Just about decided to go SE only

[tarheeljim]

I have been trying to get in a groove with my Gillette DE razors. Now own about 10, from a Fatboy (my very first DE), to a black tip, to a Superspeed, to a couple Tech’s, to a mint/unused Gillette travel razor (still haven’t had the heart to use it)—I even bought a little Feather travel razor. All worked ok, but just not great. I might use the term “uninspiring” (please, not trying to start any arguments…my opinion only…).

Then I got into the Gem and Ever Ready stuff, and WOW I have been in heaven! Had trouble with the Micromatic at first, but now seem to have mastered that one. They just shave so nice, and so well—love the sound of whiskers snapping off…that I think I may just go SE all the way and sell the Gillette collection.

Anyone else feel this way? I assume many start off on one track and end up on a completely different one…

Now I want to also buy a couple Schick Injectors, to stay with the SE mindset and yet have something different.

Anybody else started down the road in one direction and now went off onto a different trail? If so, what caused it and what were the trails? Am I looking at this wrong, possibly limiting myself?

 

[82R100]

I'm not sure I'd go from 10 to 0 on the DE's if I were you. Think of it more in terms of narrowing down to the 2 or 3 most promising.

I do know what you mean, but conversely I found that my SE experience helped my DE technique and do enjoy returning to them occasionally.

I recommend an E or G series Schick injector for your introduction to that format.

- Chris

 

[PaulX608]

I can understand fully. I started with Gillette TTOs about 20 yrs. ago, and have had quite a few different ones here and there. Once I started collecting and getting in to 3 piecers, I ditched the TTOs finding them, as you said, uninspiring. I also really like my SEs. Rolls, Gem, Schick. Love 'em. Like Chris, I would highly recommend the G series injectors. Great shaver. Don't forget to try str8s as well. My main roatation at present includes 2 or 3 Rolls razors, an open comb Micromatic, 2 G series injectors, a 1928 New Improved(my favorite DE), and 2 different straights.

 

[DunEdinRanger]

I believe Gillette's success can be attributed to superior marketing.

 

[82R100]

I believe Gillette's success can be attributed to superior marketing.

and, arguably, more attractive products.

 

[Bertilak]

Then I got into the Gem and Ever Ready stuff, and WOW I have been in heaven! ...
Anyone else feel this way? I assume many start off on one track and end up on a completely different one…

For safety razors the only ones I would consider for day-to-day use are the GEMs. I am pretty much 100% straights now but I do have one GEM and some Pellas in the bathroom just in case.

I highly recommend the GEMS. Most newbies come hard-wired for DEs so I generally don't try to convince them. Only when I see some doubt about DEs or interest in "something different" or explicit interest in SEs do I make a recommendation.

Oh yeah -- and what DunEdinRanger said!

 

[mdunn]

and, arguably, more attractive products.

ill say, some of the really ornate SEs are amazing.

If you like SE then you might like to consider straight, they feel pretty similar

 

[D.Irving79]

I am pretty much 100% straights now

what the..

 

[Hanzo]

I often see guys wanting to go absolutely DE or absolutely SE or to exclusive straight use and I don't see why.Reminds me of the old gladiator movies when one guy was proficient with the net, one guy with sword, one guy with trident , one guy with the grappling hook. You know they would limit themselves too .

I started with DE's, went to SE's , got cocky and started with straight razors. I use all three, DE's and Straights more so than SE's. Its nice to have a choice, and not any great inconvenience to keep a number of each kind of razor on hand.

 

[John C]

I started with a nice tech, and then made the jump to SE's.
Out of curiosity I loaded up my red tip Gillette last night to give it a try.
As was stated, the shave was a bit uninspiring. Don't get me wrong it gave a nice shave, but it seemed that it wasn't as close a shave as I get with my GEMs or Ever-Ready's.
The wife noticed it too when I was finished. She asked me if I had rushed my shave.
I've also tried the Schick's, but I seem to just come back to the Gems and Ever-Ready's.
I think for me, it has to do with the stiffness of the single edge blade.
I'm not planning on getting rid of my DEs, but I don't see me using them very much in my daily rotation.
I am working towards getting my straight kit together, and trying straight shaving.
I figure that I'll be one of those folks that rotates a bit of everything through just to keep life interesting.
Now I just need to find a good Rolls, and to take the time to rehone some of my autostrops.

after all it all about the shave.

 

[spinyeel]

S/E razors are just way cooler.

 

[BroJohn]

The SE's are great, but I'd keep a couple of your favored DE's for occasional use.

-- John Gehman

 

[napoleon]

I often see guys wanting to go absolutely DE or absolutely SE or to exclusive straight use and I don't see why.Reminds me of the old gladiator movies when one guy was proficient with the net, one guy with sword, one guy with trident , one guy with the grappling hook. You know they would limit themselves too .

I started with DE's, went to SE's , got cocky and started with straight razors. I use all three, DE's and Straights more so than SE's. Its nice to have a choice, and not any great inconvenience to keep a number of each kind of razor on hand.

I'm exactly the same. Only I use mostly SE, than straights and than DE razors.
ANd I keep a large amount of different razors. And every few months I "discover" one type/style/theme of razors that I use. In a few weeks maybe I'll use DE's although I can't imagine using them now.
My advice is- keep your razors.

 

[David6Eagle]

I really enjoy the weeks when the Gem G bar and Schick injector come up in my rotation, although their less aggressive nature requires a little more work for a BBS shave. Cannot see myself abandoning the DE razors.

One downside to using SE only is the lack of blade variety.

 

[Captain Flint]

a mint/unused Gillette travel razor (still haven’t had the heart to use it)

Please, do yourself a favour: USE THAT TRAVEL G. Maybe you'll end up by rethinking your decision of putting DEs aside. It's probably one the most underrated razors around; an excellent shaver!

 

[tarheeljim]

I'm not sure I'd go from 10 to 0 on the DE's if I were you. Think of it more in terms of narrowing down to the 2 or 3 most promising.

I do know what you mean, but conversely I found that my SE experience helped my DE technique and do enjoy returning to them occasionally.

I recommend an E or G series Schick injector for your introduction to that format.

- Chris

Thanks Chris. Really good advice, and might just pick out my top 3 DE's and release the others. Also am looking for the E or G Schicks--those are the ones with the bakelite handles, right?

Jim

 

[tarheeljim]

Please, do yourself a favour: USE THAT TRAVEL G. Maybe you'll end up by rethinking your decision of putting DEs aside. It's probably one the most underrated razors around; an excellent shaver!

Captain, I have those normal feelings of (1) USE IT!! WHAT THE HECK GOOD IS IT IF YOU DON'T?!? vs. (2) DON'T USE IT. ARE YOU CRAZY?? A MINT 50 YEAR OLD RAZOR AND YOU'RE GONNA USE IT?!? WHAT ARE YOU, NUTS?!?

...now that I have calmed down, maybe I should just go ahead and use it...ok, maybe I will...

 

[82R100]

Also am looking for the E or G Schicks--those are the ones with the bakelite handles, right?

Yup. Superficially, they all look alike. Every third listing on Ebay, seems like.