What's the deal with SE Razors?

[Samouraï]

So, I see single-edge razors on the BST all the time, and they look gorgeous! Not only that, they are usually some of the cheaper buys around. What's the deal? I have heard that, in many cases, they can outperform double-edge razors. The only issue I can surmise is that maybe single-edge blades are hard to come by, while double-edge blades are everywhere, and for cheap.

So, what's the deal with all these gems of razors? Where do you find blades?

Thanks

 

[Haiku]

Look around this board. You'll find lots and lots of information. Many of us think SE razors are among the very best safety razors out there. Most guys who try them find GEM 1912's to be without peer. Blades are very very easy to find.

 

[rainman]

SE's can shave great and the more common ones are usually inexpensive. The blades are harder to find. The blades come in various names and packaging but 99% are made from ASR(American Safety Razor). They make carbon blades, stainless blades, and coated stainless blades. The third type mentioned is what you want to use. Ted Pella(200 minimum), EMS(100), or Amazon(20 but huge shipping so should get more). I can't get as many shaves as other can from each blade. I paid $0.31 per blade from EMS and get 3 shaves per blade. My favorite is the Micromatic Clog Pruf.

 

[Haiku]

I get 7 to 10 shaves from a GEM stainless steel coated blade 200 from Ted Pella. At least 5 of the shaves will be pretty much effortless pretty close to BBS in two passes with some touch up. The last few shaves are DFS with two passes. The blades seem to dull but not get rough. Much like Israeli DE blades. I find the Ever Ready Streamline or the GEM 1912 to be top of the line.

 

[mmack66]

I buy GEM by Personna blades at Walgreen's.

 

[Smoothy]

GEM's are great razors. I buy my blades in bulk from Ted Pella direct and even with the added shipping price they are great value per blade. My last order was 600 blades (that should last me a while.. ;-)

 

[Tom Pike]

SE's are awesome, but have a bit of a learning curve (much like DE's or straights). The sound of an SE shave always gets me. It's somewhere between the soft cutting of a DE and the zing of a straight. Great shaves, blades are readily available, but not in as great a variety as DE blades. Everyone should try one. I'd recommend a GEM / Ever-Ready/ Star / Whatever Pat'd 1912 razor as a standard, go-to kind of SE shave.

 

[taffy]

I have 2 evereadys and as yet have not tried them but here in the uk they are much more readily available than gillettes, the 2 i have were in great condition, in original boxes with blades and cost me £0.99 and £1.99 and i have bought blades from a uk supplier at a very resonable cost.

 

[T Rick]

Frankly the cost puzzles me too. Maybe we shouldn't let the secret out, just buy up all we can? I mean, the "masses" are bound to figure it out sooner or later, right?

On blade availability, here in the 'States, we can get the GEM blades by Personna at Walgreens, so they're about as available as DE (actually never tried any store DE's, got them all online- unsure of the quality of the DE's sold locally).

Yes, everyone should try, and give a fair shot to the SE's. They are a fantastic tool!

 

[D.Irving79]

they are the 8th wonder of the world, part of the food pyramid AND the fifth beatle.

 

[luvmysuper]

They shave great on the cheeks and neck, but are a real hassle under the nose. Feels like your trying to shave with a shovel.

Just my opinion. Your Mileage May Vary.

 

[redbike]

If you get one, make sure you read up on blade angle. It's very different than shaving with a DE.

 

[Klopstick]

They shave great on the cheeks and neck, but are a real hassle under the nose. Feels like your trying to shave with a shovel.

I'll grant you that one. You just have to push your nose out of the way with your other hand. I make a "Pignose" tilted to one side or the other to get in there. Opening your mouth to stretch things helps too. It won't seem like such a chore if you say "Peeegnose!" in a squeaky voice to yourself while you do this.

Don't ask me how I know...

 

[82R100]

The amazon option falls under their free shipping qualification on orders of $25 or more, starting with a quantity of 25 blades. So if you order stuff from Amazon, you can roll the blades in very reasonably.

- Chris

 

[mdunn]

straight > SE > DE imho.

Go for it, though - theyre great little shavers

 

[Bertilak]

they are the 8th wonder of the world, part of the food pyramid AND the fifth beatle.

Now that you point that out ... seems obvious!

 

[D.Irving79]

Now that you point that out ... seems obvious!

i knew someone would agree

 

[grump]

I received a Gem clog proof from my brother-in-law, but have not used it yet.

I also have an Auto/Strop I picked up real cheap from Flea Market but never used it either.

I was actually thinking about pif'ing these, but maybe I should try them first.

 

[cosmo]

I recently picked up a GEM 1912 here on the forums.

I am a newb and have only got 2 shaves in with the GEM but what impresses me most is that not only does the GEM provide a close shave it does so with minimal irritation of my sensitive skin.

It gave as close a shave as the Merkur slant but with mucho less razor burn, irritation and bumps.

Definitely suggest everyone should give a SE a try especially since they are inexpensively and easily obtained.

 

[Bertilak]

I recently picked up a GEM 1912 here on the forums.

I am a newb and have only got 2 shaves in with the GEM but what impresses me most is that not only does the GEM provide a close shave it does so with minimal irritation of my sensitive skin.

It gave as close a shave as the Merkur slant but with mucho less razor burn, irritation and bumps.

Definitely suggest everyone should give a SE a try especially since they are inexpensively and easily obtained.

Yes, they are both easy to use and very effective. Partly the blades (especially when using the "industrial" version but also true with the "home use" versions from drug stores) and partly the design of the 1912 razor.

Earlier versions (the Lather Catchers) have more ornate heads and handles but essentially the same head geometry.