SE closer shave?

**Sirius3** · 10-16-2010, 01:49 AM

Hello, i have been seeing more topics coming up about SE razors recently and the vast majority of positive reviewers seem to have been through all types of razors...Cartridge,DE,Straight,SE and it seems a common point among them is that SE razors give as good a shave as a straight and better than a DE. Right now im using a merkur slant with feather blades, and while i get close shaves and my face looks much better overall than when i used to use cartridges, but i still think it is not as close as i would like or it should be. If i run my finger across my face with a little pressure and going ATG after a shave with a DE there is still some slight stubble which is also visible..little specks of black hair follicles. Now i would say my technique is fine as my shaves have improved dramatically since i first started over 6 months ago, but now i want to try an SE to see if i can finally get that little bit closer. I was wanting to hear from members who are relatively new to wet shaving like myself, started with DE and moved to SE and have not looked back...wondering if the shaves truly are closer and if it is a wise investment to make.

Thanks

**Mad Weiland** · 10-16-2010, 02:15 AM

I think one of the biggest defining factors in the performance of SE razors, as likened to Straight razors, is that they can give the shaver a different feel and/or type of dexterity and agility but the advantages of the straight and the DE are inherent as well. Best of all worlds?

**Sirius3** · 10-16-2010, 02:21 AM

Yes i hear the blade is much thicker like a straight so is more forgiving and easier to manipulate, i think there is more blade exposure as well. They look amazing also which is also a benefit, im not sure if people prefer the injector type SE's or the other famous one from the 1920's..can't remember the name now.

**Mad Weiland** · 10-16-2010, 02:49 AM

Originally Posted by Sirius3

Yes i hear the blade is much thicker like a straight so is more forgiving and easier to manipulate, i think there is more blade exposure as well. They look amazing also which is also a benefit, im not sure if people prefer the injector type SE's or the other famous one from the 1920's..can't remember the name now.

That's pretty much why the only DE style I can get a good shave out of is the Slant-bar. I'm primarily a Straight guy and that is why I think I like the extremely aggressive SE and DE razors.

**PhatMan** · 10-16-2010, 02:55 AM

Sirius3,

I really like the shaves I get from my 'E' & 'G' model Schicks, but I feel that they are 'edged' out by my GEM/Ever-Readys.

I have a 1912, a1924, a Micromatic Bullet Tip & a 'G-Bar'. Stunning shavers the lot

I find the best shave for me is with the 1912 pattern. Very, very close and so smooth and comfortable (I use the GEM PTFE coated stainless blades).

You can still find these razors (early model Schicks/GEM/Ever-Ready) at very, very reasonable prices, so snaffle one up and have at it !

Good luck !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

**RazoRock** · 10-16-2010, 04:54 AM

If you are getting a BBS shave with a DE razor, then I don't see how you can get any better with a SE or a straight. BBS to me means a totally smooth face in all areas, how can one improve on that? Different razors may offer a BBS shave in less time or less passes, that is more what you have to determine, IMO.

**franstjohn** · 10-16-2010, 04:58 AM

I also have several Gem and Schick SE razors and I like them all. It seems to me that the older models are more aggressive than the "newer" ones. The Schicks are the smoothest shavers of the bunch. They are all in my rotation. Unfortunately, I don't have the blade selection choices I have with the DEs'.

**DunEdinRanger** · 10-16-2010, 05:04 AM

I have both Double Edge razors, and Single Edge. This week I started using an Injector.

I can get BBS from both, DE & SE. The difference is in how long it takes to achieve it, and how long it lasts.

The fastest shaves have come from the Futur, Slant, and Injector. While I can consistently get 12 hours of being clean shaven, the three above and an Open Comb Micromatic achieved the longest lasting shaves.

You can read about it in "The Ultimate Shave Off" - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=155335

**KittensAndRainbows** · 10-16-2010, 10:32 AM

I generally have stuck to one pass, with the grain shaves. As such, I found that I got a better shave with an SE than a DE, and a better shave with a straight than a SE. For me, the SE is a very good balance of performance and safety. It provides great shaves with much less risk than a straight. I also found the learning curve to be much less than with a DE.

**Loric** · 10-16-2010, 10:46 AM

I have been wet shaving for just under one year and use both SE's and DE's. The SE's are hands down more aggressive, but give a great shave when your on your game. I say try one as you can get a good SE shipped for less than $5 on Ebay.

My personal favorite is the GEM Clog-Pruf. Its half way between a safety bar and open comb. The shave is the most mild of my GME's and winds up as my "daily SE shaver", though my rotation is to big to really call anything a daily shaver, but its the one I go for most. Second is my Open Comb Micromatic. Third is the Push Button its hyper aggressive for days when I want to really get technical with my shaves. The G-Bar shaves much like the Push Button and is my best looking razor hands down. I just like the feel of the push button in the hand better.

Give one a try if your curious, at worst you are only out a couple of bucks.

**Swampfox** · 10-16-2010, 11:19 AM

I like some of the DEs, but I am bigger fan of the SEs. I can consistently get close, comfortable, long-lasting shaves from my GEMs.

