Does anything compare to SE shaving?

[smrex13]

Hi everyone,

I hope that this message finds you all well. I have been honing my technique with safety razors over the last six months or so. The EJ 89L has been a great razor, but once I tried the Gem 1912 everything else became irrelevant. Seriously, nothing compares to the shave I can get with a SE razor (I have tried the Micromatic and the Gem jr., but I like the 1912 best). Is there any reason to continue searching for a DE that compares? I have a tough beard, and the SE just glides through it all. I can't believe that SE shaving isn't the most popular shave on this forum. Seems like it's as close as a straight with the convenience of a DE. Am I wrong??

Cheers,
Scott

 

[danparker77]

Been wetshaving for about six months now and I too recently stumbled onto the SE's. I haven't come across anything better maybe have to try a str8 sometime. Better get into the SE Blade group buy if you haven't yet look here!

 

[DunEdinRanger]

Scott, only the Slant Bar razor gives me a better shave. The Futur is a close second. I'll be posting about the shave from an Open Comb slant as soon as I shave with it.

 

[michiganlover]

I think my Schick Injectors (types E, I, and L) compare favorably to the Gem razors. However they are similar, in that they both use a much heavier, stiffer blade when compared to the flexible, thin blade of a DE razor.

I enjoy shaving with a Gem, but haven't used mine in a few months.

 

[BEAR DEN]

Hi everyone,

I hope that this message finds you all well. I have been honing my technique with safety razors over the last six months or so. The EJ 89L has been a great razor, but once I tried the Gem 1912 everything else became irrelevant. Seriously, nothing compares to the shave I can get with a SE razor (I have tried the Micromatic and the Gem jr., but I like the 1912 best). Is there any reason to continue searching for a DE that compares? I have a tough beard, and the SE just glides through it all. I can't believe that SE shaving isn't the most popular shave on this forum. Seems like it's as close as a straight with the convenience of a DE. Am I wrong??

Cheers,
Scott

I pretty much agree with you, my favorite is the "Guiding Eye". What you might want to do is stock up on blades for you SE razors in case they become harder to come by.

 

[brianw]

Yes a straight. A SE ( Injector/Gem style) have been called a straight on a stick.

In a typical week straights 3 to 4 Days and SE's the rest....

In fact I'm traveling next week... In the Kit, 2 straights, an injector, and a travel 1912. Why should I give up my routine because I'm away from home.

 

[Swampfox]

I agree. I have recently discovered the joys of SE shaving. I really like the injectors, but I also love my push button Gem. There seems to be more of a learning curve for the 1912 GEM for me, but I get good shaves from it as well. The only DE I have gotten great shaves from has been my mystery Old type open comb knock off, and the Toggle.

 

[smrex13]

Yes a straight. A SE ( Injector/Gem style) have been called a straight on a stick.

In a typical week straights 3 to 4 Days and SE's the rest....

In fact I'm traveling next week... In the Kit, 2 straights, an injector, and a travel 1912. Why should I give up my routine because I'm away from home.

Thanks. That's what I suspected. I will continue to enjoy my SE, but I hope to transition to a straight soon.

Cheers,
Scott

 

[Dave Deluxe]

I've never used a "straight" razor but in terms of "safety razors" the SE experience can't be beat. I too, often wonder why the SE's aren't more popular, since the razors are mostly inexpensive and the shave quality is exceptional.

DD

 

[DunEdinRanger]

I've never used a "straight" razor but in terms of "safety razors" the SE experience can't be beat. I too, often wonder why the SE's aren't more popular, since the razors are mostly inexpensive and the shave quality is exceptional.

DD

Marketing trumps quality.

Ease/Convenience trumps quality.

 

[mark_mw]

My go - to is a Futur set at 5 but recently used an Ever-Ready 1924 and the results were very similar.

Both razors command respect and will bite if you are inattentive

 

[herbnerd]

They are impossible to find in New Zealand and I guess the packets of 100 I can find in a hardware store (for paint scrapers) will not do the job.

However, should they turn out to be the same, then I could be persuaded to try one.

Same with the Rolls Razor - I see them for sale very cheaply, but the difficulty in finding decent 'new' blades puts me off.

For me, it is my slant as my go-to razor, at least until I try a straight!

 

[Danricgro]

I recently started using a Gem Jr in my rotation. It gives the easiest closest shaves of anything I have used, and that is with Gem blades from Wallgreens. I have extra Gem razors if anybody wants to try one out let me know.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

I use some type of SE 5-6 days a week and a DE the other day or two mainly because I've got a lot of DE razors and blades to use. They simply work the best for me, hands down. I can get just as good a shave with an E or G model injector as I do from a GEM or Ever-Ready, but the GEM and Ever-Ready's are more fun to use. I've been using a Valet Autostrop with a modified GEM blade lately and enjoying the results from that as well.

 

[Slivovitz]

If you have even one razor that gives you a fully satisfactory shave, then the only reason to use others is that you just like trying them. At least, that's the only reason I can think of.

I haven't given up on DE razors, as the best ones (for me, a Fatboy and a Gillette New) do give me an excellent shave. I own a few that I still mean to try, mainly a Gillette Sheraton and an ABC pocket edition. There are even a couple that I use as travel razors.

If I just want a good shave though, I'll pick an injector first, and a single edge second.

 

[kingfisher]

I think people on this site prefer DEs only because SE shavers seem too much like cartridge razors. This is especially the case with injectors.

The more a razor mimics the cartridge shave, the more people around here don't get the nostalgia factor they crave. IMO.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

There's just something cool about sticking that big old ornery looking single edge blade in a 50-100 year old razor and dragging it around your face and neck.

 

[Bertilak]

Am I wrong??

Nope.

 

[The Last Chimney]

I think people on this site prefer DEs only because SE shavers seem too much like cartridge razors. This is especially the case with injectors.

The more a razor mimics the cartridge shave, the more people around here don't get the nostalgia factor they crave. IMO.

I can understand why you might say that about injectors, but how is an SE anything like a cartridge?

 

[Bertilak]

They are impossible to find in New Zealand ...

Somnbody in NZ must supply labs with laboratory grade blades. Hunt them down!