Recommend me a shaver

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Finch

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#157546 4-Dec-2014 13:51

Hi guys.

I am in the market for a "proper" shaver. For the past 10+ years (Since I started getting facial hair) I have been using the cheap handhelds from New World + in the last year or two moved to the automatic ones. Think the brand is Gillette, costs around $10-$15.

Anyway I want to buy myself a proper shaver for Christmas. Can anybody direct me as to what I should be looking for specs wise? What brands are good/bad? Any experiences? My budget is $80, I could stretch to $100 if the extra $20 is really worth it. I generally shave once-twice a week.

Thanks for all the help!

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#1188667 4-Dec-2014 14:34

If you mean an electric shaver I highly recommend that you do NOT buy a bottom of the range Phillips. I made this mistake and the thing is totally gutless. Before this I had a wonderful $99 Remington that gave me 7 years of excellent service until I left it too close to a heater and the case buckled. I still sob when I think of it. I now use those expensive blades and shaving foam. They do an excellent job and I can get 6 months out of a blade!

Sideface

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#1188668 4-Dec-2014 14:36

Braun - built to last
Phillips - not

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jonathan18

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#1188689 4-Dec-2014 14:40

I bought my first 'real' shaver earlier this year - based on the last Consumer test of shavers, and taking into account its value for money, I ended up buying the Braun 340S-4 (IIRC it was one of their three recommended models). At the time Amazon had it at a great price - shipped to the door for around NZ $74. It doesn't seem to be available at that price any more, plus it's no longer shipped by Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Braun-Series-3-340s-Shaver-Count/dp/B004UQ6Q62/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1417656475&sr=1-1&keywords=braun+3-340s)

Can also buy this model in NZ, and at $114 from NL it's still a pretty good deal (http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=331393) (and would be about the same price as getting it from Amazon, once converted into NZ currency and YouShop charges). There will no doubt be a newer model available as well, but unsure of number or price.

In all reality, if you plan to continue to shave only a couple of times a week, you'll struggle with the cheaper end of the shaving market (including this model). Personally, I avoid shaving - and these shavers are fine as long as you don't leave it a couple of days between shaves; any longer than that (and that's most of the time!) I'm forced to get out my trusty hair clippers to do the job.

So, given your suggested budget you may need to be happy to start shaving more, given what that money can buy (and the one above is probably one of the better models close-ish to your budget); alternatively, up the spend to get one good at dealing with harder/longer growth.

Note: I recall a thread only a couple of months back or so on shavers - it would be worth digging around to find that one as well.

Finch

2851 posts

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#1188691 4-Dec-2014 14:43

Cheers guys. I don't mind a quick little 30 second-1 minute shave every day with an electric shaver, however using what I have been using, putting on shaving foam/cream/gel and then moisturiser it ends up being around 15 minutes so that's why I only do it once/twice per week.

Finch

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#1188692 4-Dec-2014 14:45

Also, how about Remmington? Briscoes has quite a few listed online.

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#1188713 4-Dec-2014 15:03

Finch: Also, how about Remmington? Briscoes has quite a few listed online.

If you're in Auckland, Remington have an office in Penrose and sell shavers and parts direct.

I had one of their older models, and it was excellent. The newer one isn't as good, but since you shave every day, it should work well for you.

I mainly shave manually, but only shave 1-2 times per week max. I use the Remington if I need to do a quick tidy up for the following day, and it's fine for that.

One thing to note. They used to sell spare foils, but later on only sold blades and foils packaged together. IIRC, it was about $40 to replace both, which is almost as much as a new shaver.

wasabi2k

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#1188726 4-Dec-2014 15:26

Safety Razor?

http://www.shaverhut.co.nz/shaver-hut-parker-entry-level-safety-razor-kit.html

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freitasm

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#1188739 4-Dec-2014 15:29

Interesting... We have one of these threads now and then. I recently stopped shaving, replacing the razors with a Philips/Norelco QT4070 beard trimmer. Pretty happy with it. Just today received a press release from the local Philips folks about a new shaver, which I am keen to try - haven't heard back from them yet but will report here if I do.

Guv

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#1188744 4-Dec-2014 15:33

http://www.goodfella.com/categories/Safety-Razors/

have a goodfella myself - its great.

Gilco2

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#1188752 4-Dec-2014 15:43

I have had Remington, Braun And Norelco and Philips. Norelco is actually Philips but i bought it in the USA 1991. In 2010 replaced with Remington but it was hopeless and so was the Braun I tried. Went back to Philips and bought one from Farmers for $80 still going strong. So for myself I will only stick with Philips/Norelco now. I prefer the triple head models

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heylinb4nz

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#1188763 4-Dec-2014 16:01

+1 on Braun, last shaver you may ever need. Mines been going 14 years, I shave twice a week and a $50 cutting block and foil lasts me 3-4 years.

Dont dick around with cheap low end shavers, youll have never ending issues with batteries, bad shaves, blunt blades, lack of spares etc etc etc.

If you can afford then save

Or use decent disposables like Schick Quattro Titanium with a quality shave gel\foam.

Note: I used to sell shavers at Farmers and we had old guy bringing in Brauns from the 1960's (yes they still make foils for them), Phillishave well those were all new (<2 years old) and going down to Kings Radio for repair. Remington we would bin them.

Finch

2851 posts

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#1188848 4-Dec-2014 18:45

freitasm: Interesting... We have one of these threads now and then. I recently stopped shaving, replacing the razors with a Philips/Norelco QT4070 beard trimmer. Pretty happy with it. Just today received a press release from the local Philips folks about a new shaver, which I am keen to try - haven't heard back from them yet but will report here if I do.

Once again thank you to everyone for their replies.

People are saying stay away from cheap Philips but the big boss says to get one. It does have good reviews on Amazon. Tempting..

Looks like Remmington is now out of the picture. I don't think I will be getting a Razor because my skin is very fragile and I wouldn't want to upset it, plus I am a little bit prone to knicking myself when using a razor. I would love one of the triple head shavers.

timmmay

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#1188849 4-Dec-2014 18:49

I used electric 10 years ago, good models, but they never did near as good as a wet shave for me. Are newer ones better?

It takes me about 3 minutes to lather up and use a modern gilette razor, then I jump in the shower so there's no overhead.

Finch

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#1188851 4-Dec-2014 18:51

timmmay: I used electric 10 years ago, good models, but they never did near as good as a wet shave for me. Are newer ones better?

It takes me about 3 minutes to lather up and use a modern gilette razor, then I jump in the shower so there's no overhead.

Interesting, I always shaved after I got out of the shower. I was told its better to shave when you get out rather than before you get in.

scuwp

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#1188852 4-Dec-2014 18:52

I have always had a good run out of Phillips personally. Spent a little more on the last one, triple heads, all the latest technology, rechargeable...and think it's marvelous. Easily around 6 years old and never missed a beat. Get one that's washable so you can run it under hot water and get rid of all the skin oils which grind the heads down. I am 'follicley challenged' upstairs and use mine everyday. Not as close as a wet shave but good enough and soooo convenient.

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