Review (5/5): First (almost) electric razor
Just had my first shave with this. I've used two electric razors in my life. One was an already ancient one that my dad had, about 40 years ago. Ripped each of the few hairs in my face out one by one. Then an early Norelco 3-head circular job, about 30 years ago that either sucked or I didn't know how to use. Very even stubble was the result of that. Hence my refusal to try one until my memories have faded.
This review reflects one shave - not a long term review.
I'm impressed. It's slower than I expected, I half-thought I could activate an app on my phone or something and I would be shaved (I'm joking!). It's pretty darn close to a manual 5-blade fresh razor.
Here are the conditions under which I'm reporting:
- I'm 62, so my skin isn't exactly taut on my face.
- Not a heavy beard, I need to shave every day now, but not until I was about 35.
- This shave was with 2 days of stubble.
- I usually shave in the shower, using Braille to tell when a patch is smooth.
I used the razor dry. The manual said to charge the razor before first use, but it came out of the box showing 100% charge so I went for it. The manual also says not to apply too much pressure, so I was tentative at first. It helps to apply fair pressure while moving the razor SLOWLY through that fungus that seems to grow constantly on our faces.
Stretching my skin with other-handed fingers in most spots helped. I used a mirror just to watch the progress, but you can use your sonic sensors, AKA ears, to tell when the blades are and aren't removing stubble. I don't think a mirror is at all necessary, YMMV.
While I've been writing this, I've used Braille again to check on the usual trouble spots - I can just grab the mower and run it over the rough bits while I'm doing this. You could do this easily while driving somewhere - no risk of a small knick, and the aural attention that it takes doesn't really distract from driving.
I didn't notice when I ordered this razor that it came with an extra foil. Nice detail, since the foil is easy to damage being thin (as it should be). The kit comes with a carrying bag, which is nice to keep everything together while traveling. I would find a small rigid container for the extra foil if I were to travel with that - it could easily get bent in the carrying bag knocking around with all the bits. The foil is too long for the old canisters from film cameras, but a cut-off from a roll of Xmas paper would suffice.
The grip is comfortable and makes the shaving head easy to maneuver. The carrying bag contains everything in a small package - I'm a Cardinal (Archbishops and above don't shave) in the Church of Small Luggage and I will happily carry this instead of a couple of manual razors on any trip.
Finally (applause erupts from the crowd), very nearly close shave as a manual razor, a little slower than a manual razor, works very well dry (absolutely unlike a manual razor, though I've tried that also and it does sort of work).
Buy it. Try it.