I can only speak for my experience with an SE, which has been nothing short of fantastic. Dave Irving got me thinking about it with his evangelism over at SMF, and I got a PIF 1912 GEM. Superb. I'm primarily a straight user now, but if I'm in a hurry, a SE is faster than a DE, cuts more like a straight than a DE, and is, for me, more fun than a DE.
The difference between one WTG pass and another depends on the sharpness of the blade, the aggressiveness of the razor, and technique. This is where different types of razors and blades make a difference. With a straight or a SE, you have a stiffer blade than a DE, which means the cutting action feels smoother if you have your technique right and rougher, more pulling if you don't have the technique. The blade is also usually not as thin and laser-sharp, meaning the cut of the whisker may not leave that sharp, prickly beard hair, but more of a blunt, sawed-off feel. As a result, several hours after a SE or straight shave, the hair doesn't feel like it's grown back as much, because the tips aren't so spear-like. Shave with a Feather DE blade vs., say, a Derby. The Feather-shaved hairs, even if cut just as close as the Derby hairs and no more or less, will feel more spiky a few hours later. The SE and straight blades are not as thin, and so the hairs don't grow back spiky. Additionally, for me, no matter how good my technique is, my face could become annoyed from time to time with a DE, never with a SE or straight. I believe this is to do with the thinness of the DE blade when compared to the other two, but have no scientific reason for that, just a hunch.
Ultimately, I love straight shaves. My skin feels and looks better than with a DE (which in turn feels and looks better than a cartridge). A SE, with its rigid, thick blade, comes closer to replicating this feel than a DE, and it yields similar results to a straight. The razors also look cool as hell, especially the older GEMS and E-Rs. But that's why I love SEs. Not everyone's experience will agree, and not everyone prefers the same things I do in terms of how their beard feels afterward.
Regards,
Tim
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