / R89 Grande compared to...

[TripleB]

I currently have a Rockwell 6C and a '67 Gillette Super Speed TTO. I friend of mine has loaned me his Parker Variant in order to compare it to the 6C (says the Variant is the best razor he's ever owned and wants me to give it a try - I told him I'm a newbie and probably wouldn't be able to tell if it's better or not - but he insisted).

A couple weeks ago when I was looking to purchase my first double edge safety razor to start wet shaving, I had a Muhle R89 in a list I had made. Today I was looking at the list and the Muhle R89 (the R89 Grande as well) showed up for $29 shipped. As an impulse to seeing the under $30 price tag, I ordered it immediately, knowing if I decided (after reading and getting your advice) not to open it I could send it back for free.

So I have a few questions:
1) how does the Muhle R89 compare to the Super Speed (quality of shave, aggressiveness, ease of use, etc.)?
2) has anyone compared the R89 to the R89 Grande? If so, what are your thoughts? (I could order both to see how they feel, but I do not want to open a razor and then return it...even if it was just opened to see how it felt in my hand and I never shaved with it)
3) iyo, how does the Variant compare to the 6C?

Thank you as always for all your help. I promise to try and limit my questions from now on...right now it just feels like a world I've missed out on for 40 years has suddenly opened up to me and I'm like a kid in a candy store.

TripleB

 

[ChriWilson]

So I have a few questions:
1) how does the Muhle R89 compare to the Super Speed (quality of shave, aggressiveness, ease of use, etc.)?
2) has anyone compared the R89 to the R89 Grande? If so, what are your thoughts? (I could order both to see how they feel, but I do not want to open a razor and then return it...even if it was just opened to see how it felt in my hand and I never shaved with it)
3) iyo, how does the Variant compare to the 6C?

Thank you as always for all your help. I promise to try and limit my questions from now on...right now it just feels like a world I've missed out on for 40 years has suddenly opened up to me and I'm like a kid in a candy store.

TripleB

1) Over the past year and change, my primary mode of shaving has been using a SR. Prior to that and currently, I am an almost daily user of the r89. I would place the r89 somewhere in between the SS and Red Tip in terms of "shave effectiveness".
2) The r89 Grande uses the same head, just a bigger and heavier handle. Bigger as in length and O.D.

The r89 is a great shaver IMO and would do well for you in alternating between modern and vintage tools. Another benefit is that you are able to use a variety of handles; Italian Barber has a number of options in 316l SS and Titanium for example

 

[TripleB]

Update after shaving today with the Parker Variant at 2.5 on the left side and the Rockwell 6C with the 3 plate on the right side.

Now remember, these opinions are from someone who only has 4 or 5 wet shaves in his life so take them with a very minute grain of salt!

The 6C is a MUCH smoother ride (for a newbie) with the hair removal you obtain from using each. The 2.5 setting Variant vs the 3 plate 6C seemed to pretty close to one another when comparing the after the shave smoothness with a new Astra SP blade. But the 6C didn't leave near the amount of redness or small amounts of blood that the Variant did. To me it seemed like the blade was locked solidly into the 6C while the blade seemed to "waver" some as I used the Variant. The 6C just seemed to glide over my face compared to the Variant and cut the hair with little to no effort.

I didn't compare them side by side, but I would even say that I preferred my Super Speed over the Variant. Again just a newbie's perspective...maybe I'm just not to the point yet where I'm able to use the Variant like it's intended to be used.

TripleB

ps: thank you for the input ChriWilson...it's much appreciated

 

[DesertIguana]

Grande is same head as normal 89, just heavy weight.