Quality of Philips shavers made in Netherlands vs other places?

[Rmac86]

Hi all,

Trying to figure out if there is any measurable difference in the quality of Philips shavers made in different regions?

For example, my Norelco 2000 (made in Indonesia, sold in the USA) had the blades replaced and I noticed that the replacement blades had little “wings” which fitted into the retaining head. I compared this to my Philips 1000 (made in the Netherlands) and the original heads had these wings as standard.

Also there is a slight difference in the sound of the motor between the two, the series 1000 sounds ever so slightly more powerful than the 2000.

Looking at older models I have a well used HQ6990 (made in China) a recently restored HQ6831 (made in Holland), and the overall quality of the 6831 seems a lot better. Not that the 6990 doesn’t work well, but just comparing the two the almost twice as old Philishave seems better.

These are just some differences I noticed, the shave quality and general outcome is basically the same but I’m just wondering if anyone else noticed any differences in quality?

 

[Jim Elliott]

That's been my experience, as well. My Philips S3233/52 3000 series razor was made in Indonesia, and the SH30 heads that came installed didn't have the little wings. I then bought the Philishave S3552/89 3000 series razor made in the Netherlands and it had SH30 heads with the little wings. I prefer the look of it, too. The 3000 series made in Indonesia have a square look to them, and my Philishave S3552/89 is more rounded, and a little bit more like what I'm used to with Philips/Philishave. I once went four months between shaves with the Philishave S3552/89 and the battery didn't even need charging. The thing's a beast. The razors made in the Netherlands are better, no question. Years ago, I had a Norelco 6423LC made in China and it broke fairly soon after I bought it.

 

[Rmac86]

That's been my experience, as well. My Philips S3233/52 3000 series razor was made in Indonesia, and the SH30 heads that came installed didn't have the little wings. I then bought the Philishave S3552/89 3000 series razor made in the Netherlands and it had SH30 heads with the little wings. I prefer the look of it, too. The 3000 series made in Indonesia have a square look to them, and my Philishave S3552/89 is more rounded, and a little bit more like what I'm used to with Philips/Philishave. I once went four months between shaves with the Philishave S3552/89 and the battery didn't even need charging. The thing's a beast. The razors made in the Netherlands are better, no question. Years ago, I had a Norelco 6423LC made in China and it broke fairly soon after I bought it.

Very interesting Jim, it’s funny that you mention the Norelco 6423LC, as the comparable Philips model has recently come up in an online sale and it’s marked as “made in Holland”. I was going to pull the trigger on this one but now I’m questioning if it’s worth it.

Obviously I don’t need any more shavers, but when something with this rarity comes up I generally tend to jump, but given what you said I may reconsider.


Thanks,

R

 

[Shaverman]

I suspect there is perhaps something to where a shaver is made, just like cars (my wife only wanted her Mercedes made in Germany, nowhere else). For my large collection of shavers, though, I can't say I notice any real quality or performance differences regarding geography. My new made in USA Remingtons (XLR-800s) seem solid, though heavy, and shave extremely smoothly. My Dutch-made Philips are beautiful and assembled well, but don't shave as close as the American-made Remington Microscreens I have from the 80s. Most of the Chinese or Indonesian-made shavers seem, well, as good as many of the others. But I also think when you pay more you'll get more and a good warranty. My Prestige Ultra was expensive, even with the Philips discount, but they gave me a generous 7-year warranty. I guess, for me, the quality of the shaver and its performance would supersede where it was assembled. My gym shavers (corded Philips 1000) are made in Indonesia and perform as well as the old 1000 I had years ago made in Holland.