I asked one of the AIs (Bard) where half DE razors came from:I should probably shave with the Tachi first before answering, but I have some ideas already.
1. If someone uses a DE blade only once. With the SE head and a half blade you waste only half a blade. Some do that, though it might have been of advantage for the nowadays rare barber shops.
2. Shaving angle and center of gravity are different, leading to a lightweight and very different kind of shave. This is what I figured out when using the Romulus SE, which uses AC blades
(3. AC blades are not just longer, they are thicker, stronger, imo better blades that also work for wiry hairy and are simply a step up from good but cheap DE blades. This is in brackets as it doesn't apply to half-DE-blades.)
4. Small and narrow razor heads might be to your liking. This might be more attractive for body shavers, maybe head shavers as well, for me its just speculation, I don't shave legs and head. And my wife uses a totally terrible TTO for legshaving, only to torture me.
5. Style, preference?
6. In conclusion, no truly significant advantage to using a DE razor. With half blades.
but 7. SE razors using AC blades might just add that bit of firm blade that one can only get with a DE blade after a lot of twisting and clamping.
On the other side, that the Tachi uses cheap DE blades is also an advantage...
Goblin's question makes me wonder why the first DE half-blade SE razors were designed... I think it is because point 1, the Turkish "Sedef" shavette type of razor was invented to use disposable half DE blades after using the same blade because of health concerns over using the same straight razor on customers repeatedly.
Determining the very first razor design using half a double-edge blade is challenging due to the following factors:
- Limited Documentation: Information about early iterations of niche shaving tools can be scattered or unavailable, making definitive historical accounts scarce.
- Independent Inventors: It's possible that the concept of using half blades may have emerged from multiple independent creators rather than a single definitive source.
- Prototype vs. Production Models: Some inventors might have created prototypes using half blades, but these might not have transitioned into full-fledged production models, further blurring the historical timeline.
- Modern Era: In recent years, a few companies have commercially produced razors designed specifically for half-blade use, like the "SHaDE Razor" you mentioned.
- DIY Modifications: Some wet shaving enthusiasts adapt existing double-edge razors to use half blades through various modifications, but this practice isn't widespread or officially endorsed by most razor manufacturers.
- Historical Traces: There are anecdotal mentions of historical shaving tools that might have incorporated half blades, but specific details and verifiable evidence are often missing.
Instead of focusing on the origins, it might be more helpful to explore the reasons behind such designs:
Cost Efficiency: Some theorize that using half blades could potentially reduce shaving costs, although the actual savings might be minimal considering the reduced blade life.
- Weight and Balance: Certain razor designs using half blades could aim for lighter overall weight or achieve a specific balance point.
- Niche Shaving Techniques: Some niche shaving enthusiasts might experiment with half blades for specific shaving experiences or to customize their shave further.
I hope this information helps clarify the situation regarding half-blade razors! Feel free to ask any further questions you might have about wet shaving and its fascinating history.