Seriously, I need an electric razor and know nothing about what's available today

[markw]

I know this isn't typically an audio subject, but there's no place else that seems appropriate and irtt does sorta deal with a hum/buzz issue.

Due to recent stay in the hospital, I've had to start taking coumadin, a blood thinner, and the doc says no more "real" razors due to a bleeding issue. My razor of choice over the years evolved to be a Gillette Sensor/Mach 3 type.

I have a thick, heavy beard and when it was dark (years ago), I looked like Fred Flintstone even right after I shaved with a real" razor. I had a 5:00 shadow at 8:00 am.

I'm 58, and Ive been using, on very, very rare occasions, a three headed norelco from the 60's, and it does not really do as good a job as I like. The only reason I can get by is my beard is now white and even though it's invisible to others, I still have that sandpaper effect.

I know things have changed since then. So, what's out there that gives a clean, close shave? I see the ads but if I were to believe them, they all do as good a job as my beloved Gillette Sensor/Mach 3 but I doubt it.

So, share with me, guys. I trust your opinions more than the guys on TV.

tia

 

[mike c]

though I use a real razor myself, I have purchased different models of Philips electric razors.

the more heads, the merrier (last I bought had three heads)
I like the ones with the digital display up front telling you how many "shaving hours" you had left.
I think it was around 200 bucks or more then.

 

[MDS]

For me, all the major brands suck with one exception - Panasonic. I've tried them all and they all work more or less the same.

The Panasonic wet/dry work better for me than any of the others and are easy to clean because you can just put liquid soap on the foil, turn it on, and run it under water. Every once in awhile you might have to use a brush when it is dry to clean it real well. Mine is the ES7037.

My opinion only but avoid the gadgets like 'self cleaning'. I had the new Norelco or whatever it was with the base to self clean. It takes it hours and it doesn't clean the popup trimmer at all. Plus you have to continually buy cleaning solution. The thing died in less than a year just like every other non-Panasonic brand I've ever owned.

One other thing: the Panasonic blades and foil are rated to last two to three times longer than the competition and are cheaper to boot. I usually just buy a new model after two years when the blades start to become dull and it takes longer to shave.

 

[gus6464]

I found the Braun 360 razor to have the closest shave out of every razor I have tried (panasonic, remington, norelco). It is a bit on the expensive side but comes with a self cleaning base.

http://www.braun.com/na/360complete/360complete.html

 

[Haoleb]

Well since were already off topic..

Introducing!.. The FOREVER razor!

Because I want a razor that lasts forever. Man that thing would be pretty grody. I would rather have the BRAND NEW ONCE A WEEK RAZOR!

 

[skizzerflake]

I would cast my vote for a Braun. Mine give and excellent, close, comfortable shave, recharges in a few minutes and it gentle enough that I never cut my skin.

 

[avaserfi]

I would cast my vote for a Braun. Mine give and excellent, close, comfortable shave, recharges in a few minutes and it gentle enough that I never cut my skin.

I second that vote. I have one of the self cleaning Brauns and it does a pretty good job.

 

[MDS]

Lots of votes for Braun I see. That is about the only brand I have never used but they are very pricey and I am fundamentally opposed to paying more than about $100 for an electric razor. Call me crazy but based on my experience all electric razors are throwaway consumables and there is no point in paying out the wazoo for a razor that will die in the same amount of time as the less expensive model.

Feel free to correct me if any of the Braun owners have actually had one last more than a year or two. [But I'll still stick to my $100 price point. ]

 

[avaserfi]

I have just hit the one year mark with my Braun, I paid 180 from Sams for it with the base station and 2 extra units of the cleaning stuff it comes with. It still works like the unit is new and I have yet to need to replace the blade thing that it has.

 

[markw]

Thanks Guys. Another demonstration of my ignorance.

Do the stores let you try 'em before purchasing?

I know there may be some "health" issues, but that would be a dandy way to find out before hand.

But, barring that, can one return 'em within a few days?

So far, even though it looks pricey, it looks like the Braun might be a winnah. Nothing is too good for my baby face.

 

[Tomorrow]

Mark,

I have a reasonably thick beard and went to an electric for the same reason. I tried several and while I didn't have the money to throw at a Braun, I sampled most of the others. The NEW Norelcos are first rate and get my unbloodied seal of approval.

