The latest word from Braun is that there are new models on the way. Before you all start leaping out of your seats in excitement, let’s first make it understood that the tried-n-true models that we currently have in stock are still going to be around for awhile…just in case. As soon as they arrive we will have more info for you, as well as test results from our own rigorous “sampling” (back up the gorilla cage, boys!).
We’ll let you know.
Also, to make life a little easier, Shavers.com will soon be offering product ratings and feedback from customers like you, as well as commentary from our own staff about particular ups and downs regarding specific models.
April 10, 2009
New Braun Shavers On the Way
March 13, 2009
Big Cutbacks… in shipping
Yes, it’s true. The Shavers.com shipping price structure is now as follows:
- All orders over $99.00 = FREE Shipping
- All orders under $99.00 = $2.95 shipping
What a deal, I tell you!
Nope, it’s not a special.
Nah, it’s not a temporary “wait ’til the economy gets better” ploy.
Uh-uh, no coupon codes, minimum purchases or other conditionals to get the deal. Just place an order.
Stay tuned because next week I’ll be squeezing blood from a stone.
March 2, 2009
A Beard Economy
For those of us peeking our heads up out of the hovels of non-expendature looking for a way to spend as few pennies as humanly possible due to our black hole of an economy, we view the growing trend on the horizon of just lettin’ the damn beard grow.
Yes, the most basic of daily duties (or not-so-daily duties, for some of us) feels the financial pinch in that more and more men opt to not spend our tightly-gripped, dented nickles on shaving equipment such as blades and foam, and instead look to the bright side where a full beard is warmer anyway. The problem, however, is the fact that left untamed, you can trip or become grossly entangled in the tendrils that develop.
In the hopes of saving you from such a fate, here is a short list of highly recommended beard trimmers. Each require only the smallest investment and offer a well-rounded, but simple, array of features:
(Click on any of the pictures or names below to view the product details or to order-opens a new window)
The Philips Turbovac Model QT4040 - $29.95
Panasonic ER2403 5 Position Beard/Moustache Trimmer - $19.95
Remington High Precision Body Groomer and Trimmer Shaver model BHT-2000 - $24.95
Any of these models above will do a fine, no-frills job on your beard for a really wallet-friendly price. And remember–if your beard is longer than two inches, take a scissor to it first.
WARNING–Shavers.com cannot be responsible for any inflicted wounds you receive from your significant other for leaving hair in the sink.
February 20, 2009
New Blog Format
Hi all! Yup, we’ve dragged ourselves into Wordpress for this little blog of ours. Now you can all comment if the need should overtake you. Have fun with it.
February 12, 2009
Dry Shave, Wet Shave-Red Shave, Blue Shave
Okay folks, it’s time to spread a little smooth understanding over the rough, pot-hole ridden differences
between the wet shaver systems, the dry shaver systems, and the dry shaver systems that you can clean with
water. At the risk of sounding like my fourth-grade teacher, I will endeavor to make this as easy to swallow
as possible. Here goes…
The wet shaver…no matter who makes it, be it Panasonic, Norelco or Remington, the shaver can be used,
cleaned, and otherwise carelessly manipulated in or out of water, or a watery environment. It is an
all-in-all, happy to be moistened shaver to any capacity aside from the process of charging
(look elsewhere for a post on the dangers of electrocution). Most wet shavers are designed to be used in
some sort of showering environment, and as stated by Panasonic, are fully immersable in water. Why you would
actually want to fully immerse your shaver escapes me, as shaving underwater is not usually something most of
us would set out to do–but to each his own.
The dry shaver…just about says it all doesn’t it? This is a dry shaver. Use it dry. Don’t get it wet. Worry
about it if it falls into the toilet. Avoid getting moisture on, into or near this shaver. Always assume an
electric shaver is a dry shaver unless otherwise specifically indicated by the packaging, the website, or
your friendly neighborhood shaver store representative (and double check with websites). Period….
…unless, of course, you are using a dry shaver that comes with a self-cleaning stand. But that’s another
story entirely, boys and girls. Okay, back on track now.
Now there’s dry shaver that can be cleaned with water. So here is that murky area that many people are having
trouble with, but it’s actually pretty simple if you follow these simple rules:
- Use this (these) shaver(s) as if they were DRY shavers. Why? Because they are dry shavers. Calm down
now…keep reading. - When you are done shaving with this dry shaver, carefully avoiding using it in the shower, bathtub, or
swimming pool, it will be time to clean it. And you will clean it with water. Take a deep breath. - Turn on the HOT water. Turn it on STRONG. There should be a good flow of hot water running into your sink.
