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: I think I need to go with a vintage model to get quality...
Summary: 1 Stars
It seems there are few consumer items produced to the durability standards of yesteryear. Not getting wistful in my old age, and not yet a senior citizen regardless, just usually the case and true here as well. I never bought a safety razor new before but vintage (antique?) ones are often sold at flea markets and elsewhere and I tried one years ago. Needless to say though they're not allowed at basic military training so I switched to ordinary blades and didn't consider switching back for a long time.
Any blades work perfectly well as far as I know, maybe the expensive European ones last longer but the advantage to safety razors is lower expense over time, plus it creates less trash so maybe Al Gore will send you a Christmas card? Along similar lines, check out ARKO foaming shave soap. A stick of soap meant to be rubbed on your face, instead slice it up and mold it into the bottom of a wide diameter shaving mug, foam it up with a badger brush and PRESTO, foam to rival a modern canister.
But back to brass tacks. I've had this for a couple months and tightening it enough to get the blades in what seems like the right position has led to to structural failure of the lower half of the closing mechanism. Dad was plant engineer and maintainence supervisor at a cannery so figuratively at least I learned at my Father's knee how to property tighten, without overtightening, a screw, bolt, or mechanism like this. In hindsight the quality (tensile strength perhaps?) of the metal in this razor is like comparing serious hardware to the screws/nuts/bolts at WalMart. Am I being too harsh because of my particular bad experience? Doubtful, especially as for a comparable price, there are plenty of antique stores nearby with high quality safety razors and I look forward to looking at what's available, carefully inspecting and comparing mechanisms, and ending up with a comparably priced razor that I'll be happy with for years to come. .
Customer Review: Great
Summary: 5 Stars
After trying every available modern shaving gadget (cartridge razors, electric razors, etc) I decided to go old school because nothing was 100% satisfactory. Cartridge refill prices were absurd and gave me nasty burns. I used electric razors for years and they worked fine but I'd still get razor burn due to having to go over the same area multiple times.
Although I will keep my electric razor handy for whenever I'm in a pinch (time, traveling, etc) Shaving with a DE safety razor is an experience unmatched by any modern contraption. This razor gives me smooth and comfortable shaves without irritation. It is outstanding when used with a quality shaving soap, a badger brush, and a quality aftershave.
Sure, the shaves are slower but since you are paying more attention to what you are doing you get a more even and closer shave with less passes. Mine came with the Shark blades and they work very well for me (plus, they hold their edge very well.)
Good craftsmanship, a very solid razor that no doubt will last many many years. I like the twist to open mechanism which makes blade changing fast and safer. The only down side is that it tends to collect soap scum quite easily but it's not a big deal for me since it cleans easy. After every few shaves I just rinse it with very hot water and towel it off and it's shiny again.
There is a learning curve but it isn't as pronounced as others have said. Basically, you have to unlearn any bad habits you've picked up by using multi blade modern razors and, maybe the hardest thing, remember not to apply pressure.
Bottomline is that this is a quality product at a competitive price. I don't know why so many have abandoned traditional shaving in favor of the low quality and mega expensive multi blade cartridges, but nothing comes close to a shave with this razor, a nice shaving soap, a badger brush, and a nice aftershave. You don't know what you are missing!
Customer Review: If you have wanted to try using a safety razor.....
Summary: 5 Stars
....this is a great place to start. This is my first safety razor. I wanted to make the switch to save money, since "modern" razor replacements constitute a costly recurring expense. I had also read that safety razors provided a superior shave to even the the latest multi-bladed razors.
I can verify this is indeed the case. The learning curve for this razor is not as steep as I had thought, though you cannot simply drag it around the face and neck as most current razors allow the user to. The amount of time I spend shaving is only a little longer, but this is due to applying quality shaving products, and carefully using the safety razor to produce a baby-soft shave with multiple applications of shaving cream and shaving over multiple passes. The time is well spent, and I find that a shave using this method will last much longer than before.
