What is the difference between an SE and a DE?

[pipskicks]

I mean this performance-wise, I know this must have been posted, but I have not found an answer that really was much more than "it's just different."
I know people like SE's more, so I figure there must be some benefit or difference other than just variety. I thought at first this was mostly due to just wanting something different to try, I thought people usually used injectors to switch things up, or if they were running late.

So is there a real reason why SE is superior to DE (or just any benefits)? I see them a lot less, I'm not sure when they were produced until but it seems like they were stopped earlier than DE's and it seems like the blades are a lot harder to find than for DE's. With all that I would think it sets SE's up to just be harder to use (i.e. harder to find blades and razors unless you're on this forum).


Sorry about the obvious question, I've just never really read any reasons why SE is better/worth trying. If there's a previous thread feel free to link it here, I just even searched and didn't find much. The YMMV doesn't seem to explain much because I'm not even sure what the main difference is between the two.

 

[razorx]

IMO The stiffer Single Egde blade with it's greater rigidity provides a more stable cutting edge leading to a superior shaving experience.

Took me only the first few seconds to feel the difference and fall in love with it,now I barely use my double edge razors.

Find the right SE razor,some good blades....learn it well and polish your technique,I don't think it gets any better than that.

 

[pipskicks]

IMO The stiffer Single Egde blade with it's greater rigidity provides a more stable cutting edge leading to a superior shaving experience.

Took me only the first few seconds to feel the difference and fall in love with it,now I barely use my double edge razors.

Find the right SE razor,some good blades....learn it well and polish your technique,I don't think it gets any better than that.

Yeah I do feel the DE sort of seem to be flexing a bit when I shave, I guess I'm not sure if it was bad or not, but at least that helps give me some idea of how it differs!!

The blades are definitely less available and a bit more confusing (i.e. not as many reviews and lists of all the SE blades available), but I guess it may be worth trying, I just never even knew what the difference was besides only having one side of the razor have an edge.


Why did people switch to DE? Do you think it's more of a patent ($$) reason, or did most people pick DE's over them (when they stopped production)?

 

[JDTTO]

Stiffer blade and a head which has a design dedicated to work in one direction.

No compromises.

 

[pipskicks]

Stiffer blade and a head which has a design dedicated to work in one direction.

No compromises.

I'm a little confused by this....What does one direction mean? Like you don't go ATG? I am unsure of what that means sorry.

 

[The Kiwi]

Seems simple enough. Two edges, two directions with the same blade, think of it as forward anf backward, or flip and flop.

 

[pipskicks]

Oh I see, yeah I figured out that difference, I guess the blade being able to be flexed I didn't know about though. I often hear the DE blade get caught on whiskers and spring a little.

 

[JDTTO]

I often hear the DE blade get caught on whiskers and spring a little.

They do but it differs from one DE to another. I think a Tech holds a blade firmer than a Superspeed. (which is probably the reason I prefer a Tech)