Single Edge Razor Recommendations and advice on handling blade cost/space

Gentlemen,

I wanted to start a discussion here about some of the SE razors that use Artist Club style blades. Currently, I'm purely a DE razor user but I was thinking I might want an SE for my birthday next month.  My favorite DE razors are the ATT S1 and ATT S2 at the moment, and I find them very smooth and comfortable yet they give me very solid shaves.  I'm looking into the ATT SE1, the Alumigoose, and the Mongoose II as potential SE buys.

My question is, to those that have used these particular razors, which one do you favor? Most aggressive? Most smooth?  Other recommendations of SE razors for one that enjoys ATT Slants?

Additionally, for those of you who use these Artist Club style razors, do you still use double edge razors as well? How do you stomach the cost of the Artist Club blades?  I can purchase 100 DE Feather blades for 25$, so buying 100 SE blades for $100 seems like quite a bit. I know for most of us it is a hobby at this point, but for whatever reason, I'm having a hard time talking myself into a totally different set of blades too since I don't plan on leaving DE shaving altogether. Its just more blades to stockpile and more space to take up.  I'm just wondering if you guys use both styles.  Maybe there is a more affordable blade distributor than the ones I've seen.

Has SE shaving been that big of a deal to those of you who were once DE shavers? Let me know.

Great thread SCShaver . I really enjoy the Alumigoose quite a bit which frankly surprised me as I typically like heavier razors. It's well balanced, maneuverable and shaves very well.

I have not used the ATT SE although I do have and enjoy their OC/SB plates and assume that it would be a solid shaver with great quality based on that experience.

Another that you didn't mention that I really like is the Cobra. Only downside is that it is so difficult to land. It's my understanding that Classic is ramping production but I haven't seen evidence as of yet.

The Razorock Hawk is on the way and may be a good low cost entry as well to see if you like SE razors. At $20 it's seems hard to beat.

As to the blades, I shave far more with DE razors than SE so keep both blades on hand. SE blades will last a lot longer per blade which factors in [depending on beard type a minimum of 2x I would say and likely more].

Good luck and will be following your thread!

The ATT SE is what you should start with since you already enjoy their slants, its just as smooth as the S1 for me and seems to give a slightly closer shave. I prefer SE razors but still use a DE (ATT S1) every couple weeks.
The Artist Club blades can give you many more shaves than your average DE blade once you get used to them and get your technique tuned in. I use the Feather Pro blades in my King Cobra and My ATT SE and get @9 shaves out of them compared to @3 shaves for my DE blades. I suggest getting one or two sample packs from Tryablade to begin with because there are very discernible differences in the way each blade shaves.

I own several SE razors that use the Feather blade. The ATT is very nice and I would probably start there since you enjoy ATT so much. The shave is smooth without been overly aggressive. I like Feather blades, but in all honesty the Kai Captain Mild is my favorite blade.

Next would be my King and Classic Cobras, great razors. I also own a first generation SS Mongoose which I really like a lot.

And last, I would recommend a GEM 1912, to me, the best SE razor I have ever used.

I still use DE razors, but since I started Straight Razor shaving, I haven't used either or in about a month.

I say if you like ATT, you won't be disappointed.

Can someone explain what are the advantages of SE razors (vs a DE)?

Are SE better, or are they just different?

Can someone explain what are the advantages of SE razors (vs a DE)?

Are SE better, or are they just different?

What you'll usually hear about SE blades, because they are thicker than your standard DE blades, is that they "chatter" less and are more optimal for those who have thick coarse facial hair. The thicker SE blades also tend to last longer than DE blades. All that amounts to a usually higher cost per blade for the SE blades, with GEM PTFE SE blades being an exception. Now all that being said, I have fast growing ridiculously coarse facial hair and I have gotten absolutely fantastic shaves from both SE and DE razors. My OCD tendencies make me change blades every 7 days, so blade life isn't usually a factor for me, but I can appreciate those who favor the longer life of a SE blade.

Not the most scientific breakdown of the differences, but hope this helps.

kwsher I hear the same thing about the Alumigoose, thats why I'm kind of leaning towards it as opposed to the Mongoose II because its $79 cheaper.

@"iamsms" you are the first person I've heard praise the Artist Club SS type razor.  I tried straight razor shaving and I hated the maintenance (stropping, oiling, and future honing etc.) which caused me to go back to DEs with a full head of steam.  The neat thing about Artist Club SS would be that one would not have to strop/hone/oil blades however, it seemed like most folks that transitioned from SS to Straights said that it was EASY PEAZY to get cut with the Artist Club straights because there was no protection from that super sharp Feather blade.

Lfs70 you along with everyone else seem to be getting triple the amount of shaves with these Artist Club SE blades.  That definitely would make me feel much more comfortable purchasing them since the longevity would bring them right in line cost wise, with Feather DE blades which I only get three good shaves out of.

hrfdez another ATT sounds like an incredible idea to me.  The fit, finish, 30 day money back guarantee are all reasons to trust the brand no doubt about it. I take it however, you prefer the shave of the Cobra to the ATT?

SCShaver I actually like the ATT better. But to me they are all great razors, just different. I think the ATT is smoother and you don't have to be as cautious.

SCShaver I actually like the ATT better. But to me they are all great razors, just different. I think the ATT is smoother and you don't have to be as cautious.

This is exactly the reason I love the ATT S1 and S2 so much. Autopilot shaving. I shave at 530am usually during the week so I don't need any high amount of concentration that time of morning. Especially since I'm putting salt shakers in the fridge, placing contacts in the wrong eyes, putting keys in my pocket (only to search for them for 10 minutes before ultimately realizing where they actually are) and misc other idiotic things.

I do have another question for those with the ATT SE. Are you finding it difficult to remove your blades? I wanna say elsewhere I saw folks using toothpicks to remove their blades as well as magnets? Whats going on there?

SCShaver   I actually like the ATT better.  But to me they are all great razors, just different.  I think the ATT is smoother and you don't have to be as cautious.

This is exactly the reason I love the ATT S1 and S2 so much.  Autopilot shaving.  I shave at 530am usually during the week so I don't need any high amount of concentration that time of morning.  Especially since I'm putting salt shakers in the fridge, placing contacts in the wrong eyes, putting keys in my pocket (only to search for them for 10 minutes before ultimately realizing where they actually are) and misc other idiotic things.

I do have another question for those with the ATT SE.  Are you finding it difficult to remove your blades?  I wanna say elsewhere I saw folks using toothpicks to remove their blades as well as magnets?  Whats going on there?

Trust me I have a nice permanent battle scar from the first time I used my King Cobra, not pretty Got my respect.

I don't know why they are using those methods, they must have their reasons. Personally, I have no problem removing or installing the blade on it, no worries.