Taking the plunge

[Gollnick]

I just run it under the cold water tap, give it a light flick to get rid of most of the water, and put it up again.

Ditto

[soloz2]

Persona red are one of my favorite blades! They mate well with the EJ DE89 IMO. I have several razors and primarily use my Weber ARC, but my EJ gets occasional use as well.

I love Proraso. Try loaded with a somewhat dry brush. I find it easier to add water than to remove it when starting.

FYI the C.O. Bigelow cream at B&BW is great, but it is rebranded old formula Proraso. The new formula Proraso is SLS and Paraben free if you car about that sort of thing.

Try Mitchel's wool fat!

[MODCOBRA]

A little follow-up. I have gotten much better with the making of the shaving cream. All seem to be going well until I ran out of the Red Personnas. I decided to 'save' the Feathers and dry the Derbys' since I had so many of them. I knew they were dull/duller the minute I hit my face. I will give them a couple more blades worth, if no improvement, on to the Feathers.

Ben

[unky_gumbi]

I had the same experience with Derby blades, they just did not work for me For me Feathers are razor dependent, if I am using a mild razor(40s SS, and lat Techs) I can use a Feather, but once I move to my more aggressive razors Feathers become too much for my face. Dull is one thing you will never hear me say about Feather blades, they are the king of sharp in the DE world.

[MODCOBRA]

I had the same experience with Derby blades, they just did not work for me For me Feathers are razor dependent, if I am using a mild razor(40s SS, and lat Techs) I can use a Feather, but once I move to my more aggressive razors Feathers become too much for my face. Dull is one thing you will never hear me say about Feather blades, they are the king of sharp in the DE world.

I am currently using the EJ89L, which doesn't appear to be too aggressive to me. I am going to move on to the feathers, cause I cannot take the Derbys.

[unky_gumbi]

I started with an EJ89L too, it is a mild razor, right about the same as a '40s Superspeed. The EJ does have a touch more weight if I remember right. I gave my EJ89L away about 2 years ago, I miss it

I could never get a full shave in on a Derby, I think there would have been less discomfort if I had pull each hair out with tweezers

[MODCOBRA]

I started with an EJ89L too, it is a mild razor, right about the same as a '40s Superspeed. The EJ does have a touch more weight if I remember right. I gave my EJ89L away about 2 years ago, I miss it

I could never get a full shave in on a Derby, I think there would have been less discomfort if I had pull each hair out with tweezers

LOL...that is exactly how it felt. I thought I had the angle all wrong at first. Going to maybe try the Astras or the blue super platinums made in Israel that game in the sample pack. Know anything about those?

[MODCOBRA]

I started with an EJ89L too, it is a mild razor, right about the same as a '40s Superspeed. The EJ does have a touch more weight if I remember right. I gave my EJ89L away about 2 years ago, I miss it

I could never get a full shave in on a Derby, I think there would have been less discomfort if I had pull each hair out with tweezers

LOL...that is exactly how it felt. I thought I had the angle all wrong at first. Going to maybe try the Astras or the blue super platinums made in Israel that game in the sample pack. Know anything about those?

[unky_gumbi]

I had good luck with Astras, and oddly enough Dorco 301s a blade that is normally frowned upon by the DE crowd. I have never tried the Super Blue Platinum but I don't think they can be bad in comparison to your experience with the Derby blades

[MODCOBRA]

Thanks for the reply....I will start with the Astras.

[db]

I wonder if Derby blades have changed over the years? 3 years ago I picked up a couple of hundred and found them to be very smooth. Back then they were recommended highly. I just picked up a hundred of the Astra and a 10 pack of Feather. Both are very good blades for me. The Wilkinson Sword I found at Walmart was a real tug and pull fest on my face. It almost seemed like they had no edge at all.

[soloz2]

The ej de89 head is one of my favorite. Mine is on a Tradere handle and has a feather blade installed. My Weber gets a persona red.

[ChrisJS1]

I'm new to D/E also. Been using my father in law's old gillette, But I was a victim of slightly buzzed amazon shopping last night.

This is what I went with:
Merkur Model 38 Hd Classic "Barber Pole" Long Safety Razor
Van Der Hagen Men's Luxury, Shave Set (wish soap)
Pacific Shaving Company All Natural Shaving Oil for Men and Women
Sample pack of razors

The shave is superior in every way when compared to cartridges except for the time it takes. Really happy I made the switch.