Axis Razors: Unbelievably bad

I try to stay away from talking about products on this blog, but I have to respond to a Coolhunting post effectively parroting a press release.

The battery in my Braun foil razor died after 10 years of dedicated service. When I was wandering around the Rideau Centre, I couldn’t find a store that sold Braun razors for under $180, so I decided to give a $125 Axis “Nitro” a shot. It’s a foil razor, and I assumed, that despite it’s ugly red colour, it would provide a decent shave. It didn’t. It ground away at my skin like it was sand paper. On top of that:

  • it feels poorly made: the red looks painted on, and ready to scratch; while the rubber hand grips look ready to peel off; and the head looked flimsy and breakable
  • the pop-up trimmer was tiny and kind of jagged, painfully scratching my neck
  • the foil did a lousy job of cutting my three days of unshaven growth. Instead of cutting, it kind of yanked the hairs giving my face a $125 pluck

I returned it got a Braun for the same price. It had the same price tag, but it was infinitely easier on my face. The Braun is the exact opposite of the Axis: well made, easy on my skin, and painless to use.

8 Responses to “Axis Razors: Unbelievably bad”

  1. Posted by darrell
    2007.Feb.21 @ 13:42

    Funny, the battery in my Braun foil razor died not long ago as well. And it was my first razor so I got more than 10 years out of it. I shopped around a bit and decided to try out one of the mid/low end Philips rotary razor. It took a few shaves before I got used to it (the booklet says your face has to actually adjust to the new shaver) but even now I’m not entirely impressed by it. I might get a closer shave than my old Braun one but it’s annoying for missing hairs. Maybe this is because I didn’t go with the fancy multi-headed one or something I’m doing but I kinda miss my old Braun shaver.

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  • Posted by MG
    2007.Feb.21 @ 21:01

    Real men use blades… Getting ready in the morning should involve a certain level of physical danger. It’s better than coffee.

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  • Posted by e
    2007.Feb.21 @ 22:36

    Darrell,

    When I bought my first electric razor I got one of those three headed things. It definitely got a close shave, but it felt like it took a layer of skin with it. When I took it back to the store to complain, the guy behind the counter literally laughed at me and said that, yes, those razors are really hard on your face. Apparently the foil razors are much easier on the face.

    I’d also recommend returning the thing if you don’t like it. I’m not a fan of the “a free market is all about voting with your dollar” argument for a number of reasons; but I really, really, really want companies that make horrendous products to go out of business. Especially companies that make products that cause me physical pain.

    e

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  • Posted by e
    2007.Feb.21 @ 22:36

    MG,

    Forget blades, shave with a ninja.

    e

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  • Posted by MG
    2007.Feb.22 @ 02:10

    I used to shave with a ninja but he commit seppuku after he nicked me one morning.

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  • Posted by darrell
    2007.Feb.22 @ 10:01

    e,

    I don’t actually find it that bad on my face and I’m not experiencing any physical pain. I just have to be extra careful to go over some spots 3 or more times.

    MG,

    The ninja didn’t hire his replacement before committing seppuku? That’s totally unprofessional!

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  • Posted by Michael
    2007.Mar.29 @ 16:31

    Funny, my son and I use it and haven’t had nearly as many problems as with other brands. I use the rotary and my son uses the foil and both of us are much happier with the clean up and the shave. I guess to each their own, but this brand is definitely better for me than Braun or Panasonic.

    Personally, I like the colors… aren’t you being a little harsh on an electric razor? I mean, if you don’t like it, send it back. No harm done. Maybe you need to get outside more and off the computer ;-)

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  • Posted by Robert
    2007.Oct.21 @ 01:49

    Funny, someone is testing these on http://www.badgerandblade.com

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