Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This 5-blade Panasonic LV61 shaver is like the Rolls-Royce of shavers, it's definitely pricey, but what a fine fine cutting instrument. How does it compare to a Braun Pulsonic (model 9595/790cc)? ============================================================ I had a Braun Pulsonic many, many years ago when they first came out and indeed that is a great shaver with a really long battery life. It had this "sterilizing" charger, but you had to routinely buy the alcohol-based cleaning-solution packs. The trimmer had a long reach and the ergonomics were spot on. The travel case was a chintsy, opaque plastic hard-case with a cleaning comb. I always thought the "sterilizing" charger was a bit overrated --- you don't need it, if you're only recharging it once every 2-3 weeks anyways, what good does sterilizing it that one time really offer? Frankly though, I've used electric razors some 25 years, well before these "sterilizing" gizmos came out... How does it compare to the 4-blade Panasonic LA63? ==================================================== The 4-blade LA63 feels slightly heavier and top-heavy. Though mine still works great, it feels cheaper in quality from grip to aesthetics. The button to turn on the shaver is "chrome-plastic-coated" and has worn off to reveal some white-plastic. The trimmer is fairly short and does not give you the reach the Braun does. If you're holding a mirror and trying to get the fuzz on the back of your neck, it's pretty difficult; much easier with my old Braun. [Update 10-8-11: I went and did the 'balance it on your finger trick" and the LA63 will not balance even with my finger near the very end, it is very top-heavy. I did the same thing with the LV61 and it will balance on my finger near the midpoint of the shaver, meaning it is very balanced and that explains why it just feels better in your hand.] No fancy "sterilizing" system, just an AC charger. The case is actually a nice black leather soft-case with a plastic cap for the shaver head. I will state that the 4-blade LA63 shaves closer than the Braun. What's improved with the 5-blade LV61 over the 4-blade LA63? ============================================================== The 5-blade Panasonic LV61 is a little lighter and better balanced [see Update note above]. The quality is leagues ahead of the LA63. It simply feels more elegant, solid and less plastic-y. The button to turn on the shaver feels like real metal. One nice improvement is that there's a "lock-ring" for the power button such that it prevents the shaver from accidentally turning on if you shove it in your suitcase. [Update: the 4-blade LA63 does have a sliding "lock-button" to keep it from accidentally turning on when shoved in a suitcase] The trimmer is identical and visual LED indicators are the same. The leather travel soft-case and protective cap, etc is also the same. The AC charger has a different part number and I haven't dared try to see if the older one would work, not at these prices! Another improvement is the 5-minute fast-charge. One complaint about the Panasonics over the Braun is that the Braun can be plugged into the AC charger and can be used at the same time. Both Panasonics will not turn on while plugged-in. This is really only a concern for "always late" people like myself when you are late for work, go to use the electric shaver and it is out of battery. With my Braun, I could just plug in and use it. The 4-blade LA63 would barely have enough power after 5-minutes (from empty) to truly give me a work-presentable shave....time to get out the disposable razor. [Small Update 10-8-2011: When you charge the 4-blade LA63 overnight, when it is done, it will brightly glow and blink "100%" forever until you unplug it. This is only annoying if you are a light sleeper and the blinking LED indicator in a dark room will bother you all night. When you charge the 5-blade LV61, it will glow a solid blue while it is charging and at some point when it reaches 100%, it stops glowing and turns its blue LED indicators off.] The Shave: ============ The shave on the 5-blade LV61 is as close as any blade razor without drawing blood! I did the chin-stubble test and with this 5-blade LV61, you absolutely cannot feel any stubble, it's an extremely close shave! I almost always draw blood when using a razor and my skin always feels raw. Perhaps my skin is simply used to electric shavers, but I get close shaves that last beyond 5pm, with no mess of shaving cream and no nicks from razors and my skin always feels smooth. Is it closer than my 4-blade LA63? Trying to remember my chin-stubble test for when my LA63 was brand-new, I think both are very close and still better than the Braun. The 5-blade LV61 if anything provides a faster shave (than the Braun). The instructions state the outer foil blades will last 2 years and the main inner blades will last 1 year, but I think that'll vary based on how scruffy you get. For my 4-blade LA63, I believe 8 months is about when I replaced the blades. Note: Currently it seems like replacement blades for the 5-blade LV61 are around $75-$99 or so and not easily found on Amazon (as of this writing) - this may play a small factor in your buying decision. Overall thoughts: ==================== The Braun is the Cadillac. The 4-blade LA63 is the Mercedes. The 5-blade LV61 is the Rolls Royce. You can be just as luxurious in the Mercedes and be perfectly content, but when you want fine-attention to detail, slight improvements here and there, elegance, a nice solid feel, you splurge, sometimes twice the price of a Mercedes, so that you can roll around in style - the Rolls-Royce! [Update: 9-17-12 - While replying to some comments on my review, I decided to read what other people were saying in their reviews. I noticed a few people mention that it was really only 2-blades, since when you pop the cover off, you only see two blades. That is a little misleading. On the shaver are 2 main blades. Inside of the foil that you pop-off, are the other 3 blades. If you measure the distance of where those 2 main blades are, they are a little less than half an inch towards the center of the head. Now if you put the foil back on and use only the very edge of the shaver head (well before you get to the 2 main blades in the center), you will see that it really is a usable blade as it cuts your stubble. So yes, this is indeed a 5-blade shaver and verified.] ######## I originally put this as a comment, but pasting it here since it's applicable ########3 Replacement Foil and Blades report: ========================================= [Update: 12-13-12 - In October, I purchased the replacement outer foil (Part no: WES9171P) and inner blades (Part no: WES9170P) and paid $38 shipped and $21 shipped respectively (I'm a Prime member). I can verify those are indeed the correct part numbers. Note: There is also part no: WES9030P which is the outer foil and inner blades in a COMBO package. Well, as of October 2012, the cheapest I could find WES9030P for on Amazon was $70 shipped. Now, I paid $38+$21 shipped, which is $59 total! And yes, in this case, it is cheaper to buy both separately than getting the combo. Also, note that this puts my replacement interval at ~1 year, definitely NOT the 2 year life that Panasonic puts in the owner's manual. Judging myself as having a lighter stubble/beard growth pattern than most, you will likely want to replace your blades every 8-12 months for optimal shaving results.] [Update: 1-30-15 - You might not find the WES9030P COMBO pack anymore, the new part number, which lists THIS ES-LV61 is WES9032P and is $65 for Amazon Prime as of today's date. So yes, as of 1-30-15 it is now cheaper to buy the COMBO pack - WES9032P ~$65]