How is SE better than DE

[diverdoug]

I am loving the DE shaves (I went back to wet shaving a few months ago after a 30+ year hiatus). I have seen a number of comments about the superiority of SE razors. How are single edge razors superior? It would seem that a DE is just 2 SE razors back to back. Do the SE razors have blades available that are sharper than the Feathers I am currently using in a slant bar? Do SE razors provide a more aggressive shave? Lovers of SE razors, please explain. Despite my signature line, I am open to improving my shaving experience. Thanks, Doug

 

[brianw]

SE's have sometimes been referred to a "straight on a stick". The blades are much thicker and will mow down anything in its path. For me they are more aggressive then a DE and a shave to kill for. I personally have not used a DE in 6 months. A straight, SE, or injector are all that is needed for the best shave out there.

 

[Legion]

Better? Different maybe. They do provide more feedback and you can feel the whiskers popping better. Also, because of the shape of the head, you can change the angle of the blade a little more readily and it is a bit more "straight like" in that regard.

 

[Sledgehammer39]

I really do enjoy my DE arsenal. However, the SE is a pretty awesome shave and I like to use it during the weekends. It's a different shave when compared to the DE. As was mentioned already I believe that the thickness of the blade is big factor. I get great shaves from a 1912 GEM and Schick Injector E. If you wanna try a SE shave, try and obtain a GEM 1912 model and see for yourself. Most drugstores carry the GEM Personna SE blade under 6 dollars for 10 blades.

 

[beaver7158]

Don't mean to take over your thread . . . BUT . . . do they currently make a SE razor or do you have to get an old model? Just curious. I always see people suggesting old razors.

 

[craig87c]

Don't mean to take over your thread . . . BUT . . . do they currently make a SE razor or do you have to get an old model? Just curious. I always see people suggesting old razors.

Unless you get a NOS razor, they're all used. No new SEs made unfortunately.

brianw is my SE enabler. I'm not sure the SE gives better shaves for any reason for me except that I find it a million times easier to keep the angle correct. I had no problem getting an OK shave with a DE after 1.5 years, but it was difficult to get a great shave. With an SE, I can get a really good shave with bad lather as long as I keep the angle right. When I do everything right with an SE? Perfect shave with no effort.

 

[Kentos]

Like everything else in wet shaving YMMV, but SE shaves are mighty close, smooth and comfortable for me. For you? No idea but my guess is you may like it.

 

[fair enough]

I get about one good to great shave from a SE blade. After that it pulls my whiskers. I could squeeze two decent shaves out of the SE blade at the expense of comfort. Even on cheapo DE blades I get three good shaves most of the time. If you want an agressive shave, a gillette slim or super adjustable opened up to 9 should more than suffice. I will say using these SE razors has improved my technique to where I can and do put the slim on 9 without trepidation.

 

[livingontheedge]

Most drugstores carry the GEM Personna SE blade under 6 dollars for 10 blades.

What drugstores are you finding these in?

 

[craig87c]

I get about one good to great shave from a SE blade. After that it pulls my whiskers. I could squeeze two decent shaves out of the SE blade at the expense of comfort. Even on cheapo DE blades I get three good shaves most of the time. If you want an agressive shave, a gillette slim or super adjustable opened up to 9 should more than suffice. I will say using these SE razors has improved my technique to where I can and do put the slim on 9 without trepidation.

Sounds like a case of carbon blades that weren't dried properly after shaving! I can get a full week of shaves from a stainless blade and squeeze a few more out if I feel like it.

 

[kg4ghn]

For me, they don't give better shaves. Like was mentioned in your straight thread, BBS can only get so smooth.

However, I do get an easier shave with an SE. To get the same shave, I have to use 4 passes plus touchup with a DE, and 3 passes plus touchup with SE. But I prefer milder DEs and milder blades, so if you are shaving with a slant and feathers it may or may not get any better for you. Or, if for some reason I need a REALLY fast shave I can do 1 pass with my GEM Micromatic Open Comb and be acceptable. Not BBS or DFS, but really close for only 1 pass.


The cool thing is, you can pick up a 1912 for cheap, some blades at your local drugstore, and try it out. Then if it's not for you then you can sell the 1912 and be out very little money.

Personally I haven't used a DE in 3-4 months. Between straights and my 1912 I just don't ever pick them up. I'll still keep them around though, you never know when I might want to pick my New Improved back up and give it a whirl again.

As with everything else shaving, YMMV.

 

[Slivovitz]

. . . Most drugstores carry the GEM Personna SE blade under 6 dollars for 10 blades.

What drugstores are you finding these in?

