Philips AquaTouch AT890

Ten years ago, I was a keen user of electric shavers, but the quality of the shave kept letting me down. But ten years is a long time in todays world, so I was excited to find out how much Philips has managed to improve their razors over the years.
I have been allowed to test three different Philips shavers, and this review will be featuring the most recent of the three, the AquaTouch AT890.
The Philips AquaTouch AT890 is a stylish shaver. The blue body and the grey and black fitting give it a clean and efficient look. As the name suggests, the AquaTouch series is entirely waterproof and can be used both with shaving cream or without. The AquaTouch can even go into the shower with you.
So basically, the AquaTouch seems like an attempt to attract some of the wet shavers around the World into trying electrical shavers. So for me – as a man who used to shave electric but has since changed into traditional wet shaving – this revisit to the world of rotary blades is interesting.
The AquaTouch series use the HQ8 blades also found in the 2D/3D SensoTouch series. The blades are almost identical to the blades used on my 10 year old HQ6580 apart from a few extra holes in the middle.
I have used the AT890 for a total of 10 shaves on 10 different days. I used it both in the shower, after my shower and even without shower (but with shaving foam).
Shaving in the shower
It sounds easy, and it sounds efficient. But it really isn’t. I always end up with large patches of my face unshaven. I would possibly get a better result if I had a large, brightly lit mirror in my shower, but I haven’t.
Shaving after the shower
10-12 years ago I used to sell electric shavers in an electronic shop in Copenhagen. I always told my customers to shave BEFORE the shower, not after. The skin has a tendency to expand slightly from the long term exposure to hot water, and even though this is great for a blade based shave, it’s a bad idea when you use an electric shaver.
Based on my experience with the AT890, this is still the case. Do not use an electric shaver right after showering – it will leave you with a 5 o’clock shade even before noon.
Shaving before the shower with shaving gel or foam
This is where I got the best results from the AquaTouch. First I warmed my face using either a hot towel or washing it with hot water. I then applied a nice lather to cover my stubble, and started shaving.
This procedure gave me a very nice and close shave on my cheeks, chin and upper lip. But when it comes to shaving the neck, and in particular the upper part of the neck just below the cheeks, the Philips shaver got itself into trouble. It simply couldn’t cope with the shape of my neck and left the stubble more or less untouched.
According to Philips, you should look down when you shave your neck (contrary to stretching your skin when using a blade). This did help a bit for me – but not much.
The Verdict

I like the design of the Philips shavers, even though the AT890 look almost exactly the same as my 10 year old Philips. But the weight, shape and balance make it very easy and comfortable to use. Unfortunately, I must still admin that the shave is average at best. For a quick shave on a busy day it will do fine. But as I have mentioned before (in the article Rotary blade or foil shaver?) everything depends on YOUR face.
Just because it’s no good for my weird skin, doesn’t mean that it will not work for you.
If you own the AT890, please write your experiences in the comments below.

EverBlade stops corrosion of your razor blades

A few months ago – shortly after I reviewed the RazorPit blade cleaner, I received an odd package from the company Greeneverblade. As I opened it, I found a black piece of plastic, designed to hold a standard cartridge razor like Gillette or Shick. But where the blades were to be put, the plastic was replaced with what seemed to be a flat piece of cupper. The EverBlade claimed to make my razor blades last longer! How? Why? Really? Read on!

Can the EverBlade make your razor blades last longer?

