[Apologies for the strange font-size and spacing of this post. I pasted it from Word where it was justified text and this hasn't translated well]
I joined B&B four years ago after I bought a TI from AoS. and realized I had absolutely no idea how to useit. Since that time I have owned an Old Type, ‘50s and ‘40s Superspeeds, HDRocket, Slim, Ball End and fat-handled Techs, Merkur 11c, 34c, 37c (new andvtge), Futur and Muhle R89. I’ve gone through around 10 brushes, many soaps,creams, balms and blades. I also currently own 5 straights. I have thoroughly enjoyed this hobby and I believe I have become a competent user of these toolsin the process. I have for some time spent nothing on shaving gear, buying onlyblades and 3 cartridge systems. That is approx. $10 on non renewable in twoyears. I have not linked my Chinese bank a/c to paypal. I came close buteventually didn’t. I find myself freed from the monthly anticipation of yetanother product which is going to revolutionise my morning ritual, only to becomeyet another item in my bathroom cabinet.
Three weeks ago I went out forsome clippers and a Panasonic ES-RW30 caught my eye. I know this is theantithesis of product used by members of this forum, but I thought “What thehell, let’s see if electric shaving is as bad as I think it is”. It was 300 RMBand seemed reasonably solid for the price, with a pleasant grip. The aspect ofthis shaver which really made me buy it was the fact that it is waterproof, soit can be used with real lather. This is a foil-type with 2 stainless steel bladeswhich have been ground to an angle of 60 degrees and vibrate from side to sideat 8,800rpm. Shaving dry with some olive oil proved “adequate”, giving good results on the cheeks and almost all of the neck and muzzle, but struggling on 2 tough spots; 1 on my chin, 1 at the very base of my neck. These took somework and while in the end they looked fine, they were still not dealt with aswell as the rest of my beard. If this had proven to be the apex of the electric experience I’d have been a little disappointed. However whipping up a lather solved these problems and made a huge difference to the shave overall. I did have topay attention to the tougher areas, but it wasn’t a chore and the results were good. BBS is possible with care and time, DFS the default. The major difference Ifound between “manual blade” and “machine blade” shaving is the consistency of cut. My face feels different, less processed with the Panasonic than with a manually operated blade. Also the length at which the whiskers are cut is so uniform that when stubble does form, it has a more professional look than with a DE. This was surprising as since learning how to shave the consistency of mybeard-growth has markedly improved. I certainly wasn’t going for the designer stubble look, but it is neat rather than craggy and certainly doesn’t look skuzzy. That aspect which is cited as the main drawback to electric shavers,the reduced closeness in shave, is in fact the reason it was easier on my skin. My wet shave with the RW30 was adefinite success. After a week with the RW30 and some internet searching I came to the conclusion that as far as “old tech”products were concerned, this was pretty representative- in the middle of thetop tier if you like. To upgrade, I had really two choices, one of which is theBraun Series 7, the other the new range of Panasonic Lamdash razors.
