NationStates Jolt Archive

Hey there, Men of General Forum! I got a question for ya:

I'm thinking of buying my lover an electric razor for Xmas. (Yes, I know, I'm boring as hell, but he bitches about his crappy plastic razors at least twice a week, so really this is going to be a present for my own sanity.)

I want to get him something pretty nice, since this will be my major present to him this year. Any recommendations? Any brands or models that I should avoid?

In case it makes a difference, my lover tends to go clean-shaven, though he sometimes cultivates a very short beard or goatee. He also has been mentioning the idea of shaving his chest or back recently.

I've never bought or owned an electric razor or trimmer or anything, so I haven't the faintest idea what to look for in terms of quality.

I think a lot of guys on this forum will rubbish electric razors in favour of something like a safety razor. Myself, I don't care one way or the other, but nothing says 'I love you' like a cut-throat razor :p

Razors (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Razor)

Hey there, Men of General Forum! I got a question for ya:

I'm thinking of buying my lover an electric razor for Xmas. (Yes, I know, I'm boring as hell, but he bitches about his crappy plastic razors at least twice a week, so really this is going to be a present for my own sanity.)

I want to get him something pretty nice, since this will be my major present to him this year. Any recommendations? Any brands or models that I should avoid?

In case it makes a difference, my lover tends to go clean-shaven, though he sometimes cultivates a very short beard or goatee. He also has been mentioning the idea of shaving his chest or back recently.

I've never bought or owned an electric razor or trimmer or anything, so I haven't the faintest idea what to look for in terms of quality.


I am 56 years old and have had only one electric razor in my life. My beard is pretty heavy and it worked just fine for me. I no longer use it because it broke--I guess.I believe it was a Norelco (sp). I suspect that if you buy a good brand name you/he will be happy with the purchase.

i use a old philips one it get's the job done,but there are lot's of good on the market

I never liked the three floating head one, Remington? Which ever, I don't like it. And if you do decide to carve a beard it's horrible for it.

I've never really had one that I've said, "Damn, this is a good shaver" but the three floating head one has irritated me.

In my experience, electric razors suck. I've never gotten a close shave with one.

i guess phillips is a good brand, though i don't know much about electric razors myself. do gillete or wilkinson arms do razors? (or even exist in the US?)

i'm quite fond of my standard non-electric razor, but its quite important to get a half-decent one or it'll hurt. got a quatro at the moment and its smooooooooth :)
electric razors irritate the skin a lot iirc but never used one as i said, so that's possibly just hearsay

I suggest a rusty machete (yes I do use disposable razors)

As for shaving back and chest well I will say this “never ever ever ever even attempt such a thing”

i'm quite fond of my standard non-electric razor, but its quite important to get a half-decent one or it'll hurt. got a quatro at the moment and its smooooooooth :)
Hijacking my own thread a bit here, but I've been using a men's Fusion razor for the last few weeks and it's working out great. I bought it just because I thought it was hilarious (five blades! even a trimmer blade! two moisture strips! mwa ha ha!!), but it's turning out to be really handy. And I actually use that goddam trimmer blade!

I am not a guy (thank bob) but I did buy my guy this (http://www.maxiaids.com/store/prodView.asp?utm_source=Froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Froogle&idAff=15225&idproduct=583) two Christmas back and he really loves it.

I love it too because it keeps his little stubble out of my sink.

he shaves with it daily and it shaves close.

it did take his skin about 2 weeks to adjust from disposable razors to electric and we had to buy aftershave balm, but it was worth it.

The Gillette Mach series of non-electric razors are awesome.

I never liked the three floating head one, Remington? Which ever, I don't like it. And if you do decide to carve a beard it's horrible for it.

I've never really had one that I've said, "Damn, this is a good shaver" but the three floating head one has irritated me.
I've gotta admit, those seem weird to me. I'm curious, and I'd definitely like to try one out, but I don't think I'd ever plunk down the money to buy one because I'm just too suspicious of them.

