Just had my first shave with the EJ89 DE this morning. I gave myself extra time being my first and made sure I had read up on everything, hence my only fault could be lack of experience.
Knowing that it will take some time and experience to get a bbs shave I didn't expect too much. Well I follow suit it was:
A. More comfortable; the blade (Astra superior stainless recommended and supplied by lose the beard great choice for a starter) cut the stubble, as opposed to the tug and cut method with multiple blades.
B. less irritation, I finally managed a three pass shave WTG, XTG and finally WTG again
C. More enjoyable but personally this enjoyment arises through attaining the divine bbs shave as opposed to the razor, yes it's nostalgic and fun but I want the bbs.
D. Very little razor burn and closer shave.
I'm glad I learnt how to lather and pre/post shave with cartridge razor shaving for a few months, simply thus allowed one to develop essential shave prep skills. I chose a classic in proraso pre (green) followed by TOBS avocado (silver tip omega-TOBS shaving mug), thayers rose and aloe witch hazel and finally tabac a/s. I showered and exfoliated before hand to ensure hydrated whiskers.
I did have two very very minor nicks but hardly worth worrying about and in certain areas its closer than the fusion, partly due to the three alterior grain passes; however I could not do this with a fusion due to razor burn.
Overall well worth the purchase (tony you were right and I hope this review merits a worthy audience
) and would recommend DE shaving with an EJ89 over the fusion.
Lesson learnt; Technology can adapt a tool but adaptation may not be improvement .
