I posted this more fuller response next door, to the same question...
The Muhle R89 would be the razor I choose. The Merkur's, Feather, Tech, Superspeeds etc. or other daily drivers are all good in their own way, but for me the Muhle R89 strikes the best balance. It shaves at 30 degrees, an intuitive, ergonomic, shaving angle, unlike the Feather or Tech. It is chromed, which is still superior to polished stainless steel, aluminium, brass or titanium for glide and smoothness. And with the right handle choice, it is beautifully balanced. The male and female threads are now brass and the chrome plating is flawless. But more than this, it is how well judged and easy to access, the shaving performance is; for sure, there are smoother razors (the Feather and Karve being examples), razors that use better quality materials, or provide greater blade rigidity, but the R89's overall balance in terms of smoothness, feedback, efficiency, ergonomics, finishing, aesthetics, weight and cost — hits the Goldilocks zone me thinks. The razors efficiency, comfort and quality of shave also increases with a shavers experience and technique. I would also classify the R89 as a mid-efficient razor, rather than a mild razor, for those that have good technique.
I suspect some of the above attributes, figured in Gillette reasoning, when they chose to re-enter the DE market with Muhle's head, rather than one of the excellent far-east clones of their back catalouge, such as a Tech or Suspeed.
I do not consider it an inexpensive razor, especially compared to the many excellent value for money razors coming out of China, I think it is, we just become blasé to the price being charged by boutique razor manufacturers. I think the many members of shaving forums from yesteryear did new wet shavers a great service by identifying and reccommending the Muhle R89 even though many a new shaver inexplicably drop it for something else, believing it to be, incorrectly in my view, a "starter razor", or too mild, rather than just a great razor period.