Customer Reviews

Braun Series 5 Combi 51S Foil and Cutter Replacement Pack (Formerly 8000 360 Complete or Activator)

5 star:		(59)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(33)

 

 

I've had the 8585 since about 2004 and it's been working great. The last time I ordered the foil and cutter block was from a 3rd party seller on amazon. I did order from the 8000 series page but received a package that looked different from what I had received in the past. I originally thought they sent me a fake one especially after I started using it since it hurt to use around my lower jaw area and chin. Since I thought it was a fake I came here (thinking of ordering another one) and read all the negative reviews and realized it was the newer version of the foil and cutter block that was just poorly made. I'm at the moment looking for the cutter block for the older models (Braun Series 3 Combi 30B Foil and Cutter Replacement Pack). I might risk getting it since it has good reviews. Once my current shaver gives up, I'll be switching over to a different brand (probably panasonic). When companies start making stupid moves (why ruin something that worked perfectly in the past), it's time to ditch them?

I also wrote to Braun asking them if they were aware if "Braun Series 3 Combi 30B Foil and Cutter Replacement Pack" would work with the 8585 but they wrote back saying that they recommend only using the ones made for a particular model. They even offered to send me another 51S but I refused saying there's no point of enduring more pain by using the 51S.

btw, I've been using my 51S for a few months (2-3) now, it has held up just fine, but it hurts when using it... I have to be extremely gentle especially when using around the lower jaw since it seems to hurt the most there.


*** UPDATE 1 ***
I've been communicating with a person who purchased the 30B (http://www.amazon.com/review/RPRFO9DLBSJM7/ref=cm_cr_rev_detup_redir?_encoding=UTF8&cdPage=1&asin=B001VH6F9G&newContentNum=10&store=hpc&newContentID=Mx1FBNLU575B874#MxZJCE2GDWEFOT) and he confirmed the blades were thin as before. I went ahead and ordered the 30B and it arrived today and I put it on and everything looks fine so far (except for the looks and also that the travel case plastic cover doesn't quite fit since there is no notch on the foil cover but both these are extremely minor). I will shave with the 30B next week and post my experience then. I'm quite sure this will work just fine and it it does I'll order a few of the 30B in case Braun manages to ruin the 30B as well.

*** UPDATE 2 : The Shave Test ***
I'm 29 years and usually shave every Mon, Wed & Fri. I last shaved on Wednesday and today is Sunday. I was originally planning on shaving with the 51S today and do the same next week and use the 30B next Sunday. But I decided to shave half with the 51S and half with the 30B. I started off with the 51S and it was just so painful to use. It was almost like pulling on my hair (it felt like I was poking myself with a needle) and I stopped soon after starting with it. I then switched to the 30B and it was a world of difference. I could hardly feel anything when shaving with it. If I had shaved half my face with the 51S, I probably would have landed up with half my face red and with several cuts.

So, my strong recommendation is to avoid the 51S (I will most likely avoid Braun in general from now on) like the plague. However if you are unlucky like me to have the 51S and plan on using it until it's advertised life, you might want to shave more often (like daily or every other day) else be ready for a very painful shave. Please also check out the 2 images I've uploaded (available in the customer images section).

*** UPDATE 3 : Test to determine which part is at fault ***
Some people have stated that the new foil is at fault for the horrendous shave while I've firmly believed that it is the cutter block at fault. To find out, after shaving on Sunday, the next day I shaved was on a Wednesday. I first started off with the cutter block of the 51S and foil of the 30B. The shave was just as painful as before. I then switched to the cutter block of the 30B and foil of the 51S. It was just as smooth as using the earlier 8000 series or the 30B (cutter block and foil). According to me, the cutter block is the reason behind that horrible shave and Braun should be ashamed of putting such garbage out there.

I see bad reviews about this replacement foil here on Amazon and almost decided against buying it. The problem appears to be that this is actually the replacement foil and cutter block for the Braun 360 complete series shavers, specifically the 89** series. This series along with the Braun Activator has now been discontinued. I have the Braun 360 Complete 8985 shaver. If someone can recall the Braun 360 was a minor upgrade to the Braun Activator line of shavers. The upgrade was in the foil and the cutter block assembly only. According to Braun, the newer cutter block and foil were better at cutting than the previous Activator series cutter block. Also the newer cutter block fit both Braun 360 complete as well as Braun Activator shavers.

Braun has now discontinued the individual cutter blocks for these shavers and now they offer only the Braun Series 5 Combi 51S for both shavers. So, here's the deal:

>>If you are looking for an exact replacement for the Braun 360 Complete line of shavers, then this Braun Series 5 Combi 51S is the right product for you. It is identical to the one you previously had except that 360 complete is not written on it.

>>If you are looking for an exact replacement for the Braun Activator line of shavers then this is NOT the replacement for you. This will fit your shaver but it is a different product. You will be better served by getting the Braun Series 3 Combi 30B.

Now for the quality of this cutter block and foil. It cuts like the original. Since I never had another shaver or another cutter block, so I cannot compare it to another. My original foil that came with the shaver got chipped within 4 months. I was quite upset but went ahead and bought another one, the replacement lasted for almost 3 years. So, now I have bought this one, let's hope this lasts for 3 years too. I have been using it for a month. This is made in Germany. If I skip shaving one day then on the next shave this cutter block will occasionally pull some hair, but if I shave everyday then the shave is pain free and close. I will update this review if this foil fails before time.

