High end razors not used as much

Hmm despite being a tremendous fan of SEs and injectors I must demur . I rotate through 25 or so injector and GEM razors but I have a handful of (cheap) modern DEs that shave equally well. I must admit I went through a phase when I would have agreed but in retrospect I think my skills, and to some extent hardware simply wasn't up to the task. It's a lot easier to get a great shave from a Schick or 1912 than from an Ikon Tech but that has nothing to do with the capability of the razor/blade .

My Rolls (2) needs honing. One of these days.

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No be they don't. But at $.04 - $.12 a blade I'm ok with that.

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Me personally I found cartridge razors last about the same or less (depending on the cartridge) as a DE blade & are harder to clean as they get clogged up. But it was the price of the carts, even the cheap ones, are pricey compared to a pack of 5 DE blades.
As for SE razor, I have yet to try.
But the question remands the same fo SE razors as well. Do you go for the high end less than the cheaper SE razor & why.

How long a blade lasts always seemed as silly to me as trying to see how long your car tires last.  I change out both as soon as performance starts degrading.

BUT... I still tend to use my old 1912s and old Gillettes far more often than any of my modern razors regardless of the blade format.  In Single Edge razors I have never found any of the AC format razors as pleasant to use as injectors and no injectors as pleasant as my GEMs. In Double Edge razors I find my Merkurs and EJs and Feathers and Rockwell and Schicks give as good a shave as my Gillettes but I find I am more comfortable with the old razors I used for so many decades.  Most likely though that is simply a case of familiarity.

Fortunately there is really a broad spectrum of options today, maybe even as many as a half century ago so it's very likely there really is a perfect razor for most everybody.

"But the question remands the same fo SE razors as well. Do you go for the high end less than the cheaper SE razor & why."

No.

I'm cheap.

Like old Cheddar cheese they have mellowed.

They have stood the test of time and will probably continue to do that.

Some also require a little care and pampering which I enjoy providing.


I am also, a history freak (mild).

rogue13,

Try one. You might be surprised and like it.

Go for a cheap vintage SE, no point in throwing money at stainless steel as a starter, it won't shave any better. A 1912 will cost you about $10.

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I have been thinking of trying a SE razor for a while now but never knew what one to go for.
But when I do I will let you know.

Although I favour my GEMs I would suggest that you start with a Schick Injector - the cheapest one you can find in good condition. If it is used and there is a blade in it do not use that blade. That applies to all used razors. Dunk it in alcohol for a few minutes then with a cartridge which you can buy in most drug stores or the internet, insert a new blade. Then a quick alcohol dunk and a rinse in water to remove any material that might have been loosened when you pushed out the old blade. Enjoy.

jmudrick's suggestion of the GEM 12 is excellent. Do not forget new blades.
New old blades might have lost their keen edge even if still in their original wrappers and box.

For some reason, my Pils tends to sit on the shelf without getting used for long periods.