Panasonic ES8228S Men's Linear Vortex Nano Arc Foil Shaving System, Silver

I've always had a difficult time shaving. I have a very fast growing, thick, heavy, dark beard, combined with soft, sensitive, light brown skin. Because of this, if I miss even a single hair shaving, it shows up rather clearly. This is true even if it's a hair that gets cut, but not cut as short as the others. I almost always look like I have a 5 o'clock shadow, even right after shaving. The only time when I don't is when doing 3 passes with a straight razor...but I'll get to that.I started with an old Norelco rotary electric, and it would always miss large portions of hair on my face, and especially on my neck (I have a rather pronounced trachea and fairly sharp jaw, both of which are difficult to shave around). I switched to cartridge razors (specifically, the Gilette Mach III), but they tend to be too dull after only a couple of shaves, and the blades would clog with hair far too quickly (usually after a single pass).After reading about straight razors, I decided to give it a shot. I started with the style with replaceable blades, but the blades are VERY thin, and so flex and cut if hitting any hairs which haven't been sufficiently softened. Also, the blades were good for about 1.5 shaves before I had to replace them...they would just dull too quickly. That said, I learned about preparation and good shave soaps..that crap cheap Gillette foam in the red (or orange?) can doesn't lubricate nearly enough...I stopped using it completely. I just kept nicking and cutting myself too much, though, and I still tended to miss areas, due to the angles of my neck and face.I then switched to a real straight razor, and was pleasantly surprised...I found out about shaving with the grain, then across the grain, then against the grain (full 3 passes). I found that doing all 3 tends to give me pretty bad razor burn, so I usually stuck with 2. However, the hair on my neck grows in every direction, so no matter WHICH way I shaved, I would hit some hair with the grain and others against...I'd always end up with nicks on my neck, no matter how careful I was. Also, learning to strop is something I didn't manage to master...I can't keep the blade sharp enough to do a good job, and I would always start to get tugs and pulls after a few shaves which I couldn't recover no matter how much I stropped the blade (I tried a couple different blades, too, and they arrived shave-ready...so I know it's my stropping technique that is faulty). Also, it was easy to miss spots, and too easy to get cut.The advantages of the straight razor were complete control over the shave angle, only a single blade, so no clogging, and when using the type with disposable blades, no worries about the blade going dull. Also, it had the nice effect of removing the top layer of dead skin off of my face, something shaving dry with an electric doesn't do.The disadvantages of the straight razor were the difficulty shaving around my chin and neck, as well as the problems of grain on my neck, the steep learning curve of stropping (and shaving), the concentration required to avoid getting too many nicks (I ALWAYS got nicks), and the time...it was so time consuming to shave that way.So, I started reading reviews of wet/dry electric razors. I primarily looked at the nice Norelco Rotaries, and then foil razors. I have never tried a foil razor before, and so was interested in what was offered. I finally decided on the Panasonic ES8228S after reading numerous reviews. Another reviewer commented that he couldn't cut himself, even when he tried. This is not true for me.I've tried dry shaving with it, but it doesn't give me a close shave, it irritates my sensitive skin, and it doesn't remove that top layer of dry skin (it actually will start to flake if I dry shave it enough). Wet shaving is the only way to go, for me. I've been using the same shave soap that I was using with the straight razor (Van Der Hagaan), applied with a boar bristle brush, and it provides sufficient lubrication while not clogging up the razor, as it rinses away easily in water.I've found that using too much hot water to try to soften up my beard hairs results in the skin becoming too soft, and the slot cutter on the razor (for longer hairs) grabs my skin and cuts it, leaving nicks. So, what I do is I hop in the shower, get my face damp quickly, get my face out of the running water and lather up, and immediately shave with the Panasonic. I do it by sound (I can hear the hairs being cut) and feel. There's no advantage to doing it in front of a mirror, as the Panasonic doesn't wipe away the soap like a straight or disposable razor does...I still can't see what I'm doing. Also, with the foil razor, it turns most of the hair (when it's short) into powder, and it's nice to just rinse it away in the shower. Once the shave soap on my face is rinsed away, though, the foil starts to stick to my skin and will "jerk" without gliding smoothly, missing hairs. Also, to avoid cuts, I use the top and bottom foil while trying to avoid the slot cutter near the angles, like under my chin, and around my lips. I've avoided all nicks and cuts this way, by being careful.While this usually results in a good shave, it's difficult to tell how high to go on the sideburns, and I still miss small patches around my chin and neck, so when I get out of the shower, I use Neutrogena sensitive skin shaving cream and a disposable razor to catch what's left. this works alright because there's not much hair (the razor still clogs, but it's not so bad, as the electric gets most of it).A note: this razor works best for me if I shave EVERY day. If I skip a single day, the hairs on my face are long enough to lay down, and the razor just glides right over them without cutting a large percentage of them, even on the flat area of my cheeks. I have to be careful to get them with the disposable after I'm done showering.The cleaning base is nice, but unnecessary. I recently took the razor on a month long trip, and left the base at home. Cleaning it under the sink using "turbo" mode and liquid soap and water (as the instructions say how to do) works fine, and of course the power cord plugs directly into the razor to charge it. The base is noisy, and the flashing lights are annoying if your bathroom faces the bedroom, but one doesn't actually need the base nor the cleaning cartridges to use this razor.The case it comes with is soft, and only holds the razor...the charger won't fit in it. As other reviewers have pointed out, there's no way to lock the flush mounted power button, and so there's a risk of it accidentally turning on in your luggage. This actually happened to me in a duffel bag in my car, but luckily I heard it and pulled it out and turned it off. It would be nice to have a hard case for it, or some sort of lockout on the button to prevent this from happening.This is easily the best electric razor I've owned. It's not perfect, but no razor will be for the challenge of shaving my face. I'm very happy with it as a wet shaver in the shower.