Face (http://www.amazon.com/Norelco-6701X-Additive-Shower-Shaver/dp/B0001HYJVI/sr=1-14/qid=1166802656/ref=sr_1_14/104-0754014-2988711?ie=UTF8&s=hpc)

Body (http://www.amazon.com/Philips-Norelco-BG2020-Mens-Bodygroom/dp/B000EG8HLE/sr=1-1/qid=1166802700/ref=sr_1_1/104-0754014-2988711?ie=UTF8&s=hpc)

I own both, and the Bodygroom is especially good, but I prefer a safety razor :p

[EDIT] Ok, now that your feelings towards 'em are clear, you'll probably ignore the first link. And the second one is only for hair below the neckline..

A slightly more helpful post than my first one: I have a Philips Philishave 382 - old, basic - only two rotor thingys - and cheap, at £20. It does me fine, although I don't shave too often. I'd imagine more expensive models do the job a lot better, but I've no motivation to try.

I suggest a rusty machete (yes I do use disposable razors)

My facial hair's too thick for that (not dense, but the hairs themselves are thick). I can't even get halfway through shaving with a disposable before I have to dispose of it and grab another.

As for shaving back and chest well I will say this “never ever ever ever even attempt such a thing”

That's what waxing was created for (not that I've ever had any desire to experience that particular bit o' pain).

It's also good to know that electric razors can irritate the skin, and that he might take a bit to adjust. He's said many times that he'd like to get an electric razor, but I honestly don't know if he's used one before. If not, I'd better warn him, so that he doesn't think he's getting some skin-eating disease or something after he tries out my present. :D

Hijacking my own thread a bit here, but I've been using a men's Fusion razor for the last few weeks and it's working out great. I bought it just because I thought it was hilarious (five blades! even a trimmer blade! two moisture strips! mwa ha ha!!), but it's turning out to be really handy. And I actually use that goddam trimmer blade!

The fusion does have the most overblown advert in the history of mens grooming. Sometimes I think it is self parody. You've seen it?

i am using the five bladed cutting machine too. It is really somekinda hair killer. Razors are better than electric, but electric is ok if you shave everyday, and handy to take the shadow off before going out for the night.

Hijacking my own thread a bit here, but I've been using a men's Fusion razor for the last few weeks and it's working out great. I bought it just because I thought it was hilarious (five blades! even a trimmer blade! two moisture strips! mwa ha ha!!), but it's turning out to be really handy. And I actually use that goddam trimmer blade!

I got one of those for free in the post, and yeah, I loved it. Can't get cheap blade cartridges for it, though, so I stopped using it and went back to my Sensor.

The fusion does have the most overblown advert in the history of mens grooming. Sometimes I think it is self parody. You've seen it?
Oh lord yes. I crack up whenever I see it. I get such a kick out of that damn razor, mostly because it is so close to an Onion parody from a while back:

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/33930

"Would someone tell me how this happened? We were the fucking vanguard of shaving in this country. The Gillette Mach3 was the razor to own. Then the other guy came out with a three-blade razor. Were we scared? Hell, no. Because we hit back with a little thing called the Mach3Turbo. That's three blades and an aloe strip. For moisture. But you know what happened next? Shut up, I'm telling you what happened—the bastards went to four blades. Now we're standing around with our cocks in our hands, selling three blades and a strip. Moisture or no, suddenly we're the chumps. Well, fuck it. We're going to five blades..."

Hijacking my own thread a bit here, but I've been using a men's Fusion razor for the last few weeks

use the Braun 8995 360 apparently the vibrations are good if you know what I mean (and yes someone is going to kill me for posting that)

though it might been Gillette:confused:

It's also good to know that electric razors can irritate the skin, and that he might take a bit to adjust. He's said many times that he'd like to get an electric razor, but I honestly don't know if he's used one before. If not, I'd better warn him, so that he doesn't think he's getting some skin-eating disease or something after he tries out my present. :D

If he does have a problem with electrics, it'll most likely manifest itself in the form of redness, itching, and possibly bumps on his skin (from the blades grabbing the hairs and tearing them out, rather than actually cutting them). I don't think you have to worry about him getting ebola or anything. ;)

Oh lord yes. I crack up whenever I see it. I get such a kick out of that damn razor, mostly because it is so close to an Onion parody from a while back:

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/33930

"Would someone tell me how this happened? We were the fucking vanguard of shaving in this country. The Gillette Mach3 was the razor to own. Then the other guy came out with a three-blade razor. Were we scared? Hell, no. Because we hit back with a little thing called the Mach3Turbo. That's three blades and an aloe strip. For moisture. But you know what happened next? Shut up, I'm telling you what happened—the bastards went to four blades. Now we're standing around with our cocks in our hands, selling three blades and a strip. Moisture or no, suddenly we're the chumps. Well, fuck it. We're going to five blades..."


