Why SE?

[dickdekoko]

Why SE and not DE or cut throat?

[wchnu]

You will get a million different points of view on this one.

My thought is that the SE shaves better then the DE and looks better. I just really enjoy the SE more. I use a Straight razor some too but the upkeep and such talks more time then I care to put into it.

There are not near as many blade choices as with DE, but there is really no need. The blades that are available do the job very very well.

There are my thoughts. Let's see what the rest of the gang here think.

Fuzzy

[spinyeel]

Welcome to the forum. ;D I believe S/E razors to be superior to D/Es. Not by a massive margin.Just a very large margin. As for straight's. Too much like hard work for me.

[Possum]

I don't look at it from the stand point of which type of razor gives me the best shave each day. I get great BBS shaves from both DE & SE razors. As for the cutthroat I have had quite a few of them in my lifetime, all from an experienced barber.

To me the difference is in the enjoyment I get from shaving with an SE, especially the lather catcher models that makes the difference to me. They are also so much more beautiful than most DEs that I can both find and afford.

[alcx77]

Jul 16, 2011 13:50:53 GMT -5 Possum said:

I don't look at it from the stand point of which type of razor gives me the best shave each day. I get great BBS shaves from both DE & SE razors. As for the cutthroat I have had quite a few of them in my lifetime, all from an experienced barber.

To me the difference is in the enjoyment I get from shaving with an SE, especially the lather catcher models that makes the difference to me. They are also so much more beautiful than most DEs that I can both find and afford.

This mirrors my experience as well. Yet I have a relentless rotation system taking me from my SE to my Injector and on to my modest collection of DEs and blades arriving back at my beloved Contour II about a year later! Really must pop up on the bay I know.

[Alan]

For me, the SEs give a closer shave. I still use DEs a lot, but I really enjoy the SEs more. I've used straights a few times, but as stated by the others, the up keep isn't worth it for me.

Alan

[sffone]

I prefer single edge simply because I like the looks and feel of SE razors better than DE razors, even though I have some nice old DE razors. I especially like the brass Micromatics.

[bassmanlarry]

I think DE's are just a gateway razor. I still use a DE from time to time, but I think the SE just gives a superior shave with less effort. I have toyed with the idea of straights, but like others, I don't have the time for the maintenance or the upkeep.

[sharpspine]

I prefer the SE because it gives me a superior shave compared to the DE and it's a much more comfortable shave too. DEs give too much tugging and pulling and not enough cutting. Their flimsy ribbons don't cut my beard. I need a manly blade like an SE blade. That being said I don't think I'll ever try using a cut-throat myself. My hand is not steady enough and I don't want to contort myself into funny positions to try and see where I'm cutting. I'd love to get a professional straight razor shave from a barber one day though.

Now, the icing on the cake is that the SE razors just have so much more class to them. They are beautiful works of art that can have some tremendous history to them. I'd love to see a modern SE razor be made, but then again I like the fact that you have to hunt for these and that they can be found even locally (at quite a bargain as well)! I believe the makers of SE razors really wanted to make a terrific product that would provide splendid shaves for more than just the original owner. These are heirloom items that can be passed down through the generations and actually be a useful part of the day for over a century! More modern razors seem more interested in getting you to buy what's new this year and then what will be new next year. So they aren't concerned with the quality of what they are making now as they don't want you to have it next year, let alone 100 years later. Profitability has had drastically negative effects on the purpose behind many great inventions and even services. I enjoy staying true to those razors that were built to last and do a great job each and every day.

[dickdekoko]

Good posts so far.

[wchnu]

Aug 11, 2011 18:31:14 GMT -5 sharpspine said:

I prefer the SE because it gives me a superior shave compared to the DE and it's a much more comfortable shave too. DEs give too much tugging and pulling and not enough cutting. Their flimsy ribbons don't cut my beard. I need a manly blade like an SE blade. That being said I don't think I'll ever try using a cut-throat myself. My hand is not steady enough and I don't want to contort myself into funny positions to try and see where I'm cutting. I'd love to get a professional straight razor shave from a barber one day though.

Now, the icing on the cake is that the SE razors just have so much more class to them. They are beautiful works of art that can have some tremendous history to them. I'd love to see a modern SE razor be made, but then again I like the fact that you have to hunt for these and that they can be found even locally (at quite a bargain as well)! I believe the makers of SE razors really wanted to make a terrific product that would provide splendid shaves for more than just the original owner. These are heirloom items that can be passed down through the generations and actually be a useful part of the day for over a century! More modern razors seem more interested in getting you to buy what's new this year and then what will be new next year. So they aren't concerned with the quality of what they are making now as they don't want you to have it next year, let alone 100 years later. Profitability has had drastically negative effects on the purpose behind many great inventions and even services. I enjoy staying true to those razors that were built to last and do a great job each and every day.

Very well put.

Fuzzy

[Alan]

Normally, I shave mostly with an SE. For the last 5 or 6 weeks I have been rotating back and forth from DEs to SEs. I've come to the conclusion that I prefer the SE. For me, they give a closer shave with less passes. Now there's nothing wrong with DEs, I can get great shaves when using the right razor with the right blade. I just prefer the SE. You have to pay a little more attention when using them, but I don't mind that. Shaving is not a "chore" to me. I get up early enough to be able to take my time and enjoy it. Plus, as stated above by others, SEs were crafted to last and look good. I like using a good piece of equipment rather than an Exacto blade on a plastic stick. So, will I get rid of all my DEs? No, and I'll still use a few from time to time. Many are mechanical marvels in their own right. I just prefer using the SEs; great engineering, construction, and looks.

Alan

[rocketman]

Aug 11, 2011 16:06:46 GMT -5 bassmanlarry said:

I think DE's are just a gateway razor.

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D


Gotta agree. Just the light fluffy sort of thing to grab your interest, but once yer hooked......... SE all the way baby!

[spinyeel]

The built in shaving angle on S/E razors can not be underestimated. ;)A D/E tends to roll if you are not careful. The S/E is a much more precise instrument imho.

[bjorney]

I have DE, SE and injector razors. I agree with the earlier posts that SE (and injectors) give a superior shave with a given amount of effort.

I love my GEM and Star 1912s, like my OCMM and am lukewarm about my ER 1924 "shovelheads". I also have a very cool Schick G6 injector.

I do disagree with putting down the build quality of DEs, though. I have some beautiful old DEs (1940s Superspeed, 1920s Old Type, 1930s NEW Type) that are every bit the equal of my SEs in quality and durability.

The trouble for me is that I really need to take a lot of time to get as good a shave with DE as with SE or injector so the DEs are gathering dust...