Review (4/5): Realistic expectations
After reading the mixed reviews of this razor, I decided to take a chance and purchase it. I don't regret the purchase one bit.
The positive things that have been written about this razor are true. So are most of the negatives. But I think the biggest problem most reviewers had are setting their expectations, so let me recap my experience.
I've shaved with blades, foil electrics, and rotaries all before. I have sensitive skin, so as much as I like the close shave a blade gives, even the best moisterizer leaves razor burn. Foils have never done anything for me. So I always find myself with a rotary razor. The last razor I *loved* was a Norelco, but after five years, the battery simply could not hold a charge. I tried a Remington last year and was disappointed. Better than a foil, but not my trusty Norelco. So I bought this.
First, there *is* an acclimation period to this razor. Even with my skin "experienced" to rotary razors, it took a month before I started getting *really* close shaves. So people that write and only gave it two weeks and were disappointed...take it with a grain of salt. The manual should say *at least* three weeks. To acclimate faster, you should shave daily. I know a lot of guys with thin or slow growing beards "cheat" and shave every other day, but it makes adjusting slower. Every day. For a month. You'll be happier.
Secondly, many reviewers comment about how this razor only works on stubble. This is true, and yes, my older Norelco (and so I assume the Speed XL's still) can tackle longer fur on your face. But a weed whacker is not a lawn-mower. The lawnmower you use on your yard is not the same quality as the lawnmower a golf course uses on its greens. It is about precision. This razor gives *the* closest shave I've gotten out of an electric. INCLUDING my old Norelco. This gets closer. It is designed for the discerning male who wants a device that grooms with precision and closeness. The trade-off is, to get that close, the lift-and-cut system simply can't handle longer hairs. If you shave daily (see above) then you'll never notice this drawback. But if you let your beard go a day or two at a time, you'll be disappointed. But this razor isn't for that man. If a man is okay with letting some fuzz go for a day, he usually isn't looking for that "perfect" shave, and won't notice the difference between the closeness of a less demanding razor and this one. So this is a device for the elite.
The small trimmer is another criticism. Again, the facts are true. It is small. It is not meant to chop down your entire face. Philips makes beard groomers for that. The trimmer, like every other feature of this device, is designed for the man who shaves daily. It's narrow blade makes grooming sideburns a breeze. Wider clippers make sideburn sculpting far more clumsy. You trim and sculpt, then take the razor to the skin and, since it doesn't do longer hair, you get a perfect sideburn. Again, a design for the man who demands the "perfect" look.
So why four stars if I love this razor so much? One word. Price. The numeric display is nice. The metal finish looks better than the finish on the 1050 as well. But neither of these justifies the $140 premium. I paid it because I think it looks nicer that the 1050, and if I had to, I'd pay it again. But it doesn't mean I actually think it is *worth* the price. I just spoil myself that much. Call me shallow. But the price, for the comparative lack of features does deserve a loss of a star.
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In summary, if you want the closest shave from an electric ever then this is the razor for you. But it asks for some discipline in return. You have to put attention into yourself to get the most out of it. If you are fond of facial hair, like growing a goatee or chops, you'll want a groomer as well as this razor.
If you are less demanding about your shave then another Norelco device may be a better option. The Speed XL is essentially the newer revision of my old razor and I was perfectly satisfied with it for five years. It was plenty close (but not as close as this) and very comfortable, so really you just have to decide how close you want the shave to be. If you are a perfectionist, get this. If not, save your money and get a Speed XL.