Parker SRW Straight Edge Razor with 100 Platinum Stainless Steel Single Edge Blades for a Close Barber Shop Shave

I've been shaving for twenty five years now. I've used a double-edge safety razor for twenty years, which most people considered old fashioned back in 1991. I found the holder at the drugstore and it was the only time I've ever seen that kind of handle in a regular drugstore even today with the internet resurgence of straight edge popularity. Anyway, I gave up on twin razors and other hi tech gizmosery as soon as I'd started. I'd found that twin disposable razors would clog way too easily and were good for only about two shaves, and they didn't shave that close. I got a Gillette Sensor when they first came out and everyone thought that was pretty slick, but being in college, I could find better ways to spend $10 than on a pack of blades that still clogged after two shaves. I found the above-mentioned handle with the pop out double-edge blade and I'd found immediately that the superiority of that product was instantly clear because you could pop out the blade and rinse it off! Clogging would never be a problem again! I also found, not surprisingly, that one blade worked as well as two, or three, or four or five or whatever the hi tech razors are up to now. In fact, one blade worked even better than anything else because I could get about ten shaves from one double edge blade before the blade was too dull to use. And the blades were CHEAP! $1.00 bought me ten blades in college, which was enough for ten months, or the whole school year. I also bought a shaving brush and soap because, well, that was also super CHEAP compared to aerosol cream. I figured out pretty quickly why there was so much marketing hype and so much "new" shaving technology--the engineering was in how to make a buck since the simple product worked so well. But, I guess I've gotten curious the last couple years or so. I know that there was nothing better on the market than my old Gillette as far as anything in the safety razor realm went. Once the internet opened up, I saw that one could, again, buy new straight razors (before the internet, I have no idea where you'd find one of those. I still have never actually seen one for sale except when I went to Germany) and so I looked and my eyes bugged out at the price. Clearly, there was no way that was going to save me money over my current system, and if straight razors did indeed deliver a superior shave, the initial cost, plus time and energy in maintenance costs just seemed like it wasn't really worth it to me. But I was still curious about how a shave, with the blade straight against the skin would feel. It did seem to me that I could get a closer shave than my old Gillette. So, one day, shopping around on Amazon, I found this and read the reviews and I decided to try it. I'm glad I did! While I won't be throwing my old Gillette away, I'll be shaving with this more often. I have just given myself the smoothest, closest shave I have ever had in my life! My face, truly, has never been this smooth since puberty. Here are some tips:1. Watch some videos on YouTube or wherever about shaving with a straight razor;2. Practice just a little bit the first time;3. Let your subconscious mind work on absorbing the "feel" for a couple of days;4. Go back and try again.That worked for me. The first time I used this razor two days ago, I was a little scared, admittedly. The way the blade loads takes a little muscle work, which, when you're handling a razor blade, is a little bit intimidating. My double-edge just dropped in and you were done. But this, well, let's just say that you have to use a lot of finger pressure to get the blade to sit right and if you're already nervous, take your time! Anyway, all I did the first time was my cheeks and neck. I finished my chin and moustache area with my Gillette and then I just waited a couple of days for inspiration. When I picked up the blade again today, I shaved my whole face and it went like a charm! I can tell that my skin needs to toughen up a little to get used to the closeness of this blade (which, I remember, my face had to do way back when I got my Gillette), but once it does, it'll really go easy. This time, my skin turned red, but only for a little while. I wouldn't even say it got irritated because there was no lasting effect and my skin is just fine now, about ten minutes after the shave. It's so close, I really don't believe it. Also, my neck, which has always been tough for any safety razor to get nice and smooth, is now just as smooth as everywhere else. That's the best part! Also, no maintenance. Just pop a blade in (well, not quite that easy, but still easy enough) and go.Maybe, if I decide I need to go real fancy in the future, I'll get a "real" straight razor. But I don't know why except just for show. I really can't imagine anything delivering a closer shave than this or designs like this.To be honest, I didn't even go crazy with the prep work, either. I just put some hot water on my face, then the shaving cream, and that was it. I shaved myself almost as fast as I do with my regular Gillette, but I was a little more careful, and voila, it was done. I would say that it was about as easy of a transition I could have imagined. I'm totally hooked!

This is an amazing razor. It cuts even closer than my modern six-blade razor, which really surprised me. I have a traditional straight edge razor with a fixed blade, but it’s difficult to get it just right in terms of sharpness and results. That’s not a problem with the Parker since it uses disposable single edge razors, which are amazingly sharp. The strength of the Parker, sharp blade and close cut, is also a weakness. You will likely knick yourself numerous times when you first start using it, so go slow and gentle as you learn to use it. But the satisfaction of shaving in an old school way and the excellent results you get are well worth it.

