Electric Razors

ProPatriaMori

The time has come for me to stop being scruffy. Thus:

Does anyone have particularly good impressions or bad impressions of various electric razors? There are a hell of a lot of options, even at the grocery store.

sirchrissypoo

I picked up a rather cheap electric razor kit (like $25) and it works well enough for what I need. Electric razors almost never get as close as a regular razor, but if you don't mind some fuzz, they work well. If you go for a real expensive one (over $100 probably) then you would be able to get a smooth shave.

Figgy

No matter how expensive your electric razor is, you're never going to get as close as a blade. Also, some people end up with irritation to dry shaves if they do it too much.

I use one of these shaped razors on the odd occasion, but I mostly use a safety razor for daily shaves.

I was told this shape of electric razor shaves a bit closer than the circular ones, but I've never tried em.

Why are you set on electric, rather than wet shaving? Effort? Time? I'm able to get a super close shave in under 5 minutes with a safety razor, shave lotion, and a brush. As someone with really thick facial hair, I recommend safety razors entirely.

Trentus

I've got one of those three little circular pad thingies that I use when feeling particularly lazy or when I'm in a hurry. I have no idea how much it cost, and the blades could probably use replacing (it used to be my dad's, so it's at least... 9 years old). It doesn't give a particularly close shave, and lately it's been nicking me each time I use it. It's always caused irritation.

Also, I remember one of my mates telling me that his parents dropped a bit of cash on a nice electric razor for his birthday one year. He absolutely hates it and says he prefers the cheap one he got in malaysia. So, it might come down to whatever works best for you, rather than which one is more expensive.

ProPatriaMori

Trentus wrote: »

So, it might come down to whatever works best for you, rather than which one is more expensive.

Yeah, that's why I made the thread. My dad had a high opinion of one he had for a while but when it finally died and he bought another electric from the same company it was shit. I'm not really sure how to discriminate between good and bad without buying them.

As for why electric, I'm just that lazy I suppose. If there's one that's decent for an okay price I'd just as soon spring for it than drag the blade along my face myself.

Figgy

You've still got to rub the electric razor on your face several times before it finally gets the hair off. To each his own, I guess.

Have you considered the electric razors that have a lotion that comes out of them? I could see that giving you the closest shave you'll get with an electric.

LaOs

I've used two different styles of electric razors, and I found that I, personally, got a better shave from the 'bar' style than the 'round' style... One was a Phillips, with three round circles. It just didn't get as close as I would like. I used an old, old bar style, with the one lengthwise foil, and it worked better than the three circles. I now have a newer one (Braun) and it works just fine. If I do it every day, I get as close to 'good enough' as I did with the Gillette Mach 3 blades (no battery power).

You may find that the different styles of electric razors work better or worse for you. I don't know how you could 'try them out' but if you could, that would be best. I find that I have better shaves with bar styles than the circles.

As for irritation or closeness, I get as close with my bar style Braun as I did with my blades, but the Braun will wear out/down and I'll have to replace the foil or the blades eventually... Also, I may have to shave every day with the electric but only every three days with the blade, but that may just be the mood I've been in during those different time periods.

Right now I've actually just been trimming my face with the sideburn cutter every day or every other day... leaves a bit of a scruffy but not dirty look that's easily maintainable. The electric razor has this other sort of "option" that a blade doesn't.

Of course, this razor was almost 300 dollars, if I recall. It was a gift, but it's a nice, nice razor.

[Edit]
For example, I go once up and once down on each "section" of my face, exactly like I did with my blades, and I am just as satisfied after the shave with my electric as I was with the blades. I would imagine with a cheaper razor or with one with older blades or an older foil you would have to rub it on your face several times... but if you maintain the machine, you won't need to.

darkmayo

get yourself a beard trimmer and use razors, fuck that Mach 51 bullshit, mulitple blades and other crap, go get some disposible BICs , 2 blade and find yourself a nice shaving cream, I use barbasol.

ProPatriaMori

Have a beard trimmer already.

Right now I'm seeing bar-style Braun as the only recommendation. Looks like I'll try that.

proXimity

One thing I've found with electric razors is that you pretty much NEED to shave regularly. Waiting a couple days between shaves if your hair grows decently fast at all can cause that next shave to be quite painful, full of pulling and irritation, even with a brand new set of blades. Even then, there'll probably be a few longer hairs that it doesn't get. Shaving every day, every other at *most* is the best way to keep a smooth face with an electric razor.

Quid

proXimity wrote: »

One thing I've found with electric razors is that you pretty much NEED to shave regularly. Waiting a couple days between shaves if your hair grows decently fast at all can cause that next shave to be quite painful, full of pulling and irritation, even with a brand new set of blades. Even then, there'll probably be a few longer hairs that it doesn't get. Shaving every day, every other at *most* is the best way to keep a smooth face with an electric razor.

Yeah, this is important to remember. It's part of why I stopped using mine. That, and cleaning it.

Klundtasaur

+1 on the "electric=shave every day." My face churns hair out at about 1/8-1/4 an inch weekly, and if i went more than a day without shaving, it was half cutting, half pulling hair out (even on less than 6month old blades). Not awesome, and it made me hate shaving.

Now I just go Mach 3, with gillette boring shaving cream, once a week (about 8-10 minutes). Gives my face a rest from daily scraping, and most girls i've asked dig the scruff.

DjCalvin

I've been using a Braun 790cc for almost a year now and I love it. It took a good month for my skin to get used to the shave, so give it some time..

I do have to shave everyday (like other people have said) whereas when I was using my Mach 3, it was 2-3 days before getting scruffy.

