Help! (Braun Series 7 vs Safety DE)

[LinuxHack3r]

I've been shaving DE'd for a few years now. Admittedly, I am a bit burnt out on it. Really I just need to dedicate 20 minutes more each day to it, but I don't always take the time to shave everyday. A buddy of mine recently showed me his Braun Series 7, and I got caught up in the flash and awe of it. I bought on last night via Amazon.

This morning I've done more research, and once again reached the conclusion that it won't be as close and won't treat my face as well as a DE. I tried to cancel the order but it is in the process of being shipped. I can do something like refusing the package and I theoretically should receive a full refund.

I have never tried an electric razor, so I am curious. But then I got to thinking what I could spend that money on in terms of new DE gear. That would go a very, very long way. So I am going to become more involved the B&B again.

So do you guys think I should even give it a try, or simply make my best effort to get my money back?

 

[BenO]

If you bought it on Amazon you can easily return it for a full refund. I've only tried a few electric razors over the years but very quickly realized that you will NEVER get as close of a shave with a ER as you will with a DE or even cartridge (gasp). Ultimately its up to you. If the convenience is more important than a close shave with less irritation then by all means use the razor. And I don't mean that passive aggressively. I really mean it. Sometimes convenience trumps all.

 

[Whiskey Badger]

You should be able to return it for a refund. If you do decide to use it keep in mind that there is going to be an adjustment period where your face has to get used to the electric (probably about a week of rough shaves). There is still an upkeep cost with electrics: changing the foils, blades and keeping it properly oiled and cleaned. I don't know much about the Braun 7 series but maybe with some Lectric Shave pre shave or the Remington prep stick it can do a good job?

Either way you have to decide what you want to try and what is right for your pocket book.

 

[Shutterbug57]

I have a Braun shaver that I have had for several years. After 911, it was easier to travel with than any wet shaving gear. That razor was, for me, neither quick nor inexpensive. Replacing the foil and blades on schedule will cost about what carts cost. The shave quality, if you work at it for about the same amount of time as DE shaving, can approximate a cart. The comfort, to be blunt, sucks. If it were me, I would return it and keep with DE. BUT, you can get a quick SAS from the electric, but it is barely SAS. You will have quite the shadow by the end of the work day. I have mine in a drawer and can't remember the last time I used it.

 

[SilentTuba]

I started out with an electric razor, though not anything like what you bought. They're definitely quick, but don't expect anything better than a SAS, and expect a bit of razor burn to be the norm, especially if you have a few days worth of growth. personally, I'd rather go back to a cart and canned goo, than an electric razor.

 

[LinuxHack3r]

Just spoke with Amazon and it should be good. They'll request that the shipper return the item to them, and I'll get a full refund. WooHoo!

 

[Chaloney]

If I had/chose to stop wet shaving for some reason, I'd go back to non lathering cream and a cart, one wtg pass. Was getting SAS comfortably in about one minute start to finish--as close as I ever got with an electric but 1/5th of the time and WAY more comfortable. The only reason I can see for an electric is if there's absolutely no water available (on a space ship?) or you have to shave in the car. I'd rather give up sleep or give up shaving

 

[wacomme]

Having just gotten in to DE shaving, I still have and use a new inexpensive Panasonic electric. While I like DE shaving, it takes time. For those days I'm in a hurry I use my electric. While not at good as a DE shave, it works well and I have no problem with it. In fact, I'm impressed with the quality of the electric shave - it's quick and easy. Nevertheless, efficiency (electric) isn't the be all, end all. I'm loving the whole DE process, and given time and choice, it's a DE shave.

 

[EvilSmrk]

I'll be a little contrarian here, I shaved with an electric razor for 25+ years and only started wet shaving a couple of months ago.

Kind of like you I was looking for a change (that and my shaver died).

Sense I have a lot of experience with an electric, I can definitely get a better more comfortable shave than I can with wet shaving.

Sorry hard for manny to believe, but I can.

Knowing how to shave with and against the grain of your beard, the speed of the strokes, and how much pressure to use only comes with experience. This goes for an electric or for a bladed shaver.

Right now I admit my technique with a bladed shaver is just not there, but if I were to pick up a new Quality electric razor I would be able to get a close shave that would last all day without any razor burn or nicks. Thats not something I can say right now with a bladed razor.

The Braun 5000 series shaver I was using was a quality shaver, I replaced the foil and cutters once a year and never had any problems with ingrown hairs or razor burn. So I would guess the Series 7 you were talking about would have been just as good a razor.

You would not save any time by using an electric, to get a good shave you would have to spend just as much time as you do wet shaving, but.... you can do other things while you shave.

Watch the news/cartoons, read the paper, surf the web, once you get the hang of shaving by sound an feel you don't have to stand in front of a mirror like you do wet shaving.

So with good technique and a little work you can get a close comfortable shave with and electric razor, but its not just rub the razor over your face a couple of times.

And like with wet shaving YMMV

 

[jazzguy]

I never had any luck with electric razors. Bump city.

