Lasereth

Hey, I need guys (and womens' if they apply!) opinions on electric razors.

I've been using a Braun 4-series to shave my face for about 6 years now. Apparently, you're supposed to change the blades on electric razors every now and then, but I simply can't find blades for mine anywhere. I think it's time for a new one! Right now, it takes me 15-20 minutes to shave using my electric one. When I'm done, my face is super-ultra smooth though. I've traditionally shaved before, but it never works good on my face (my chin and cheeks are NEVER smooth, even though you can't really see the hair). No matter how many times I use the water-razor and shaving cream, my face simply never gets smooth. Yes, I'm going "against the grain" or whatever that phrase is that people say.

So: I need an electric razor that will shave my face damn good. I'm not talking about the generic "there's no long hair, but there's still hair there" deal; I want one that will make my face "like a baby's bottom" to use an incredibly cliche saying. Are the Norelcos good? They're not too expensive anymore. Which models and from which brand are the best? And if the good ones still take 20 minutes, then there's no reason for me to get a new one.

Do all electric razors take 15-20 minutes to get your face perfectly smooth, or do most guys not care? I just hate having any hair on my face, even stubble that you can't see.

Thanks for your time and opinions. I apologize if this has been posted before, but I looked back a good amount of pages and didn't see anything.

-Lasereth

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the_tyipist

I find that an electric razor is a waste of time. Like you are doing, it takes 15-20 min for a great shave. I quit using an electric razor, and now shave in the shower every morning. I bought a shower mirror, which is on of the best investments of my life. My blades last longer because they are cleaner, and I do not have ingrown hairs because my skin is well moisturized.
Instead of 15-20, it takes me one minute.

Cycler

What kind of shower mirror did you buy and how much?

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the_tyipist

I just went to a drug store and bought a shower mirror (it is supposed to be fog proof), it has suction cups on the back. I think it cost $10-$20 (Canadian)

mercury-hg

even when shaving in the shower, a fair amount of bleeding is inevitable for me. i bought an electric Braun 7526 (i think... it's one of the self-cleaning ones) and i haven't looked back. i've got a tough beard, but i get the best shave i've ever had with the braun.

Redlemon

You electric users are spending 20 minutes just on the shave? I can't even imagine. I spend 20 mintues in the bathroom, which also includes shower, shampoo, soap, dry, and style, in addition to razor shave. What's the upside?

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Lasereth

In my case, I simply can't get a close shave using the traditional method. No matter how many times (in a row!) I shave using creme and a razor, it's never smooth on my chin or cheeks, even if I go against the grain like you're supposed to. The electric razor gets my face incredibly smooth, but takes forever.

That was my main question: I know there's supposed to be electric razors out there that make your face incredibly smooth in under 2-3 minutes, but which ones are they? My blades are so dull on my Braun that it takes 20 minutes. Normal ones are supposed to take 1-4 minutes. I just want to know which electric one is best!

Thanks for the suggestion mercury-hg!

-Lasereth

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"A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

the_tyipist

Don't shave against the grain. I remember when I first started shaving a very fitting Readers Digest article was how to shave. Above the chin, shave with the grain, below the chin against. I have been searching for articles that say this, but most say just with the grain (ie http://www.basenotes.net/articles/close3.html )

SiNai

Haha.

From basenotes:

"Oh, and if you've cut yourself shaving, don't stick little bits of loo roll on your face,"

Loo roll! How much more exciting than toilet paper!

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G5_Todd

15-20 mins....to shave is nuts....i hate shaving and it takes me 2-3 mins

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gonadman

I have a Norelco 4845XL . Been using it for a few years. I have a heavy beard and it does a poor job of getting it smooth- I just assume its that way with all electrics.

Also, the battery wouldn't take a charge anymore, so I figured it was time to replace it. I opened it up and discovered the battery was soldered in! The norelco service rep also wanted $40 to replace it!!

I emailed the service department, and they gave me a bullshit excuse about the electronics being so sensitive that they have to solder the battery in. As if a battery, switch, and motor in a razor is more sensitive than my digital camera which has replacable batteries!

I would never buy Norelco again just because of that blatant rip-off, and thier condescending attitude.

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a1t3r3g0

I just got a Remington R-9500 titanium smart shaver system the other day as an early Christmas present.

I've used it twice so far and it works pretty good. I wanted to switch back to electric from my mach 3 turbo because I cannot for the life of me get a good shave on my chin, neck, or above my lip with the mach3 without either being very irritated or cutting myself.

So far so good. Like all electric razors it takes a while to adjust, so I'm sure it will get even better as time goes by.

http://www.remingtonsmartsystem.com/

Lasereth

Yes! I had to shave SIX times in a row the other day with gel and a razor. It still wasn't even half as good as the electric razor does. That's the answer to the question! Electric razors simply work better. They're slower, but they work way better. If I want my face baby-skin smooth, then it's only happening with an electric one.

Thanks for the tips everyone! I wish there was a way to test out electric razors, but that sounds a bit disgusting. Oh well.

-Lasereth

__________________
"A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

MacGnG

as a present, i just got a wet/dry electric razor to use in the shower, i like shaving in the shower. i havent really used it yet. i suggest a wet/dry shaver simply cause u can have the choice of using it in the shower or not, and they are easier to clean.

watupyo

i use a mach 3 normal shaver with i think gilette shaving gell, to get a good shave i have to go against the grain but yeah, tomorrow i hope im getting an eletric shaver for xmas

Jay Francis

My vote would be for the Norelco Quadra or its current equivalent. I have been using one for two years, one year past when the blades were supposed to be changed. It is pretty quiet. I have a long commute in the morning and am able to comfortably do a 5 minute shave in my car, then roll down the window to empty the hair bits. I used to swear by Edge Shaving Cream and and Mach Three, but have been very happy making the switch to an electric.

cartmen34

Francis....so YOU are the son of a bitch that keeps tossing hair on my car every morning!!!! Do you have any idea how hard it is to get hair out of your car's ventilation system?!?

Just kidding. I don't even live in Texas. I couldn't resist. lol

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ratbastid

I like my norelco a lot. The last two I've had have been norelcos. Replacement blades are easy to come by at any drug store, and the shave is always smooth.

Only thing is, they say to give yourself a couple weeks of regular use before your skin gets used to it. So be prepared for a couple weeks of roughness when you first get it.

a1t3r3g0

Just wanted to post an update since it's been nearly a month of use. I must say that this razor is great! It's quiet, looks good in chrome, is self cleaning and sharpening and lubricating, and most importantly, I can now get a baby smooth face in 8 minutes with minimal irritation (which I mainly get from pulling my skin).
I've learned that if I do it every night, there will be less hair overall so it can go quicker overall.. and if I pull my skin away at the right moments it really cuts down on time, too.

I am really happy with the results I'm getting, especially considering it took me about 10 minutes with a Mach 3 to get this close of a shave.

Best of all it was a Christmas present, so no money gone from my pocket

kulrblind

Another question for you "electric" guys... I read on a sticker on a hand-me-down razor (from family, don't barf yet) something like "it will take time for your facial hair to become accustomed to the razor; allow three weeks for best results".

I'm thinking, "WTF? Three weeks of patchy, grizzled beard just to FIND OUT if the electric razor works better than my blade?"

In the end, I wasn't totally happy with the shave on my neck. I keep the electric around for dry touch-ups, i.e. before going out to dinner, or something like that, or on weekends where i'm too lazy to lather up and get messy in front of the sink. Though, I must say, I'm curious about how good an electric shave can be.

a1t3r3g0

Yeah, it does take a while to get used to it. That's why I've just been shaving before I go to bed so everything's ok when I get up