I bought aPanasonic ES-LC50. This is also washable, has 3 blade-assemblies ground to 30degrees (15/ side) which have been smoothed to “nano” level and a 13,000 rpm linear magnetic motor which slows down by only a small amount when faced with harderwhiskers. I love the lightness and handling of this small razor and it is the only one in the Lamdash line-up on which the head is fixed. This seemed important. There are many different models in the Lamdash line and the justification for the more expensive models seems notional at times. I lookedat one with 4 “super blades”, rotating, cushioned head and lcd battery-life indicator for 2,000rmb and another which seemed almost identical for 3,000.Perhaps there was a cleaning station included with the more expensive model. Thefact that the ES-LC50(S) is Made in Japan also made it more appealing. Theprice is 999 rmb. This was a definite improvement on the RW30. It was in fact a little disconcerting to use at first with it’s frenetic 200Hz motor and“sharpest blades on the market” but with minimal fuss the benefits becameapparent. The shave is only a very little closer than with the RW30, but it is more consistent over the entire face and gets the job done in shorter order, with no strain or pulling when dealing with coarser hair and a definite sense that itwas unfazed by the task presented it. In short, it is more efficient. The small form and lack of any suspended head assembly makes it nimbler and more controllable, though some care is needed. This did not produce any increased post-shave sensation when used with lather. In fact there seemed to be even less of a sense of having shaved than with the RW30. It must be noted that used on unprepared skin the ES-LC50 is less than ideal, possibly slightly worse than the ES-RW30 due to the increased frequency of vibration, noticeably heating the skin, though not appreciably damaging it. A strange, un-naturalsensation, especially around the mouth and only for emergencies. One other very importantdifference between these two products was battery life and battery indication.There is no indicator of available power in the RW30 at all and a full charge takes 8 hours. Eight hours for 21mins of shaving. This is the crucial limiting factor in this product, hence I believe, the price. The LC50 gives you >40 mins of shaving from 1 hour of charge and has a 5-stage power indicator on the body. This itself is worth the extra money, as you are never wondering how long you’ve got left to complete your shave or tempted to give your razor a little top-up for no reason otherthan anxiety. I timed my shave this morning. It took 4.5 mins with the LC50. Ireckon it took about 6 with the RW30. As a spare razor the RW30 is fine and as noted the actual shave and handling is relatively enjoyable, but in 2012,having no idea whether you have enough battery power to get ready in themorning and requiring a 24:1 charge
perating-time ratio is simply not good enough. I believe there is a similar model available with a battery-statusreadout for 540 rmb, but I am unaware if it too requires an eight hour chargeI have had to adapt to this newmethod of shaving. I have been making thinner lather and dipping the razor-headin the sink to rinse the blades, allowing water to stay on the blades tofurther increase slickness. The vibrations of the head provide a small frothing action. My old WTG/XTG/ATG routine is now redundant. I start on my neck ATG,then XTG back and forth, before tackling my cheeks, then upper lip, then chin.The lather is not swept away as with a DE/Str8, making it harder to keep trackof where you’ve been and holding the head at the right 90 degreee angle is less than intuitive for a manual-blade user so I have found myself missing parts ofmy face. There have been times when I internally announced my shave “done” thenupon inspection realise it really isn’t. Whenever I’ve gone back to an area I have missed the razor has continued with the cutting. I have not as yet felt any stubble which the LC50 cannot deal with.
[A quick word of caution for members with highdefinition digital cameras. Do not take a close-up of your face to checkyour shave. You will be confronted with every single microscopic blemish younever knew you had and a sudden realization that you are in fact, extremely unattractive. ]
I am perfectly happy at having bought this razor and I am continuing to improve my technique with it. I feel there might be some benefits to using this system in its latest iteration but I have in no way sworn off my Superpeeds etc. Over 4 years with the LC50, assuming the manufacturer’s guideline is followed and the razor is still in working order, you spend around 1,400 rmb ( initial razor cost plus 3replacement foils and you should be just about to replace the blades again) or approx. $200/ <$1/week. I can make no statement about the longevity of these products and note that a couple of reviewers on Amazon state the battery on their ES8243A died after 18 months and that it was virtually impossible to find a replacement.
Anticipated Objections to thispost
Steve, you say that the electric shaver produces less “processing” ofyour skin. I think this is code for irritation, which makes me assume yourtechnique needs improvement. I use a DE and get no irritation at all.
It would be ludicrous if I were to claim that I am the best shaver in the world. I am sure I have more to learn and in fact hope that my DE/Straight technique will continue to improve over the years. But these two shaving methods are necessarily different. I believe it is impossible to recreate the experience of one using the other. I have onlyrarely experienced irritation in the last few years, but I know that I’ve shaved. The very design of the foil razor keeps abarrier between your skin and the cutting edge; something alien to a manually operated blade. My skin feels better after a wet machined shave than with a manually operated blade. I was extremely surprised by this. Also, you wouldhave to be doing something very wrong to actually nick yourself with a foil razor. I shudder to think of the consequences of 100 cuts in half a second! Even the best DE shaver will at times produce micro-nicks and abrasions which, while not necessarily painful, make you aware of your skin, especially when applying aftershave. I have yet to experience this with the Panasonic. Perhaps in time,when the blades wear, there will be a degradation of this smoothness.
