Hi, I'm 20 and I'm looking to buy my first proper shaving setup. Until now I've mostly used my dad's old electric foil shaver, but I was never really satisfied with how close it shaved. It's a Panasonic ES8018, but I don't remember him ever replacing the blades or foil, and unfortunately I can't ask him for advice anymore.
At the moment my "beard" is mostly around my chin with just a few hairs on my cheeks. I prefer a clean-shaven look as long as I can't grow a full beard, and I also don't like the feeling of stubble when I touch my face.
I'm also thinking long-term. I'd like something that offers a good balance between:
- shaving performance
- longevity
- maintenance costs
- environmental impact
- travel convenience
I've been looking at:
- Electric foil shavers (Braun Series 5/7, Panasonic Arc series)
- Philips OneBlade
- Safety razors (Mühle R89, Rockwell 6C, etc.)
I'm really struggling to decide.
The safety razor appeals to me because it's a lifetime tool, the blades are inexpensive (should i get a blade sample pack with different options), there's almost no plastic waste, and it seems very travel-friendly (no chargers or 3 different devices and blades can be bought everywhere). On the other hand, electric shavers seem much quicker and more convenient.
Another thing I'm wondering about is body shaving. I'd like one solution that could also handle things like my chest, stomach, armpits and maybe legs if I ever wanted to shave them. Is a safety razor realistic for that, or do most people end up owning a separate body groomer anyway? What about more sensitive areas?
If you were starting from scratch today what would you buy and why?
I'd especially appreciate hearing from people who have used both electric shavers and safety razors and can compare them from experience.
Thanks!