- Thoroughly rinse the HEAD of the shaver. Otherwise known as the headframe, foil and cutter, top-part, “The
thing that touches my face”, or any incarnation thereof. Heaven forbid that I suggest reading the
instruction manual that came with the shaver, but this is where you will receive the most detailed
instruction as to where it is safe to let the aqua flow through.
Pretty simple, right? The important thing to remember here is not to get creative. It does make a
difference if “the part where the plug goes in” gets a little wet. It WILL affect the shaver if you used it
in the shower “only once“. And no, nobody ever told you that putting it in the dishwasher was safe for this
type of electric razor.
Finally, when rinsing this shaver out (the correct way-see #3 & #4 above), please do not assume that waving
the shaver head quickly under a thin, hair-like trickle of cool water is enough to clean your shaver. If
you don’t flush out all that garbage that’s building up in there, then all you are doing is creating a
nice, cozy, germ ridden bacteria farm that you are putting against your face every day. Yummy!
And because I know you’re going to ask, yes, you STILL have to do a thorough cleaning of the shaver head
at least once a month. Pull the foils and cutters off of the shaver and soak them in straight rubbing
alcohol for a few minutes and then allow them to dry. Death to bacteria.
So that’s that! See? Easy as pie. Keep your shaver clean and so will it keep your face. And for God’s sake, read your instruction manual…
…but not under water.
February 6, 2009
Dreaded Bikini Haircut
And now, a female contribution to this overtly male dominated blog…
Okay ladies, put those scissors down and follow me to the best bikini trimmer I’ve ever found.
And not only the best - but the cost is as low as $14.95. Now how’s that for a deal?
For years, I dreaded the “bikini haircut”. Finding the perfect pair of scissors that were sharp enough and also didn’t pull.
Ouch! Having to eye the length, making sure all the hairs were trimmed. And there’s always that random long hair that you
never see - that unfortunately always shows up at the worst time. Ladies, you know what I mean…
Anyway, the trimmer that I’m referring to is the Remington Trim & Shape Bikini Trimmer - Model BKT1000. The trimmer has 5
adjustable lengths and also trims very close in the places where you decide to make your edges - and this trimmer has never
pulled me. It runs on 2 AAA batteries and for the short time it takes to use - will probably last at least 6 months, if not
more. You just set it at whichever length you want and run it across like a lawnmower. It comes out perfect every time and
only takes a few seconds. So, you better get them while they last.. I’m stocking up and throwing my scissors in the garbage.
Also, ladies - don’t hog this great machine. I tried using one of the body shavers on my boyfriend’s - you know where - I
know - ha ha. But, it paled in comparison to my trimmer. Next time, I’m bringing my trimmer over to do the job and you’d be
doing your boyfriends and husbands a favor if you do the same. He’ll thank you and maybe repay the favor.
February 5, 2009
Shaving 101
Gentlemen, I bet you’re all wondering why I’ve called you here today. It’s because of the overwhelming
flood of questions regarding shaving that have been pouring across our phone lines and into the collective
ears of Shavers.com representatives. Frankly, they need a rest from giving the same answers all day long.
Let’s then, take a brief look at shaving, shall we?
Ladies-you have purposely been left out of this discussion for the simple reason that your needs are a
whole different ballgame altogether. We’ll try to cover your most common questions in another entry.
So men, how are we shaving these days? Getting missed spots? Breaking out? Painful or really sensitive
areas? Overall poor shave? Yup, that’s what I figured. I get the feeling that for the majority of you
though, the solution is simple (especially if you are using a “newer” shaver, purchased within the last
4-5 years)…you’re pressing too hard on your face.
“What?!” you exclaim. “Don’t you know that I’ve been using an electric shaver for (insert years since
puberty here) years?!”
C’mon guys! This is not your father’s shaver here! The great majority of electric shavers manufactured
today are specifically designed to work much differently than the dark age shavers of yesteryear. Pressing
too hard with the shaver head against your skin will flatten the hairs into an undesirable position that
will be a detriment to your shaving process. A smooth, slow movement with only minimal pressure is what
is needed here. Let the shaver do the work, let the shaver do the work, let the shaver do the work…
If that does not solve your problem completely then I’m at least willing to bet that it helps a great deal.
Let’s also follow these shaving tips:
- Shave your sensitive areas first. A cool shaver head will irritate less.