Perhaps most drugstores is an overstatement for the Gem blades, but I believe most Walgreens do. Where I live, the Shop-Rite supermarket carries the same blades for $4.49 + tax. CVS carries their own brand of carbon steel blades, and I've seen Treets at a couple of groceries.

I could try to give after the fact explanations for why I get better shaves with SE and injector razors, but I'm not really sure. It's simply an observed fact that I do get closer shaves with less trouble, and the stainless blades last longer than most of the DE blades I've tried, particularly injector blades.

 

[gearchow]

Unless you get a NOS razor, they're all used. No new SEs made unfortunately.

brianw is my SE enabler. I'm not sure the SE gives better shaves for any reason for me except that I find it a million times easier to keep the angle correct. I had no problem getting an OK shave with a DE after 1.5 years, but it was difficult to get a great shave. With an SE, I can get a really good shave with bad lather as long as I keep the angle right. When I do everything right with an SE? Perfect shave with no effort.

Not exactly accurate. All Gillette razors made today are SE. They have multiple SE blades though.

-jim

 

[diverdoug]

For me, they don't give better shaves. Like was mentioned in your straight thread, BBS can only get so smooth.

However, I do get an easier shave with an SE. To get the same shave, I have to use 4 passes plus touchup with a DE, and 3 passes plus touchup with SE. But I prefer milder DEs and milder blades, so if you are shaving with a slant and feathers it may or may not get any better for you. Or, if for some reason I need a REALLY fast shave I can do 1 pass with my GEM Micromatic Open Comb and be acceptable. Not BBS or DFS, but really close for only 1 pass.


The cool thing is, you can pick up a 1912 for cheap, some blades at your local drugstore, and try it out. Then if it's not for you then you can sell the 1912 and be out very little money.
Personally I haven't used a DE in 3-4 months. Between straights and my 1912 I just don't ever pick them up. I'll still keep them around though, you never know when I might want to pick my New Improved back up and give it a whirl again.

As with everything else shaving, YMMV.

What do you think the reason is that the SE performs beter for you. Do you think it is the thicker blade? It would seem to me that a thicker blade would give more resistance when cutting. I feel kind of geeky asking about different types of shaving, but it interests me. I guess it is ok to be geeky about shaving on this board though

 

[Trendkill]

You guys have piqued my interest! I see the Gem 1912 mentioned here a few times. Is that a good one to go with for a SE newbie?

 

[bvance554]

Its just a completely different shaving experience. No one can say its better than your current combination, its just.....different.

I personally prefer shaving with my SE's over my DE's and i would definitely recommend giving it a try. As was said before, you can pick one up very cheaply, and I bet you'll want to keep it in your arsenal.

 

[CraigarTA]

I have a GEM clog-proof and it is agressive all right. I prefer the Ted Pella blades over the Personna ones. I have heard that Treet blades are nice

 

[PhatMan]

DiverDoug,

Like all things shaving, a lot is up to individual preference.

An SE is not per se 'better' than a DE.

SE users would say that the SEs shave par excellance; the DE supporters would say the same thing about DEs !

However, for a lot of people, including myself, no safety razor shaves as well as an SE !

My Ever-Ready 1912 is the best shaving safety I have ever used by a long way I also use a range of other GEM/Ever-Ready razors - 1924, MicroMatic Bullet Tip & 'G-Bar' - all shave superbly (for me).

The blades I use in my SEs, GEM PTFE Coated Stainless, last me over twice as many shaves as do my preferred DE blades (5 shaves vs 2 shaves), and cost the same as the DEs.

So, for me, the SE is indeed 'better' !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

 

[flycbyrd]

Shaved with my Gem push button for the first time today with a gem blade. I am a big supporter of the De. I love De. So back to se. it was easy to shave with ;angle was easy to obtain I was told it was different but I find it was only different by almost nothing. The sound it makes is what will stand out the most. I obtained a bbs shave with no irritation. I now have two loves but se will always be second to de.

 

[Sledgehammer39]

Perhaps most drugstores is an overstatement for the Gem blades, but I believe most Walgreens do. Where I live, the Shop-Rite supermarket carries the same blades for $4.49 + tax. CVS carries their own brand of carbon steel blades, and I've seen Treets at a couple of groceries.

I could try to give after the fact explanations for why I get better shaves with SE and injector razors, but I'm not really sure. It's simply an observed fact that I do get closer shaves with less trouble, and the stainless blades last longer than most of the DE blades I've tried, particularly injector blades.

Yup you are correct Slivovitz.. I should have elaborated that the SE blades are mostly available at drugstores/grocery stores. Some are made in Korea (which are not good at all IMHO). The others are ASR produced blades and I find them to be great. In my shopping area Wal-greens carries the GEM Personna blade, Rite-Aid carries Treet, and CVS there house brand made by ASR.