Steve, I believe you do in fact get good results from your electricrazor, but nothing can replace the feeling of using a vintage Gillette orstraight razor in the morning.
I agree. The satisfaction one achieves from using a straight razor which you have stropped to perfection andutilized with skill and care is unmatched. No electric device can replace this.
Steve, why are you bothering to post this on a site dedicated totraditional wet shaving?
While I would not presume to pre-empt any moderator’s decision regarding this post, this is still wetshaving, using a brush, steel blades and proper lather. Thirty percent of Western men use an electric razor, according to one website I visited and they are sold at tens of thousands of shops throughout the world. I felt I owed it to myself to check it out.
I need a shave which will last as long as possible. My workplace isconservative and demands a well-groomed appearance at all times.
I shave at 6.30am. With a DE, Iam “shadow-free” til around 6pm. With this electric razor I am shadow-free tilaround 3pm. It is in no way unsightly, but this might be an issue for some.This is a limitation of this technology. If one were to consider this product,this is something which would have to be balance- potentially better skin vs a shorter-lasting shave or the need for a touch-up at the end of the day if continuing to a business dinner.
I am certain that if I was living in a country in which traditional shaving products were generally available, Iwould not have tried these razors. I also wish to emphasise that there is no alternative to a properly prepared lather using a good brush and am very pleased that the manufacturers of electric razors are now recognising this. I also feel that it is important to be aware of all grooming alternatives,whether for personal use, advising relatives, or as a gift for someone havingdifficulty with their current setup.
Please excuse any unintentional factual errors in this post. I would also like to add I am in no way connected to the Panasonic Corporation, nor are any relatives or friends.
I joined B&B four years ago after I bought a TI from AoS. and realized I had absolutely no idea how to useit. Since that time I have owned an Old Type, ‘50s and ‘40s Superspeeds, HDRocket, Slim, Ball End and fat-handled Techs, Merkur 11c, 34c, 37c (new andvtge), Futur and Muhle R89. I’ve gone through around 10 brushes, many soaps,creams, balms and blades. I also currently own 5 straights. I have thoroughly enjoyed this hobby and I believe I have become a competent user of these toolsin the process. I have for some time spent nothing on shaving gear, buying onlyblades and 3 cartridge systems. That is approx. $10 on non renewable in twoyears. I have not linked my Chinese bank a/c to paypal. I came close buteventually didn’t. I find myself freed from the monthly anticipation of yetanother product which is going to revolutionise my morning ritual, only to becomeyet another item in my bathroom cabinet.
Three weeks ago I went out forsome clippers and a Panasonic ES-RW30 caught my eye. I know this is theantithesis of product used by members of this forum, but I thought “What thehell, let’s see if electric shaving is as bad as I think it is”. It was 300 RMBand seemed reasonably solid for the price, with a pleasant grip. The aspect ofthis shaver which really made me buy it was the fact that it is waterproof, soit can be used with real lather. This is a foil-type with 2 stainless steel bladeswhich have been ground to an angle of 60 degrees and vibrate from side to sideat 8,800rpm. Shaving dry with some olive oil proved “adequate”, giving good results on the cheeks and almost all of the neck and muzzle, but struggling on 2 tough spots; 1 on my chin, 1 at the very base of my neck. These took somework and while in the end they looked fine, they were still not dealt with aswell as the rest of my beard. If this had proven to be the apex of the electric experience I’d have been a little disappointed. However whipping up a lather solved these problems and made a huge difference to the shave overall. I did have topay attention to the tougher areas, but it wasn’t a chore and the results were good. BBS is possible with care and time, DFS the default. The major difference Ifound between “manual blade” and “machine blade” shaving is the consistency of cut. My face feels different, less processed with the Panasonic than with a manually operated blade. Also the length at which the whiskers are cut is so uniform that when stubble does form, it has a more professional look than with a DE. This was surprising as since learning how to shave the consistency of mybeard-growth has markedly improved. I certainly wasn’t going for the designer stubble look, but it is neat rather than craggy and certainly doesn’t look skuzzy. That aspect which is cited as the main drawback to electric shavers,the reduced closeness in shave, is in fact the reason it was easier on my skin. My wet shave with the RW30 was adefinite success. After a week with the RW30 and some internet searching I came to the conclusion that as far as “old tech”products were concerned, this was pretty representative- in the middle of thetop tier if you like. To upgrade, I had really two choices, one of which is theBraun Series 7, the other the new range of Panasonic Lamdash razors.
