Review (4/5): I tested this controversy
SEE BOTTOM FOR MY UPDATE: Is the 51s foil and cutter really terrible? Is the 30B foil and cutter really better for your Braun Series 8000 shaver? Is there an Original Equipment foil and cutter still available for the Braun 8985 shaver? Answers: no, no, and no. I have the Braun 8985 shaver and bought BOTH of the foils and cutters mentioned in these reviews: the 51s, which Braun sells as its only replacement now for the 8000 series, and the 30b, which is supposed to be for the Braun 7000/4000 series shavers, but some buyers are saying it works better for the 8000 series shavers than the so-called "terrible" 51s replacement. Both foils and cutters fit my 8985 shavers, and I've shaved serveral times with both. The 51s does NOT pull, cut or irritate my face and gives a very close shave, particularly if I have a 2-day beard. The 30b also gives a good shave, but perhaps not quite as close. Some reviewers say the 51s wears out quickly, is prone to dents and starts irritating your face. If that happens, I will update this review, but so far, so good.
I ordered the 51s by mistake because the seller's web listing did not mention that its "Braun 8000 360 Complete Foil and Cutter Block for Models 8995, 8985 and 8975" is really the controversial 51s replacement. When it arrived with the dreaded 51s name on the package, I immediately ordered the 30b foil and cutter and planned to return the 51s, but I waited until the 30b arrived so I could be sure it worked. It does, but it buzzes differently and didn't shave much closer than my 3-year-old original foil and cutter. The 30b DOES give a more comfortable shave -- it glides over your face like nothing is happening. The shave is fine, what you'd expect from any electric. But Braun is better than "any electric." The 51s is giving me that exceptionally close shave I expect from Braun. You DO feel the 51s a bit more than the 30b, but it's not irritating. I am keeping the 30b in case my 51s goes haywire on me, but for now, the 51s seems better.
UPDATE May 6, 2012: I'm glad I kept the 30b because the 51s did indeed start inflicting red marks on my face, and it stopped shaving as closely. Very disappointing. So now I'm using the 30b, the red marks on my face are gone, and the shave is close. So if I had it to do all over again, I would recommend getting tthe 30b foil and cutter instead of the 51s.