Having never used a straight edge razor prior to this, I cannot comment on how this product compares to a real straight razor, or other disposable shavette razor systems. I can attest to the fact that a straight edge razor like this one delivers a closer shave as compared to any multi-blade disposable razor or electric razor I have ever used. For reference purposes, I have used the following: Gillette twin blade razors (I believe they were called "Titanium" back in the day, but who remembers), Gillette Mach 3 razors, Gillette Fusion 4 blade razors, numerous off-brand razors in a pinch (like CVS brand or Walgreens Brand) as well as plain old single blade Bic razors. On the electric front, I've used both Braun 7 series and 5 series and a Norelco. All of the electric razors were quite expensive - easily near $200 a piece, not some cheap $15 infomercial product or something you find at the checkout stand. All of the aforementioned products are inferior to a disposable straight edge razor. As to the product itself:Other reviewers have commented on the poor quality of this product and to some degree I would agree with them, but more on that in a moment. As a note, I have no interest in paying any more to shave my face than necessary whilst not leaving my face sore, bleeding, and terrible looking. With that in mind, I purchased this razor because I have been plagued since I began shaving over a decade ago with daily razor burn no matter the razor or the shaving cream. I have a thick beard with coarse whiskers and the whiskers grow in about 4 different directions depending on their location on my face, which makes shaving a constant pain to keep from shaving against the grain. This razor has proved to accomplish substantially better the job of a close shave without destroying my face in the process. In terms of the quality of this shavette, it is by no means the finest, but it is not entirely poorly made either. As another reviewer pointed out, the metal blade holder on mine is slightly misaligned to the handle, such that the metal razor holder catches on the handle as you attempt to store the blade away, but to me, this is at most, a minor fault. The unit otherwise seems robustly built enough for the price. The steel the blade holder is made out of is stainless, although after having used it for only a few weeks, I cannot comment on the quality of the steel. The rivet that holds the handle to the blade holder is solid feeling. The handle itself is light and has some minor marks from where the two halves were joined during production which could have been removed with a light sanding, but the fault is purely aesthetic. In terms of function, the unit could hardly be easier to use, so no faults there. Perhaps the best way to sum up this product's quality is that it would be a less-than-ideal gift, but as something I purchased for myself simply to get a better shave, its absolutely fine. To achieve the most from this razor, I would imperatively urge a prospective user to purchase a badger hair brush and some quality shaving soap to accompany this product. Easily half of the improvement in my shaves I believe derives from the superior quality of a real shaving soap and badger hair brush for application thereof. The badger hair brush really helps to lift your whiskers and makes shaving easier because you do not need to press the blade against the skin to capture the whiskers. As to the blades which come with the product, since I have yet to use any others, I have no point of reference other than to say that these are straight razor blades - they are very, very sharp and therefore should be handled with care.Tips:You don't use a straight razor like a disposable multi-blade cartridge. Very light pressure is essential, otherwise you will tear your face up. As many others suggest, it should be the weight of the razor itself that does the cutting, not the pressure of your hand.Make small, controlled passes against the skin with the razor. It allows for better control of the razor. Don't worry about getting every follicle in a single pass, focus on maintaining the proper technique and building a sense of how much pressure/speed is appropriate.Be careful with the edges of the blade, they are not heavily rounded and can gouge the skin if you attempt to apply only the edge of the razor. Therefore, attempt to cut with the center area of the blade.You will cut yourself the first several times you use this razor. Nothing major - we aren't talking the bathroom scene from Airplane, but you will get some nicks. In my case, some of these may have been from preexisting razor bumps or ingrown hairs, however, the more you use this razor, the less blood you will draw and the less irritation you will feel afterward. I have noticed a substantial decrease in razor bumps and irritation of my skin after using this razor for several weeks despite having a closer shave than I could ever have achieved with a multi-blade or electric.Don't bother trying to squeeze multiple shaves out of a single-edge blade - I have done this, but have stopped. These blades are so cheap, literally pennies a blade, for sanitary concerns, the closest shave, and even cost, simply use a blade for a shave and then discard. With 120 blades included in the price, that's about 4 months worth of blades for a few dollars.In ConclusionThis is a totally decent product for the price. If you are looking for something that will impress your buddies, this probably isn't going to do it. If you are looking for a much closer shave with less irritation and a cheaper operating cost, this would be a great starting point. Maybe, at some point, down the road, I'll buy a true straight razor, but for right now, this works great and I no longer dread my morning shave. One final time, I must stress the importance of getting real shaving soap and a brush to apply it with. I can't emphasize that enough. I threw out my Gillette Fusion Extra-Sensitive Gel and gave my Mach3's away to a friend who still uses them. I'm never going back, except maybe for when I need to travel and use a carry-on only.I wish I had thought to try a straight razor earlier.