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Braun Series 5 (8985) Men's Shaver
Braun Series 5 (8985) Men's Shaver DetailsManufacturer: Braun Brand: Braun Release Date: 2008-01-09 Model: 8985 Product features: - Cuts hair close in a single stroke without pulling or tugging
- Lifts problem hairs that lie flat to the skin to avoid missed hairs in hard to shave areas
- Includes twin foils and integrated cutter to shave long hairs and stubble progressively closer
- Clean and renew system cleans the shaver head in alcohol for optimal hygiene and less irritation on the skin
- This item is not for sale in Catalina Island
Accessories:
Customer Reviews of Braun Series 5 (8985) Men's ShaverCustomer Review: Like the razor and system - also about the cleaning fluid Summary: 5 Stars
I tried several electrics in the past and could never get a shave that was even close to adequate. My dermatologist wanted me to try an electric again, so I decided to spend the bucks and get the best I could find, and hope it worked. After about 3 weeks of practice, I was finally getting a decent shave. If I want to stay fairly smooth, I'd have to do it again in the afternoon sometime, but usually once in the morning is fine. It isn't an instant shave. It takes me a while to get all the stubble growing in the different directions, but I can get there.
I either didn't read it or forgot it, but I noticed the other day that the head wasn't swiveling. Then I saw there were two "on" positions for the razor, plus one for the clipper. It goes: off-> on (w/swivel)-> fix (no swivel)-> clipper. Can't believe I didn't notice that for several months.
I love the auto clean but hate the expensive disposable cartridges.
I take the foil off after each shave and tap it and the razor lightly on the sink to knock out the hairs before putting it back in the base. Then I hit the clean button about every 3 shaves (or immediately if it registers 'intense' on the base).
I decided to refill the cartridges instead of spending $5 or $6 a piece and throwing away the perfectly good plastic cartridge every time.
Ingredients in the cleaning solution are: denatured alcohol, limonene, citral.
Denatured alcohol is just ethanol (same as liquor) with a poison added to make it undrinkable. Really - a poison. If they denature it, they don't have to pay liquor taxes. The denatured alcohol in U.S. hardware stores is denatured with Methanol (wood alcohol). Methanol is seriously toxic. But I'm not sure that it would be a problem. The razor has a drying cycle that would evaporate both the ethanol and the methanol. Besides - the concentrations we'd contact from the razor and base are very low. "Dose is the difference between medicine and poison". Get too much of one thing and it can poison you (salt, caffeine, water,...), small doses are usually not a problem for many toxic substances. They use this ethanol methanol mixture as the fuel to heat chafing (keeps food warm) dishes and fondue pots also. I'm really not sure what to think about it.
The other ingredients are Limonene and Citral. Limonene is a terpene. Terpenes are great. They get them from plant oils. The most common is d-limonene. It is usually extracted from orange peels and smells wonderful. It works as a solvent in full concentration (a couple of wipes with a paper towel, took some adhesive goo off my kitchen floor that I'd tried to get off with many different cleaners) and a general purpose cleaner when diluted. It even shows up in cosmetics, some foods and is in some hand soaps to add that nice citrus smell, and lots of other places. They can use it to clean factory machines. It's a great degreaser and doesn't release CFC's like the chemical cleaners. It's safer for the staff also.
I'm guessing the limonene, besides cleaning away the skin oils, is a lubricant also. It has a bit of an oiliness to it. It adds a great orange citrus smell too. I don't use much. Really only about 1/100th of a cent worth, but I have no idea what the proper amount to use is.
I'm also using the denatured alcohol with methanol. I don't know if it's safe yet, so don't trust me on that. The denatured alcohol doesn't smell as nice as the cleaning fluid. They probably use another agent to denature the alcohol in their cleaning fluid. I wish I could get pure ethanol. Maybe I should try Everclear?
After the cleaning/drying cycle, the razor smells almost exactly the same as with the purchased cartridges. The citral in the ingredients is a fragrance and I decided - for me - it was probably optional, so I haven't tried to track it down. I bought d-limonene at greenterpene dot com. (d-limonene smells like oranges, l-limonene smells like turpentine - I'm pretty sure they use the d-limonene).
I rinse the cartridge with a little alcohol to get the hair out - I don't use water - because water can corrode metal. Then I fill it with about $1.25 worth of the alcohol and a tiny amount of limonene. The cartridge holds 175ml-it's on the label. I had a full one and just scratched a line on the side so I'd know how much to add. Seems to be working well for me, but I really can't recommend it as I don't know about the methanol issue. I'll let you know if my ears fall off. Or if the razor has problems.