So this is how it works… When your razor is not in use, you put it to rest on the EverBlade with the blades on top of the metal part. That’s all. No cleaning, nothing to switch on, nothing to do at all… You can sit down and watch the EverBlade work. But it’s quite boring, as it doesn’t do anything you can see. It doesn’t even make a noise. In fact, all this is why I didn’t really believe in this product when I received it. But you know what? It worked! And still works!
The single blade I used for this review (a Gillette Fusion cartridge) worked perfectly for nearly 35 shaves! That’s more than I got from the RazorPit cleaner! And nearly ten times what I get from a normal cartridge!
I am not going to get into too many details about how the EverBlade actually works. Chris Wilson from the company behind the Everblade, made a long explanation to me about magnetic fields and energy bouncing back and forth between the razor and the EverBlade. But I thinks it’s even simpler. The EverBlade works as an anode for the razor, causing the metal on the EverBlade to corrode instead of the metal on the razor blades. If you really (and I mean REALLY!) want to read about anodes, check Wikipedia on anodes. Otherwise – just be happy finding a product that actually works!
The EverBlade I got will fit most modern cartridge razors. I had a problem with the new ProGlide blades, as they are slightly larger than others – but hey, the EverBlade guys just changed the design. A few days ago, a new version of the EverBlade was launched, and it will fit the ProGlide as well!
All in all, even though I was truly skeptical, the EverBlade surprised me with impressive results. It’s reasonably priced, and it seems to do a good job. At least with my Fusion blades. The Everblade is currently sold at  $14.95 on Amazon.com  (updated december 2011). I haven’t seen it in any European stores yet.
Read more about the EverBlade on Greeneverblade.com.
Did you try the EverBlade? Or do you understand anodes and magnetic fields better than me? Join the discussion below by commenting this article!

Gillette Fusion ProGlide review

I have just tried the new Gillette Fusion ProGlide for the first time. It’s due to be released in the US on June 6, 2010. According to Gillette, the ProGlide should be much more comfortable than any of their previous models! Read on to see how my face is feeling right now!
And more importantly; Can my wife really feel the difference on my face between a “classic” Fusion shave and a Fusion ProGlide shave? Read on!
It is still a “Fusion”
But first, let’s talk a bit about the product itself.
Building on the Fusion technology, the ProGlide is a five blade shaver with an additional blade on the back for trimming. The new ProGlide cartridges will easily fit on your existing Gillette Fusion shaver. If you have an old Gillette Fusion shaver (Fusion Power or Fusion Manual), there is no (or little) need to buy the entire package. Buying a pack of replacement cartidges will work just as well.
The ProGlide does come with an improved handle compared to the old Fusion, but the real difference between the two version is to be found in the cartridges.
The leading blades have been made thinner, and the lubricating strip above the blades is significantly larger to improve the glide across your face.

The new ProGlide blade (bottom) has been improved with a new "microcomb" and fewer lamels before the blades. (Photo by ShavingDetective)

As you can see on the image on the left, the blade is quite similar to the old Fusion blades. But a few, significant changes can be seen.
Gillette states that the leading blades are thinner compared to the old Fusion blades. That’s probably true. But it’s not a visible difference of course. We’re talking fractions here.
But it’s easy to see that the lamels before the blades have been reduces to just a few lamels. And a new “microcomb” has been added between the lamels and the shaving blades to straighten the hairs just before cutting.
You can click the image to see a larger version.
The verdict
I can keep talking about technology, design and fancy marketing words… But in the end, it all comes down to one thing…
Is the Fusion ProGlide any better than the original Gillette Fusion???
Yes, indeed! First of all, I am impressed by the smooth sensation while I am shaving. There is no significant drag on my skin, and the blades glides easily across all parts of my face.
The Highest “Wife Acceptancy Factor”

But I never finished shaving my entire face with the ProGlide. Instead, I took this test a step further. Having finished shaving the left side of my face, I removed the ProGlide cartridge from the handle and inserted a brand new cartridge of the original Fusion type. I then carried on shaving the right hand side. As my wife returned from work, I asked her to compare the two sides, and tell me which side had the closest shave.

It took her less than 10 seconds to pronounce the Fusion ProGlide the winner! And I do the same!

Norelco NT9105 Nose and ear trimmer

The Philips Norelco Nose and ear trimmer uses a powerful precision micro-trimmer for a safe, fast and easy trimming experience Best performance that feels great Ideal angle for easy reach and maximum comfort Safeguard trimmer to avoid pulling, nicks and cuts Brings maximum ease of use Soft grip for maximum control Comfort Handling: Ideal angle for easy reach, Soft grip coating for maximum control Maintenance Durability: Protection cap Ease of use Wet & Dry: 100 % waterproof for easy use and cleaning.