You CAN get as close as a blade with a good electric razor, I was real worried about that, but its not an issue. Just have to feel your face a bit and you'll get used to what spots need a lil extra loving with the razor.

Preacher

I use a remington bar style (I guess thats what you call it twin foils not the round type). When I got it I believe it said you have to give it 2 weeks before your face adjusts to it, it works well enough for me, and I don't have to do too many passes. I also got one that does self cleaning (has a base) it was a bit more scratch but well worth it so far, been using it about a year, my wife has no complaints.

ProPatriaMori

I was looking at one of those ones with the washing base. Good to know it's worth it.

On the every-day thing: did any of you ever try an electric in combination with a beard trimmer? I use the trimmer now and it gets me looking clean because my hair is lighter toward the root, but that is also the most sandpapery length I have. Do you think trimmer then electric would alleviate the problems you experienced?

Now that I write it out it does sound a bit ridiculous, though.

Entriech

I use one of the Phillips ones with three heads set on pivot-points so it'll dimple in around corners and stuff. Shaves as well as any electric razor I've owned, and the thing I enjoy about it in particular is the guts of the thing are all sealed up in a water-tight case. So cleaning is as simple as flipping open the head and rinsing out with hot water, then leaving to dry.

Don't get one of the ones with a washing base. Just another scam to get you to spend a regular amount of money a la razor blades.

xa52

This thread isn't that old so I'll just piggyback:

Does anyone have any experience with the Panasonic wet/dry foil (bar) style razors? I am considering buying this one.

I've currently got a Braun 7526, which is 8 years old and showing it's age. I change the blades/foil and clean it on a regular basis but it is still not as good as it used to be. I feel that the automatic cleaning doesn't work very well anymore, and there's parts I just can't get to when cleaning it myself with the brush. I had a circular blade Norelco before this, and I definitely prefer the bar. Basically I'd like a foil razor I can clean myself by flushing it out with water without electrocuting myself.

Saddler

Everyone is recommending the bar style, but I've had much better luck with my Norelco with the three rotating heads. In any case, I find that you get what you pay for with these things, so it's worth getting a nice one. You can use them for many years, if you replace the blades every so often.

RUNN1NGMAN

Both Norelco and Braun have 30-day guarantees, I believe, so if you don't like it you can always return it.

CrystalMethodist

I have a Panasonic 8086 and I love it. It gives a totally legitimate shave and it's really easy to use/clean/everything.

Shurakai

Remember also that whatever shaver you get, eventually you *will* have to replace the blades. Have a look at how much the replacement blades cost before you make a decision.

I will also say that it is indeed possible to go a week without shaving and still use an electric.
The trick is to use a beard trimmer or something similar to get the hair short enough to cut before using the shaver itself.

Also.. no matter what shaver you buy, you will get some hairs pulled out on occasion. It will hurt. Eventually you will get used to it like a real man and it won't bother you. Don't be a pussy and throw the shaver on the ground like you see in the movies, ha.

Tube

Figgy wrote: »

I was told

My razor looks pretty much exactly like this and it works fine on my fairly average level of facial hair. Make sure you get a razor with a beard trimming attachment. Also bear in mind that you get what you pay for. I think my last razor cost a hundred pounds or similar, but I've had it now for three years or more and have never had to so much as change the blade on it. You'll save an absolute fortune long term on safety razors if you get an electric.

Tube

Also I'd like to echo the above poster that if anyone is having problems with pulled hair while using an electric it's because they're using it wrong. You use the trimmer to get the hair short and then use the bar to get the shave close.

Sir Carcass

I use a combo of electric razor and safety razor. I'll use the electric to get the majority of the stuff, then finish up with the safety razor. I don't mess with shaving cream or anything and it takes me about a minute or two to shave. I also have fairly thick facial hair and only shave once a week. The electric isn't a problem. I use a Norelco with the 3 rotary heads and have used that style for the last 15 years or so without problem. I currently have a thick beard, so I only shave my neck, but I've used this method for everything including sideburns and goatees.

The Specialist

I'd have to recommend a plain old razor. If you get into a good routine you can shave your face with one quicker than going over it multiple times with an electric razor and you get a smoother shave. I use a Mach 3. The 4 bladed ones are overkill but the mach 3 is pretty nice and it's semi-disposable. You buy the handle thing and then a package of blades which can be reused several times before throwing away. I can't stand the cheap bic disposables because I cut the shit out of my face every time with them and I find electric razors take too long, don't shave close enough and still leave my face irritated.

Also, I stay away from those stupid shave gels. You can't beat a can of Barbasol.

Edit: holy crap, I didn't realize this thread was a month old.

Tube

Can I point out to everyone that if someone has made a thread saying "what electric razor should I get" saying "oh you should totally just get a straight razor" or whatever isn't remotely helpful.

xa52

xa52 wrote: »

This thread isn't that old so I'll just piggyback:

Does anyone have any experience with the Panasonic wet/dry foil (bar) style razors? I am considering buying this one.

I've currently got a Braun 7526, which is 8 years old and showing it's age. I change the blades/foil and clean it on a regular basis but it is still not as good as it used to be. I feel that the automatic cleaning doesn't work very well anymore, and there's parts I just can't get to when cleaning it myself with the brush. I had a circular blade Norelco before this, and I definitely prefer the bar. Basically I'd like a foil razor I can clean myself by flushing it out with water without electrocuting myself.

Following up: I got the Panasonic I linked there, and I'm very happy with it. It gives me a close shave for an electric, and it's great being able to run it under water. I can rinse the hair bits off every day, and then give it a more thorough cleaning once a week, which only takes a minute. The lcd showing the battery charge left is also a nice feature.