Double-Edge vs Single-Edge: Which Razor is Right For You?

Confused about the differences between SE and DE razors? In this video, we'll cover the pros and cons of each platform to help you make the right decision. At the end, we'll share a personal recommendation about where to start if you're new to shaving.
Intro: 00:00
DE Blades: 00:40
SE Blades: 04:50
Conclusion and recommendation: 11:50
Vector: www.blacklandrazors.com/produ...
Vector Titanium: www.blacklandrazors.com/produ...
www.blacklandrazors.com
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[@Bigbro0517]

I was looking for a comparison video like this for a good comparison between SE and DE blades. Thank you 🙏🏽

[@blacklandrazors]

Glad to help! Thanks for watching!

[@edwardbryan5154]

I bought the Vector when it was first released and found it to be a tad on the agressive side and shelved it for a couple of years. Last night I dusted it off to deal with 7 days growth and had the best shave of my life, my technique must have dramatically improved in the interim. Being of a lazy scruffy disposition i tend to allow up to 30 days between shaves, too much for a safety razor to deal with but my Feather DX Kamisori takes the beard off effortlessly. This is big advantage of SE Artist Club blades allowing me to switch between safety and cut throat shaving as the need requires.

[@mellymelshaves]

Love both.....I love my BlackLand Vector and BlackLand Blackbird Ti. I get great face and head shaves. Thank you for sharing this video my brother ❤️👊🏽

[@blacklandrazors]

Mel the Man is here! Thanks for checking in!

[@DrRonP]

Darn it Mel! Now I gotta buy a Vector lol!

[@blacklandrazors]

@@DrRonP Yessss

[@10floz30minutes]

Possibly good news for users of single edge blades, depending on location: Some "beauty" supply stores, hard-form retail shops, stock a few single edge blades.

[@thebigmann81]

I use safety razor most the time but i do use a Harry's cartridge blade when i go on a plane for travel as i don't want any issues when trying to travel especially for international flights

[@WorldsGreatestRingAnnouncer]

Also comes down to hair coarseness. If you have very coarse hair, a SE razor might be slightly cheaper per shave in the long-run due to extra thickness (nm) of the blade especially if you have fast growing coarse hair.

[@petekadenz9465]

Really interesting and very helpful. Thank you!

[@blacklandrazors]

Thanks for watching!

[@erudite2768]

I have a top 4 high end razors. Vector, Rex Ambassador and Konsul, HLS Taiga. I face and head shave and if I had to pick one it would be the Vector Stainless Steel Polished, for me it's perfect 👌

[@blacklandrazors]

Hard to imagine a better head shaver than the Vector! I wouldn't really know, but our customers love it for the dome.

[@sergiomarrerojr3730]

I own 3 Blackland razors. 2 DE (Era/Dart) & 1 SE (Vector). When home I use the Vector but when traveling I'll use either the Era or the Dart. If I could only have one it would be the VECTOR ! ! !

[@blacklandrazors]

Thanks for your support!

[@26jasonmh]

Blackbird vs Vector? That's an easy question, and the answer is both :) I've bought 5 and half Blackland razors (the half being the lite plate for the blackbird), and I've tried easily 40-50+ razors in my life, and the Vector is the best razor I've ever used. If I had to only pick one razor to shave with forever I wouldn't even have to think twice. I bought a backup one just in case I ever lose or break the first one. Like David said, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

[@blacklandrazors]

That's amazing, Jason! I think you might have more Blackland razors than I do! Thanks for your support :)

[@Xemptuous]

I have both the Blackbird and Vector, and find both styles are enjoyable to switch between. I shave my head as well, and I don't like using the SE for that; however, i have very thick beard hair to where even normal Feather Pros will tug and get stuck, so that's where the SE comes in handy with Super Pros. I find with SE I have to be much more careful and attentive with my shave, whereas with a DE I can afford to be more careless and speedy. I alao get more use out of SE blades than DE. My feather DE can go a good 2-3 shaves for me, but my feather Super Pros lasts me a good 5-7 (approx $0.40 per DE and $0.60 per SE), making the SE a better deal overall (unless I used more standard DE that was $0.06 - $0.14, but I love feathers). Aside from all that, Blackland put an end to the journey for me, cus the blackbird, vector, and even the shaving brush are the best of all the others I have accumulated, and I don't even care to get a oneblade, rex ambassador, occams razor, etc., unless i'm splurging.

[@blacklandrazors]

Thanks for your support and for such a thoughtful comment!

[@brandonjohnson1339]

I think SE blades are better because of their thickness but the only problem is there's hardly any other brands out there besides feathers and they're too harsh for some people's skin compared to DE where you can just find what brand suits your skin best

[@rickl6099]

I own a Vector and Sabre (both caps). I also own numerous DE razors. I am surprised that you did not mention the Sabre in your SE razor recommendation. The Vector is an outstanding razor, but I would recommend a mild DE razor to a new shaver. I think it is easier to learn than an SE. If a cartridge shaver wants to start wet shaving with an SE, then the Sabre with the mild cap would be the best option. It's easy to use with very little chance of nicks. On another note, I have a concern with my Vector. Often after shaving, I have great difficulting removing the blade. After shaving, it often becomes wedged in very tightly and I often have to try and pry it out with something else. What would you recommend I do to resolve this?