I used to joke that I was waiting for a razor with a hundred blades -- one I could just put to my face, have it whip the blades all around, and be done shaving in two seconds.

Oh lord yes. I crack up whenever I see it. I get such a kick out of that damn razor, mostly because it is so close to an Onion parody from a while back:

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/33930

"Would someone tell me how this happened? We were the fucking vanguard of shaving in this country. The Gillette Mach3 was the razor to own. Then the other guy came out with a three-blade razor. Were we scared? Hell, no. Because we hit back with a little thing called the Mach3Turbo. That's three blades and an aloe strip. For moisture. But you know what happened next? Shut up, I'm telling you what happened—the bastards went to four blades. Now we're standing around with our cocks in our hands, selling three blades and a strip. Moisture or no, suddenly we're the chumps. Well, fuck it. We're going to five blades..."

:D

I have no idea. :/

My facial hair's too thick for that (not dense, but the hairs themselves are thick). I can't even get halfway through shaving with a disposable before I have to dispose of it and grab another.

I have the perfect solution (http://uk.catalog.stihl.com/upload/produkte/images/gruppen/News_1_HS_81_small.jpg)

I have the perfect solution (http://uk.catalog.stihl.com/upload/produkte/images/gruppen/News_1_HS_81_small.jpg)


Sweet jeebus! They're not that thick! :eek:

My facial hair's too thick for that (not dense, but the hairs themselves are thick). I can't even get halfway through shaving with a disposable before I have to dispose of it and grab another.



That's what waxing was created for (not that I've ever had any desire to experience that particular bit o' pain).

Using a disposable is akin to using sand paper to grind your beard off. I loathe the things. I'll use them if I absolutely have to, but I prefer not to.

I've never used electrics so I can't say much about them. I use a mach 3 that does the job just fine.

I'm 39 and I need to shave everyday since I was about 13 yrs old.

I dont anymore, of course,limiting it to 3 or 4 trims a week.

I have a Braun electric razor whan they came out and every guy had to have one. It gave a decent shave, but you had to work on the little gulleys on either side of your throat.

I've always wanted a good quality straight razor-I already have a nice bristle brush, but with kids in the house, I have decided to wait on that blade.

I use a Gillette Mach III,which gives me about the closest,cleanest shave you can get,with very few nicks.

You may want to consider the one that shaves wet-its supposed to be really good and can be used in the shower-wet whiskers cut easier & closer.

Maybe also one with a built in trimmer he can use on side burns & goatee.

Hey there, Men of General Forum! I got a question for ya:

I'm thinking of buying my lover an electric razor for Xmas. (Yes, I know, I'm boring as hell, but he bitches about his crappy plastic razors at least twice a week, so really this is going to be a present for my own sanity.)

I want to get him something pretty nice, since this will be my major present to him this year. Any recommendations? Any brands or models that I should avoid?

In case it makes a difference, my lover tends to go clean-shaven, though he sometimes cultivates a very short beard or goatee. He also has been mentioning the idea of shaving his chest or back recently.

I've never bought or owned an electric razor or trimmer or anything, so I haven't the faintest idea what to look for in terms of quality.


In a nutshell: You can't beat a good quality wet razor.


I have had several Electric Razors from several manufacturers. Braun, Phillips and other less well known. My personal Opinion as a shaver these last 18 years or so - They're all rubbish. No matter how much you pay. To get the closeness I like electrics all leave horrendous razor burn.

The only true answer to a good shave is a blade. I hear your man complains about the plasitc razors, and well he should. I bet he's using the disposables? possibly Bic?.. they are truly rubbish too.

My blade of choice is the Gillete Mach III. Tripple Blade head, I refuse to go for the 4 and 5 blades as they are too expensive and probably just a gimmick.
In the UK a set of replacement 4 replacement heads is about £5. How long each blade lasts of course depends on how often you shave. For me a couple of weeks each as I only bother to shave about two or three times a week.

