Recommend/review electric razors.

[cybertalus]

I'm about as hairy in the face as Ranger Wickett's avatar there, but for the inch or so of neck that I shave, I use a Norelco Spectra 8825 XL. It's one of those that's got a lot of pivot points for the blades and beats any other model I've ever used.

If you've never used an electric before, the biggest piece of advice I have is to not bear down too hard on the razor in order to try to get a closer shave. That's a guaranteed ticket to razor burn. And if my tried-electric-but-couldn't-handle-the-razor-burn-and-went-back-to-a-blade friends are any indication, a rather common mistake.

 

[John Q. Mayhem]

I must admit, I'm curious as to whether "blade" in these replies refers to a regular safety razor or an actual straight razor. I've always wanted to try one of those.

 

[Nellisir]

I actually just (last week) switched to a Braun electric razor after years with a standard razor (Mach 3 included). I had a constant problem with ingrown hairs, and finally decided to plunk down the dollars and try an electric. I've only been using it, as I said, for a week, but I'm very happy.

I don't know anyone besides some old barbers that use straight razor. The mach 3 and that kind of handheld razor will give a closer shave than an electric, but also increases the chance of ingrown hairs and if you have sensitive skin, irritation from shaving cream. It's important to shave with the hair, not against it -- the opposite of an electric razor.

I'd strongly recommend a subscription to Consumer Reports. As someone else pointed out, they haven't reviewed electric razors since 11/02, but there's still a useful overview of their good and bad points, and chances are they've reviewed something else you're thinking of buying.

Cheers
Nell.

 

[Krieg]

If you do decide to go with an electric you should be aware that there is a transition period in getting used to the electric. The first couple of weeks are the worst and after that it gets easier.

 

[der_kluge]

I'd never consider using an electric razor.

 

[GlassJaw]

I use both. Electric is nice and I use it a lot but it's certainly no substitute for a traditional razor. I still use a normal razor every other day or so.

I have a Norelco 7865XL and I like it a lot. I wanted one that you could rinse with water. I definitely don't recommend buying the cheapest one you can get. There is a difference.

Try ebay though. That's where I got mine and I just bought one for my bro for Xmas.

 

[Goobermunch]

A shaving primer . . .

I've shaved with just about every kind of razor imaginable. I've used electrics, safety, and straight, and I'm of the opinion that nothing beats a properly used safety razor.

I have very sensitive skin and am prone to razor bumps/ingrown hairs and razor burn. I also like a close shave.

Electrics don't shave as closely as other razors. It's not hard to figure out why, either. Their whirring razor blades don't actually touch the skin. They're separated from the skin by a thin metal plate (which is a good thing).

Straight Razors are hard to use in the wee hours of the morning and they tear my face up something fierce. You've also got to keep them sharpened if you're going to get any use out of them (this means daily uses of the strop--sometimes of a steel as well).

The trick with getting a great shave out of a safety razor is to take your time and protect your skin. DO NOT use canned shaving cream. It's chock full of harsh chemical solvents that are designed to soften your facial hair. They don't do great things for your skin either.

Instead, plan to shave as soon as you get out of the shower (or even better, shave in the shower). Right before you hop out, put your face in the hot water stream. This will soften your skin and your whiskers. Then, apply a shaving oil on your face where you'll be shaving. These are light natural oils that will lubricate the blade, condition your skin, and help further soften your whiskers. Buy a nice quality shaving brush and a tube of good shaving cream. Using the brush, apply the cream in a circular fashion (which will lift the whiskers from your face).

Then shave. Shave slowly and with the grain of your hair. Rinse the razor in hot water (this will keep your face from becoming cold and prevent the skin from tightening up).

Finally, apply an aftershave lotion. Pick one that will further moisturize your face, since the process of shaving is a fairly violent affair (from your skin's perspective). If you're particularly prone to acne, you may consider going with a less oily aftershave. I like Meyer's Bay Rum, but that's just a personal thing.

Shaving, like gaming, is the kind of thing a true geek can really get into.

--G

 

[haiiro]

I'm not real beardy, but I've always used an electric razor. My current one is a Remington MS3 3000, which is one that you can rinse out with water when you're through.

The main downside is that the battery life really sucks after a few months -- it went from a couple weeks between charges, to about one shave (so I just leave it plugged in). And rinsing it out doesn't do as much as it seems like it should.

Next time I feel like dropping $100 on an electric, I'll probably try one of the Brauns that has its own little vibrating base that cleans it after every shave -- and if removable rechargeable batteries are an option, I'll be all over that as well.

 

[Alan Shutko]

Next time I feel like dropping $100 on an electric, I'll probably try one of the Brauns that has its own little vibrating base that cleans it after every shave

That's what I've got. It's great, the ease of cleaning means it keeps itself at top performance. I'm also not a very beardy person, and electrics have always been perfectly fine for me.

Personally, I prefer the Braun after years of using Norelco's because I find Norelco's to be a bit harsh on my skin. No problems with the Braun. YMMV.

 

[DaveStebbins]

I've used electric razors for years and been happy with them. I use a Remington Twin. I recently tried blades again when I started shaving my head a couple weeks ago. It reminded of why i switched to electric razors. I just nick myself too often with blades (but they seem to do OK with the rest of my head). So now, I use my plug-in electric on my beard and then shave the rest of my head with disposable blades in the shower.

I tried a rotating electric razor once, but took it back; it just didn't shave me close at all and gave me razor burn. But the virbrating electric razor does me just fine. Everyone's different I guess.

-Dave
PS - my Remington Twin was less than $30, and the replacement blades run $20 to $24 in the stores I've found them in. The razor has run well for more than three years now (my previous one lasted about a dozen years, I think). I buy replacement blades every 6-8 months.