As any man I've also been experimenting with my facial hair from being fully bearded to wet and dry shaving. I've ended up using a cordless electric shaver 3000 series from Philips with Norelco heads and pop-up trimmer for dry shaving only. I don't need any bells and whistles. I've been using the current one for 11 years now and will replace it with the latest basic device of the same kind if this one breaks down. What makes dry shaving a lot easier, though, is that I blow dry my hair after the morning shower which also makes the stubbles perfect for the shave. I don't like having to concentrate early in the morning while still being half asleep which razor shaving would force me to do. With my electric shaver I can wander around daydreaming and shaving without risking any cuts. That's what I like in the morning.
I have very little to shave and only do so about twice a week. A single BIC razor lasts me about 3 weeks if I push it and I have probably used about half a can of shaving cream in my entire life thus far. Even whilst doing stateside duty in the Army, my mandatory can of shaving cream sat unused and properly placed in my foot locker. The males in my family all had hefty sources for growing a beard whilst I, a lone beardless anomaly in the genetic pool, can only ironically muster up something akin to that of a prior nemesis, Ho Chi Minh. As an afterthought, has anyone tried using the “ladies” versions of Gillette or BIC? They cost about 50 cents more per pac but are far superior to that of their male counterparts. They have some kind of smoothing agent on the blade guard and it makes for much better experience.
This Sunday morning, after reading all your comments and and after considering several considerations gleaned by examining several shavers along with my online research, it is my considered opinion that most if not all electric shavers dressed up in their fancy boxes, made up of flimsy plastic components, fragile in appearance and seeming to proclaim one thing: "We are not as good as your older shaver so you will want to replace the head every twelve months and because we are so fragile please consider the extended warranty." That's really not much to inspire one to invest whatever amount in a new razor when in reality a replacement head for your old razor will no doubt get one a better shave and you won't have to worry about yanking the shaving head off and shoving on the trimmer in order to trim those sideburns or forget to be gentle in this process and break some of that fragile plastic. I have decided to return my new and improved Norelco as I did my new inferior Braun. I'm going to buy a replacment head for my old 1980 Norelco, model 725, and continue to alternate between the old relic and a blade to obtain the best shave possible. Having made this decision, I feel better already.
It's good for you to make a decision now. Personal experience counts. Whenever I was dissatisfied with an electric shaver I tossed it in the bin. I just had no use for Braun shavers because they don't have Norelco heads but bar-like shaving elements. Was never satisfied with the results. I wouldn't have expected the self-sharpening Norelco heads to last so long. But since they do, I'll stick to them. So far, unbeatable value for money. If they prove to be of poorer quality now, as you're indicating, I'll go and look for something else, too.
GRAHAM SIMMS, Male Grooming Research & Development (retired), was part of a diverse P&G team that traveled to India to observe and interview Indian consumers in their homes, leading to key insights that resulted in Gillette Guard—a safer, more affordable razor. Providing a Better Shave for More than a Billion Men
@Bobby Cole You are actually fortunate to have been spared some of the inconvenience and aggravation of having to contend with hair. If wiry, as short stubble usually is, it irritates the edges of the lips (in my case). Frank
I don't need to buy razors anymore. I never was really hairy and the hair on my legs was blonde but even that is gone now. No hair under my arms either. Probably age and thyroid problems have me almost hairless....almost.
@Chrissy Cross I surely imagine nice locks on your head, though! 'Course, the tendency lately is to go about looking like a cue-ball, on purpose! Ftrank
I have never used a safety or straight razor in my life. I have used only Electric Razors, and I have always preferred the 3-Rotary Head Norelco as giving the best shave. I use pre-electric and after shave lotions. (I occasionally sip them.) Harold
While my Honey uses shaving cream and a disposable razor to shave, I use my shower soap and a disposable razor. And while my Honey is quite hairy still, I am like @Chrissy Cross finding I have very little hair to shave under my arms and on my legs now days. Still plenty on my head though. My Honey did buy me an electric shaver as a gift years ago and every once in a while I would use it...but it seemed I always had to go over spots the shaver had missed with my regular razor...so recently it went with the rest of the donations to Goodwill.
I shaved last night before dinner with my old 1980 Norelco. Ofcourse I had installed the new head. My wife had already used it to get her chinny-chin-chins and when I asked her how the razor performed, she said, "Heavenly." I wouldn't go that far but I did get a good shave. Amazing, after all these years this stubby little Norelco performs right up there with the best shavers offered.