I got the 51s as a replacement for me 8000 series think I was do for a change after 3 years. To that point I couldn't have been happier with my shaver. The foil cutter is terrible. I felt like i was going to my face with sandpaper and my shaves took 3x as long. I was tempted to go through my trash been to find the old 'beat' foil. I don't even have a thick beard and it was a struggle several times through

****Alternative****
I read on a few blogs that people had success using a "30B; series 3" replacement meant for a 4000/7000 series. I gave it a shot and my shaver is like new! It matches up perfect with the 8000 series, its just a different color plastic. Its also cheaper.

I wish I could return this horrific foil. Having used the same Braun for over 3 years, I decided to "upgrade" to this foil from my original Activator 8000 series. What a mistake. I get razor burn every shave and the foil grabs my stubble making every shave extremely painful. The old foils didn't do this after 18 months of use! This does it after 18 seconds! I am writing Braun in the hopes they will swap it with an old style 8000. AVOID THESE!

Braun changed the package and how they number their razors/refills. I used this with my 8000 self cleaning razor, I think its an 8985 or 8595 or something. In any case, as usual after replacing this stuff it shaves like new. I purchased the razor in the spring of 2005 and change it about every 12 -14 months, still going strong. I considered buying the new braun but changed my mind when I saw how much it was and knowing that with the new blade mine will be 94% as good as the new 'improved' version.

I had dutifully replaced my cutter/foil on my Braun Activator several times in the past and noticed no real difference (Or so I thought). So I decided to use my last replacement for the last three years or so thinking it was still fine. Long story short, I finally realized that not only were my shaves becoming less and less comfortable, the razor itself was less effective at giving me a close shave.

I finally broke down and ordered this combi cutter/foil replacement and I have to say, the difference is night and day. Shaves are more comfortable, closer and are finished quicker to boot. This new cutter/foil also seems to incorporate some advances from the series 5 generation of Braun Razors (The power cutter and blades are improved), so it seems to do a better job in that regard than the original Activator cutter/foil too. It really does feel like a new razor again.

Highly recommended for all my fellow cheapskates out there ;)

EDIT: 6 months have elapsed and it feels like performance of the cutter/foil has degraded dramatically. I have fairly thick stubble and my Activator razor now sounds like a weed whacker when I'm shaving. In addition, shaves are taking significantly longer than before (Almost 6 minutes today!), are uncomfortable and are not nearly as close as when I first bought this. I'm tempted to try and find one of the old Activator cutter/foil packs because this combi cutter/foil doesn't seem to last very long.

I've had a Braun 8585 for years...I ordered the replacement cutterblock and foil and received this (it's the new version of Braun 8000 Activator Combi-Pack Foil and Cutterblock Replacement Parts for Braun's Activator Razor Models 8595 and 8585). I found the shave quality decreased and the blades started pulling whiskers. If I skipped a day shaving I paid the price the next time I shaved - a very painful shave with many pulls. Also I was nicked more often.

I finally replaced the cutter and foil on my 8585 with this: Braun Series 3 Combi 30B Foil and Cutter Replacement Pack (Formerly 4700,7000). It fits perfectly and gives me an excellent shave. No more pulling, no nicks, and a closer shave. Definitely the way to renew an 8000-series razor. Read my review of that product (http://www.amazon.com/review/R3BR8AFAHU584G/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B001VH6F9G&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode=) for more detail. Just avoid the 51S and get the 30B!

I never thought I'd say anything bad about my Braun 8585 shaver, but the replacement foils and cutterblock have ruined a wonderful shaver.

Here's what happened....I used my original blades and foil for 2 to 3 years. The shaver gave me a GREAT shave. Then I replaced those blades with replacement foil and cutterblock. What a mistake! Apparently Braun was bought out by Gillette in 2005. Gillette changed the design of the blades and moved the manufacture of them to China. Well, now blades that are supposed to last 18 months only last 2-3 months. They are HORRIBLE.

I am so frustrated because it now takes me 3 times as long to shave and the results are just terrible. The shaver is cutting my face and not my hair. Yesterday, I ordered a Panasonic shaver because I can't afford to replace the blades every 2-3 months and get a crappy shave.

I used to love this shaver. What a shame.

I'm glad I read the reviews here on Amazon, because I realize that I'm not the only having issues with this foil. I have the 8595 razor, and the original foil lasted beyond 18 months before a hole formed. I purchased the 51S foil and cutter at Wal-Mart for ~$40 which is about $15 more than the other Braun foils, but says it's for the 8000 series razor on the package.

Just like the other reviewers, I found this foil is noisier and doesn't cut as well as the original foil. It also pulled on my whiskers, and it also started falling apart and is now unusable. Not exactly the quality I expect from Braun.

I bought the cheaper 7000 series foil as a replacement and it works more like the original foil and cutter. It's quieter, cuts faster, and hasn't pulled any hair out of my head (yet). The only down side to the cheaper foil is that it's black and the protective clear foil cover doesn't lock on to this foil as well.

I'd sooner sell my razor than use the 51S foil again!

This is the only replacement head set available for the Series 5 shavers with the "Optifoil" screen, even though this set has only the "Smartfoil" screen. That's right, Braun is selling a line of shavers without providing replacements for the advertised heads that it comes with. This Model 51S is the one specified in the Series 5 owner's manual. If you buy a new Series 5 shaver with the Optifoil head, in a year or so when it comes time to replace it, you will have to downgrade the new shaver to this older, inferior head. I have one of those shavers, and if Braun hasn't put out replacement heads of the type it came with by the time I need one, I'll try that Series 7000 replacement head.

I don't know what is happening to Braun. They used to be known for quality. Now they're cheapening things throughout their product line. See my review for the Braun 590cc/550cc shaver.

UPDATE: Please see the Comments under my review for the Braun 590cc/550cc. Optifoil replacement heads may finally be coming to market in the U.S. However, when I contacted the company that is showing the newer head in the picture on their Amazon listing, they replied that they did not have it in stock yet.