Electric Razors

Guy,
I have never had the problem or insult of being called a Red Neck,
must admit though of all the electric shavers I have used the Phillips has been the most comfortable one in use.Stupid question I know ,but your not applying to much pressure on your skin are you.
oldie.

quote:

Originally posted by Guy D:

I now have a red chicken neck which is also very sore.

Guy

It has always said in the instructions of electric razors I've had that irritation might occur for up to two weeks while the skin gets used to the new shaver. How long have you had the thing?

Deane

Guy don't give up. Your skin will get used to it shortly. As I've already said the Philips has been by far the best of all the electric shavers I've used.

Well I went and bought one today and the winner is.... [drum roll please] ... Philips Sensotec HQ 8894.

I was swayed by opinion here since if going for zero research I would probably have gone for a Braun Activator System 8595. In the end the comments from here and a few reviews I found online I went for the Philips.

The main reasons were the good comments on here about Philips plus the lower maintenance/running costs (no cleaning filters, lotions required). The Philips recomends a blade/head change every 2 years as opposed to Braun (18 months) and reading review of Remmington as low as 6 months. To clean the Philips it says to rinse it under the tap after every shave and take the blades and stuff out and brush them every 6 months. Additionally the Philips claims to last for 100 minutes cordless which should be useful for holidays.

Finally The Philips comes with a 60 day money back guarantee so if my face/neck is sore after 3 weeks then it will be back to the shop and then try the Braun. If that fails that will be back to the shop (30 day money back guarantee) and I'll try a fully waterproof (so it can be used in the shower) Philips HQ7780 which also has a nivea lotion dispenser. I was dissauded by this one initially because of memories of my first electric razor (another Philips rotary head about 10 years ago) was that it gave a closer shave before a shower rather than after, although it did leave my skin dry which was why I was tempted by doing it in the shower with lotion (oo-er).

quick edit - Thanks to everyone who helped me in this arduous task and to my Mum and Dad without whom, of course, this would not have been possible. I'll report back on my findings over the next few weeks if this thread is still around.

As hinted at above, the biggest problem is that there is no "best" electric shaver. Different skin types, beard growth types, etc. suit different technologies. Personally, I've never managed to get good results from the "Phillishave" system with 2/3 rotary heads, and have mostly stayed with Braun foils. However, it takes at least a month for your face to get used to a change (particularly to a foil from anything else).

How good you are at getting good results from a particular model makes at least as much difference as the technology employed. Those moving from a wet razor (or vice versa) will alsways find things pretty strange at first, as electrics are usually more effective against the direction of growth, and blades like to go with it -- this means a fundamental change in technique which tends to obscure any perceived benefits or downsides.

Finally, my first Braun (1974) was fabulous, and lasted until 1989, when the self-tapping screws holding the case together could no longer grip. All the works were fine. Since then, Brauns have got progressively trashier and more gimmicky, but so has everything else. I'm currently on my third.

Hmm

Yes, it does appear the differences are somewhat subjective. I was hoping that someone perhaps might've compared a current Braun to a current Phillishave - preferably the top models. I've personally blade shaved all my life. Some years back I bought a Braun electric, but found the irritation quite intense, and hence it stayed in the cupboard unused and I continued with wet/blades, but I would be interested in re-trying an electric given the advances in the technology since then, but quite unsure what would suit.

I'd be most interested in the top Braun Activator, or the Phillips Sensotronic. Features aside, which would have the likely better action/cutting method for someone with a relatively light beard, and smooth/sensitive skin? I'd be looking for a close shave with the least skin irritation.

Also, in changing from wet/blade to an electric, are their any special techniques, or things one should be aware of? For instance does it take time to adapt to electric? I didn't really perservere with the electric - perhaps I gave up too early. Also, does one shave dry with an electric, or use something like a pre-shave lotion/oil?

Thoughts anyone please - (For a wet shaving, closet electronic shaving wannabee)?

Cheers

Best regards

John...

I've no been shaving with the philips for a week now (which is thier top model John). So far I've had no irritation on the face, but slight irritation on the neck once and I think that was when I applied too much force.

It's a lot quicker to shave that a wet shave (takes me about 3 or 4 minutes to shave with it) which was one of my reasons for buying it. It handles a few days worth of stubble fine, just takes a bit longer. I don't think the shave is quite as close as a wet shave, but I'm also paying a lot more attention to it than I was whilst I was still wet shaving. It's very easy to clean, I just rinse it under that tap after each shave and take out the blades once a week to brush them.

Also John as I mentioned above Philips offer a 60 day money back trial with thier top models here in Canada and currently it doesn't look like I'll be returning it.

Two-Sheds

I also use a Phillips but only on my neck as I wear a short beard (due to a skin condition that means hairs get trapped under my facial skin if I shave )

I have found the best way is light pressure and slow circular movement. Patience is the key with an electric.

I also use a good after-shave balm each time. Keeping your skin good is as important as cleaning your razor !

Enjoy.

I was getting skin rashes from shaving some 20 years ago, when I was using a Braun shaver, so went to see a specialist doctor. He advised me to get a decent double-bladed wet razor and I went out and bought a nice chunky Wilkinson Sword Profile, which I still use to this day.

He advised to shave after showering, as the stubble will be softer after exposure to heat and soap. He also said to use long strokes and that to shave twice over was far better than scratching away with short repeated strokes.

Finally, he recommended going without shaving for a day or couple of days each week. So my family had to get used to my stubbly appearance at week-ends.

Graham