**kg4ghn** · 10-16-2010, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by Sirius3

Hello, i have been seeing more topics coming up about SE razors recently and the vast majority of positive reviewers seem to have been through all types of razors...Cartridge,DE,Straight,SE and it seems a common point among them is that SE razors give as good a shave as a straight and better than a DE. Right now im using a merkur slant with feather blades, and while i get close shaves and my face looks much better overall than when i used to use cartridges, but i still think it is not as close as i would like or it should be. If i run my finger across my face with a little pressure and going ATG after a shave with a DE there is still some slight stubble which is also visible..little specks of black hair follicles. Now i would say my technique is fine as my shaves have improved dramatically since i first started over 6 months ago, but now i want to try an SE to see if i can finally get that little bit closer. I was wanting to hear from members who are relatively new to wet shaving like myself, started with DE and moved to SE and have not looked back...wondering if the shaves truly are closer and if it is a wise investment to make.

Thanks

Originally Posted by Swampfox

I like some of the DEs, but I am bigger fan of the SEs. I can consistently get close, comfortable, long-lasting shaves from my GEMs.

Sirius you should be proud, you got one of the 7 serious posts Swamp has made since joining B&B....

My EverReady 1912 is my favorite shaver right now. I can get BBS with DE, SE, and occasionally my straights so I can't say it's closer, but I can do it quicker than with a DE and with less irritation than with a straight. Plus the sound of a SE blade cutting through whiskers is just awesome.

**Swampfox** · 10-16-2010, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by kg4ghn

Sirius you should be proud, you got one of the 7 serious posts Swamp has made since joining B&B....

I started to make a reference to it being one of my rare wanderings from the Clown House. I see I didn't need to make such a statement, everyone knows already.

My EverReady 1912 is my favorite shaver right now.

I agree. I really don't care for the GEM 1912, but Ever-Ready 1912 is a different creature altogether. I am really amazed at how god it is.

**kg4ghn** · 10-16-2010, 01:23 PM

I agree. I really don't care for the GEM 1912, but Ever-Ready 1912 is a different creature altogether. I am really amazed at how god it is.

Is there really a difference? And it's a GOD?!?!?!?!?!

**shecky** · 10-16-2010, 02:48 PM

Not so much closer as more aggressive. All the SE Gem razors I've tried are more aggressive than the typical Gillette offering. The 1912s, Micromatics, Featherweights, Pushbuttons, all are what I would consider aggressive razors. I wonder if there was ever a SE razor manufactured that was actually mild, in the same way a Gillette tech or SS might be?

**Dave Deluxe** · 10-16-2010, 05:49 PM

....wondering if the shaves truly are closer and if it is a wise investment to make.

They are closer shaving, but they are not that much of an investment. It's the best 5 - 10 dollars you can spend on a razor. . . The shave quality of a straight but with the convenience of a safety razor.

DD

**HoosierTrooper** · 10-16-2010, 07:38 PM

Originally Posted by shecky

Not so much closer as more aggressive. All the SE Gem razors I've tried are more aggressive than the typical Gillette offering. The 1912s, Micromatics, Featherweights, Pushbuttons, all are what I would consider aggressive razors. I wonder if there was ever a SE razor manufactured that was actually mild, in the same way a Gillette tech or SS might be?

I consider the Push Button, G-Bar, Featherweight, Bullet Tip and the Contour to be as mild as a Super Speed. I'm surprised when someone refers to those models as aggressive. That's why I prefer the 1912, 1914 and 1924 ER's, Clog Pruf and Open Comb Micro Matic.

**Sirius3** · 10-16-2010, 09:01 PM

Thanks for the replies, again they all seem to be positive. I guess the only negative is not having the variety of blades to choose from like a DE. I will probably buy a Schick injector as the shop i usually buy from only has those, if i like the results of using an SE my collection will no doubt expand. Quite happy that the learning curve is not as large as DE's either, i was nearly put off from using DE's at first because of all the cuts, irritation and in general the terrible shaves i had from it at first. As for getting BBS shaves with a DE, not they are not as close as i would like, as i said in my OP i can still feel some slight stubble running my finger ATG with a little pressure after a shave, and it is visible, then again i do obsess about it so probably less visible to other people than i think it is..definitely not BBS though and what has drove me to try an SE.

Cheers

Well actually, i just ordered a schick type g injector and a GEM micromatic...can't wait until they arrive,, from what i have the read the micromatic should give a closer shave than the Schick but the injector is easier to use and gives a good shave very quickly. I have seen people comparing how quick they shave with it to that of a cartridge, with of course a much better shave. Anyway, very excited...now i need to track down some blades. :)

**DunEdinRanger** · 10-17-2010, 06:57 AM

Sirius,

What shop still has Schick Injectors?

**Swampfox** · 10-17-2010, 07:15 AM

Originally Posted by kg4ghn

Is there really a difference? And it's a GOD?!?!?!?!?!

It thinks it is. It has a goa'uld symbiote in its head.

The angle of the head is different, and makes a lot of difference to me.

Originally Posted by Sirius3

Well actually, i just ordered a schick type g injector and a GEM micromatic...can't wait until they arrive,, from what i have the read the micromatic should give a closer shave than the Schick but the injector is easier to use and gives a good shave very quickly. I have seen people comparing how quick they shave with it to that of a cartridge, with of course a much better shave. Anyway, very excited...now i need to track down some blades. :)

Congrats on taking the plunge!