(Oh...a little tip...now things are going to be jumping out of nowhere trying to cut you. You watch. Can lids. Keys. Doors. Kids. All of 'em come from out of CUTTER'S HELL to get you, lol. You'll see what I mean. Good luck with the rat poison, my friend. I've now been on it for 18 years! )

 

[markw]

Well, that's encouraging.

(Oh...a little tip...now things are going to be jumping out of nowhere trying to cut you. You watch. Can lids. Keys. Doors. Kids. All of 'em come from out of CUTTER'S HELL to get you, lol. You'll see what I mean.

I guess this is another correlative of murphy's law.

]( Good luck with the rat poison, my friend. I've now been on it for 18 years! )

Actually, they gave me Wharfin (sp?) which is what we used to kill rats in the steel mill in the 70's, except then it was in little cardboard boxes we placed on the floor. Now it's in a pretty little pill.

I guess they couldn't figger out how to give a rat a pill.

thanks for the encouraging words. It's nice to know I ain't alone here.

 

[abboudc]

I've had a couple of the Braun razors over the years, the latest being a self cleaning model with the Activator head. They can be pricey ~$150, but are self cleaning -- replace the alcohol cartridge every couple weeks and they work and look like new.

However, if you're like me, you're going to be sadly disappointed with just about every electric razor out there. Nothing shaves as close as a blade. When i used a blade i was crazy about a close shave, and used to shave both with the grain, then against it so it was smooth in all directions. Too many cuts though, and like you i switched to an electric.

Unfortunately, there's no way to get that super smooth shave that i've found yet. All of the electrics leave the sandpaper to some extent. You can do a pretty good job if take your time though. Once in a while, i'll still shave with my blade when travelling, and you will miss it.

It is a lot like audio...(in my case anyway), trading performance for practicality.

 

[MDS]

Unfortunately, there's no way to get that super smooth shave that i've found yet. All of the electrics leave the sandpaper to some extent. You can do a pretty good job if take your time though.

Yep, if you think the 3 minutes per shave idea they ALL use to specify how many shaves per charge you'll get, you are seriously deluding yourself.

Still an electric is nice to have and I do use mine, but I still use a blade the majority of the time.

Also note that again, ALL of the razors, suggest that you use it exclusively for 30 days or more to allow your beard to 'adjust' to the razor for best results. Sounds eerily similar to speakers that suggest you break them in for a period much longer than the return period, now doesn't it?

 

[mtrycrafts]

I know this isn't typically an audio subject, but there's no place else that seems appropriate and irtt does sorta deal with a hum/buzz issue.
tia

Steam vent subject Off topic but don't have to blow off steam there

 

[Audioholics]

I have a (3 rotary head) Norelco thats been going for ~4 years now. Has the digital LCD battery/time monitor, etc... I think the battery isn't Ni-Cd. It shaves "ok" but I have light skin and dark hair, making anything other than a real razor impossible to get truly clean. Cost me like $135 at the time. Not self-cleaning.

Honestly I just don't give a rat anymore... lol.

 

[adk highlander]

I'll give another vote to the Braun. I've had mine for almost 3yrs and it is still working great. I have one of the self-cleaning models. If you figure in a blade replacement (yearly) and the cleaning cartridges (1/month) they are an expensive system.

I do feel it has been worth it due to the fact that I dont' get any ingrown hairs with this razor. All of other electrics (norelco, panasonic) I used before gave me problems. I used a blade for years but I wanted the convenience of an electric and this one has worked for me.

 

[GlocksRock]

This is a great thread, my Norelco crapped out on my about a week ago and I've been looking for opinions on a new electric razor, as I just don't like the hassle of shaving with a regular razor. I just don't want to spend too much money right now, and want something that still does a good job.

 

[Warpdrv]

OK I think that AUDIOHOLICS has hit a seriously major LOW !!!!!!!


And to top it all off... Clint DeBoer has even joined in.....

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Lots of votes for Braun I see. That is about the only brand I have never used but they are very pricey and I am fundamentally opposed to paying more than about $100 for an electric razor. Call me crazy but based on my experience all electric razors are throwaway consumables and there is no point in paying out the wazoo for a razor that will die in the same amount of time as the less expensive model.

Feel free to correct me if any of the Braun owners have actually had one last more than a year or two. [But I'll still stick to my $100 price point. ]

I replace the (three) heads on my Norelco from time to time, but the razor itself has been going strong for over 15 years. My only complaint is that replacement heads have become difficult to find, since the particular model is no longer made.