I've been wet shaving for 50 years, mostly with injectors which I prefer over DEs (although I have also used many DEs). I have shaved with almost every injector made, including a Cobra Classic (I know, I know, it's really not an injector--but might as well be). The only one I never tried was a Schick Type E, and my current favorite is a G4.
I found a very nice E2 on eBay, bought it, and it arrived two days ago. I sterilized it and checked it closely for the usual potential problems--tightness, blade alignment, etc. I could see by comparing it to my G4 that the head geometry was slightly different, with a greater blade exposure. But everything looked good.
Today I loaded it with a new Schick blade, super lathered, and took it for a test drive with a three-day beard.
Lordy! What an aggressive razor! I knew on the first stroke that it was more aggressive than anything else I had ever tried. First pass somewhere between CCS and DFS, second pass a BBS everywhere except two small spots under the jawline, which were DFS. I debated some touchup by J-hooking or blade buffing, but by then, the hair on the back of my neck was standing up, and my nerve failed me. My alum block stung a little more than with the G4, but I had no nicks, cuts, weepers, or redness, and have had no irritation since the shave.
Normally, I find injectors to be comfortable, forgiving, and very easy to use. But that E2 was like riding a rocket sled--uncomfortable and touchy. It's not a bad razor--in fact, in the hands of someone who was fearless and steadier than me, it could be a fantastic razor. But I'm a coward. I'll keep it for my collection, and maybe use it at very long intervals, but I'm going back to my G4 for regular use.
I guess I'm more like James May than the Stig.
I found a very nice E2 on eBay, bought it, and it arrived two days ago. I sterilized it and checked it closely for the usual potential problems--tightness, blade alignment, etc. I could see by comparing it to my G4 that the head geometry was slightly different, with a greater blade exposure. But everything looked good.
Today I loaded it with a new Schick blade, super lathered, and took it for a test drive with a three-day beard.
Lordy! What an aggressive razor! I knew on the first stroke that it was more aggressive than anything else I had ever tried. First pass somewhere between CCS and DFS, second pass a BBS everywhere except two small spots under the jawline, which were DFS. I debated some touchup by J-hooking or blade buffing, but by then, the hair on the back of my neck was standing up, and my nerve failed me. My alum block stung a little more than with the G4, but I had no nicks, cuts, weepers, or redness, and have had no irritation since the shave.
Normally, I find injectors to be comfortable, forgiving, and very easy to use. But that E2 was like riding a rocket sled--uncomfortable and touchy. It's not a bad razor--in fact, in the hands of someone who was fearless and steadier than me, it could be a fantastic razor. But I'm a coward. I'll keep it for my collection, and maybe use it at very long intervals, but I'm going back to my G4 for regular use.
I guess I'm more like James May than the Stig.
), and there was no damage. I always heard that the E was the most aggressive Schick, but I guess I just wasn't expecting it to be THAT aggressive. I don't have any nos blades that I'd be willing to shave with--most are really old, cruddy, carbon steel blades. Maybe I'll see if I can find some more recent ones on the 'bay and give it a try. That will give me some time to flush the adrenalin out of my system. 
