Review (5/5): Great purchase which you should consider
I purchased this razor instantly after a try out. It appears to me that most reviewers do not take into account that when it comes to (high end) electric razors, the question as to whether a machine is "good" or "bad" does mostly depend on one's own biological physiognomy, and not on the particularities of the brand. For decades, I wet shaved with the most expensive (and best) Gillette blades, because every episode with a Braun shaver resulted within a short period in serious skin irritation. A recent try with a high end Panasonic wet shaving model was also not very successful. That does not mean that the Braun or Panasonic models are bad, their technology does just not adapt to my skin and my hair. The problem was always, that a significant amount of my hairs was either to curly or to soft to be cut efficiently by the vibrating blade of those modells. As a consequence, the shaving required more mechanical pressure and an increased number of strokes, resulting apparently also in increased micro skin injuries, followed by typical skin burn or even rash over time. The Phillips machine uses rotating blades, at comparably low speed, and for whatever reason, the blade rotation technology (which is in existence for at least 50 years or so) cuts my hair much more efficiently than a horizontally vibrating blade bar. No burn at all. The shaving result itself is not quite as smooth as with a 5 blade Gillete, but it comes close. The nice thing is that after a while, the face of the skin developes a specific soft touch, which does not develop with wet shaving. So try it out, if you can. Cleaning of the machine is easy and very efficient, you just open the blade covers and hold them under running water. One final comment: According to the imprint on the razor, the machine is "Made in the Netherlands" - Hold on to your hat, if that is true: A quality consumer article made in a country where people get real wages paid and have social security and health care. Its possible!