Have 2 of the Phillips/Norelco "James Bond Razor," the Spectra 8894XL.  It was the last Philips electric razor that had any feeling of heft and durability - the later models are light, plastic, disposable devices.  They are getting old though - 12 years and will have to be replaced sooner than later.  Any suggestions?

AiA wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 11:46pm:

Have 2 of the Phillips/Norelco "James Bond Razor," the Spectra 8894XL.  It was the last Philips electric razor that had any feeling of heft and durability - the later models are light, plastic, disposable devices.  They are getting old though - 12 years and will have to be replaced sooner than later.  Any suggestions?

No, but I had an old Philips 'Phili-Shave' for years, couldn't kill it.

Braun stuff looks pretty good, but is pricey.

AiA wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 11:46pm:

Any suggestions?

No....

Bought one of these for my old man about a year ago ... it's great. Worth the extra. There are cheaper ones in the range. Shaver shop also sells the replacement blades so that it always cuts like new.

http://www.shavershop.com.au/online-store/electric-shavers/electric-shavers/philips/philips-sensotouch-3d-electric-shaver-rq1295cc.html

My husband used to hate shaving, but I bought him an old Gillette safety razor at an antique shop. It changed the whole experience for him and he now collects them. It looks like this.

http://thumbs3.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/m35cpfuBjoIEmnporxSd1ag.jpg

Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 7^th, 2014 at 7:35pm:

My husband used to hate shaving, but I bought him an old Gillette safety razor at an antique shop. It changed the whole experience for him and he now collects them. It looks like this. http://thumbs3.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/m35cpfuBjoIEmnporxSd1ag.jpg

can you still get blades for those? My grandfather used to use them and I'd love to try one.

AiA wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 11:46pm:

Any suggestions?

Move to Perth, grow a beard and become a hipster.


http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/90/f8/0a/90f80acb4df96cc203d11f733a7a370b.jpg

John Smith wrote on Apr 7^th, 2014 at 7:36pm:

Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 7th, 2014 at 7:35pm: My husband used to hate shaving, but I bought him an old Gillette safety razor at an antique shop. It changed the whole experience for him and he now collects them. It looks like this. http://thumbs3.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/m35cpfuBjoIEmnporxSd1ag.jpg can you still get blades for those? My grandfather used to use them and I'd love to try one.

Yes, they just take regular razor blades. I also bought him a sample pack of blades and out of the ones he tried, the best was a brand called Feather. They cost about $40 for a pack of 100.

Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 7^th, 2014 at 7:51pm:

John Smith wrote on Apr 7th, 2014 at 7:36pm: Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 7th, 2014 at 7:35pm: My husband used to hate shaving, but I bought him an old Gillette safety razor at an antique shop. It changed the whole experience for him and he now collects them. It looks like this. http://thumbs3.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/m35cpfuBjoIEmnporxSd1ag.jpg can you still get blades for those? My grandfather used to use them and I'd love to try one. Yes, they just take regular razor blades. I also bought him a sample pack of blades and out of the ones he tried, the best was a brand called Feather. They cost about $40 for a pack of 100.

cheers

Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 7^th, 2014 at 7:35pm:

My husband used to hate shaving, but I bought him an old Gillette safety razor at an antique shop. It changed the whole experience for him and he now collects them. It looks like this. http://thumbs3.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/m35cpfuBjoIEmnporxSd1ag.jpg

Safety razors are a lot of fun ... I have a couple. 

John Smith wrote on Apr 7^th, 2014 at 7:36pm:

Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 7th, 2014 at 7:35pm: My husband used to hate shaving, but I bought him an old Gillette safety razor at an antique shop. It changed the whole experience for him and he now collects them. It looks like this. http://thumbs3.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/m35cpfuBjoIEmnporxSd1ag.jpg can you still get blades for those? My grandfather used to use them and I'd love to try one.

Blades are plentiful.  Derby is a good all-round affordable choice but there are sharper (and more expensive) blades available.

If you grew up like I did learning how to shave with a cartridge razor you will have to unlearn some old habits before you get a good shave with a safety razor:  let the weight of the safety razor head do the work rather than applying pressure.

I have the 9000 series philips..

Tried others but they just don't cut it im afraid...

I purchased this one while I was still in the army and ive been out of the army for 13 years now so its older than that... I still buy new head blades off ebay now and again and all I do is recharge it one a week for around 30 mins or so...

Ow and again. Maybe every 6 months I strip down the heads and give them a good clean...

Going as good as buggery..  :)

True Blue... wrote on Apr 8^th, 2014 at 3:47pm:

I have the 9000 series philips.. Tried others but they just don't cut it im afraid... I purchased this one while I was still in the army and ive been out of the army for 13 years now so its older than that... I still buy new head blades off ebay now and again and all I do is recharge it one a week for around 30 mins or so... Ow and again. Maybe every 6 months I strip down the heads and give them a good clean... Going as good as buggery..  :)

could you post a photo?

AiA wrote on Apr 8^th, 2014 at 7:13pm:

True Blue... wrote on Apr 8th, 2014 at 3:47pm: I have the 9000 series philips.. Tried others but they just don't cut it im afraid... I purchased this one while I was still in the army and ive been out of the army for 13 years now so its older than that... I still buy new head blades off ebay now and again and all I do is recharge it one a week for around 30 mins or so... Ow and again. Maybe every 6 months I strip down the heads and give them a good clean... Going as good as buggery..  :) could you post a photo?

ok, this is the exact one..

I messed up the model a bit.. apparently its a HQ 8150 ...  :-/

note the three Cutting Rings

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-HQ8150-Philishave-Rechargeable-Rotary/dp/product-description/B0009YJAV2

http://i978.photobucket.com/albums/ae269/oldpom/5422a6a9-1822-453b-ba37-93a1d0c46cee_i-philips-philishave-speed-xl-hq-8150.jpg

when you go to buy new heads you look for the little half moons in the centre...

^^^ that is like the 8894xl I have ... they really don't make them like that anymore. i use Chinese-made replacement heads, less expensive and almost but not quite as good as the real thing ...

John Smith wrote on Apr 7^th, 2014 at 7:36pm:

Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 7th, 2014 at 7:35pm: My husband used to hate shaving, but I bought him an old Gillette safety razor at an antique shop. It changed the whole experience for him and he now collects them. It looks like this. http://thumbs3.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/m35cpfuBjoIEmnporxSd1ag.jpg can you still get blades for those? My grandfather used to use them and I'd love to try one.

Score a nice Gillette TTO (Twist To Open) off Ebay. You can find one for around $30 to hundred$ - otherwise there's Merkur or Parker razors you can buy new for around $40 to $100+. They're great fun to use and quite different from using something like a Gillette Mach 3. There's a few forums and websites dedicated to the whole 'wet shaving' thing.

Yep, shaving with a safety razor has pleasures only a man can know.

AiA wrote on Apr 16^th, 2014 at 10:05am:

Yep, shaving with a safety razor has pleasures only a man can know.

You are talking about the face , not the undercarriage AiA?

The Mole wrote on Apr 16^th, 2014 at 10:09am:

AiA wrote on Apr 16th, 2014 at 10:05am: Yep, shaving with a safety razor has pleasures only a man can know. You are talking about the face , not the undercarriage AiA?

No, that would be dangerous  :)