Sorry to be repetitive, but I purchased the Panasonic ES8109 a year ago and this is my review. Since then, I purchased the ES8228 and is the same razor with a different outer foil and travel case (scroll to the end for more information). I am still very happy with Panasonic shavers. Since the wife sent mine through the washing machine (dont ask) I missed it until the new one showed up. My only disappointment was living in a city of 80,000 I could not find a replacement foil and blade in town. I had to order it on the internet. My suggestion is to buy a replacement foil and blade as backup should one break or fail...unless you are willing to go under the razor for a few days while you order one or track one down. But I digress, here is the review...My 3+ year old Braun 7526 Syncro with Clean and Charge finally had enough. Prior to that was a blade preceeded by a Norelco.Lets jump back a few years and share my history...I have always broken out with razor burn and ingrown hairs on my neck for as long as I started growing facial hair. Cheap razors were terrable so I asked for an electric. The Norelco made it easier to shave but still had issues. Several months later it was back to the blade. Someone suggested a foil shaver and, after much hesitation, I purchased the Braun. Wow! What an improvement over the blade and rotory shavers. I have been happily using it daily for almost 4 years. Dare I say...almost enjoy shaving. Razor burn is almost non-existant unless you grind away in an area for too long a time (come back to the area 15 minutes later helps), ingrown hairs are 98% cured, and it shaved closer than a rotory with only a few passes. A win/win combination. The cleaning system is great except when away from home and you have to do it manually.That brings us to the present...The Braun has hit the snooze button and no longer wants to get up in the morning with me. After many hours of research I thought I wanted another Braun...their top of the line Pulsonic model. Almost bought one based on a few blogs on the web. I did cringe at the asking price of $250 - $300 suggested retail. I have always enjoyed Panasonic products and noticed this razor at half the asking price of the Braun. It seemed too good to be true, but Panasonic products have never let me down yet. I gave it a try, knowing I could try it for 30 days and send it back if unhappy. I had nothing to lose.I have had it a week now and nobody is taking this shaver away from me. I dare you to compare the 2 razors back to back and honestly say the Braun is worth double the price. They are, in my opinion, in the same class. The Panasonic is quieter both shaving and in the cleaning stand. It shaves closer and cuts more hair on the first pass, eliminating a 3rd or 4th pass. The Braun would sometimes knick my adams apple or lip and I have tried to get the Panasonic to do it but it wont (call me stupid). Since I dont have to shave 3, 4, or 5 times on my neck, the razor burn is gone. The ingrown hairs are 99% gone (I have had only one this past week). The cleaning gets the blades cleaner and they smell soapy clean and not chemically clean. The best part, a bonus if you will, is the Panasonic is water-resistant. Not only can you rinse the head off underwater at home or on the road, but you can shave in the shower or use shaving creams or lotions (gels are not recommended). The top of the line Braun can be rinsed under water but not used "wet" or with creams or lotions. The only drawback I could find is the travel bag they supply. I was hoping they could have supplied a better case to hold the cord and shaver for extended trips. Not a big deal though, on a big trip...I will have a big suitcase so I'm sure there will be plenty of room in there for a cord.In conclusion, a great shaver with all the current technology and features offered by the competition at a reasonable asking price.EDIT - MONDAY JANUARY 21, 2008Since purchasing, this razor still continues to be my favorite. I have now started using it "wet" by warming my face with hot water, then applying a Neutragena shaving cream. The results are better. It shaves more hairs on the first pass, the cream eliminates any friction, and gives me the closest shave yet with an electric (some areas of the face feel like I shaved with a blade).EDIT - SUNDAY JANUARY 18, 2009Still loving it and using it everyday. However, the wife ran it through the front load washer tonight. It is now very clean. Still runs but needs a new set of blades. For added measure and the price of new blades and foil, I found a really good deal on the ES8228S shaver. The only difference between the two is the ES8228S adds a zippered vinyl travel case (vs cloth bag with draw strings) and the head has independent floating foil (each of the 3 foils is on their own suspension to track the curves of the face better).EDIT - TUESDAY APRIL 12, 2011Same as last edit. Still going strong. The first charging/cleaning stand finally started to leak from my original shaver that went thru the wash. 3 years on the original base, not bad. Now using the base that came with this razor....same unit, different color.EDIT - July 14, 2012Still using it. It just keeps going, still love it and have recommended it to many others.