SE Advice

Hi there folks.

I've read about the difference between DE and SE blade (thickness, etc.), and that "technique" for each is slightly different (due to difference in razor geometry?). I guess it's one of those things that must be experienced to understand, but my (convoluted) question is this:
How does it feel different for you guys? What's different on your account? I don't mean to start a "SE/DE is better than DE/SE" or anything like that, or start a discussion about blade chatter and such, but rather how it felt, or shaved different for you.

I don't remember where, but I've read a post about people throwing their used SE blades prematurely because they confused the feeling of the stiffer blade cutting through compared to the more flexible DE blades for tugging/pulling, right after the blade wasn't still sharp to the point of no feedback.

Really interested in reading your input.

The SEs that I use (1914s, Damaskeenes, 1912s) just cruise. The angle is easy to find, and the angle is perfect. Something about the blades (I used GEM PTFEs) and the angle from those razors just make it so easy to mow down my head and face. And to date, they are the smoothest most efficient razors I've tried.

I still use DEs (NEW SC, iKon DLC OC, iKon 101) and the occasional SR, but usually just to change things up.

I get great shaves with all of these razors, I just found myself enjoying how the older SEs shave more than DEs.

I have a Schick Type E, the most aggressive on the planet, an L type I use on my head, and a adjustable I use on my face. For a boredom breaker I will use the 1912. But I dont use it that often as I buy the cheap blades and they rust after every shave.

But my Schicks, they are very intuitive, very effective, and good audible feedback. I have never trashed any of my injector blades early as I find that hard to believe. Even though I use the cheaper Personna blades, they never seem to go dull. I can use one blade 4 shaves a week for over a month before I feel it start to tug. To make matters worse (or better) I have some of the OE Personna P74 injector blades. I think I had the last one cued up for over 3 months. Even the regular ones seem to last forever. I hear the current production Schick blades from the drugstore are even sharper but I havent ever used them.

I seriously feel less tugging with a SE injector than I do with a DE. The thicker blade just seems to have better longevity than the 4 and done DE blade for me. I always have my adjustable Schick cued up and ready in case I get a dud blade or forget or am to lazy to swap blades during a shave. I enjoy them so much, I have zero desire to own any other type of SE or injector type razor. Especially current production pricey models.

One shave with one, you will say, "Oh, so this is what everybody is talking about. Now I get it!".

Boy, it really is difficult to qualify the differences between using an SE and a DE. The feedback is different, all the way around, both feel and auditory feedback.

The angle on an SE is more intuitive, in my opinion. Some DE razors require a bit of finesse to find an efficient cutting angle. Not all, but many. SE's that I have used were very intuitive for finding the angle.

The auditory feedback on an SE is fantastic. Many of my DE razors speak to me during the shave, but the SEs that I have used SING to me while I shave, much closer in auditory feedback to a straight razor.

The feel of the blade against the skin is different as well. With a DE, you can feel the "give" in the blade. The SE has no give as it is so much stiffer. That's not to say one is more or less comfortable, just different.

I use both, and I enjoy my shaves with both. I get equal quality shave experience, equal quality results, and I can get a 12-hour BBS with either one, so I would never say one is better than the other. They are different.

The only way to really understand the differences is to pick up an SE and give it a go! They are much cheaper, on average, than a DE of the same condition and same vintage, so there isn't a whole lot to lose, in my opinion...

The SEs that I use (1914s, Damaskeenes, 1912s) just cruise.  The angle is easy to find, and the angle is perfect.  Something about the blades (I used GEM PTFEs) and the angle from those razors just make it so easy to mow down my head and face.  And to date, they are the smoothest most efficient razors I've tried.

I still use DEs (NEW SC, iKon DLC OC, iKon 101) and the occasional SR, but usually just to change things up.  

I get great shaves with all of these razors, I just found myself enjoying how the older SEs shave more than DEs.

^This. I have a small stable of SEs, 2 Gem Featherweights, a Gem Micromatic Bullet Tip and a Schick injector (Type L), all of which have been acquired in the past 3 months. They are very intuitive to find the angle and very smooth to shave with. I attribute it to the blades mostly. The fact that they are more rigid is the game changer for me. The Gem PTFE blades are the best and last forever. My current one has 13 shaves on it and still smooth like butter!

Add rigidity to a blade and you reduce chatter, thus reducing irritation and injury to the skin. Thicker metal also seems to hold a good edge longer. In my experience, there are two ways to add rigidity to a blade: use thicker metal (SE blades), or a razor design which clamps or torques the blade to stiffen it (certain DE designs). All my favorite razors fit into one of these two categories. I have pretty thick whiskers, and sensitive skin (as in, it's pretty easy to irritate or cause weepers), so I need sharpness but a minimum of chatter.

For me, a rigid-bladed razor feels both smoother and "thicker" or more substantial, as if it's eagerly chomping up the whiskers. SE razors have a feeling of "tug" which reminds me of a straight razor, but not the sort of tug that indicates a dull blade. Took me a little to get used to, but the shaves were great from the start.

For what it's worth, my favorite razors at this point are the OneBlade, Schick I-2 injector, Wolfman OC, and Feather AS-D2. Two SEs, two blade-clamping DEs. Each has other virtues in its design, but these all do very well for me.

Boy, it really is difficult to qualify the differences between using an SE and a DE.  The feedback is different, all the way around, both feel and auditory feedback.

The only way to really understand the differences is to pick up an SE and give it a go!  They are much cheaper, on average, than a DE of the same condition and same vintage, so there isn't a whole lot to lose, in my opinion...

+1
The only thing for me is that I just cannot seem to get on with the SE blades, for some reason. I have tried them quite a few times, but I find them quite 'rough', compared to DE blades which is quite unfortunate as I love the look of so many SEs.
I don't like making a comparison between the blades as I can get 10 extremely comfortable shaves with my DE blades, if not more. This is just one of those YMMV things.

There's very little I can add that hasn't already been written here. I find that the SS ptfe coated blades require a break in period. So I do that in a milder razor than I prefer. 3-4 shaves does it then they go into my aggressive razors.

I easily get 20 comfortable BBS shaves froma SE blade, and it's not unusual to get 30+ shaves if I have the patience. I can only get 7 shaves from the best DE blades. Of course the 1st shave from ablade and the 20th don't feel the same, but they aren't uncomfortable. Once I need to add passes to get a BBS the blade is canned.

They aren't expensive razors. Just try a few. I'd keep my eyes open in the b/s/t on this forum. If you ask we can help.

I can't add anything, but my MMOC scared the **** outta me. The audible feedback on the first few swipes sounded like I was buttering toast and I thought maybe I took off two layers of skin off. SEs shave GREAT though. I still have some weird attachment to vintage gillettes so I use them more.

Like BadDad, I enjoy both DE and SE shaving, though I use my DEs more.  However, my much older SEs, notably my lather catchers, sing to me almost like a straight and I like that.  I get close shaves from them but I would have to say that my best and most long lasting shaves come from some (not all) of my DEs so I guess I'm somewhat bucking the trend here.  The only exception to this is my Schick Adjustable.  I can get consistent BBS shaves from it.  

For me, it comes down to what type of razor and blade I'm in the mood for for my coming week's shaves but it's all good.