Parker SR1 Stainless Steel Straight Edge Razor and 5 Shark Super Stainless blades
|
List Price: Our Price: $18.97 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Health Care See more product details |
|---|
Customer Reviews of Parker SR1 Stainless Steel Straight Edge Razor and 5 Shark Super Stainless blades
Customer Review: Better than the Shavette
Summary: 5 Stars
I sincerely wish I'd purchased this before the Dovo Shavette Straight Razor with Black Handle instead of as a replacement for it (go ahead and read my review there for why).
The blade holder here is all metal with a metal clip holding the halves together. The blade stays where it's put. The thing feels balanced similarly to my two regular straights and weighs within 8 grams of my favorite of the two (an ERN Crown and Sword at 50 grams compared to this Parker at 42 grams) according to my postal scale. I can't tell the difference of just a 1/2 ounce by feel.
Completely ignore the one star review. The whole thing is made of stamped metal.
I was concerned by the two and three star reviews but have none of the problems they referenced (except that the Shark blades are even worse than they say, but then this isn't a review of the blades). Mine has no burs or lips on the metal and easily opens all the way. Perhaps because the one I got doesn't have "specially made for Arabian countries" stamped on it? Either way there is no pitting or scarring of the metal.
I've been using straights for a few years so most of the four star reviews weren't relevant.
If you already know how to use a straight this makes an excellent addition to a travel bag (I mail the blades ahead).
If you don't already know how to use a straight you should watch some streaming video tutorials before trying this. If you are new to straight razor shaving here's a few pointers:
* take a long, hot shower before shaving (it softens the hair and skin making things easier)
* use your disposable beforehand (makes things easier and builds confidence, you'll still pull off stubble)
* use plenty of shave soap, not regular soap (the glycerin makes all the difference)
* lather after every swipe or two, don't let your face or the soap on it get at all dry (or the blade may stick and you will bleed)
* only do the cheeks the first time, stay away from the chin, jaw line, neck, and upper lip!
* expect to spend at least an hour the first couple of times, you will eventually get almost as fast as with a safety razor
* keep some styptic handy (it's extremely cheap and works like magic)
* DON'T put any pressure on the blade, just let it glide along. It does it's job by sharpness not sawing
* Finally, THROW AWAY THE BLADES THAT COME WITH THIS! They will give you a bad experience!
I don't know that I would give this as a gift (unless a bowl, brush, blades, and soap were part of the gift) but I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one for myself.
Customer Review: It's worth the change and the learning curve!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been interested in straight razor shaving for about the past year. I finally took the plunge and purchased a decent razor at an antique shop. There are two problems, however: 1) I'm not entirely ready to make the financial plunge to buy good water stones and leather strops, and 2) I didn't want to waste all of the Derby blades I have for my Gillette Double Edge safety razor.
Solution? Buy a Parker SR1 "straight razor" as an interim solution!
Okay, I've been using this razor for the past 3 weeks or so with my Derby DE blades snapped in half. The learning curve was about the same as the learning curve I had going into safety razor shaving: about a week and a half.
I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that my shaves are now better than ever. Closer, less irritation... and more enjoyable! All things that I noticed when I went from the Gillette Fusion to a safety razor, only now they're just that much better. As far as the razor itself is concerned, I couldn't be happier. It feels very good in the hand, has a nice weight, and holds the blades very securely. The swing is reasonably tight, so I don't ever feel worried about the angle changing mid-stroke.
If you decide to take the plunge (and I would encourage you to do so if you are even to the point of reading reviews for this razor!), there are three things I would recommend to you:
1) If you don't already have a blade that you prefer, pick up a sample pack of blades from West Coast Shaving and pick what works best for your face/skin. Then you can buy a larger pack of that brand. A 100 pack of Derby blades cost me $20... that's 200 blade refills for this razor!
2) Until you get the hang of straight razor shaving... go slow! You will cut yourself at first: accept this right now. But you can minimize the cuts and potential danger by being careful and taking your time.
