Why are most shaver sockets dual voltage?

[Willi]

Out of interest, does anyone know why in most homes/fittings in the uk are the shaver points dual voltage. i.e. 115 & 240 when all shavers I have ever seen sold in the uk are 240v Regards, Will

[Andy Hall]

Because you might have an American visitor.

[Frank Erskine]

Most shaver sockets are fitted in hotels and other places occupied by visitors who may well be from countries where 115v is the norm.

[Roger Mills (aka Set Square)]

You might have American visitors!

Since, being in a bathroom, they have to have an isolating transformer, it's very easy to provide a 110v tapping.

[Andrew Gabriel]

Mine have all been dual voltage or wide range, 100-250V.

I noticed in the instructions for a shaver socket it says wide range devices (typically chargers with SMPSU) should be used on the 120V side, as they often draw very little current, and the offload output voltage of a shaver socket can be up to 270V.

[Frank Erskine]

Although I do somewhere have an eclectic razor, I always prefer a conventional manual "wet" razor, being faster and more thorough than any powered one.

I draw the line at a "cut-throat" razor :-) The Gillette Mach 3 Turbo is my current favourite, with "Body Shop" Shave Cream.

[<me9]

What happened to your facial fungal appendage?

[Guy King]

The message from Frank Erskine contains these words:

I use hair-conditioner and a wet razor - conditioner's much slipperier than soap and doesn't make my face feel like I'm wearing Michael Jackson's face all day.

[Christian McArdle]

Because they can. As a transformer is already required in a bathroom shaver adaptor for safety isolation reasons, it only costs a few extra pence to have the 115V outlet. There's no point in stocking two types (and hotels need the dual voltage version for international travellers), so only the dual voltage versions are made.

Christian.

[Helen Deborah Vecht]

Guy King typed

So *that's* why you don't look like him all day...

[Christian McArdle]

Have you tried the new M3Power with the battery operated vibrating blade? I bought one recently as they'd sold out of conventional Mach 3s. Very sceptical, but utterly converted. Gets much closer and actually hurts less.

Christian.

[Nigel Molesworth]

I use disposables, Gillette Blue II Slalom. Are the ones with disposable blades worth the extra cost?

I can recommend King Of Shaves gel.

[The3rd Earl Of Derby]

Most shavers can be switched between 240v and 110v and has been said you might have a yank visiting or you might visit a yank in which case you can switch you're shaver to suit their supply. ;-)

[Tim Downie]

But still not a patch on Wilkinson Sword Quattro blades.

Tim

[Christian McArdle]

Absolutely, I had to use a Gillette Blue II at my mum's because I forgot my razor. Next time I forget I'll use a wire brush in a power drill. Less painful. Closer cut.

Christian.

[Christian McArdle]

I should say that single voltage versions WITHOUT the safety isolator transformer are available for a fraction of the cost. However, these are not suitable for bathrooms, limiting their potential uses.

Christian.

[manatbandq]

In some cases the blades are identical. I use the blades from twin swivel disposables in a nicely balanced metal Gillette (forget what model but it's a few years old now). The heavier handle and a decent shaving gel are worth more than the higher cost of "disposable" blades to fit the handle.

Razors are like ink-jet printers. The sell you the razor with a couple of blades then rip you off for the consumables.

MBQ

[Nigel Molesworth]

Was it a new one? I nearly killed my wife after she used my razor for her legs, then put it back.

[Christian McArdle]

Yes. I popped out to the petrol station to buy a bag. I have particularly sensitive skin, though. I'm sure some people can cope with them.

Christian.

[Mary Fisher]

I can't understand why any man doesn't want to look like a man. Not shaving saves time, money and pain :-)

Mary