We are men. Manly men. Set apart by other men, by their shaving. And men, visually, are separated by their facial hair. If people are going to take you seriously in life, one must be set apart, by ones grooming. One does this with ones shaver. (Unless you really like your beards. That’s okay too. And who would deny a man his mustache?) Mine, being the Braun Series 9 9093s.
What it comes with: cord, brush, manual, traveling case, device + 1 cartridge (attached.)
Contents
The Braun Series 9
It’s a Braun Series 9 9093s. The Braun brand is known for it’s world class foil shavers, and the 9 series is perhaps the top of the line. This particular model is not their most recent, as the 9095cc and 9040s did come out later (not to mention their WaterFlex series), but it is definitely up there amidst their other series (1, 3, 5, 7.)
No cleaning station
This particular model doesn’t come with the 5 Action Clean and Charge Station. Which means you’ll have to clean your shaver manually. I don’t find this a problem, and with any bathroom, it’s standard to clean up after yourself. For my internal minimalist, I also don’t like having to buy all these cleaning solutions, and have more stuff clutter my counter. Since shaving does cause hair to be removed from ones body, you’ll be cleaning your counter anyway, as not all the hair will collect within the cartridge. This is normal practice. The brush that was provided is sufficient to clean the shaver and the cartridge.
What sets the 9 series above the rest?
- Power. 40,000 micro vibrations a minute (compared to the 7 series 10,000.)
- Hyperlift — Can cut hair that is lying flat.
- Wet&Dry tech — if you’re really in a rush, it can cut wet hair. And, if you need to shave in the shower, this can do it. Just don’t dunk the thing in the bath. Also good for cleaning under the tap.
- 2 OptiFoils — just like with the cartridges for the 7 series, which means fewer strokes going over your face to cut hair.
- Has a pivoting head to reach various contours of your face. It can, however, be locked in place. Combined with the springs in the cartridge, makes applying pressure painless.
- Has a sliding-out trimmer on the back of the device, for sexy sideburns, and other…burns, like your neck. (note: shaver doesn’t actually burn. I don’t know the etymology of sideburns.)
- It feels solid in the hand.
- There’s only one power setting: on. Doesn’t make a lot of noise, but you can definitely hear and feel it when it’s on.
- Safety feature — only to be used when the cord is unplugged from the device.
- Probably the smoothest shave you’ll ever have. You’ll notice a difference in your skin in comparison to your old electric shaver.
- The safest shave you’ll ever have. I haven’t been cut yet, despite applying a lot of pressure.
Foil vs Rotary
For the longest time, I used nothing but electric, rotary shavers, by Phillips. I will say this: rotary shaving is easier to use, and does catch hair easier, due to it’s design. You can shave at any angle, and the shaving “stroke” along your face can be circular. But it’s not as efficient, as smooth, or as precise. It cuts at one forward angle, so strokes need to be repeate.
So while the Braun Series 9 9093s is superior in just about every category, I do recall having an easier time cutting some hairs along the bottom jaw line and neck with a rotary shaver — but that came with cuts, red skin, jamming engines and blades. The skin and muscles in the neck area is simply not as flat or solid a surface as the face.
It’s a combination of your skin, your hair type and thickness, and what kind of investment you want to put into your grooming. (And whether your exercise regiment involves working those neck muscles.)
Cost
When it comes to men and shaving, why settle for less?
Now if you’re a straight razor kind of guy — and I mean that in the literal sense — then more power to you. For disposables, blades, and cream and gel — if you’re used to it, I think that’s cool. I just get a bit jumpy.
The Braun Series 9 9093s I purchased used on ebay for $175 USD, or after shipping and handling, for $255 CAN. In hindsight, it was probably best to buy it new directly from a source, or locally, depending on how comfortable you are with a warranty or not.
When the shaver head is pivoting up.
When the shaver head is pivoting down.
While it doesn’t take that long to charge, it does give you time to clean.
A detached cartridge; these are the only two sections you’ll need to remove to clean. It’s pretty handy.
Back of the shaver, when the trimmer is popped up.
The inside of the empty shaver. This design is significantly less complex than a rotary, and thus easy to clean.
Check them out on Amazon:
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Amazon.com:
And for the higher end (with cleaning station):
