Electric shaver commendation/bargain

[arbilab]

Shave electric? Shaver going on ~5yrs? Dull/slow?

Amazon is selling Panasonic ES8103 for $65. I've had one for 6yrs, battery losing capacity, blades dull. Highly satisfied. For less than the cost of 2 bladesets, bought another.

Panasonic's registration website won't register it so it's been out of production for a while. Current prices are appreciably higher.

You don't want to deal with Panasonic's warranty service. It gets 2 stars on Yelp and most posters said they would rate it minus 5. (No shavers were among the complaints.) Amazon would likely replace it within reasonable time as long as their stock lasts.

ES8103 is like the Windows XP of shavers. The one you wish you could still buy after you no longer can. This is a screen machine, quiet 13,000-stroke/m linear motor. Can be used wet/foam but must be cleaned and dried, not be left in a puddle between uses. Very fast with new blades, ages gradually slower.

 

[tolivac]

I have a Norelco that is several years old-still cuts fine-haven't replaced the blades.Same with a Braun I also use.I have heard the Panasonic razors are good,but never tried one.

 

[vacerator]

Nope

I've tried Norelco, Braun, and a Panasonic electric shaver. I get the best result with a cheap double or triple blade disposable razor.

 

[dustin92]

I've got a Philips Norelco rotary shaver that I got as a gift this past Christmas and it doesn't work worth a darn. Battery life is good and that's as much as I can say. Takes forever to get a halfway decent shave. Had (have) a Philips Norelco from about 8 years ago that still shaves better even though the battery is losing charge quickly. Still using the original heads on that one. May look into a new one... I shave daily but have very coarse facial hair and very sensitive skin, not a great combination!

 

[ea56]

For the very best shave try an old fashioned double edge safety razor, you will be glad you did. I read a post on aw.org about 3 1/2 yrs ago that suggested using a double edge razor. I was wary, but since I already had one from yrs ago I brought out again and gave it a try. Wow. the best and most comfortable shave ever! Plus the blades last a long time and are much less expensive than all these new multiple blade razors. I now use a Merkur 34D and it is the best razor I've ever used and I'm 65 and have been shaving daily since I was 14.

Take a look at the hundreds of Youtube videos that give tutorials on shaving with a double edge safety razor, you'll get many helpful tips and be able to try shaving this way without fear. I never get any nicks, cuts, razor burn or discomfort with my DESR. My facial skin has never been healthier. One of my nephew's had really bad acne, I gave him a DESR and some blades and suggested he give it a try. His acne went away in less than 2 weeks. This is mainly due to the fact that shaving this way prevents ingrown hairs because the beard isn't cut off below the skin surface. Anyone with problem skin will benefit from shaving this way.

You can find entry level DESR's on ebay for reasonable prices. But if you are serious about shaving this way spring for a good razor and you'll never have to buy another, just blades. I prefer either a 2 or 3 piece DESR instead of the twist to open models, this is because they hold the blade in place better in my opinion and there are fewer parts to wear out.
Eddie[this post was last edited: 6/12/2016-14:40]

 

[bendix5]

try here for shaving supplies. I have used blades etc from West Coast with good results.

http://www.westcoastshaving.com/

For other info

http://www.badgerandblade.com/0

I have used Braun electrics for years. They cut close and you can rinse them out under water and let air dry.

 

[washer111]

Ditto for ea56's Recommendation

I got into the "Wet Shaving" with traditional soaps, shaving brush and safety razor last year after reading about it online.

My opinion is it was certainly one of the best decisions I've made.
Aside from the initial outlay for the safety razor and brush, you save a reasonable amount of money on ludicrously-priced "blade sets" for Gillette contraptions (i.e. $30-40 every few months), plus the never-ending purchases of that canned foam crap... My opinion of that stuff is now summarised by the following: "Stinks like petrochemicals."

I've just finished a tub of Poraso (Red "box") shaving soap... Which lasted me from the start of December last year, shaving 2-3 times weekly. It cost me, oh, $10. Your typical can of foam won't last 1-2 months of normal usage.

The safety blades? Cheap as chips. Can get high-quality Feather (Made in Japan) blades or Personna (Made in Israel) blades for a couple of dollars online or in specialty shops. These come in packs of five as I recall.

Thanks to the switch, I no longer have to worry about "shaving rash," especially once you find the soap that fits your needs. I'm glad to have finished the Poraso - it wasn't the greatest. I lean more towards Spieck or Colonel Conk.

To be fair, I must also admit the whole process of soaking the brush as you shower, working up the lather, applying and shaving is a very relaxing process with good-quality soaps.

For those concerned about "a close shave," well, its a moot point. Its all about technique, and in whether you go with, parallel-to or against the grain. Obviously doing the latter is a good way to damage your skin...