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Originally Posted by closer2mod  Ive heard the Norelco razor mentioned alot here. I to have almost a full beard...I shave it before I leave my house. Im using Fusion Clear Skin shave cream and cheapo disposable razors(Daisy) a new one each time. I get ingrown hairs and have some scarring...which sucks. But I would like to try a Norelco as alot of you have stated they are alot easier to use in the long run and easier on the skin. I am curious which models you all use as I would like one that gives me a really close shave and since I am a poor college student I cant buy the $300 one that Im sure works fabulously  |
Norelco razors are now sold under the name Philips Norelco in the US -- the men's razors were always sold as Philishave in other markets and are now being sold as Philips.
I've tried wet shaving but it irritates my skin no end. I've also tried other electric razors -- some irritate my skin, most are noisier than the Philips Norelco ones and none are smoother.
Most electric razors can't get as close as a blade razor because they all have some foil or head covering the cutting blade. The Philips Norelco men's models claim to get round that by a cutting blade which first of all grips the hair and places it under tension while the guard presses the skin down. The hair is then cut at a level which will be below the skin when the cut hair is released.
To me, the things that make my Philips Norelco rechargeable good are
* it's completely non-irritant and it's the only method of shaving that's been that way for me
* it takes only seconds to shave in the morning as opposed to ages for wet shaving
* I can take it with me and shave anywhere
* it's quieter than any other electric razor I've used or heard
* it's brilliant on stubbly hair growth.
On the negative side, all men's-type razors are pretty useless on anything longer than very short stubble. They're designed to cut the hair as it appears and designed to cut hard, stiff, bristly hair and aren't great on soft hair or on anything longer than about 1/16" maximum.
Your skin always takes time to adjust to any method of shaving, so whatever you change to, give it six weeks before you decide whether or not it suits you.
As regards models people use, that's not going to help you a great deal because Philips Norelco seem to change their model numbers very frequently indeed and do some "specials" that are available only thorugh particular chains of stores. The more expensive ones are better in terms of having heads which articulate better making shaving faster, in having different designs of shaving heads and in terms of battery life. However there's a battery model with only two heads of an older design which you can probably find around $20 or less, though it's not currently listed in their catalog. Rechargeable ones start around $30. Make sure it's a model with rotary heads and make sure it's one of the ones designed for men's use. There's absolutely no use trying to use a "women's" razor on beard growth, becuase they're designed for long, sparse, soft hair.
Hope this helps.
Joy