Platinum XL Nose & Ear Hair Trimmer

I love this thing.Just what the doctor ordered. This marvelous little doo-dad, no bigger than a pencil stub, absolutely works wonders!When I couldn't keep ahead of my nose and ear hair proliferation, and trimming with the round-tip scissors sometimes caused painful ingrown nose hairs, I realized that an instrument especially designed to cut the hairs well enough above the skin line to avoid the ingrown hair problem (which is very annoying, and also very painful) was definitely in order.Except when I looked in the medicine cabinet, there sat my battery-driven nose-hair trimmer, encrusted with a beautiful blue-green patina of battery corrosion.So I threw it in the trash, and immediately ordered this.I really looked forward to using this, because it was touted as not needing batteries of any kind, and was strictly mechanical.My experience with a cordless shaver caused me to order new cutting blades, when the real problem was just weak batteries.I had become convinced that the stubble on my neck and under my chin was too tough for a mere cordless shaver, when it finally dawned on me that the batteries just weren't getting the job done. But you don't realize it with a battery-powered shaver, because they are being perpetually recharged. You think the blades are dull, but the motor is actually just not turning fast enough.This is your first clue that the batteries won't last forever. But it doesn't become immediately apparent that this is the problem: You end up having to buy new blades before you figure it out.So I ordered a new corded electric shaver, and zipped right through my daily shave in virtually no time at all, and got a perfectly smooth, close shave, almost in an instant.Suddenly, the stubborn hairs on my neck and under my jaw were no longer any problem whatsoever.And, by the way: The new electric shaver cost less than batteries alone would have cost for the cordless shaver.On top of which, on that particular shaver, the batteries weren't simply plug-in replacement batteries; you actually had to have new batteries soldered in place - which meant that you had to find a dealer that would/could do it, and pay his price, whatever that might be.I hate batteries, anyway. They're a curse, and a source of endless frustration - not to mention being increasingly more expensive.Of course, we don't really have much choice, do we? If you've got a tool that uses batteries, no matter how much they cost, what are you going to do, not buy more batteries?I've gone through batteries on hedge trimmers, edgers, drills, lawnmowers, shavers, self-propelled golf carts, and now nose-hair trimmers, and I'm THROUGH WITH BATTERIES! Guess what? You can have a whole platoon of battery-powered tools, but without batteries, THEY ARE WORTHLESS!And there is no such thing as a universal battery, which will fit everything you've got that needs batteries.They are all different voltage, and all designed to fit only the specific tool they were made for, but not anything else. Every tool has it's own battery, designed to fit that particular tool.And of course, they all need the one, specifically designed battery for that particular application, and usually available only from the manufacturer of that particular product.Which means that whatever price they decide to charge you is the price you pay.But you do have an alternative. Your alternative is to do without.Or, very often, they discontinue that model, which means that you may or may not be able to get batteries for it.Of course, they usually come up with a "new and improved" model, which uses completely different batteries. And by a strange coincidence, the new model is always more expensive.The question arises: If you can no longer get batteries to fit your old tool - no matter if the tool is still in excellent condition, what good is it?Oddly enough, you may still be able to find batteries for it, but you discover that they cost more than you originally paid for the tool!Being faced with this situation a few times, I have decided to exercise my alternative: NO MORE BATTERIES!But with this little jewel, you won't ever need any kind of battery, and you'll get quick and easy nose and ear grooming, which leaves you feeling clean and neat, and with virtually no effort.How great is that?PS: From some of the reviews I've read, I suspect that one problem may be that people are twisting the handle, rather than just turning or twirling it back and forth, as recommended in the instructions.Just holding the top part steady, and twisting the bottom part back and forth with the other hand, does the job beautifully.About a quarter-turn to the right and back to the left is all it takes.I was a little concerned with possibly having hairs pulled or yanked from my nose - which is so painful it brings tears to your eyes.But not to worry: It's even easier to work the handle back and forth than it is to twist it, and that works to perfection. I have gotten fantastic results - right from the get-go, and I do love it.

I was intrigued to try a non-battery operated nose/ear trimmer, and after speaking with the company, I decided to try the Platinum XL (U.S made two-handed model) and the TrimIt (Japanese made one-handed model)both sold by Groom Mate. Let me say that this company is very open to questions and really tried to make me happy with my purchase. I like that, and it is so rare in today's marketplace.Both of the nose/ear trimmers arrived sealed and brand new. Both were better made than I expected, much better made; the Platinum XL was notably hefty and durable. Another rare find in today's world of cheap throw-away consumables.I was fully expecting the Japanese made one-handed TrimIt model to wipe the floor with the two-handed XL, but I was wrong. Using two hands to twist and guide the XL made for a faster and closer nose trimming experience. Also, the tactile feel of using two hands made me feel more in control.When I went to my ears, I feared that having to use two hands to use the XL trimmer would lead to a clumsy experience: That fear was unfounded. The Platinum XL works great on the ears, and I had no fear of nicking either.The TrimIt works nice, but I often feel that I am just clacking along with no sense of how the job is going. To its credit, it is super comfortable to use on the ears.It is true that the XL (and the TrimIt) require a little more time than the battery operated ones that I have used (those that actually cut hair), but the extra time spent was negligible. More important, I know I am using a quality machine when I am using either the Platinum XL or the TrimIt.For the record, I have plenty of experience with battery operated nose/ear trimmers. I have used the Sharper Image battery trimmers and after the 2.0 they literally did not cut worth a darn. The 5.0 twirls the blade so fast that my eyes watered, and that's no joke...and no fun either. Besides, they break far too fast for a product as expensive as they are. The Remington model is decently made but is worthless for cutting nose hair (the side burn attachment is ok but it's not why I bought it!). The two Panasonic models I had recently bought were slower and cut good, but both broke within months of use...I was afraid to buy another! That's what brought me to these non-battery operated nose/ear trimmers.As I stated earlier, both the XL and the TrimIt are amazingly well made; I fully expect them to last for years of use.I never expected to be so into a nose/ear trimmer, and 20 years ago I would have laughed at the prospect of even needing one. Now, at 42, it's a weekly reality that I don't need to worry about--will my nose trimmer break, will the new model even cut, etc. Thanks to the Platinum XL, I know I now have a tool that I can rely on to do the job, so I don't have to worry about entering the world with any hints of embarrassment holding me back.The Platinum XL is easily the best Nose/Ear trimmer I have ever used, and the TrimIt is worth your consideration if it suits your style.I hope my review has helped you to make a decision on whether to buy a Groom Mate trimmer and the pros and cons of these two top of the line trimmer models.All the Best, MLC