Dont bother with the battery powered blade I think its a gimmick personally.

Gillete US sitep (http://www.gillettem3power.com/us/home_f.asp)

2 more pieces of advice to take into consideration

get a rechargable shaver.

get a popular brand so that when the shaver head or screen wears out he can replace it instead of having to buy a whole new unit.

over the course of time, an electric shaver is more "green" than disposable razors. all that energy wasted in making the disposables eh?

2 more pieces of advice to take into consideration

get a rechargable shaver.

get a popular brand so that when the shaver head or screen wears out he can replace it instead of having to buy a whole new unit.

over the course of time, an electric shaver is more "green" than disposable razors. all that energy wasted in making the disposables eh?

Thats why one day I want to switch exclusively to the straight razor. At the price of replacement blades, it will pay for itself in a few years.

And there will be a lot less pieces of plastic and stainless steel in landfills, and no electicity used.

My lover asked for a nose-hair trimmer for Christmas. I think that is a sign that the "honeymoon" stage is over.

Get him one that comes with an ear/nose hair trimmer, a mustache comb, etc.

Get him one that comes with an ear/nose hair trimmer, a mustache comb, etc.

He put the exact model he wanted on his Amazon wishlist, and I got it. It was $19.99. No idea what it does.

Body (http://www.amazon.com/Philips-Norelco-BG2020-Mens-Bodygroom/dp/B000EG8HLE/sr=1-1/qid=1166802700/ref=sr_1_1/104-0754014-2988711?ie=UTF8&s=hpc)

I second the bodygroom for all non-head hair. Only downside is that the nifty promocampaign (see http://shaveeverywhere.com/ ) puts a lot of emphasis on it being useful for shaving ones penis and balls. Your man may not like that.

For the face: get a non-electric razor.

I second the bodygroom for all non-head hair. Only downside is that the nifty promocampaign (see http://shaveeverywhere.com/ ) puts a lot of emphasis on it being useful for shaving ones penis and balls. Your man may not like that.


Ugh, I certainly wouldn't. If I wanted a man that had no body hair whatsoever, I'd date a guy with alopecia, not make a totally normal man shave all over. And the stubble...everywhere! Blech!

He put the exact model he wanted on his Amazon wishlist, and I got it. It was $19.99. No idea what it does.

I hope its not a power model.

I cant imagine putting a power rotary trimmer in my nose.

i find electric razors to be more irritating than a wet shave. i pretty much always get a shaving rash off an electric razor but then i have pretty sensitive skin. also electric razors always leave stray hairs no matter how hard you try to get each one. then again my shaving needs are slightly different as i let my stubble grow for a few days before i bother to shave again, an electric shaver would effectively hack half the hairs out rather than cut them, if they're more than a couple of days old, which is really quite uncomfortable.

i would suggest a beard trimmer (mine's a philips and works perfectly well) and a decent razor with plenty of refills and some decent shaving foam (mine appears to be all from wilkinson sword at the moment and i've no comoplaints)

If he's got a thick shadow go with a blade. The more blades the better. If he's like me and only needs to shave every two or three days get him electric clippers.

I got an electric shaver for my birthday last year. I don't really use it anymore.

Wet shaves all the way. Just wash your face with hot water and soap before applying the shaving cream and rub in the tiniest amount of moisturising cream when you're done. Result: the most perfectly shaved and smooth face a guy can get.

If you want to get rid of body hair then I never heard anything bad about epilators - except for the first time you use them. Smoothness for about 4 weeks, and if you use it every week then it won't cause any pain after the intial use. Well that's what I've heard.

1) If your lover has thick whiskers you won't want to buy an electric. Every few years someone decides to buy me an electric razo and it always breaks within a month, they just aren't made for anyone who has relatively thick whiskers.

2) Don't ever get anything to help someone shave their chest or back, the ingrown hairs suck and the itching is pure hell. If you;re that worked up about body hair suck it up and pay for a waxing.

3) For the guy who can't use disposable razors because they clog, I have that problem. Buy a women's razor, the blades are set further apart and you'll be fine. I used to go through a razor a week, now its more like one every three months.

