I know : Not a good question here but.

[bobusa]

Ok I m a wet shaver and being here for long time and have tons of shaving software and hardware.

But now want to try Electric Shaver. So I want to understand

1. What is the difference between rotary and foil shaver? Which one is better?
2. I m considering Braun series 7(Foil) and Philips senso touch 3D 1250x/42 (rotary). Philips allows me wet and dry where as Braun is only dry. So which one is better?

I want some recommendations. If any of us have used either please post here and help me making decision.
Thanks!!

 

[Harry Snider]

Heretic! Seriously, I tried a Braun (Micron?) years ago and got mixed results. I soon went back to carts and goo. I couldn't get over the "feeling" while shaving.

 

[brucered]

I used both types in the past, for years.

Wet rotary gets my vote, by a wide margin. It was much better for my skin, less irritation but the refills for the Nivea/Philips razor I had were not cheap.

 

[rxonmymind]

Logic tells you rotary. I was gifted the one that had a straight bar which vibrated back and forth a billion time a second and while it worked always left my face itchy. Also I just didn't care for the ultra high pitched noise which kinda hurt my ears. Those Norelcos look nice but at $200-300 wooded that's a good toggle! Lol.

 

[Teppanyaki]

I will play devil's advocate and say that the best electric I have used is the Braun. Part of the reason is that I could extend the trimmer to get hair under my chin (yes, I had to use the trimmer to shave under my chin and that was about as close as the razor could handle!). But it still beat the rotary, which did not work for me at all. So, YMMV (your mileage may vary - in other words, what works best for me may not work best for you).

After enjoying lathering with a brush, I transitioned from an electric to DE shaving (like cartridge shaving except takes a bit longer, shaves better, and a TON more fun!).

I am curious as to why you want to try an electric - if speed is an issue, you could always lather and then use a simplified cartridge such as a Trac 2/Atra or a Sensor. Or simply shave in 2 passes, or the night before.

 

[bobusa]

I will play devil's advocate and say that the best electric I have used is the Braun. Part of the reason is that I could extend the trimmer to get hair under my chin (yes, I had to use the trimmer to shave under my chin and that was about as close as the razor could handle!). But it still beat the rotary, which did not work for me at all. So, YMMV (your mileage may vary - in other words, what works best for me may not work best for you).

After enjoying lathering with a brush, I transitioned from an electric to DE shaving (like cartridge shaving except takes a bit longer, shaves better, and a TON more fun!).

I am curious as to why you want to try an electric - if speed is an issue, you could always lather and then use a simplified cartridge such as a Trac 2/Atra or a Sensor. Or simply shave in 2 passes, or the night before.

Thanks for post! There are no issues with DE And SE razors. I get good shaves from both. Just want to try one electric.

 

[tm3]

YMMV, but most men get better shaves from foil shavers like Braun and Panasonic.

the Braun 7 gets more top rankings in reviews of the current crop of shavers. It's big disadvantage is that it cannot be used to wet shave, while Norelco and Panny can.

I personally prefer Norelco as they are much, much quieter and have more feel of precision to me. Shaves from all 3 are just about the same for me but being able to wet shave is a big plus. The wet shave result is closer and I get to play with my brushes and creams and soaps or I can do a rush job with some canned gel.

the new Panny Arc 5 is said by some to be the creme de la creme but it is pricey.

all manufacturers offer trial periods of 30-60 days with money back if not satisfied, so trying an electric is a no risk adventure.

around Christmas many specials and coupons appear offering $50 or so off the top models. Same reportedly happens for Father's Day but I have not seen any this year.

the automatic cleaning stations are not worth it. Squirt a little dawn dish soap on the head and run it a bit, rinse, and done.

technique is important with an electric. Washed and dried face, powder or lectric shave, stretch skin, light touch. I can get results pretty close, but not equal to, a blade.

let me know if you have any more questions

 

[bobusa]

YMMV, but most men get better shaves from foil shavers like Braun and Panasonic.

the Braun 7 gets more top rankings in reviews of the current crop of shavers. It's big disadvantage is that it cannot be used to wet shave, while Norelco and Panny can.

I personally prefer Norelco as they are much, much quieter and have more feel of precision to me. Shaves from all 3 are just about the same for me but being able to wet shave is a big plus. The wet shave result is closer and I get to play with my brushes and creams and soaps or I can do a rush job with some canned gel.

the new Panny Arc 5 is said by some to be the creme de la creme but it is pricey.

all manufacturers offer trial periods of 30-60 days with money back if not satisfied, so trying an electric is a no risk adventure.

around Christmas many specials and coupons appear offering $50 or so off the top models. Same reportedly happens for Father's Day but I have not seen any this year.

the automatic cleaning stations are not worth it. Squirt a little dawn dish soap on the head and run it a bit, rinse, and done.

technique is important with an electric. Washed and dried face, powder or lectric shave, stretch skin, light touch. I can get results pretty close, but not equal to, a blade.

let me know if you have any more questions

tm3 thanks. Great info. They say that cleaning solution lubricates blades. How true that is? Will using dish soap in cleaning system dull blades?