I wouldn't use drugstore Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol). It has water, acetone, methyl isobutyl ketone, denatonium benzoate - a bittering agent, sometimes fragrance and coloring agents, plus other stuff - there are different recipes depending on the manufacturer. I'm afraid of all those extra ingredients harming the razor.
Well, that's my recipe. I really can't recommend it though until I find out about the methanol issue, although I like it. If someone finds a pure ethyl alcohol that is denatured with something milder, let me know. Thanks.
And I do love the razor.
More Braun Series 5 (8985) Men's Shaver customer reviews: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Newest Review
Description of Braun Series 5 (8985) Men's ShaverThe Braun 8985, provides Braun's closest most complete shave ever. Features Gillette Blade Technology that cuts hairs close in a single stroke without pulling or tugging. Braun's patented Power-Comb lifts problem hairs that lie flat to the skin to avoid missed hairs in hard to shave areas. The unique SmartFoil pattern captures hairs growing in different directions while the 3-Stage Cutting System progressively shaves long hairs and stubble for a closer shave in fewer strokes. The Braun's Clean & Renew System automatically cleans, lubricates, dries and charges to keep the shaver feeling like new every day. This rechargeable shaver features an ergonomic shape and non-slip handle for easy maneuvering. Includes charging and replacement parts indicator, 50-minutes of cordless shave time from a 1-hour full charge and a 5-minute quick charge for 1 shave. Every man's style and stubble is different - the Braun Series 5 (8985) shaver is as happy tackling light overnight stubble as it is a weekend's worth of heavygrowth by getting rid of those frustrating problem hairs that lie flat to skin.Pressing the shaver harder, repeatedly going over the same area, risking skin irritation is no longer necessary because the sleekly styled Braun Series 5 (8985) helps give you a hassle-free, close, and comfortable shave any day of the week. The Braun Series 5 (8985), captures the hairs other shavers leave behind. Braun Series 5 (8985) features Gillette Blade Technology that cuts hairs close in a single stroke without pulling or tugging. Braun's patented Power-Comb lifts problem hairs that lie flat to the skin to avoid missed hairs in hard to shave areas. The unique SmartFoil pattern captures hairs growing in different directions while the 3-Stage Cutting System progressively shaves long hairs and stubble for a closer shave in fewer strokes. Braun Series 5 (8985) Clean&Renew System automatically cleans, lubricates, dries and charges to keep the shaver feeling like new every day. This rechargeable shaver features an ergonomic shape and non-slip handle for easy maneuvering. Includes charging and replacement parts indicator, 50-minutes of cordless shave time from a 1-hour full charge and a 5-minute quick charge for 1 shave. Product Details | Feature | Series 5 8985 | | | Shaving System | Foil | | | Cleaning Method | Clean&Renew? System | | Display | 2 LED and Foil LED | | Power Source | Cord/Cordless Operation | | Cordless Shave Time | 50 minutes | | Charge Time | 1 hour | | Quick Charge Time | 3 minutes | | Voltage | 100-240 V | Shaver Key Features and Benefits Unique blade technology cuts hair close in a single stroke without pulling or tugging for exceptional closeness and comfort.  Play demo (requires Flash) Patented technology lifts problem hairs that lie flat to the skin to avoid missed hairs in hard-to-shave areas.  Play demo (requires Flash) Shaver head automatically adjusts with every facial contour for maximum closeness and comfort. Unique foil pattern captures hairs growing from different directions for a closer shave in fewer stokes.  Play demo (requires Flash) At the touch of a button, automatically cleans, lubricates, dries and charges the shaver.  Play demo (requires Flash) Remove more of each hair in a single stroke without pulling or tugging, for exceptional closeness and comfort with less hard work. Micro-oscillations provide comfort and smooth gliding for a close shave in sensitive areas like the neck.  Play demo (requires Flash) Series 5 Model Overview | |  Series 5 8985 |  Series 5 8995 |  Series 5 8975 |  | Power-Comb? |  |  |  |  | Gillette Blade Technology |  |  |  |  | SmartFoil |  |  |  |  | Contour-Hugging Head |  |  |  |  | Clean & Renew? System |  |  | | | Active Head |  |  |  | | Multiple-Stage Cutting System |  |  |  | | Ultra Thin Foil |  |  |  | | Quick Charge | 3 min | 3 min | 3 min | | Battery Recharge Time | 1 hour | 1 hour | 1 hour | | Cordless Operation | 50 min | 50 min | 50 min | | Battery Cells | Nickel-Hydride | Nickel-Hydride | Nickel-Hydride | | Voltage Type | 100-240 V | 100-240 V | 100-240 V | | Smart Plug |  |  |  | | Visual Indicators | 2 LED and Foil LED | LCD | 2 LED and Foil LED | | Color | Black/Silver | Silver/Silver | Black/Silver |
Men's
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