But Seriously: What's the deal with Single Edge?

just because I'm curious, I'm going to try to photograph some comparison shots between a standard DE blade, an injector blade and a GEM SE blade sometime tonight.

I couldn't get my camera to focus well enough to bother taking any shots.  

after despining the gem se blade, this is how they feel in order of stiffness to me:
1- Gem SE blade
2- Schick injector blade
3- DE blade

I don't have an injector blade, but I have an SE and a selection of DE, along with a really nice 105mm macro lens. I'll take some pics when I get home...

just because I'm curious, I'm going to try to photograph some comparison shots between a standard DE blade, an injector blade and a GEM SE blade sometime tonight.

I couldn't get my camera to focus well enough to bother taking any shots.  

after despining the gem se blade, this is how they feel in order of stiffness to me:
1- Gem SE blade
2- Schick injector blade
3- DE blade

I don't have an injector blade, but I have an SE and a selection of DE, along with a really nice 105mm macro lens. I'll take some pics when I get home...

that would be cool. if you have an old GEM SE blade that you're not longer using, I'd despine it before taking the photos. the spine on the SE blade will cause the blade to sit higher and might not allow for the best comparison shots.

just because I'm curious, I'm going to try to photograph some comparison shots between a standard DE blade, an injector blade and a GEM SE blade sometime tonight.

I couldn't get my camera to focus well enough to bother taking any shots.  

after despining the gem se blade, this is how they feel in order of stiffness to me:
1- Gem SE blade
2- Schick injector blade
3- DE blade

I don't have an injector blade, but I have an SE and a selection of DE, along with a really nice 105mm macro lens. I'll take some pics when I get home...

that would be cool.  if you have an old GEM SE blade that you're not longer using, I'd despine it before taking the photos.  the spine on the SE blade will cause the blade to sit higher and might not allow for the best comparison shots.

Tips on the easiest way to do that without lopping off a chunk o' finger?

I don't have an injector blade, but I have an SE and a selection of DE, along with a really nice 105mm macro lens. I'll take some pics when I get home...

that would be cool.  if you have an old GEM SE blade that you're not longer using, I'd despine it before taking the photos.  the spine on the SE blade will cause the blade to sit higher and might not allow for the best comparison shots.

Tips on the easiest way to do that without lopping off a chunk o' finger?

pinch the spine right above the "E" on the blade with a pair of pliers, then rock it back and forth a few times to get it to pop loose.

Two SE stacked together was a pretty clever innovation that some like a lot: the injector twin blade.
(pic credits: fancontroller from TSR)
I've yet to try it.

SE vs DE its just a different experience that frequently results in a similar outcome. Like boar vs badger. Similarly, you might enjoy one more vs the other and in some occasions one works better than the other for actual objective reasons. For me, l like boar, badger, SE, injector (technically a SE but totally different experience) and DE.

Personally, whatever you get on with is the best shaver. It doesn't matter what that may be.
After experimenting with over 150 individual DEs, SEs, straights, carts, and electrics, I have narrowed it down to 2 main shavers which provide me with great shaves, for whatever reason.
For me, blade 'chatter' has never played a significant factor to getting a good or bad shave. In fact, SEs provide me with the least pleasurable shaves as I believe the culprit is the blade(s). I just don't get on with SE-type blades, be it for injectors, Feather-type system, or vintage or modern single-edge shavers.
Use whatever works for you and enjoy your shaves.
However, it is always fun to experiment.

I couldn't get my camera to focus well enough to bother taking any shots.

after despining the gem se blade, this is how they feel in order of stiffness to me:
1- Gem SE blade
2- Schick injector blade
3- DE blade

I don't have photos, but I do have some info on the thickness of the blade types. Thickness isn't the only variable here, but it's one of the relevant variables; here is what I found when I looked into it recently:

Gem SE blades: .009”
Personna injector blades: .010"
DE blades: .004"

I got home late last night, and never got to take any pictures. I will get some really good, closeup shots of various blades at some point and share them...no promises when...