Second Chances or: Reevaluating My Parker 22r
Hello Folks,
Just as my title suggests, tonight I decided to revist my Parker 22r. I got it a couple years ago, courtesy of Scott at Rasage Poulin, fairly early into my DE days. I only used it a couple times (with a Derby blade), and quickly hung it up at the back of my shave den. The shave was harsh, full of cuts and irritation. It also has a defect, apparently common to Parker 22r's (uneven blade exposure per side), that I didn't know how to handle. I didn't want to use it, and frequently considered selling it.
Well, time is a healer, and it was time for a second chance. I figured I could do better than a Derby (which was a fav in those days), so I loaded the Parker with one of my beloved Crystals and shaved away. The result? A very smooth, silky shave with no blood or discomfort at all :). At times it felt like I didn't even have a blade loaded. I generally prefer heavy DE's, but this has me rethinking my position on lighter razors.
So, as with all reevalutions, I feel obliged to share my opinions about why I had success this time around:
1. My DE technique has improved vastly. As has my light touch and ability to adapt to different razors
2. I found a better blade for the Parker. Yes, as we all know, blade selection DOES matter.
3. I used Parker's well known defect to my advantage: Longer exposed side for longer whiskers/short strokes, and the lesser exposed side for final passes/long strokes.
4. I realized that 2 years ago my newness to DE shaving didn't allow for a proper evaluation of the Parker. I was quick to judge a product that I had little experience with.
The moral of the story? Don't be afraid to revisit products that you once wrote off as "useless" - especially if you are new and inexperienced. Any thoughts?
Be well my friends,
Ryan
