Braun Büffel Activator 8595

I received my Braun Activator as a gift for Valentine's Day. Having been a user of another, albeit lower-priced ($24) Braun shaver, I was curious to see how much closer a shave I could get from a shaver that cost 7 times as much.

My first impression was "this thing is _REALLY_ SOLIDLY made!" I was also curious about the new hole pattern in the foil that supposedly allows more hairs to enter from more angles--and thus, get a closer/better shave.

Anyway, the toughest part for me when I get ANY new electronic device is having to wait while it charges before I can "play" with it. The Braun Activator charge time is relatively quick. Unlike Norelco, Braun has moved-on from the 1970's and typically uses nickel-hydroxide batteries instead of the very pre-historic Ni-Cads which are subject to 'memory effect.' I believe the main charge (my first charge) took approximately 60 mins. Subsequent charges take a lot less time--and coincide with the cleaning process in the Clean and Charge station included with the shaver.

I shaved once with the Braun Activator and couldn't stop touching my face--in disbelief that an electric shaver could shave so close. We're talking blade-closeness here. There were and are sometimes a few missed hairs on my neck, but I've always had this problem with electric shavers. I found that after using the Activator for about a week, these occurrences were minimized. I've also found that, if you're cursed (uh, I mean 'blessed'?) with darker Eastern-European facial hair--it's better to shave regularly (ie: daily) rather than skipping a day or two. This tends to ensure the best/closest shaves with very few, if any, missed hairs. I'm STILL touching my face all of the time--amazed at the closeness (including now--as I'm writing this review.) And the odd thing is, I thought my OLD Braun Interface 3612 shaver ($24--believe it or not) was good, but the Activator is SO good, it somehow still keeps my face looking great even later in the day. My girlfriend even commented that at 6 or 7pm--my face now looks like how it used to look right after I shaved with my old shaver. Make sure you shave when your face is dry, though (before you take a shower). Unlike other shavers (especially rotary), Braun shavers work a different way and get the closest cut when your face isn't swollen from washing/being wet. I should also mention that if you have sensitive skin, this IS the shaver for you. Having been a previous user of "Shave Sticks"--they are 100% unnecessary with this shaver. The shave is SO smooth, it feels like the shaver is gliding over your face while you're shaving. No pulling, pinching, rubbing, or irritation whatsoever!

As far as average shave time--I LIKE to go over my face over and over to make sure I didn't miss anything, so I'm not a speed-demon when it comes to electric shaving. With a manual razor, I do the same thing--(hence the INCREDIBLE irritation with a manual razor)--but manual or electric, and regardless of the model, my average shave time is about 4-5 minutes. While this may seem long, it's probably closer to the norm than you might think. I tend to always shave the same way: start under my nose, up and down the cheeks, chin, under the chin, neck, then back to the cheeks--while I pull the skin tight with my other hand, and then 'finish-up.' The razor has 2 face-shaving settings--one that allows the shaving head to follow the contour of your face--which is what I use over my entire face first, then a second setting that locks the shaving head at a 45 degree angle--for help with trouble spots (under the nose and chin and the neck). I then go over my face again with the second setting--and I'm good to go.

The Activator comes with a Clean and Charge dock which accepts Braun cleaning cartridges. The idea is to return the shaver to the cradle after each shave so that it can clean the shaver and trickle-charge (or fully discharge and re-charge--if it determines it's needed) so that you essentially have a 'brand new' fully-charged and fully-cleaned shaver every time you use it. I was hesitant to use the cleaning dock after EVERY shave, but have used it daily since I've gotten my shaver. It's a real joy to have what feels (and smells) like a brand new clean shaver EVERY time you shave. The shaver assesses what level of cleaning it needs (None, Eco, Normal, or Intensive) and the cleaning times vary from 33 minutes to 50 minutes. During this time, it flushes the shaver with a citrus-scented alcohol solution and you can hear the shaver cycling between on and off--while it flushes the debris out of the shaving head. Afterward, it dries the shaver and charges it so that it's ready for the next use. Braun says a cartridge should last about 30 days, but I haven't had my shaver long enough to verify this. At around $5 a container, that's about $60 a year for the solution cartridges, however, they're not required, as you can still clean the shaver manually with the included brush. At 16 cents a day for the solution, though, that's not bad for having a perfectly clean shaver every day. If you REALLY wanted to be frugal, I suppose you could carefully refill a container with regular alcohol, as the solution IS just scented alcohol anyway. I also suspect that the base doesn't really 'see' how dirty the shaver is, but rather--looks at how many times you've used the shaver and for how long and then makes its decision on what cleaning intensity to use based on that. I say this because...after a week of "Ecos"--ironically, on the 8th day, it skipped right over "Normal" and said I needed an "Intensive" cleaning. But hey, whatever--fine by me.

The base isn't required for the shaver's use, as you're able to plug the re-charging cord straight into the shaver. However, as with most of Braun's higher-end shavers, the included hard travel case only holds the shaver and not the cord, so--if traveling--you'll have to throw the re-charging cord into your bag in addition to the shaver/case. I'm not sure why they haven't been able to design a hard case that ALSO accommodates the cord. It's not a BIG deal, but just one of those little pet-peeves.

Replacement foil/cutter blocks are slightly more expensive for this shaver. While you'll get away with spending $20-$25 for other Braun shaver foil/cutter block replacements, a replacement for this shaver will set you back at least $30. As always, Braun states that the foil/cutter block should last 18 months and should be replaced at that time. The foil/cutter blocks on my previous Braun shavers only lasted about 6 months before tearing (and cutting me!), but we shall see... Again, my shaver is brand new, so I'm not able to vouch for the reliability of their claim for foil life.

There is a flashy LCD screen on the Activator that shows the charging status, battery time remaining, number of shaves, cleaning status, and some other functions. There is also a version of this shaver that does not include this screen/feature, but, being a gadget-lover, I find the feature amusing and interesting.

The included instruction manual leaves a lot to be desired. Although it touches on the main points of operation (and does a decent job), it is a very basic manual. In fact, it doesn't even mention that you can use the cord for the Clean and Charge base as a travel cord to RE-CHARGE the shaver. It also fails to touch on several other technical aspects--or 'I wonder how THIS or THAT works' technical curiosities that I typically have.

The Braun Activator comes with a generous 2 year limited warranty, and all-in-all is a very well-built, high-quality shaver that gives excellent shaves (including excellent results on the typical trouble areas...chin, under the chin, neck) time and time again. Do not let the high price of this shaver put you off, I HIGHLY recommend it!

**Update on 3/25/05**: I've been on vacation for about a week and wanted to add that the shaver seems to perform better after a daily cleaning on the Clean and Charge station, although--shaves are still near-perfect after a quick manual cleaning using the included cleaning brush. I've said this before--but wanted to reiterate that, if you choose, the shaver can be charged _directly_ from the ac power cord--and only needs the Clean and Charge station to clean the unit. I also wanted to add that the Clean and Charge refills last longer than the stated duration of 30 days. (I'm getting my 7 day warning now--and have been using the shaver for about 40 days.)

**Update on 7/18/05**: Still can't wait to shave every morning! The unit still does a nearly-perfect job every day and is a joy (and comfort) to use. Average daily shave time = about 4 minutes.

**Update on 11/14/05**: Some small 'nicks' have mysteriously appeared on the back side of the shaver just under the moving head (above the word 'replace' and under the Activator logo.) Alsp a very small area where silver plastic/paint has started cracking off/peeling. Braun should have used all metal--instead of silver-colored paint! Had to downgrade my durability rating to '3'. Otherwise, still near-perfect shaves, though.