Battle Of the Milds (Feather AS-D2 vs Edwin Jagger DE89)

The Edwin Jagger DE89 with the black 3D Diamond Handle - My first razor as I switched to DE Wetshaving a couple years ago. Since then, I have picked up quiet a few razors to sample and have enjoyed a number of them, including some premium products. I recently got myself the Feather all stainless AS-D2. Had read a lot about how wonderful this razor is even though it is a mild shaver.  I put it to the test right away and got a very nice shave. Could not feel the blade at all - Personna Lab Blue on its third use.

This could be my daily driver for a mild shave in all stainless steel. I no longer need the Edwin Jagger or the Merkur 34C, I thought to myself.

Then the other day, I decided to do a youtube style comparison between the new Feather AS-D2 and the EJ DE89. You know, shave one side of the face with each and try and come to some conclusions. Was expecting the Feather to beat the Edwin Jagger hands down in terms of efficiency and overall feel... but to my surprise,  it did not.

I found that I got a much cleaner shave in 3 passes from the Edwin Jagger DE89 than the Feather AS-D2. Had to do a lot more buffing with the Feather to fully clean up, and since there is pretty much no blade feel, I ended up over shaving the neck area on that side resulting in uncomfortable razor burn. 
The EJ DE89 was lighter.. somehow this felt better and maybe all that additional weight is really not needed when operating a mild razor as the DE89 was much easier to maneuver. The longer handle on the Feather also did not help. I don't have very large hands, so I normally prefer handle lengths around 85 to 90mm. I have used longer handles and get excellent shaves with razors like the inexpensive Parker 24C OC, so its not like I'm biased and opposed to longer handles. 

Would need to do some additional comparison shaves with like the Merkur 34C and other milds in my den to really know if I should replace the old favorites with the AS-D2.
I also still need to use a feather blade to see how much better the Feather can get. Is it just to be used with the Feather blades. For the price this razor commands, is it really more efficient in comparison to justify a keep in my den. 

Would love to hear your thoughts from those who have a lot of experience with the Feather AS-D2

The Feather AS-D2 vs Edwin Jagger DE89

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The Edwin Jagger DE89 with the black 3D Diamond Handle - My first razor as I switched to DE Wetshaving a couple years ago. Since then, I have picked up quiet a few razors to sample and have enjoyed a number of them, including some premium products. I recently got myself the Feather all stainless AS-D2. Had read a lot about how wonderful this razor is even though it is a mild shaver.  I put it to the test right away and got a very nice shave. Could not feel the blade at all - Personna Lab Blue on its third use.

This could be my daily driver for a mild shave in all stainless steel. I no longer need the Edwin Jagger or the Merkur 34C, I thought to myself.

Then the other day, I decided to do a youtube style comparison between the new Feather AS-D2 and the EJ DE89. You know, shave one side of the face with each and try and come to some conclusions. Was expecting the Feather to beat the Edwin Jagger hands down in terms of efficiency and overall feel... but to my surprise,  it did not.

I found that I got a much cleaner shave in 3 passes from the Edwin Jagger DE89 than the Feather AS-D2. Had to do a lot more buffing with the Feather to fully clean up, and since there is pretty much no blade feel, I ended up over shaving the neck area on that side resulting in uncomfortable razor burn. 
The EJ DE89 was lighter.. somehow this felt better and maybe all that additional weight is really not needed when operating a mild razor as the DE89 was much easier to maneuver. The longer handle on the Feather also did not help. I don't have very large hands, so I normally prefer handle lengths around 85 to 90mm. I have used longer handles and get excellent shaves with razors like the inexpensive Parker 24C OC, so its not like I'm biased and opposed to longer handles. 

Would need to do some additional comparison shaves with like the Merkur 34C and other milds in my den to really know if I should replace the old favorites with the AS-D2.
I also still need to use a feather blade to see how much better the Feather can get. Is it just to be used with the Feather blades. For the price this razor commands, is it really more efficient in comparison to justify a keep in my den. 

Would love to hear your thoughts from those who have a lot of experience with the Feather AS-D2

I'd be careful to let one or two shaves put you off of a razor you had previously liked alot. Keep it around. To be honest, your description of lack of blade feel sounds fantastic to me. For some odd reason I've never tried a Feather AS-D2 and I really can't explain why because it sounds tailor made for me.

