A reciprocatory dry shaver comprises a stationary cutter, a movable cutter, and a permanent-magnet linear motor having a stator and a reciprocator which is driven by an electric current to reciprocate relative to the stator. The reciprocator carries the movable cutter to reciprocate it in shearing engagement with the stationary cutter. A power circuit is included to provided an electric power to the motor. The shaver includes a detector which detects a displacement of the movable cutter and give an output indicative of the detected displacement of the movable cutter. Also included in the shaver is a controller which varies the electric power being fed to the motor in a feedback manner based upon the output from the speed detector in order to keep an oscillation amplitude of the movable cutter at constant. In this manner, the movable cutter can reciprocate without being jammed even when experiencing a heavy lead during the shaving, thereby avoiding undesired speed reduction of the movable cutter which would result in the lowering of the cutting efficiency. Thus, the reciprocatory dry shaver is capable of keeping a constant oscillation amplitude irrespective of a lead acting on a movable cutter to thereby assure a sharp cut even when the movable cutter experiences a heavy lead during the shaving.