[@blacklandrazors]

We didn't mention the Sabre mainly because it's not stocked currently. An upcoming video will address this. It sounds like your Vector top cap has bent slightly, pushing the pins apart. Shoot us an email and we can help you fix it quickly.

[@rickl6099]

@@blacklandrazors Thanks, Shane! I really appreciate the quick response and solution. I have put a very small amount of bending pressure on the cap to hopefully fix the cap issue. I will see if that resolves it. If not, I will email Blackland for further assitance, I really appreciate your help.

[@JonathanLewis-gf1lu]

Hey guy I just started a SE razor today I’m looking forward to use a SE Twomarrow morning.

[@blacklandrazors]

Enjoy your first SE shave!

[@JonathanLewis-gf1lu]

@@blacklandrazors hey guy well it went well. I did what works for me it did give me a very close shave for sure it’s going to take some time to get use to it but it will be worth it. The best part is how easy it is to change the blades I won’t have to take it apart like a regular DE . I do have to press a little bit but not much though

[@DanielChlebowski-fh8qj]

Witam Piotrze, dawaj na próbę blackland vector se...być może warto...pozdrawiam

[@TheMangeGrain]

Thanks for the DE vs SE razor comparison. I'm new to DE shaving and I wanted to check alternatives. I'm perfectly happy with my DE razor, and even more important : with the set of pre-shave/after-shave/... products I'm using. If SE razors and blades are more expensive and not as available as DE ones, with only marginal benefits for beard-shaving (I don't shave my head, I don't shave my body), it's more a niche-market offer, isn't it ?

[@blacklandrazors]

It’s a bit more niche, but with the blades readily available online, availability is only a real issue when traveling. Per shave, DE blades cost around $0.03 while SEs are about $0.07-$0.10. A bit more expensive, but still not particularly costly.

[@thebigmann81]

You can always snap a double edge blade in half and use it as a single edge blade in a single edge base or ain't a double edge base razor. But keep the paper on when you snap it in half so you don't cut yourself

[@hestermanfan]

Shane, as someone who is very prone to ingrown hairs on my neck (Coarse, curly hair that grows totally flat), would an SE be a good choice for me? I’ve heard the stiffer blade can help minimize “tugging” on the hair that a DE will sometimes do. I own both the Ti and SS blackbird and love them both, but wondering if the Vector might help solve the ingrown issue

[@blacklandrazors]

Some people find SE to help solve this issue, but I don’t think it’s a solution for everyone. So it’s possible that something like the Vector would help. However, I’d hate to suggest that you throw money at the problem since it may not be the solution. First, I’d try going with the grain only, adding across the grain if your skin can tolerate that. If you’re already doing these things, then SE could be something worth trying - especially with our risk-free return policy. Hope that helps! -Shane

[@hestermanfan]

@@blacklandrazors thanks Shane. Yes, I only shave WTG for 1.5 passes on the neck. I was wondering if maybe the vector SS OC with an aggressive blade could help bridge the gap to the efficiency of the blackbird as I understand the vector is a bit milder.

[@blacklandrazors]

@@hestermanfan That's definitely the case. Vector with ProSuper is a pretty efficient razor with some blade feel that gets it pretty close to the Blackbird.

[@valentinhaita7184]

SE for me !

[@Edua1111]

I'm a little bit confused here, after I checked some SE blades it seems they are not similar to the blades showed in the video. Those seem to be like half DE blades. Is that a different standard or what?

[@blacklandrazors]

Good question! This video is comparing a regular double-edge razor to Artist Club-style single-edge blades. Some other razors use a DE blade broken in half (so it becomes a single edge), but it's still the same blade ultimately. Hope that helps!

[@Zomby_Woof]

Very informative - but not what I was actually looking for. I'm looking for the best SE utility blades. Not the type for a utility knife. The old school blades used in paint scrapers. I need both the toughest and the sharpest for different purposes.

[@blacklandrazors]

You’re looking for GEM blades! They’re sold with different grinds for different applications, but all have the same shape. The three-facet blades are made for shaving. They’re sharper and have a less durable edge. The two-facet blades are for scraping and general utility. Less sharp and longer-lasting. Personna makes the shaving ones and a lot of brands make the utility ones, but that’s beyond our knowledge. Hope that helps!

