A Less Hairy Father's Day With Norelco's Arcitec Razor
We’ve seen some pretty nifty razors- including models that clean themselves, and others that submerge the blades in a bath. Norelco’s Arcitec 1090: doesn’t need any of those tricks, as it offers several of it’s own, including being the lightest and most flexible electric razor that we’ve used.
Side panels of carbon fiber add a touch of class, along with the stainless steel body. It feels durable, properly weighted, and much more solid that many we’ve tried. Instead of charging the unit directly, you have to charge it in it’s case or the included stand- easy enough, and actually pretty convenient, but don’t forget to bring one or the other on longer trips. Of course, the trip would have to be pretty long, as the rechargeable battery can last up to 21 days of regular use. For those that don’t shave every day, you can expect it to go even longer in between charging sessions, but you will likely need to charge it before first use.
Cleaning a razor can often be frustrating, but this one is washable and simple to rinse. And the blades were truly maneuverable, more so than almost any others, offering both wide coverage and tightly hugging every nook and cranny of our faces, necks, and chins. Shaves felt reasonably close, though some areas required second passes. But the unit is also quite fast and, best of all, is quiet- no more disturbing your partner while grooming. You can’t use the model while it’s plugged in though, and can’t use it in the shower either. We liked the digital display, which helpfully indicates battery life, and isn’t too bright or annoying. Not so great was the touted ‘Tube Trimmer’ for sideburns and such- we still have yet to find a decent trimmer on a cordless razor; this one is mediocre at best.
Bottom line: this is definitely a premium model, light, fast, quiet, and great-looking. As such, it’s definitely expensive, but unlike some other top-class models which primarily boast gimmicky features, here the pricetag is reflected in the materials and sleek design. At $170 or so and available widely, it might make the perfect Father’s Day gift for the man in your life who could use a bit less stubble.
