Parker 22R - Long Handle Butterfly Open Double Edge Safety Razor & 10 Shark Super Chrome Blades
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List Price: Our Price: $28.77 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Health Care See more product details |
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Customer Reviews of Parker 22R - Long Handle Butterfly Open Double Edge Safety Razor & 10 Shark Super Chrome Blades
Customer Review: Good shave, but its all in the process
Summary: 4 Stars
I have done shaving with a safety razor before, so when it came time recently to go back to it I discovered this Parker 22R Double Edge Razor. What drew me to it was, of course, the razor, but also the price: some websites want twice as much. Now, if treated properly, safety razors can last a very long time and, more importantly, depending on the shaver; how proficient he is in proper shaving practices. People often throw away the razor because they think it's the razor's fault their shave stinks when in reality it's their fault for not preparing and executing the shave properly.
Shaving with any safety razor takes time and practice; thus, for the first timer, it's best to buy inexpensive. Besides that, just about any safety razor will do as far as function. In consideration, this razor cost more than most plastic starter razors; on the other hand, the replacement blades for, say, a Mach 3, can cost as much as the Parker, those replacement blades may not even last one shave.
Overall, the Parker 22R in performance has all the pros and cons of safety razor shaving. The cons are that, by design, the support frame bar you can see is located in the middle of the blade opening; that can interfere in the shaving process a bit. This leads back to proper shaving technique: modern cartridge blades, by design, are meant to get a clean cut in one pass, but in safety razor shaving it requires more than one pass if you want a close shave. It isn't just that everyone's beard is different; proper technique with a safety razor requires little to no pressure on the face for the blades do not 'lift and cut'. In other words you are going for 'beard reduction' instead of 'beard removal'. This can be a time consuming practice, but some can become so good it can shrink the time considerably.
But because of these multiple passes, shaving cream is required to avoid burn. I recommend shaving soap, along with a brush and cup: of course, this drives the initial price up, but consider this: the shaving soap lasts longer than that found in compressed cans.
The soap and the brush are part of the pros: initial costs will become savings in the long run. And consider that just about any double razor blade can fit in the butterfly-opening head of the Parker 22R. I have found very little differences in blades except in price, so a 10 pack of inexpensive blades will cost far less than a 5 pack of Mach 3 blades, for example. Of course, letting this Parker be your first safety razor does have the bonus 10 blades that come with it.
Just always remember: learn about the proper process of shaving, and once you do with this product you won't regret it.
Customer Review: A good intro DE razor for me. Shave like your grandpa did!
Summary: 4 Stars
This was my first double edge safety razor and it amazed me with the difference in the quality of shave that you get with one of these vice the current "cutting edge" razors. If you are looking to try out shaving with a DE razor, this one won't set you back much in case you find that you don't like it. I understand that it is supposedly an "aggressive" razor and I definately did get some nicks with it but I was learning how to shave with a DE also. You don't just push these into your face as you would with the double, triple, quadruple blade razors that are used these days, you use your wrist, shorter strokes, weight of the razor etc. and a decent quality shaving cream or soap. After learning proper technique, I managed to shave my entire head and face without receiving nicks on a regular basis. There are definitely better DE razors out there and I have moved on now (paying more $$) but this one performs well enough to show you that you can give yourself a barber shop quality shave and the DE blades are cheap! I was tired of getting burned at $20 a shot for 4 triple blade heads that really don't do that great a job of giving you a clean, smooth shave and wear out quickly (at least if your have a heavy beard like I do). As for this razor, it looks modern and cool with its design and gunmetal finish, it's lightweight (too light for me but maybe good when learning), the TTO mechanism is smooth, the handle is long enough for larger hands but is somewhat slim (I use a thicker handled, heavier DE now), it can be slippery, I have dropped it and I find that its easy to accidentally loosen the TTO ring while shaving. It will give you a good smooth shave beyond what you are used to with wet razors and obviously the electrics. I gave it 4 stars because it was good enough to make me a "believer" in DE razors while realizing that there are better ones which cost more $$$. I would recommend this razor if you want a clean shave, are tired of shelling out money for multi blade heads and don't mind relearning how to shave again (it didn't take long). I also recommend buying different brands of blades to use with this and find out which work best for you, the Sharks were OK but I found others that suited me better, they are all pretty cheap. I wish that I had tried this years ago..Customer Review: Great razor with a single flaw
Summary: 4 Stars
I've been using the Parker 22r for six months now, and overall I'm very happy with it.
I first started looking into safety razors when my Atra handle broke. I couldn't find a replacement Atra, and went with a Sensor. When my Sensor handle started having issues, there were NO replacements available. I tried the Mach3 that I was sent free, but the large flat head just didn't work for me. Neither did the cost of replacement cartridges.