3) Enjoy yourself. Straight razor shaving is starting to become very enjoyable for me, which has a two-fold effect. First, I don't mind now that it takes a bit longer to complete the shave. Second, I'm more at ease with the process and find that I have better control of the blade when I'm enjoying my time.
Customer Review: Quite nice
Summary: 5 Stars
I originally bought this razor to keep my hairline edged up. I had been doing so with a Gillette razor, but it was hard to see because the handle and plastic of the cartridge covered up the blades, usually causing me to shave too much off.
So I bought this. I started off using this to edge up my hairline (at which it does an EXCELLENT job). Thanks to this thing I could get a sharp edge-up without having to see my barber.
Eventually, curiosity led me to attempt a full-faced shave with it. And brother that was the smoothest shave I have ever gotten. Of course the first time I used it, I nicked myself quite a few times, but as I used it more and more, I managed to cut myself less and less each time.
Now I will agree with other users, shaving with one of these requires a bit of time and patience. You can't just go one time over like with a regular razor and have the hair gone. You need to go over the spot a few times before its a smooth shave. Furthermore, one of the reasons I cut myself so much is because I was applying too much pressure, which I eventually deduced was not the right way to do it. You can't apply too much pressure like with a regular razor. You need to go over your face lightly each time. So if you're pressed for time in the mornings, I suggest you stick to a regular razor or move your shaving to the night before.
Anyway, I really like this razor, and it has become my usual method of shaving. I feel like such a badass shaving with this thing. I'll be handing my old Gillette Mach 3 down to my brother once he starts shaving.
And by the way, I showed the razor to my Pakistani friend. According to him, the Arabic writing (which, to me, makes the razor look all the more badass) means "Sword" and "Made in India".
Customer Review: Good shave once you learn how to use it
Summary: 5 Stars
I have a very thick, very tough beard. I had been thinking of switching from the standard disposable razor to a straight razor for awhile because I'd always heard how close the shave was. I bought this item as a "starter kit," a way to learn how to use a straight razor and see if it was for me before I spent a large amount on a real straight razor. The product itself works just fine. Yes, I did cut myself a few times, but after about a week I had the technique down and I've been blood-free ever since. I read many of the negative reviews prior to my purchase and I really think most of these are complaints about the cuts, and not the product itself. I get that, but I feel any cuts are as a result of poor technique, not a product defect. There are several tricks you need to know to use this or any other straight razor. First, you have to hold the blade at about a 30 degree angle relative to your face. Second, it helps to get your face wet, then later it thoroughly before the blade touches your skin. Third, go gentle. Lastly, be prepared to go over your face twice to really get a good shave; the trick is to gradually reduce the amount of hair with each stroke, not to completely remove your beard on the first pass. There is a bit of a learning curve, but once you get it down the shave is good. I'm not upgrading to a traditional razor, but I recommend this product to anyone who wants to give straight razor shaving a try without breaking the bank.Customer Review: Awesome Razor
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this with Parker double edge 82R thinking its just $17 bucks I will give it a shot or just keep it in bathroom just for show. It looks nice not the nicest finish but still has the old world look and surprisingly small and handy still extremely useful.
Now about putting it to use. The day I got it I had no clue what I was doing but I just wanted to try it out and needless to say I did cut myself not too bad but still bad. Well I thought may be straight razor is not for me. But then watched few more online videos and then tried again with some patience and time. And I have one word WOW!!!. Straight razor would definitely do a great job compared to anything out there. I mean it has to, it makes sense but still you get that wow feeling when you try it successfully for the first time.
It does require careful shaving but shaving should always be careful I have cut myself worse with Mach3 because it lets you be careless and does not let you get a close shave because of fixed blade angle. Here you have absolute control and thats what makes the whole difference. And its fun to shave with. The whole wet shaving experience goes one notch up with straight razor shaving. I am sure the old school non-disposable razors would be even more fun but I sure don't have time it require to maintain and prepare it for shaving. This does great job and this is what barber's use.
I would recommend it to anyone.