 

[Spotlit]

My experiences are similar to EvilSmrk's above. Other than dabbling in the M3 back when it first hit the retail scene, I used an electric exclusively until the start of 2013. Granted, I do not have particularly thick facial hair growth, nor particularly sensitive skin, but I never once experienced nicks, weepers, cuts, razor burn, or any of the other perils of blade shaving.

Of course, a shave with the electric was nowhere near as close as I get with the DE. Plus DE shaving is an enjoyable experience, instead of just rote grooming. If convenience is your primary motivator, it's hard to beat a quality electric.

 

[Quigg]

I have a decent electric razor, the Panasonic ES8103, that is highly rated on Amazon. Although it doesn't give me as close and comfortable a shave as a DE, Se, or cartridge razor with a brush and cream, it still is useful to keep around. If I don't have the time or inclination to do wet shaving one day, I can get an "acceptable" shave with the electric. More often, I use it to touch up a spot that I missed or didn't shave close enough with the DE. For me, that makes it worthwhile to keep around, not in place of wet shaving, certainly, but as an adjunct.

 

[bcraig.waciii]

If I had/chose to stop wet shaving for some reason, I'd go back to non lathering cream and a cart, one wtg pass. Was getting SAS comfortably in about one minute start to finish--as close as I ever got with an electric but 1/5th of the time and WAY more comfortable. The only reason I can see for an electric is if there's absolutely no water available (on a space ship?) or you have to shave in the car. I'd rather give up sleep or give up shaving

Actually they apparently use a cart and tube of goo in space

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94-puZit3DA

 

[engblom]

Braun makes the worst electric shaving machines. If you go electric you should at least get a good rotary machine. (From somebody that have had both kind of electric shaving machines)

 

[rxonmymind]

Never cared for electric due to the heat build up, smell and the very high vibration of the motor. The last, just went through my brain like a needle similar to a high speed drill at the dentist office. My buddy bought nenone for a lot of money just never got used to it. DE shaving is so much more pleasurable.

 

[MicBaldy]

I used to use an electric when I was in the military and I had to shave daily. I had never used a DE at that point and shaving with a cart or disposable everyday was just more irritating to me than an electric. When I got out, I stopped using the electric and started using carts every other day or so, because to me electrics shaved well but it took a long time and never really felt that comfortable. Now that I'm DE shaving, I'm never going back to carts or electrics.

 

[Teppanyaki]

I've tried Brauns (my favorite), Norelco rotaries, and Panasonic foils. Remingtons were so bad for me that I won't mention them after this sentence. None of them ever shaved as close as a cartridge for me, much less a good DE/SE shaver. They also would routinely give me a decent case of razor burn. Shaving under my chin was actually using the trimmer attachment of the Braun as my neck hair wouldn't go through the holes in the foil of my Braun! Talk about skin irritation.

I'd return it. A single pass SE razor shave (1912, for example) or maybe an aggressive DE razor shave will shave nearly as fast and at least as well with substantially less irritation to your skin.

I should mention that I have what I consider to be very touch, dense stubble.

 

[Jarick]

I've tried Norelco rotaries and Remington foils. Remingtons are terrible. Noisy, irritating, and couldn't get my neck hairs at all. The cheap Norelco I had was pretty decent, gave a close shave, was much quieter, less irritation...but still couldn't get the neck hairs.

I was almost ready to step up to the Norelco Sensotouch 3D before I started DE shaving. It has bigger openings on the foil guards so it is supposed to get those neck hairs better. But $150+ is a lot of money.

Really though, if it's just a matter of time...get a tube of cream and an R41 and do a single WTG pass. It shouldn't take more than five minutes total to lather up on the face, get a single pass, and clean up. Here's a thread where we timed ourselves shaving...my best time was 5:30 with two passes. Maybe tomorrow I'll see if I can beat that with some cream and the R41.

EDIT: I should point out I had pretty decent success with the Norelco razors up until I hit my mid 20's, and then my hair started growing in thicker and quicker, which forced me to keep going over the missed hairs with the razor, which due to the heat buildup would cause irritation. Hence the move to DE. Before that, I could get away with shaving every couple days. Not any more!

 

[Dave Colangelo]

It seems like your main issue with DE is the time it takes. DE shaving can be done quickly as with very good results. Here are some pointers I will offer as I don't always have the time for a relaxing shave sometimes I rush it a bit.

Use creams I find they later quicker
Do one or two passes not there or four
, I usually do 2 WTG and call it good.
Get a brush that holds enough lather for both passes
Face later its the best

I can usually get this done in under 15 minutes

Regards
Dave

 

[Quigg]

It seems like your main issue with DE is the time it takes. DE shaving can be done quickly as with very good results. Here are some pointers I will offer as I don't always have the time for a relaxing shave sometimes I rush it a bit.

Use creams I find they later quicker
Do one or two passes not there or four
, I usually do 2 WTG and call it good.
Get a brush that holds enough lather for both passes
Face later its the best

I can usually get this done in under 15 minutes

Regards
Dave

Those are good tips for saving time, Dave – not just for the OP, but for all of us when we have limited time.