After looking for a while, I settled on the Parker 22r as a first (hopefully only) double-edge razor. It looks fantastic - the pictures don't do it justice. I think the finish is called 'black chrome', and for good reason. It is solid metal, and has a nice weight. I spent a few minutes just opening & closing the doors, which remind me of the space shuttle. It really is that cool.
The supplied blades work well enough for me that I will use them before getting a sampler pack. Unlike plastic razors, you have to really pay attention to the blade angle against your face. It takes a shave or two to get used to, but after the first week it is automatic.
Several other reviews have mentioned a problem with the head holding the blade in place, but that seems to have been corrected on the one that I got.
The only problem that I have with this razor is that the 'knob' used to open the doors is the largest part of the handle. In the picture, the part closest to the head with straight fluting is affixed to the head, while the rest of the handle, with the spiral cuts is the knob used to open it. This caused me some difficulty at first, as I was holding the handle and the head would pivot, allowing the blade to slip loose. I've taught myself to hold it at the neck, but I think a standard end knob would have been much better. I almost gave it 3 stars, but the finish and 'cool' factor outweigh the handle problem.
While I wouldn't buy this again because of the handle issue, it is a quality razor and the fit and finish are excellent.
Customer Review: Excellent so far
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great safety razor. It has been my only safety razor since I decided to switch to this kind, so I can't compare it to others. However, I will review my experience here.
The razor is very easy to load with a blade (some, you have to unscrew the whole head. This one has a "butterfly" top, which opens to load the blade. Really easy.)
The razor so far (a month into using it exclusively) seems well built. Nothing broken, nothing lose. Only a very, very minor scratch I made a couple of days ago, but it was my fault.
Two things to keep in mind:
1. Clean this razor after every shave with a cloth. I use a small towel to quickly swipe the inside and the outside. I always clean the blade separately AND VERY CAREFULLY NOT TO CUT MYSELF OR THE TOWEL. Just tap the blade with the towel.
2. Shaving with this takes more time than using a Mach3 or an electric razor. Shave a small rectangle of your face with one side, use the other side to shave a second small area and rinse the razor. Repeat until you've gone through your whole face. After you've gone through your face, re-apply shaving cream or lather and get ready for another pass through your face. It usually takes me 3 passes to shave well One north-south pass, one accross the direction of hair growth and one against. The idea with a Double Edged safety razor is to progressively reduce hair. It works. It took me two shaves and four to five minor cuts to learn how to use it. (almost no pressure: follw this link: [...] For the record, I have very sensitive skin and thin hair.
To sum up the shave: I get as close a shave as I did before with my Mach3. It takes considerably longer (10-20 minutes vs. 3-5) However, I HAVE NOT HAD RAZOR BUMPS NOR INGROWN HAIRS since I started using. Blades are cheap and I feel better about using only blades in optimum condition and throwing away the blade when it is slightly sub-optimal. Lastly, it has a feel of elegance and skill to shave with one of these.
Customer Review: Great Blades of Glory
Summary: 5 Stars
First off I have to say that I am a relative newcomer at this traditional style of shaving. I have been shaving for 16+ years and I have always found myself somewhat disappointed by the results given from by disposable blades. As time has passed I have tried every disposable known to man from the old 2 blade Bic's to the more recent 5 blade Gillette's. Each one left me bloody and burnt. A while back I was talking to an older gentleman at my local barber shop. The conversation had moved to shaving and several were complaining about their disposables causing razor burn and constant nicks and cuts.
This older gentleman decided we needed a lesson on manliness. After about 30 minutes of talking about how he has always shaved with a double blade safety razor and never has any burn or cuts. Always one to take advice when given by someone with experience and who is trustworthy. (I trust my barber more than I do the people I work with... sad isn't it...) I decided I would give it a try. I hopped on Amazon and quickly turned up the Parker 22R. After reading the reviews I thought I would go ahead and get it along with the Col. Conk Bay Rum Shave Soap, Soap Bowl 7 Tweezerman Shave Brush. All in all I spent around $35 (free shipping).
Everything arrived within a couple days I am here to say that I will never go back to a disposable for as long as I live. The shave given by the razor is the closest shave I have ever experienced. The scent of the Bay Rum Soap takes me back in time to a place long forgotten. After my shave I use a Bay Rum After Shave lotion that leaves me feeling like a new man.
I have yet to cut myself and I have not had razor burn since this arrived. Each blade lasts about 7-8 shaves even on my tough beard and I actually don't have a 5 o'clock shadow until way after 5pm! I recommend this razor to anyone who is looking for a well made beginning double blade safety razor. The black chrome finish is really nice and durable.