- Tough or stubborn neck hairs should be trimmed down prior to shaving.
- Areas of the face/neck that have problems with severe razor bumps or ingrown hairs-DON’T SHAVE THESE
AREAS WITHOUT FIRST ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM. Use a treatment or a specially designed shaver like the
Remington ES-1000. - Rub your face liberally with a frog prior to shaving.
Okay, just kidding with that last one, but a pre-shave lotion or powder stick is highly recommended in
making improvements to any shave. A few adjustments to your routine and following a few simple rules can
turn a bad shave into a much improved one, and a good shave into a great shave.
Thank you for taking Shaving 101… See me after class.
January 27, 2009
You Don’t Shave On Weekends
Come on now, admit it. Most of us, yes, me included, somehow manage to “forget” to shave on the weekends. It “slips our minds”,
we “get distracted” or “have a senior moment”. Sometimes we even “want to grow it out” or “had to escape a burning building”. Whatever.
Just be careful about the griping that will be later, come Monday morning, associated with the pulling sensation of individual beard
hairs being yanked from their roots instead of cleanly shaved off like they do Tuesdays through Thursdays.
Let’s also not forget the cumulative effect of these actions, when the time comes to replace your foil and cutter in nine months versus
twelve to eighteen months-don’t say I didn’t warn you. The longer the hair, the more the pounding the shave head takes.
Not that I am trying to dictate facial policy here, my fine gentlemen. Heaven forbid-I equally partake from amongst the weekend excuses
that give us free reign to be facially forgetful. I just want to say that I said it, okay.
There. Now go shave. You look terrible.
January 26, 2009
Not Made In China
You know that stigma that’s out there. “Made in China” = “Cheapo Piece of Crap”.
Well, that may be true in some cases, and/or that may be true in most cases, but that is not the debate here. This issue
that has come to light is, what “level” of “made” we are talking about.
I know, I know - “huh?”
In terms of electric shavers, we have all seen the steady manufacturing migration to the Asian East, but what exactly are
we talking about here? While legally, something that is literally made in China must state so on the body of the item in question, we
must address the more subtle unknown that answers the further question: “Was it made in China or was it put together in China?”
Take for instance a great many of the Braun shavers. They are some of the most popular, well-made pieces of face machinery
ever built, but many of them were “made in China”. Actually, they were “Put Together in China”. Any glimmer of difference
shining through yet?
Just because a shaver was physically put together in China, does not mean that it was designed, prototyped, tested or even
molded in China. Braun shavers are designed in Austria. Norelco shavers are designed by Philips in Norway. Remington shavers
are designed in America. All have shavers that are put together in China.
So sniff and thumb your nose at the “Made in China” mark on your new electric shaver if you will, but just keep in mind that
good design is good design and bad design is not necessarily always made in China, okay?
Now pick one from column A and two from column B.
January 13, 2009
Wut’s D’best Shavuh?
Asks one of my favorite New York customers, clearly frustrated with the decision he faces now that his old
Abercrombie & Fitch razor has finally sputtered and fizzled through its last whisker.
“It’s the most frequently asked question we get!” I reply, bracing myself for his disappointment that the next sentence will bring.
“Unfortunately (dramatic pause) there IS no best shaver. If there were, it would be the only one and we’d all be using it.”
His silence speaks volumes at how unimpressed he is at my reply. The reality of the situation sets in and he asks me instead for my best guess.
And here the problem lingers on, kids. In actuality, the problem is not that we want to know what the best shaver is. The problem
is that we want to know what the best shaver is for ME, the individual. Be damned the great unwashed and their urinating and moaning
about missed hairs and sensitive areas.
I have real problems here.
I need a great shave.
What am I going to do?
Here it is then: stick with what has worked in the past. If Braun has always been good enough, then chances are the improvements
they’ve made over the years will reflect positively with your face. Same goes for all the manufacturers. If what you’ve been using
no longer exists or you’ve never used an electric shaver before, then find a nice, safe, middle-of-the-road shaver to start with
(something not the most or least expensive).
The safety factor here is the fact that all the manufacturers offer some form of money back guarantee. Give your face the 2 weeks
of shaving it needs to fully acclimate to the way the shaver is shaving you and then decide. You’ll know if it’s the right shaver
or not. If it is, then great. If not, get your money back and start again (yes, we can help you).
Sooner (preferably) or later you will find the perfect shaver and you too will echo the accolades of my good NY friend:
“Youse guys are d’best. Ynno dat?”
Yes… yes we do.