 

[Chaloney]

Save your money. Go get some sandpaper and rub it vigorously on your face. That is what the first week will feel like. Gradually it becomes somewhat less painful, but you get SAS at best. Over the years I've used Remington, at least 2 different norelcos, and a Braun. The shave was roughly equivalent from all. The only advantages were that it could be done away from a sink and there is almost no chance of blood loss. I'm less than 2 weeks into wet shaving with a straight razor and I hope to never go back to using my fusion and the fusion is WAY more comfortable and closer and faster than an electric.

 

[mwhitcraft]

 

[syngent]

I lost my love of Braun when Gillette took them over, they didnt cut the same, I loved my philips, then I tured to wetshaving and havent looked back

Id go with the Philips myself


If you have never used one, they are not pleasant the first couple of times out, takes a few weeks to get comfortable shaves with them

but then there is the whole lift and cut thing, Ive seen expert face type guys just swear up and down that no one should ever use them as they pit and damage your skin pretty bad

Ask Mantic about it, I believe he talks about it in one of his videos
but lots of guys use and love them, you never know

 

[Teppanyaki]

That picture . . . OUCHHHHHHHH is all I can say.

I used to use a Braun 3 series wet/dry. Not the 7 or 5 because those can't shave wet. I don't miss it unless I'm REALLY in a hurry, and even then I'd prefer to do a 1 pass shave with my EJ. Had a Panasonic, the high pitched whine made me hate it. And the trimmer couldn't shave my neck. Neither could the razor , but no electric ever has.

 

[rxonmymind]

Let he also add that shaving with an electric really didn't save me time because I'm doing the exact same motions with an electric as I do a blade. Took me total of fifteen minutes of going over the same area over and over again then stopping to feel what I missed then going over it again. Repeat other side. The plus to it is I didn't have to look at what I was doing. But that high pitched whine. Ugh.

 

[tm3]

tm3 thanks. Great info. They say that cleaning solution lubricates blades. How true that is? Will using dish soap in cleaning system dull blades?

The dish soap cleaning is what Panny recommends and I believe it is adequate for all models. There is a squirt "lubricant" that can be used but IMO not necessary (remington shaver saver). The cleaning stations are a way for the mfr to keep selling the cleaning solution. Some users refill with home brew solutions of essentially alcohol and water.

Some men fail with electrics because they do not learn and use proper technique. Just like DE shaving. The nice thing about trying an electric is that it is a no risk adventure due to the MBG.

 

[Cerbul13]

If you want the truth about electrics, here it is:

Shaving with an electric shaver will not remove dead skin, will fringe it to some degree at best.

Let me tell you now why is this important and why not removing dead skin is bad.
Everyone's facial hair, to some degree, will start to get curly after some growth. Some people will experience more severe curling then others.
Now, because the dead skin builds over time, the follicle builds up and will cover more of the hair before it actually exists to the skin surface. But since the hair becomes curly the longer it is, the chance to have it growing under the skin level will obviously increase.

Some other things that are not good about electric shavers.
The zones in which hair makes a swirl, or simply grows in more directions then one, will make it itchy for your skin.
I was really pissed off to be forced to keep swirling in the same spot into all directions possible just to try and pick up hair that doesn't want to get caught, and I have not always made it.

After 3 years of electric shaving it started to get worse, but when I reached 5 years, I had ingrowns on every single shave. I was like "ok ok, so no more electrics, but I'm not returning to mach 3, what can I do?". I was lucky enough to have someone tell me "dude, do you know how your grandpa shaves? Forget about the modern man commercials and get a proper double edge safety razor."

 

[jrp316]

Fie! Traitor!

Prior to wet shaving, I mostly used a rotary and occasionally a regular trimmer; the rotary was fairly decent up until the point that the blades started getting dull. That's when they started pulling rather than cutting; that'll bring some tears to your eyes. But, go on and try one out...you might like it more than a traditional wet shave. My money, however, is that after a week or so of electric, you'll come running right back to your wet shaving gear. You'll get the experience of knowing what's on the other side anyway.

 

[global_dev]

I used a braun 8xxx series for a bit to good results.

I think the pic of the hairs may be misleading. I bet by feel the mangled hair will be softer to the touch than the sharp one.

Ironically, i have new foils, blades, and cleaner solution hanging out next to the carts below the sink.

I've read people making diy solution, and even tried to make my own, but in the end convenience and cleanliness won out.

I tried my bros norelco rotary and it irritated my skin... way too close for comfort.

 

[ZJ68]

The only electrics I own are foil, and they have their uses. I'd get one that can be used wet, it's a lot more pleasant than shaving dry.

 

[tm3]

I think the pic of the hairs may be misleading. I bet by feel the mangled hair will be softer to the touch than the sharp one.

true. and with the naked eye, no difference.

 

[musicman1951]

I used Braun for many years, occasionally doing the upgrade to the newest model. Expensive, but a nice electric.

I personally would never go back to the electric - shave not as good and skin not as happy.