SE vs DE

[Toulouse]

Okay, I've been shaving for a long ... long time, but have never tried a SE razor. Do they offer any advantage over a DE?

Sorry if this duplicates other threads - I searched but failed to find.....

 

[ChrisTWB]

I tried it just a couple of weeks ago, granted I did not give it a fair chance by any means but I found SE to be not for me. Def a learning curve to it and it is pretty scary when you flick out a razor sharp blade and have to start shaving. (not much of a difference from taking that high end razor from your kitchen and trying to figure out how to shave with it). I assume after time all this fades away as you pick up the razor and know what angle and can shave quickly with it. Me, I ended up sticking with the DE's and actually picking up a PILS in the SE's place. Maybe another time down the road I will give it a try again but for now.. I am perfectly happy with the DE's...

 

[MondoJ]

On the other hand I find SE's more intuiative and give a closer shave especially wtg. Since I started wet shaving with a ST8 the angle of a SE is very similar. Possibly its the thickness of the blade vs a de blade, you should try one. The 1912 or the ocmm are good starting points.

 

[Arcadies]

I tried it just a couple of weeks ago, granted I did not give it a fair chance by any means but I found SE to be not for me. Def a learning curve to it and it is pretty scary when you flick out a razor sharp blade and have to start shaving.

I believe you're referring to a straight razor, the original poster was referring to single edge (SE) razors, such as the Micromatic, which is my personal favorite SE.

 

[Arcadies]

Okay, I've been shaving for a long ... long time, but have never tried a SE razor. Do they offer any advantage over a DE?

Sorry if this duplicates other threads - I searched but failed to find.....

They are typically more aggressive and the blades are much more stiff and rigid compared to a DE blade. The open comb Micromatic is my personal favorite and with the exception of the 2011 Muhle R41, is the only razor that I can comfortably shave against the grain with and achieve consistent BBS.

 

[smalltank]

DE=thick single edge blades..only a few company's make em..very similar to s atr8 shave with having the razor
SE=blades tend to "flex" which can lead to nicks n cuts etc...many company's make em

 

[jeff2011]

I picked up a Micromatic OC about a month ago after 2+ years of DE (with a straight mixed in now and then) and love it. I hold the handle about 2/3 of the way down and pull it down my face letting the razor's weight do the work. I was never able to 'feel' the razor doing the work on a de (generally applying some pressure with the de), and it is giving me great shaves. So it may be a lack of technique on the d.e., and 'getting it' with the Gem (regarding technique) but it is working for me. With that, I am still sticking to one pass, albeit a good one as it still scares me. The other thing it has done is help me avoid buying the R41 (so far).

 

[notsonewb]

One of the biggest disadvantages I've found when using a s/e is that with a Gem Clog Pruf or OCMM, I do not need to shave for around 36 hours ! It really messes up my daily shave plans.

 

[KeithS]

DE=thick single edge blades..only a few company's make em..very similar to s atr8 shave with having the razor
SE=blades tend to "flex" which can lead to nicks n cuts etc...many company's make em

Switch these aroundE = Double Edge SE = Single Edge SE's are thicker and do not flex.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

DE=thick single edge blades..only a few company's make em..very similar to s atr8 shave with having the razor
SE=blades tend to "flex" which can lead to nicks n cuts etc...many company's make em

You got that backwards.

 

[ChrisTWB]

I believe you're referring to a straight razor, the original poster was referring to single edge (SE) razors, such as the Micromatic, which is my personal favorite SE.

Oppss.. you would be a 100% correct. Sorry. I thought SE was straight, just ignore me. lol

 

[Nobody]

Re the OP: You can get just as good a shave with either DE or SE. It probably just boils down to personal taste. The thicker SE blade just feels different against the skin and as the hair comes off. I find the SE to be a bit more defoliating as well as a little smoother on the ATG pass. If you have a coarse beard, you might like to give it a whirl, albeit SE shaving doesn't always work out for some folks. For me, an OCMM with a new top shelf blade is a real treat. Effortless and smooth.

 

[Viseguy]

I use both DE and SE razors and, to be honest, I don't see a big difference between them. They are both safety razors, after all. The angles may differ a little, but once you get comfortable with one, it's easy to learn the other.

 

[alex2363]

Re the OP: You can get just as good a shave with either DE or SE. It probably just boils down to personal taste. The thicker SE blade just feels different against the skin and as the hair comes off. I find the SE to be a bit more defoliating as well as a little smoother on the ATG pass. If you have a coarse beard, you might like to give it a whirl, albeit SE shaving doesn't always work out for some folks. For me, an OCMM with a new top shelf blade is a real treat. Effortless and smooth.

This^^^^^^^^^^

 

[Toulouse]

I've decided that I'd like to give a single edge a try. I know nothing about them - so which se model/brand should I try - especially if I'm only going to buy one?
My favorite de is an open comb (long) vintage Gillette New.

Thanks in advance.

 

[santamariasteve]

My favorite SE is the GEM 1912.

But the GEM Micromatic, GEM Micromatic Clog Pruf, and the GEM G-bar also are marvelous shavers. They are very close to the GEM 1912, and are in a 3 way tie for second place. You won't go wrong with any of the GEM SE razors!

I never thought I would like SE razors, and initially I was scared to death of them. But how wrong I was!

 

[Dave Deluxe]

For me, in general, SE's give a closer shave. There are very few DE razors that equal the shave quality of the SE in my opinion.

DD

 

[ShaveMark]

You've got those completely backwards.

DE=thick single edge blades..only a few company's make em..very similar to s atr8 shave with having the razor
SE=blades tend to "flex" which can lead to nicks n cuts etc...many company's make em

 

[ShaveMark]

A gem 1912 or the ever-ready 1914 or 1924 are great starting points because they are considered the best by many. You'll eventually try most of the others (micromatics and chrome G-bar and featherweights.....but you'll always come back to the early models, they never improved on the shave they give.

I've decided that I'd like to give a single edge a try. I know nothing about them - so which se model/brand should I try - especially if I'm only going to buy one?
My favorite de is an open comb (long) vintage Gillette New.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mr. O]

I seem to have considerably better shaves with a SE than DE.