Still Around - Norelco Corded Electric Shaver

6423 LC - Philips NORELCO Reflex Plus 6 Shaving System.
1/3/07 - Revised to comment on cord length.
1/13/07 - Revised, tips on use

The photograph accompanying this review is NOT that of the subject - rather, it shows the carrying pack for a Rechargable Model. A correct photo of the subject in its Blister Pak can be seen on the following Link.

http://www99.epinions.com/search/?submitted_form=searchbar&search_string=norelco+6423+shaver&tax_name=&dyn_nav=0&dyn_nav_id=&search_vertical=all&searchbar_submit=Search

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Newspaper ads are always a problem and I never shop them but one did get my attention recently - for $20, one could own a new Norelco Shaver. I bit, shopped frantically, finally found one (the only one) at one of the local Mega-Drug Emporia. Only when I got it home and unpacked it, did I realize what the catch was. It was CORDED. Shades of the 1950's. It was "Yesterday Once More".

At first, I was bothered by the tether effect caused by the coiled cord; however, I measured the cord when deliberately extended and found that it would reach 5 to 6 Feet. This is ample, allowing use in any position in front of a 3 foot wide mirror/medicine cabinet. The practical limit is the force required to pull the cord out of its socket in the Razor Body.

DESCRIPTION

The Philips NORELCO comes with the usual but distinctive three circular cutters that flex with the contour of one's face and leave little evidence of their passage.

Being without a battery pack, the 6423 LC is unusually light and effortless to operate. Plug and Play to be sure.

I am lazy and tend to skip a shave now and then. The Norelco takes care of a two day growth in seconds. The head, containing the three cutters, snaps on and off easily and can be cleaned of whisker fragments with a tap or a blast from canned air.

HOW TO USE IT:

Attach the cord to the shaver, then plug the cord into a 110 Volt Outlet, then slide the power switch to turn on the shaver. It helps to scrub the skin before trying to shave. Make sure you allow the skin to dry.

Press the shaving heads gently, then apply a small rotation movement as you move over the area to be shaved.

A pop-up cutter is provided that allows a degree of trim control.

Overall, I am very pleased with it and its performance.

Recommended (but read on)

Comment: The three cutting blades will wear out and the shave begins to take up a considerable part of a user's life. Also, there is a notable decline in the quality of the shave. (When this happens, I advise tossing the whole unit and this is why.) The manufacturer has made it possible for the unwary to purchase a new set of Shaving Heads. A search for replacement parts revealed a wide variation in price ($20.99 to $38.95 PLUS Shipping !) for a set of 3 shaving heads. Shipping for this accessory was 3 to 6 DOLLARS !!! A ripoff for sure - Reminds me of Ink for Printers.

See for yourself at:

http://shopping.yahoo.com/s:Shaving%20&%20Hair%20Removal:4168-Brand=Norelco:
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PRELUDE/POSTLUDE

When I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1955, the first day at "Boot Camp" in San Diego included being outfitted with uniforms and accessories. The latter were to be carried in a white canvas bag with draw string - referred to as a "Ditty Bag". I still have mine these 51 years. Among the prizes placed therein were essentials such as a toothbrush, shoe polish, hankies, shoelaces and a Shick Single Edge Razor. The latter was an enemy of the people that left battle wounds everywhere it touched our sensitive facial skin unless the user had time to apply a lot of care. I had used a Remington Electric Shaver for a couple of years so I was a sure victim. Wakeup call at 0600 Hours triggered a chaotic and panic-filled rush to the "Head"; where 60 fellow sufferers fought for the 10 sinks provided for washing whisker-loaded lather off one's Shick Razor. Proofs of valor began to appear throughout the room; bits of toilet tissue were used to stanch the flow of blood and nearly everyone wore several of these to our first inspection. Some, however, lacked those red badges of courage. They had, somehow, smuggled their ELECTRIC RAZORS into the barracks - I never found out how.

The lesson was learned, I bought my own Electric Razor (Remington) within a few weeks and lived to graduate from that incredible place of adventure. Much later; while at sea on one of Uncle Sam's Destroyers, I saw a fellow sufferer using what turned out to be a Norelco Shaver. He had been to college. Soon, I had my own Norelco and have never looked back in 50 years.

In my "Flush" times, I became a plutocrat who had upgraded and owned a rechargable shaver - a Norelco, of course. Periodically, I had to replace those because of dulled blades and they were never cheap. At $100 or more a pop, I made them last for many years. Replacement blades were available - and expensive. There never seemed to be a bargain. Until last month, that is.
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Enjoy