I bought aPanasonic ES-LC50. This is also washable, has 3 blade-assemblies ground to 30degrees (15/ side) which have been smoothed to “nano” level and a 13,000 rpm linear magnetic motor which slows down by only a small amount when faced with harderwhiskers. I love the lightness and handling of this small razor and it is the only one in the Lamdash line-up on which the head is fixed. This seemed important. There are many different models in the Lamdash line and the justification for the more expensive models seems notional at times. I lookedat one with 4 “super blades”, rotating, cushioned head and lcd battery-life indicator for 2,000rmb and another which seemed almost identical for 3,000.Perhaps there was a cleaning station included with the more expensive model. Thefact that the ES-LC50(S) is Made in Japan also made it more appealing. Theprice is 999 rmb. This was a definite improvement on the RW30. It was in fact a little disconcerting to use at first with it’s frenetic 200Hz motor and“sharpest blades on the market” but with minimal fuss the benefits becameapparent. The shave is only a very little closer than with the RW30, but it is more consistent over the entire face and gets the job done in shorter order, with no strain or pulling when dealing with coarser hair and a definite sense that itwas unfazed by the task presented it. In short, it is more efficient. The small form and lack of any suspended head assembly makes it nimbler and more controllable, though some care is needed. This did not produce any increased post-shave sensation when used with lather. In fact there seemed to be even less of a sense of having shaved than with the RW30. It must be noted that used on unprepared skin the ES-LC50 is less than ideal, possibly slightly worse than the ES-RW30 due to the increased frequency of vibration, noticeably heating the skin, though not appreciably damaging it. A strange, un-naturalsensation, especially around the mouth and only for emergencies. One other very importantdifference between these two products was battery life and battery indication.There is no indicator of available power in the RW30 at all and a full charge takes 8 hours. Eight hours for 21mins of shaving. This is the crucial limiting factor in this product, hence I believe, the price. The LC50 gives you >40 mins of shaving from 1 hour of charge and has a 5-stage power indicator on the body. This itself is worth the extra money, as you are never wondering how long you’ve got left to complete your shave or tempted to give your razor a little top-up for no reason otherthan anxiety. I timed my shave this morning. It took 4.5 mins with the LC50. Ireckon it took about 6 with the RW30. As a spare razor the RW30 is fine and as noted the actual shave and handling is relatively enjoyable, but in 2012,having no idea whether you have enough battery power to get ready in themorning and requiring a 24:1 charge
perating-time ratio is simply not good enough. I believe there is a similar model available with a battery-statusreadout for 540 rmb, but I am unaware if it too requires an eight hour chargeI have had to adapt to this newmethod of shaving. I have been making thinner lather and dipping the razor-headin the sink to rinse the blades, allowing water to stay on the blades tofurther increase slickness. The vibrations of the head provide a small frothing action. My old WTG/XTG/ATG routine is now redundant. I start on my neck ATG,then XTG back and forth, before tackling my cheeks, then upper lip, then chin.The lather is not swept away as with a DE/Str8, making it harder to keep trackof where you’ve been and holding the head at the right 90 degreee angle is less than intuitive for a manual-blade user so I have found myself missing parts ofmy face. There have been times when I internally announced my shave “done” thenupon inspection realise it really isn’t. Whenever I’ve gone back to an area I have missed the razor has continued with the cutting. I have not as yet felt any stubble which the LC50 cannot deal with. [A quick word of caution for members with highdefinition digital cameras. Do not take a close-up of your face to checkyour shave. You will be confronted with every single microscopic blemish younever knew you had and a sudden realization that you are in fact, extremely unattractive. ]
