Customer Rating: 
Summary: Mangroomer Back Shaver
Comment: My back is pretty hairy, normally not the hairiest at the beach or the gym, but usually a close second or third. I have a lot of hair on my shoulders as well. Anyway, I was tired of looking myself with all that hair in the bathroom mirror (my wife was probably tired of it, too, but she was too nice to say anything about it),and wanted to give the MANGROOMER a try before something more radical like waxing or laser removal.
My first impression on opening up the packaging is that this thing is very cheaply made. It is constructed out of flimsy plastic and it looks and feels like it could break quite easily. The operation of the button and slider mechanism that extends the handle is not smooth at all. I had expected this from the reviews I read here, but it was still a disappointment given the price.
OK, but how does it work on a hairy back like mine? I put in 2 AA batteries and went to work. Initially, I did not think it was working. Plus, it stung quite a bit when it grabbed hairs (note to MANGROOMER - higher quality blades would be nice!). Nonetheless, I continued to plug away - up, down, sideways, diagonally, and eventually I saw that the hair was, in fact, coming off.
The handle is ingenious. No problems reaching any part of my back. I used a hand mirror and a bathroom mirror to guide myself. With a little practice, I found that I could aim it just about anywhere I wanted it to go. 45 minutes and two sets of Energizer batteries later, my back was reasonably clean, albeit with red marks all over (which went away after a day or so). My skin was also quite tender for a few hours afterwards. My back was not completely smooth. There was a bit of stubble, but nothing you could see from more than 3 feet away. I assume that, much like an electric razor, if I keep using the MANGROOMER over time the shaves will get closer as my skin adjusts.
I would use the MANGROOMER in conjunction with another product, like the Phillips Norelco BG2020, or maybe even a regular disposable razor. The BG2020 is more comfortable and the razor probably shaves a bit closer. Unfortunately, you just can't reach all areas of your back with either of them. Use the BG2020 or a razor on the areas you can reach, and the MANGROOMER on the areas you can't. Have not tried the Razorba product, but I did not think it would work for me, at least at first, given the length and amount of hair on my back. Now that I've got a good start, though, I might give it a try.