[@johnnydanger1305]

As someone who has shaved for the past 15 yrs with a double and single edge blade, my belief is that double edge razors are better. NOW, that is based on the fact that my beard hair is coarse. The thin double edge blades (Feather brand) slice my beard like a hot knife thru butter. The feather straight edge blades (professional & super) are thicker and I find them tugging on my beard. More passes more irritation. I plan on ordering a vector to see if its the real deal and maybe that will change things for me. As of now, I have been using the IKON shavetech with a feather razor. So close its crazy. Heres a plot twist. I have not used shaving cream in the last 10 yrs. Hot shower, a sharp blade and well designed DE razor and you’re good to go

[@blacklandrazors]

Thanks for commenting! There's no right answer here so just do what works for you. Shaving is a subjective experience which is why we offer multiple blade platforms and styles of razors. :)

[@petekadenz9465]

I like using single edge razors (I have the Twig and the Thorn) and prefer half DE blades to the AC ones.

[@10floz30minutes]

Why? Just for the benefit of we who have little or no experience with single edge shaving, why you prefer half-double edge blades to Artist Club kind?

[@greenerick]

​​@10floz30minutes don't forget the High proof razor great for head shaves. Look it up, a great razor

[@thebigmann81]

I have a double edge safety razor but I only shave with one side so I started just snaping the blades in half and only using one side as a single edge razor

[@10floz30minutes]

You are making a strong sell for single edge razors. The only single edge traditional razor I tried was GEM Micromatic. Too rough; too aggressive; hard to use. Some people comment that it is like a "straight razor on a stick". In contrast, I have found "mild" double edge razors, using variety of different d.e. blades, very effective, smooth, and usually easy to use. I have therefore been very extremely reluctant to try any further single edge razor. How much off is my estimation, really?

[@blacklandrazors]

If you've found what works for you then you certainly don't have to try anything else. However, Artist Club blades are quite different from GEM blades. The available options for AC blades make it a compelling option and the variety of AC blades are far more diverse than DE blades. It's hard for me not to recommend an SE, especially the Vector. It's just such a versatile platform that seems to work for everyone who uses it.

[@10floz30minutes]

@@blacklandrazors Thanks for that much.

[@BartBuzz]

I don't know any wet shavers who buy one safety razor (DE or SE) and stick with it for all their shaves. Most of us end up with several safety razors in our collection. For me, I find the DE gives me a closer shave and is more forgiving when it comes to nicks. But that's because I rarely use my SEs.

[@TiberiusTeng]

Used Feather Straight Razor with ProGuard for a long time, only shaves once a week since lockdown WFH. Wanted to try my stock of ProGuards in a razor style holder so bought a Vector open comb, and the combination is indeed great. Super nimble, clears stubble fast without clogging and almost don't need to worry about cutting myself. And a pack of 15 ProGuard blades is only USD 5 here ... 😆 Thanks for the great Vector.

[@blacklandrazors]

Love it! Thank you for giving the Vector a shot!

[@John-lc2lz]

Please make a 3 piece injector razor

[@rusyaidirahman119]

what option should i go for beard and moustache edging

[@blacklandrazors]

Hard to beat the Vector for lineups and edging. That narrow head and rigid blade are perfect for knowing exactly where the blade is and getting an accurate, precise line.

[@rusyaidirahman119]

@@blacklandrazors i don’t regularly shave off my beard as a muslim i love to keep them visible. Usually i love to maintain by shaving the edges two to three days. Im still using catridge razors and it’s very hard to achieve precision. I want to try safery razor before shavette.

[@rusyaidirahman119]

@@blacklandrazors it looks super cool similar to shavette for edging but in the form of safety razor exactly what im looking for but it’s not available in my country. I can import from overseas but will be super expensive. If you have alternative something with smaller budget razor and vastly available internationally would be helpful :D

[@blacklandrazors]

@@rusyaidirahman119 We can help reduce the international import costs! Just shoot us an email to [e-mail] and we can get you set up.

[@blacklandrazors]

@@rusyaidirahman119 The Vector is the perfect blend of a safety razor and shavette. One of our employees, Basher, is Arab and uses the Vector to line up his beard. Its his favorite for that reason.

[@daviddixon2209]

I've had my Vector for about 6 months. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

[@blacklandrazors]

Glad to hear it!

[@thebigmann81]

I just use a double edge razor base and double edge blades snap it it in half and use it as a single edge blade

[@thebigmann81]

Double edge blades snap in half now you have single edge blades 😁

[@MrPleers]

I don´t see why a wide blade would be a pro. My face and neck are round for the most part. DE blades are just fine for that. Most faces aren't like that of SpongeBob,

[@blacklandrazors]

It may not be a pro for you, but not all faces are the same!

[@AngeloR674]

With a wide blade you shave more whiskers! That simple!

[@MrPleers]

@@AngeloR674 Sure, if your face and neck are flat.

[@Alesund50]

Dude, wash your hands and clean your fingernails !!

[@blacklandrazors]

Finally someone mentioned this! We've been waiting for you. Yea I just got done polishing and hadn't fully removed the polishing gunk yet. It's some sticky stuff. Thanks for watching!

[@chuckgladfelter]

LOL I do a lot of mechanical work so my hands usually look worse than his.