I am perfectly happy at having bought this razor and I am continuing to improve my technique with it. I feel there might be some benefits to using this system in its latest iteration but I have in no way sworn off my Superpeeds etc. Over 4 years with the LC50, assuming the manufacturer’s guideline is followed and the razor is still in working order, you spend around 1,400 rmb ( initial razor cost plus 3replacement foils and you should be just about to replace the blades again) or approx. $200/ <$1/week. I can make no statement about the longevity of these products and note that a couple of reviewers on Amazon state the battery on their ES8243A died after 18 months and that it was virtually impossible to find a replacement.
Anticipated Objections to thispost
Steve, you say that the electric shaver produces less “processing” ofyour skin. I think this is code for irritation, which makes me assume yourtechnique needs improvement. I use a DE and get no irritation at all.
It would be ludicrous if I were to claim that I am the best shaver in the world. I am sure I have more to learn and in fact hope that my DE/Straight technique will continue to improve over the years. But these two shaving methods are necessarily different. I believe it is impossible to recreate the experience of one using the other. I have onlyrarely experienced irritation in the last few years, but I know that I’ve shaved. The very design of the foil razor keeps abarrier between your skin and the cutting edge; something alien to a manually operated blade. My skin feels better after a wet machined shave than with a manually operated blade. I was extremely surprised by this. Also, you wouldhave to be doing something very wrong to actually nick yourself with a foil razor. I shudder to think of the consequences of 100 cuts in half a second! Even the best DE shaver will at times produce micro-nicks and abrasions which, while not necessarily painful, make you aware of your skin, especially when applying aftershave. I have yet to experience this with the Panasonic. Perhaps in time,when the blades wear, there will be a degradation of this smoothness.
Steve, I believe you do in fact get good results from your electricrazor, but nothing can replace the feeling of using a vintage Gillette orstraight razor in the morning.
I agree. The satisfaction one achieves from using a straight razor which you have stropped to perfection andutilized with skill and care is unmatched. No electric device can replace this.
Steve, why are you bothering to post this on a site dedicated totraditional wet shaving?
While I would not presume to pre-empt any moderator’s decision regarding this post, this is still wetshaving, using a brush, steel blades and proper lather. Thirty percent of Western men use an electric razor, according to one website I visited and they are sold at tens of thousands of shops throughout the world. I felt I owed it to myself to check it out.
I need a shave which will last as long as possible. My workplace isconservative and demands a well-groomed appearance at all times.
I shave at 6.30am. With a DE, Iam “shadow-free” til around 6pm. With this electric razor I am shadow-free tilaround 3pm. It is in no way unsightly, but this might be an issue for some.This is a limitation of this technology. If one were to consider this product,this is something which would have to be balance- potentially better skin vs a shorter-lasting shave or the need for a touch-up at the end of the day if continuing to a business dinner.
I am certain that if I was living in a country in which traditional shaving products were generally available, Iwould not have tried these razors. I also wish to emphasise that there is no alternative to a properly prepared lather using a good brush and am very pleased that the manufacturers of electric razors are now recognising this. I also feel that it is important to be aware of all grooming alternatives,whether for personal use, advising relatives, or as a gift for someone havingdifficulty with their current setup.
Please excuse any unintentional factual errors in this post. I would also like to add I am in no way connected to the Panasonic Corporation, nor are any relatives or friends.
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