SE v DE What's the benefits?

I would personally struggle to say one is better than the other but I can safely say that they're a different type of shave. Injector and AC blades are thicker and last longer. An AC blade is obviously wider which also changes the nature of the shave. I enjoy the variety of DE and SE (AC, injector and GEM formats).
 
All varieties of SE razors use blades that are more rigid and pretty much impervious to chatter of flex. The shave feels more "solid" and controlled. I don't consider abbreviated DE razors to be true SE razors, and I feel the same about razors made to use half of a DE blade, it's still the thin DE blade that you're using. I prefer razors that use the GEM type blade, and for me vintage is the only way to go.
 
Guys, do you use 'vintage' SE razors?
Like Ever Ready, for instance.

Or do you own a modern made SE that
takes SE (with the 'spine') blades?

I get Gem & Injector - what's 'AC'?
 
BillTse said:
Guys, do you use 'vintage' SE razors?
Like Ever Ready, for instance.

Or do you own a modern made SE that
takes SE (with the 'spine') blades?

I get Gem & Injector - what's 'AC'?
Click to expand...
I have owned and used a vintage Ever Ready and also have modern stainless razors that take the GEM format (spine).

AC = Artist Club. The blades are typically either Feather, Kai or Schick Prolines. Examples of razors of this type are RazoRock Hawk, Colonial General, Blackland Vector and ATT SE1
 
CjH said:
So I have multiple DE razors. No SE razors.
What are the benefits of a SE razor over a DE?
And could you make your own SE simply by lopping off one side of a cacky DE just for laughs?
Click to expand...
If you use a "Cacky" DE razor to make an SE razor you will only end up with a "Cacky" SE razor, you can't make a silk purse from a pigs ear! :)

Paul
 
I would agree with the previous comments. Also SE blades are more rigid with little flex, here are less blade choice/options with SE as opposed to DE blades, that said most of them are good or great for me. They are more expensive but last longer, you'll just have try one yourself and see what you've been missing :)
 
Boycie83 said:
I have owned and used a vintage Ever Ready and also have modern stainless razors that take the GEM format (spine).

AC = Artist Club. The blades are typically either Feather, Kai or Schick Prolines. Examples of razors of this type are RazoRock Hawk, Colonial General, Blackland Vector and ATT SE1
Click to expand...
How do the modern GEM razors compare shave & buildwise with the antique ones?
Do they give a better shave?
 
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An SE razor offers only one sharp edge, with which to cut yourself, whilst a DE provides two.

If anyone is interested in SE razors using DE blades, and has a penchant for beautifully-made, ingenious stainless razors, the the Rocnel SE-P is the one. It does, however, require a steady hand and fearlessness at the sight of own's blood.
 
CjH said:
So I have multiple DE razors. No SE razors.
What are the benefits of a SE razor over a DE?
And could you make your own SE simply by lopping off one side of a cacky DE just for laughs?
Click to expand...

You can get a Yaqi Katana, which uses a half DE blade and quite a few seem to really enjoy using theirs, on sale delivered to the UK for less than a tenner.

'True' SE razors eg ones which use Injector blades or GEM ones, vintage ones can be bought on Ebay from a tenner or so or used to be, I think vintage razor prices have gone up a little.

SE razors that use AC blades I think the cheapest is the Razorock Hawk.

I've not used a 'true' SE razor, but I imagine like with anything in this hobby be it brushes (synth or natural hair) or soaps (hard vs cream, vegan vs tallow) there is a place for all options.
 
Tony'schin said:

I on the other hand never cut myself with my P
Click to expand...
Heroic! I probably manage to do so because my hand starts shaking with fear the minute I pick it up. I have found that it is worth paying close attention (even more so than with most other razors) to the seating of the blade, as even the smallest unevenness or asymmetry can be unpleasantly problematic. I won't make that mistake again in a hurry, as I'm not planning to audition for a part as "Scarface" Al Capone.
 
The injector razor is simply a better tool IMO. I don't like the old style SE Gem type razors that use the "paint scraper" type blades nor the modern AC blade "windscreen/windshield wiper" type blades that are ungainly and not nearly as nimble & versatile as the various injector type razors (modern Supply razor not included in the latter). With an injector there is no fiddle farting around with geometric angles of approach. Just lay the razor face flat and let 'er rip! It's so simple as to be ingenious.
 
The way I see it is there are pros and cons to both DE and SE razor's.

The DE razors win out for me because there are countless DE blades for a shaver to choose from, you are bound to find the right blade that works well in any given DE razor and is suited to your skin type.
It's true that DE blades are not as thick as SE blades but a good DE razor will clamp the blade in such a way that there is no blade flex or chatter so it doesn't matter that it's not as thick as a SE blade.
Generally DE blades are a fraction of the price of SE blades so the fact that they don't last as long as SE blades is not an issue to be worried about.
I've owned injector razor's, and very good they are too but there is only a hand full of blades you can use in them so a very limited choice of blade.
I've owned AC type SE razor's and again there is only a handful of blades that you can use, so again a very limited choice of blade.
I've also owned the SE razor's that use the Gem type blade and a couple of others, the same deal here again, a very limited choice of blades to use, so if your skin does not get along with them you are pretty much stuck!
I've gone full circle from using DE razors to using every type of SE razor from injector to Gem type and on to AC blades razors and now I'm back to DE Razors and a few Straight razors and I think this is where I'm going to stay but I had a lot of fun owning and using all those other SE razor's and you should try them too because there is no "Best razor type" only the one that works for you, that can be one or all of them!
Have fun finding out what's best for you, I did! :)

Paul.
 
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