Review El Jefe SE razor

[bazemk1979]

I apologize for reviving an old thread, but I was loaned an El Jefe Head paired to a Bulldog handle from a member on another forum and wanted to try my luck on this imperfect razor. I actually have 3 shaves on it, and to be quite honest they have been pretty good shaves with the last one being very good, almost on par with my Rx. The first 2 shaves I used a Kai Titan Pink blade and the 3rd shave was done with a Feather Pro. I actually preferred the shave with the Feather Pro. I was aware of the inconsistent blade alignment but if your careful and take a few extra seconds in lining up the blade and properly aligning the cap, I had no troubles at all. All 2 pass shaves with just a couple of weepers on the first shave. Close and comfortable shaves since the first. I actually like it and now have my eyes peeled on the search for one. Its got its nuances, but I guess that's character and personality. I like that in a razor. Plus, it almost acts as an adjustable, depending on how you position the blade forward or aft on the top cap and pushing it forward or back. Mild to a little more aggressive. The search is on.......
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Oh you revived this thread, well in that case NVM to my reply above. In short words, cross your fingers for good luck, purchase the SS Hawk and you will see the difference,great machining + DLC+ all 316L SS surgical alike razor for $60

 

[Paul]

The El Jefe is made of Aluminium. The discoloration is from the thread cutting tool.

 

[Str8Mug]

Oh you revived this thread, well in that case NVM to my reply above. In short words, cross your fingers for good luck, purchase the SS Hawk and you will see the difference,great machining + DLC+ all 316L SS surgical alike razor for $60

No interest. I already have 3 of the greatest single edge modern razors made to date (minus a straight razor, which I own a few of). Asylum Rx, Brass General & OneBlade. But so far, I have crossed my fingers and my toes and nothing but excellent shaves with the El Jefe.......

 

[Str8Mug]

Got another 2 fantastic shaves in with the El Jefe, but this time with a Feather Super Pro. Just a marvelous shave to be honest. One mild with the blade positioned as far back in the head, and the other as far forward in the head and very aggressive. Both were superb but the aggressive setting required extra concentration and attention to detail. Much more forward feeling blade shave, but very close and smooth. Would like to try this razor with a Schick Proline blade, but I will not receive those in time and this razor has to get back to it's original owner. But the hunt has begun for acquiring one.....

 

[jar]

I'm hoping the El Jefe will be a winner. My only current experience with SE type razors is a Schick Injector and frankly it sucked. I do have a few others to try like a Damaskeene and some Autostrops and a few Rolls but haven't worked up the nerve to give them a full try yet.

 

[Str8Mug]

I'm hoping the El Jefe will be a winner. My only current experience with SE type razors is a Schick Injector and frankly it sucked. I do have a few others to try like a Damaskeene and some Autostrops and a few Rolls but haven't worked up the nerve to give them a full try yet.

Are you Mad??! Give them things a go! You'll never know until you try them. Just use care and a bit more concentration to find the proper cutting angle for you and what feels comfortable. Like riding a bike. You first learn, you'll fall a couple of times and scrape yourself a bit, but you get back on until you get it right. You've got some good vintage razors, don't let them go to waste and stare at them. A vintage razor is a horrible thing to waste.....

 

[jar]

Are you Mad??! Give them things a go! You'll never know until you try them. Just use care and a bit more concentration to find the proper cutting angle for you and what feels comfortable. Like riding a bike. You first learn, you'll fall a couple of times and scrape yourself a bit, but you get back on until you get it right. You've got some good vintage razors, don't let them go to waste and stare at them. A vintage razor is a horrible thing to waste.....

Almost vintage razors are the norm (to be vintage the razor has to be older than me) but SE razors just never really interested me. When I already have near perfection (Gillette Super Speed and Techs) the exotics only get tried on a whim.

 

[Str8Mug]

Quick update. Ikon just posted they have some new revised "El Jefe" heads called the MR-SE. A re-do that corrects issues with the previous head.... Only 16 in stock last I checked.

 

[p.b]

Given ikon's recent poor track record of quality I think I'll wait to hear what this one is like before purchasing

 

[Str8Mug]

Just received the new, revised El Jefe head dubbed the MR-SE. Couple pics below to show the difference between the 1st gen to the 2nd gen. Better tolerance and tighter fitment for the blade post and blade post holes. Next up a shave. I feel though that the blade still has a minute amount of play, not as severe as the first one, but it's there.
Sorry for the bad pics gents.......

MR-SE on left, original El Jefe on right......

Tighter tolerance, but still not a precisely perfect fit on the blade posts......

Much less play once assembled.....

Even blade exposure and dead on alignment along the length of the safety bar.......

As I said, a shave coming right up....

 

[Rowlers]

All sold out, when I looked last night.
Looks much better.

 

[Str8Mug]

Shave is in. Got a 2 pass plus extended buffing that gave me an outstanding BBS shave with the MR-SE. Now, the original El Jefe gives me just as good a shave. BBS results almost everytime. The shave quality is nearly identical out of both razors. So, what's the difference? You don't have to fiddle with the MR-SE as you do with the El Jefe. Drop your blade in, just tilt it back to make sure the blade is against the blade tabs and place the bottom plate on, tighten up. Locks in place firmly and securely. I will say that I feel a bit more smoothness out of the MR-SE compared to the El Jefe, while still being efficient and maintaining a mid-aggressive feel. Once in a while I would have to stop mid shave with the El Jefe because it just felt I hadn't aligned it right. I assembled and disassembled the MR-SE at least 8-10 times and it pretty much was aligned every time. Much better fitment and closer tolerances on the MR-SE head. Still a tiny bit of play, but it is very, very small.

Overall I consider it an improvement over the original El Jefe. It shaves slightly smoother while still being efficient with decent blade feel. It is better finished and the fitment has been cleaned up very nicely. It's a better quality piece imo. Would I recommend it? Absolutely without any hesitation. Old El Jefe veterans will take to this new MR-SE and find it to be an excellent razor that finally eliminates for the most part the nervousness of setting up the razor properly as you have to do with the El Jefe. Those that were nervous or afraid of trying out the El Jefe, fear no more. The new and improved El Jefe II will give you a satisfying and close shave without any apprehension of carving your face up like a turkey on Thanksgiving Day. Thumbs up on the MR-SE from Ikon...

 

[Rowlers]

Nice review @Str8Mug sounds tempting. Any comparisons to the General?

 

[Str8Mug]

Nice review @Str8Mug sounds tempting. Any comparisons to the General?

More blade feel for sure on the MR-SE compared to the Brass General. Can't compare it with the Aluminum version, don't have one. But, it is a very smooth shaver. Very efficient and more forgiving than the original El Jefe.

 

[p.b]

Thank you. Sounds very positive. Maybe I'll invest if they become widely available.