This is not to say you won't have some cuts or razor burn at first, since your skin has to adjust, as does the the user to new shaving habits, but the investment of time, and money is well spent.
This razor is very solid and has good weight, something you want in a safety razor since you use the weight of the razor resting against your skin to move the blade around as opposed to pressing down as most modern shavers are accustomed to doing.
The razor comes with two packages of blades, each containing 5 blades. A blade will last the typical user about 5 shaves if proper attention is paid to the correct amount of shaving cream, use of hot water, and proper care of the razor. The Ten 7AM Platinum blades are good, though I will be trying other brands of blades to determine which I like the best. Replacement of the blades is easy using the butterfly function.
If you want to try using a traditional razor that delivers great quality for an excellent price, this is the best unit to start with. Very recommended.
Customer Review: The thicker the beard, the better it is
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been using a Mach 3 for years, so that is my frame of reference and what I'm inevitably comparing this razor to. I bought the Parker 22R because Mach 3 blades have gotten so expensive.
The Mach 3 is like shaving with a feather - so light and it's almost like it never touches your skin. The Parker 22R is heavy, with the most of the weight in the head of the razor. That's the first difference.
Second, the Mach 3 tends to get clogged with whiskers if it's not rinsed well after every stroke. The Parker 22R is difficult to clog and it rinses cleanly. I started using shaving creme in a tube after I bought the Parker 22R because it's thicker and slicker, but I couldn't use it with the Mach 3 because it would gum up the multiple blades.
The real difference between the two is that you have to learn how to shave with a safety razor. You know how the head on a Mach 3 pivots? It's the kind of thing you take for granted until you don't have it. With the Parker 22R you have to manually tilt the razor to follow the contour of your face or you get little nicks. I took mindless shaving for granted before I got this razor, and it took about a month to get as comfortable with the Parker 22R as I was with the Mach 3.
Mach 3 blades are sharp. The Shark blades that came with this razor are equally sharp. I change the safety razor blade a little less frequently than I did the Mach 3 cartridges; they last a little longer.
I waited three months to write this review because I remember when I first used a Mach 3 it felt weird - too light and too prone to nicking my face. So I wanted to give this razor some time to see if I'd like it the way I liked the Mach 3. I do. The savings from the less expensive blades is just a bonus. There's something about picking up this shiny, substantial, old school razor and getting a close shave in the morning that's satisfying.
Customer Review: Nice safety razor, easy to load!
Summary: 5 Stars
My dad likes his electric shaver, but I can't afford a $175 self cleaning Braun.
Every time I buy cartridge razors, the price makes me pause. Same goes for shaving creme.
Electric or cartridge, I've never been happy with the shave quality, and my wife always complains about my cheeks being too scratchy.
Well, no longer!
I bought a R22, the plain and almond scented Col Conk's shave soap, the Tweezermans badger hair brush, and a metal shaving bowl for travel.
I bought the R22 butterfly style safety razor because I was concerned about cutting myself trying to load a regular one. Maybe I am too much of a coward, but this thing is a cinch to load! Twist the handle to open, drop in the blade, twist to close. The razor itself has a good weight, and is a medium gunmetal grey color.
Col Conks almond scented shave bar has a great smell, and looks like it will last a loooong time! The most important thing is to get a firm foam out of the soap. Too runny, and it doesn't shave well. Same goes for the razor, it should glide over the skin. Dip it in the sink if it begins to stick or drag.
I've shaved 3 times now using these tools, and each time I get better. I have yet to nick myself, and little razorburn. My wife appreciates my smooth cheeks. It is a LOT more comfortable than any single or double edge cartridge razor, which I've had to use in a pinch. And it takes me only 1 swipe to shave closer than my mach 3 ever could. One nice thing is the safety razor provides very audible feedback as you cut, so you can tell when you are doing things right.
Great cut, great price. Comes with 10 blades, each one will last about a week. $50 for everything I bought, and blades are cheap. What more can you ask?
You can probably spend more on the brush, or the soap, but so far I've been happy with everything.