Less than half the price of a Panasonic. My experience using a 6,000 yen 4-blade electric shaver for 3 years
Introduction
Aren't there just too many types of electric shavers?
Panasonic, Braun, Philips... 3-blade, 5-blade, rotary, reciprocating. When you search on Amazon, a mountain of similar products comes up, and honestly, I didn't know which one to choose.
My previous shaver started to wear out after about 3 years, and I was thinking about replacing it. At first, I intended to buy a Panasonic Lamdash. It has a good reputation, so I thought it would be a safe bet.
However, models with 4 or more blades cost between 15,000 and 30,000 yen. While I was hesitating about whether to spend that much on a shaver, I found the Maxell Izumi IZF-V559.
A 4-blade shaver for about 6,000 yen. My honest first impression was, 'Wait, isn't that too cheap? Is it okay?'
As it turned out, I bought it and have been using it for 3 years now. There's no sign of it breaking, and I have no complaints. If anything, I wish I had known about it sooner.
I'd like to write down my thoughts on it.
Product Overview
The Maxell Izumi IZF-V559 is a 4-blade reciprocating shaver.
Price: Approx. 6,000 yen (Amazon)
Blades: 4-blade, reciprocating
Manufacturer: Maxell Izumi (Japanese company)
Waterproof: Fully washable
Charging: USB charging (feels like it lasts about a month on a full charge)
Accessories: Includes 1 replacement blade
While Maxell Izumi may not be as well-known as Panasonic or Braun, it is actually a Japanese manufacturer. The quality is solid.
Impressions after using it
Pros
The shaving performance of the 4 blades is genuinely good
Honestly, I thought it would be just okay since it was 6,000 yen. But when I actually used it, I was surprised at how few stray hairs were left.
Panasonic's high-end models (Lamdash) also use 4 to 6 blades, and this shaver uses the same 4-blade system. Of course, I wouldn't say it's exactly the same as a high-end model, but I've never felt dissatisfied with it for daily use.
In the busy morning, I can shave quickly and get a clean result. That's enough for me.
I really don't understand this price
The market price for other companies' 4-blade shavers is around 15,000 to 30,000 yen. This one is 6,000 yen. Plus, it comes with a spare blade.
Since a spare blade costs around 2,000 yen on its own, the main unit is effectively about 4,000 yen. At first, I suspected it was a case of 'you get what you pay for,' but after using it for 3 years, that worry has completely disappeared.
It's easy to wash the whole thing
I think there are quite a few people who find shaver maintenance a hassle and end up neglecting it. I was one of them.
Since this shaver can be washed entirely in water, you just rinse it under the faucet after you're done. This alone keeps it quite clean. Not having to scrub it with a brush is a small but welcome relief.
Simple with no unnecessary features
Automatic cleaning stations, digital battery indicators, skin sensors... high-end models have all sorts of features, but honestly, I didn't need any of them.
Press the power button, shave, and wash. That's it. Simple is the easiest to use.
USB charging lasts a long time
A full charge lasts a long time. It feels like I don't need to charge it for about a month even with daily morning use. Since the charging frequency is low, I can take it on trips without the charger.
It hasn't broken after 3 years of use
This might be the thing I want to convey the most. I've used it almost every day for 3 years and it hasn't broken. The shaving performance doesn't feel like it has dropped either (though I did replace it with the included spare blade along the way).
If a 6,000 yen shaver lasts 3 years, that's 2,000 yen per year. Even if I suppress the urge to use the word 'cost-performance,' I think this is genuinely impressive.
Points of concern
Low brand recognition
When asked 'What shaver do you use?' and I answer 'Izumi,' the reaction is usually 'Who is that?' For people who seek the peace of mind that comes with brands like Panasonic or Braun, buying a product from an unknown manufacturer might be a high hurdle.
I was the same way at first, but once I tried it, there were no issues at all, so I don't worry about it now.
No advanced features like automatic cleaning
There is no feature that automatically cleans and dries the shaver when you press a button. You have to wash it by hand every time. It's not a burden since it can be washed under running water, but it's not for people who want everything done automatically.
Choose a higher-end model if you care about a close shave
It's sufficient for daily use, but for those who 'want it perfectly smooth no matter what' or 'want to completely eliminate that stubble feeling by evening,' I think a higher-end Panasonic Lamdash model would provide more satisfaction.
I don't require that level of a close shave, so I don't feel any dissatisfaction, but I think this depends on the person.
Who is this recommended for?
Recommended
People who prioritize cost-performance → There is nothing else like a 4-blade shaver for 6,000 yen
People who like simple things → No unnecessary features, easy to use
People buying an electric shaver for the first time → You don't need to buy an expensive one from the start
People who find maintenance a hassle → Easy to care for since it can be washed under running water
Not recommended
People who want the ultimate close shave → High-end models offer more satisfaction
People who want features like automatic cleaning → Not available in this price range
People who care about brands → Lacks the name recognition of Panasonic or Braun
Summary
It hasn't broken after 3 years of use. I have no complaints about the shaving performance. Maintenance is also easy.
I want to tell my past self, who was convinced that 'you can't be satisfied unless you buy an expensive shaver.' 6,000 yen was enough.
Of course, I think high-end models have their own merits. But for those who think 'as long as it shaves properly, that's fine' or 'I don't want to spend tens of thousands of yen on a shaver,' I think this is the right choice.
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