For most of my adult life, shaving was something I rushed through. I work in banking, I work out, I create content, I take care of my family. The morning routine is about getting out the door, not perfecting technique. So I stuck with the obvious choice: multi-blade cartridges. Gillette Fusion5 had been my go-to for years. It was easy, fast, predictable.
When I kept hearing about single-blade razors making a comeback, I didn't take it seriously. Going from five blades to one? It felt like trading a Tesla for a manual transmission. But I'm a curious person, so I gave Supply's Single Edge SE a real two-month test against my Fusion5.
What surprised me was how different the experience actually was—and how many of my assumptions were flat-out wrong.
The Physical Feel
This was the first thing that grabbed me.
A Fusion5 works fine, but the whole setup feels like plastic. Lightweight handle, neon colors, a head that bends if you press too hard. Functional, yes. But it feels disposable—and it looks like it belongs next to kids' bath toys, not on an adult's counter.
Supply’s Single Edge razor is the opposite. The first time I held it, the weight alone made me slow down. Solid metal. It feels like a tool instead of a convenience product. The kind of thing you don't toss around casually.
And honestly, I like having it out on the counter. It's simple, matte, and looks intentional. Small detail, but it changes how you treat the whole routine.
The Learning Curve
Multi-blade razors are built for autopilot. You can be half-awake, barely paying attention, and the pivoting head plus five blades will still get you close enough.
A single-blade razor doesn't work that way. You have to find the right blade angle, use short strokes, and let the razor's weight do the work. The first week, I cut myself twice. I rushed through it. I treated it like a cartridge razor, and it punished me for it.
By week two, my entire technique had adjusted. Once it clicked, it felt like proper form in the gym—awkward until suddenly it isn't, and then it becomes second nature.
The Shave Itself
Here's where the real difference showed up.
The Fusion5 feels smooth immediately after shaving, but by the afternoon my neck would flare up. Redness, bumps, irritation. The more days I shaved in a row, the worse it got.
With the Supply’s single-blade razor, the irritation basically disappeared. My skin stayed even. The trouble spots under my jawline stopped breaking out. I didn't expect drastic differences, but they happened anyway.
The logic is simple: one blade making one pass is less aggressive than five blades dragging across the same area. Less friction. Less trauma. Better skin.
Cost and Longevity
Fusion5 cartridges aren't cheap. You replace them constantly, and the prices keep creeping up.
The Supply Single Edge SE razor hits you with a higher upfront cost, but the actual blades are under a dollar. After the first year, you start saving money—and you're no longer throwing handfuls of plastic into the trash.
Longevity is another factor. Multi-blade handles crack or wear out. I've gone through several. But the metal razor? It feels like something I'll still be using in a decade. Maybe longer.
The Overall Experience
This surprised me the most.
With the Fusion5, shaving was something I sped through. A chore. A box to check.
With the Supply Single Edge SE, it became something I didn't mind slowing down for. Not in a luxurious spa-day way—more like a quiet five-minute moment where technique matters. A reset before the rest of the day starts moving fast.
I never thought I'd say this, but I actually enjoy it.
The Honest Conclusion
If you want pure speed and zero learning curve, a multi-blade razor still wins for convenience.
But if you're willing to spend a few days adjusting, a single-blade razor gives you:
- a closer, calmer shave
- better skin
- lower long-term cost
- a tool that feels built to last
- an experience that feels intentional instead of rushed
The shift from "plastic toy" to "real tool" ended up changing more than I expected—not because it made me nostalgic, but because it made me more deliberate.
I didn't switch because of marketing. I switched because after two months of using both, the single blade simply gave me better results and a better experience.
The Single Edge SE is not for every guy. But it’s perfect for the one who actually cares how he shows up.