My boyfriend used to use a Norelco electric shaver, one of those ones with the three shaving heads. It worked fairly well; it never broke or anything like that. The only problem was that he didn't get as close a shave as he likes, so he switched back to using a razor.

EDIT: A friend of mine uses this one (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000G1785S/dealtime-hpc-20/ref=nosim) - expensive, but he says it's worth it.

Hey there, Men of General Forum! I got a question for ya:

I'm thinking of buying my lover an electric razor for Xmas. (Yes, I know
Shaving is for infidels!

You know what your boyfriend really wants, Bottle?

You not to dump him if he grows a beard ¬_¬

There will be some men who say they prefer being clean-shaven, but they're just lying to appear "modern" and pretend they care.

Anyway, I used to have an electric shaver. Possibly a Philips. I remember it being uncomfortable, even though I used it for a while. Maybe I wore it out. I wouldn't buy another.

Now I just use a Mach 3 that Gillette sent me for free. It works everywhere I need it to and it doesn't hurt much, so long as I use hair-clippers first if I've not shaved for more than a week.

I remember reading a mock-advertisement in a highbrow comedy magazine (Viz, I think) for the Gillette Mach 10...

According to the primary non-profit testing institution in Germany, the Philipps rotating shaver is best, specifically the rechargeable one. I used to have a Philipps, but I've switched to shaving wet since; dry just doesn't cut it.

You know what your boyfriend really wants, Bottle?

You not to dump him if he grows a beard ¬_¬

There will be some men who say they prefer being clean-shaven, but they're just lying to appear "modern" and pretend they care.

Anyway, I used to have an electric shaver. Possibly a Philips. I remember it being uncomfortable, even though I used it for a while. Maybe I wore it out. I wouldn't buy another.

Now I just use a Mach 3 that Gillette sent me for free. It works everywhere I need it to and it doesn't hurt much, so long as I use hair-clippers first if I've not shaved for more than a week.

I remember reading a mock-advertisement in a highbrow comedy magazine (Viz, I think) for the Gillette Mach 10...


A beard? Bleh. Itches quite enough if you don't shave for a couple days, I couldn't imagine having fur all over your face constantly.

i've tried two different electric razors on two separate occasions, and both times it felt like it was just pulling the hairs out instead of cutting them.

A beard? Bleh. Itches quite enough if you don't shave for a couple days, I couldn't imagine having fur all over your face constantly.

nah, it stops itching a day or two after that.

I don't really notice it anymore, except when I'm sleeping

A beard? Bleh. Itches quite enough if you don't shave for a couple days, I couldn't imagine having fur all over your face constantly.

It's like being clean-shaven on the inside, but there's hair there and it doesn't sting.

Hey there, Men of General Forum! I got a question for ya:

I'm thinking of buying my lover an electric razor for Xmas. (Yes, I know, I'm boring as hell, but he bitches about his crappy plastic razors at least twice a week, so really this is going to be a present for my own sanity.)

I want to get him something pretty nice, since this will be my major present to him this year. Any recommendations? Any brands or models that I should avoid?

In case it makes a difference, my lover tends to go clean-shaven, though he sometimes cultivates a very short beard or goatee. He also has been mentioning the idea of shaving his chest or back recently.

I've never bought or owned an electric razor or trimmer or anything, so I haven't the faintest idea what to look for in terms of quality.

If he wants a shaver, it would be a good present. And, there is nothing wrong with buying a 'sensible' gift, if it is something the recipient wants.

On this issue, however, I have to leave the advice to others, since i am particularly poorly suited to answering it. I think I've been clean-shaven twice in the last 15 years...

You know what your boyfriend really wants, Bottle?

You not to dump him if he grows a beard ¬_¬

There will be some men who say they prefer being clean-shaven, but they're just lying to appear "modern" and pretend they care.

Anyway, I used to have an electric shaver. Possibly a Philips. I remember it being uncomfortable, even though I used it for a while. Maybe I wore it out. I wouldn't buy another.

Now I just use a Mach 3 that Gillette sent me for free. It works everywhere I need it to and it doesn't hurt much, so long as I use hair-clippers first if I've not shaved for more than a week.

I remember reading a mock-advertisement in a highbrow comedy magazine (Viz, I think) for the Gillette Mach 10...

viz is high brow these days?!!?