I also got my wet shaving start with the EJ DE-89 and it’s a great razor. I just ordered another one because I had given away the three I had to friends starting out in wet shaving. It’s been a while since I’ve shaved with it but I’ll give it a go as soon as it gets here. I also have the Feather AS-D2 and to me it performs like you describe. Very little to no blade feel, reasonably efficient but does require more touch up to get smooth. I find it works best with the Feather blade which makes Sense.

IIRC, people who probably know better than me say that the AS-D2 has a narrow window of highly effective angle.  To me, that suggests that any evaluation involving the AS-D2 should ideally include shaving with the AS-D2 exclusively for an extended period, say perhaps, a month.  It would also help to pick a familiar favorite soap, razor blade (Feather), and brush and stick with them as well.  The idea is to take your time to discover the narrow angle, and to uncomplicate the rest of your kit as much as possible during the quest.

OTOH, it may not be worth the effort to you.  Besides that, there is the keyword with which I began this post: "IIRC"  Sadly, I've learned that my own memory is at times about as good as Samuel Clemens', who said he could remember things that never even happened.

Good luck on your journey.

My personal Choice For Mild Shaver if you plan not to sell it and keep it Get Feather WS-D2 Wood Edition it’s a great shaver and even for me when I started Wet-Shaving didn’t have much experience and had to learn all and know angles etc..

This razor is a Rolls Royce love it shaves nice and just phenomenal performance also depending on a blade too as well to match with razor inside Tiger Blades are very nice smooth shave they cause No Nick or Cuts. Period. It pairs nice with razor at lest to my view.

Feather WS-D2 have slight longer Handle than Full Bodied SS version. Keep that in mind.

Edwin Jagger I don’t have one nor tried and cannot speak for razor and it’s performance.

Both are Great Choice to my view/opinion but I’ll Reach out for Feather first tho.

Hope it Helps

Alan H

Geez!  I thought the AS-D2 was pricey At $152 on Amazon.  I saw three hits for the WS-D2 - $599 at Fendrihan, $399 at Shave Nation, and $399 at The Men's Room Barber Shop.

IIRC, people who probably know better than me say that the AS-D2 has a narrow window of highly effective angle.  To me, that suggests that any evaluation involving the AS-D2 should ideally include shaving with the AS-D2 exclusively for an extended period, say perhaps, a month.  It would also help to pick a familiar favorite soap, razor blade (Feather), and brush and stick with them as well.  The idea is to take your time to discover the narrow angle, and to uncomplicate the rest of your kit as much as possible during the quest.

OTOH, it may not be worth the effort to you.  Besides that, there is the keyword with which I began this post: "IIRC"  Sadly, I've learned that my own memory is at times about as good as Samuel Clemens', who said he could remember things that never even happened.

Good luck on your journey.

There is no doubt that the AS-D2 is very technique/angle sensitive and to judge it fairly you should commit to it for a few weeks at least.

I just checked the Fendrihan.ca website and they are listing the WS-D2 for CDN$679!! Wow. Thats Wolfman territory.

Thanks all for your feedback...very insightful. I agree, i should not rush to conclusions and give it some time...i was planning on doing that and doing a number of comparison shaves...but i should maybe stick to it wxclusively during the test period.

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My personal Choice For Mild Shaver if you plan not to sell it and keep it Get Feather WS-D2 Wood Edition it’s a great shaver and even for me when I started Wet-Shaving didn’t have much experience and had to learn all and know angles etc..

This razor is a Rolls Royce love it shaves nice and just phenomenal performance also depending on a blade too as well to match with razor inside Tiger Blades are very nice smooth shave they cause No Nick or Cuts. Period. It pairs nice with razor at lest to my view.

Feather WS-D2 have slight longer Handle than Full Bodied SS version. Keep that in mind.

Edwin Jagger I don’t have one nor tried and cannot speak for razor and it’s performance.

Both are Great Choice to my view/opinion but I’ll Reach out for Feather first tho.

Hope it Helps

Alan H

Nice....I have not heard of this version..thanks for sharing......we keep learning

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