Test Driving the Schick E3

[Samjax]

I've been spending a lot of time on my DE collection as of late...and just recently started picking up some Schick items to go along with my other SEs, DEs and Rolls Razors.

So...Schick E3 arrived in great condition, loaded it with a new Pella coated injector and gave it a whirl.

Used a cream today - Nancy Boy Signature along with my custom Rudy Vey 32/55 2 Band Finest.

Finding the angle was fairly easy - what took a bit more time getting used to was the extremely light weight of the Schick as compared with most of my DEs. Weighing in at only 32 grams, it's a true bantamweight when compared with most of my DEs which range from 55 to 150 grams in total.

As mentioned, angle was easy enough to find - the pressure however took a bit more focus. Generally, with the heavier DEs, not much pressure is needed. Without any significant pressure, the Schick wasn't cutting as closely as I thought it should. With just "bit" more pressure - the Schick's cutting power became more evident.

The E3 is easy to use - no real paranoia with it - it's light - not crazy aggressive and it's easy to drive around corners. It has a much smaller head than traditional DEs and the ability to trim "tight" areas is fairly easy. I think what I liked best about the Schick is its ability to shave easily ATG, particularly under my jaw line. It's very easy to use with short, quick strokes and once you dial in the correct pressure - it provides an extremely close shave.

Overall - the Schick E3 is an extremely competent shaver - very lightweight and very easy to maneuver. My final results after 4 passes (the first pass was sort of a test run) was a near BBS and certainly a DFS shave. The E3 provides as close of a shave as I've had from most any of my DEs...including my Fatip, R41, Vision 2000, Big Fellow, etc... I wouldn't say that the E3 is better - I would say, that it's every bit as good as those mentioned.

I understand that the E3 is considered an "aggressive" shaver as far as Schicks go...I have an I1, I2 Hydro and a PAL Adjustable on the way; not sure I would care for anything "less" aggressive than the E3. The E3 is far more forgiving than a Muhle R41, Fatip, Vision (wide open) or even my Mariner - aggression becomes a relative term I suppose. I escaped with only one weeper - not too bad for my first time out and 4 passes.

Bottom Line? The Schick E3 provides a shave that is every bit as good as anything else that I have used; DE, SE or otherwise - and for the price - provides an incredible bang for your buck. I don't think it's a particularly good looking razor - and there's not much you can do to modify things - new handles - a wide variety of blades, etc... Other than those minor issues, the Schick E3 is very hard to beat in regards to the "final results" that it provides.

 

[willyb]

I agree with most if not all of the above comments. The E type isn't my favorite but its certainly a very effective and user friendly razor. Everyone should give injector shaving.

 

[cryhavoc]

Glad you liked Tom, my E3 is my favorite Schick and my 2nd favorite SE.

 

[Sledgehammer39]

The E is one of my favorites, within the Injector brand.

 

[santamariasteve]

I love Schick Injector razors. I have the E, G, I, J, L, and M models. They all give my moderately coarse whiskers a fabulous and smooth shave, except the model E. I can't figure out what is is about the E that does not work for me.

It does have a more agressive blade angle. Is the angle of holding the razor different than the other models? I even bought a second E in case I hade a bad razor. Same problem. The shave is not smooth. It is uncomfortable and barely tolerable.

Any thoughts?

 

[Samjax]

I love Schick Injector razors. I have the E, G, I, J, L, and M models. They all give my moderately coarse whiskers a fabulous and smooth shave, except the model E. I can't figure out what is is about the E that does not work for me.

It does have a more agressive blade angle. Is the angle of holding the razor different than the other models? I even bought a second E in case I hade a bad razor. Same problem. The shave is not smooth. It is uncomfortable and barely tolerable.

Any thoughts?

No clue - but I will test drive my I1 and I2 when they get here to see if I can detect any differences. My PAL adjustable just arrived yesterday - it's a pretty good looking razor, at least to my eye - and I will have to give that one a go as well. I've actually been looking for a F model that's in great shape - if it shaves as well as the E - I'm going to like it quite a lot; it's one of the better (if not best) looking Schicks I've seen so far.

 

[fcdiscus]

No clue - but I will test drive my I1 and I2 when they get here to see if I can detect any differences. My PAL adjustable just arrived yesterday - it's a pretty good looking razor, at least to my eye - and I will have to give that one a go as well. I've actually been looking for a F model that's in great shape - if it shaves as well as the E - I'm going to like it quite a lot; it's one of the better (if not best) looking Schicks I've seen so far.

How do you tell the difference between E F and G???????????? Is there really a difference?

 

[Samjax]

Yes! The F looks better and subsequently shaves much better...I'm sure of it!

 

[Niles]

I agree with your thoughts. I love my E3.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

How do you tell the difference between E F and G???????????? Is there really a difference?

At first glance the E and G types look very similar, but there are some things that set them apart.The E types have bakelite handles with no visible seam and one patent number 1806087, and it will say "others pending" under that number. The early E types had irregular striations on the guard bar, the later ones had parallel grooves. . The G types have a seam on the handle and that patent number plus an additional one, 1969945. The G types also came in a couple different colors. Some of the E types open for cleaning by moving the spring assembly, none of the G's have that capability.

The F type is pretty rare because it was only made for a year or so. It has an all metal alloy handle that also forms the guard bar.

 

[fcdiscus]

At first glance the E and G types look very similar, but there are some things that set them apart.The E types have bakelite handles with no visible seam and one patent number 1806087, and it will say "others pending" under that number. The early E types had irregular striations on the guard bar, the later ones had parallel grooves. . The G types have a seam on the handle and that patent number plus an additional one, 1969945. The G types also came in a couple different colors. Some of the E types open for cleaning by moving the spring assembly, none of the G's have that capability.

The F type is pretty rare because it was only made for a year or so. It has an all metal alloy handle that also forms the guard bar.

Thanks Tom!

 

[santamariasteve]

At first glance the E and G types look very similar, but there are some things that set them apart.The E types have bakelite handles with no visible seam and one patent number 1806087, and it will say "others pending" under that number. The early E types had irregular striations on the guard bar, the later ones had parallel grooves. . The G types have a seam on the handle and that patent number plus an additional one, 1969945. The G types also came in a couple different colors. Some of the E types open for cleaning by moving the spring assembly, none of the G's have that capability.

The F type is pretty rare because it was only made for a year or so. It has an all metal alloy handle that also forms the guard bar.

Tom, you might know the answer to this. I bought a second Schick Injector model E razor because I thought there might be a mechanical defect in the one I was using and getting rough shaves with.

My second model E says it was made in Canada, patent in 1937. What can you tell me about the made-in-Canada model? It looks pretty much identical, except it doesn't have the flaps on the spring that the U.S made one has. Was the Canadian model E also made until about 1946? Any other differences? Is one better than the other? Why was it made in Canada? Is there a story there?

Thanx for your reply.