Thread: 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

Yep, I completely agree about revisiting razors that may not have worked out initially.

I had a similar experience with the Gillette New Improved style razors: I tried one when I first started out and had one of the worst shaves ever. I gave it a few tries at that time and then gave up on it.

A year or more later, I tried another New Improved razor (with several blades) and I loved the shave - absolutely loved it! It is now one of my 'go-to' DE razors (I have a New Improved Big Fellow).

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The thing that changed most in that time was my technique. To be honest, even after reading about DE shaving techniques and proper prep, I really had no idea what I was doing when I started out DE shaving. I used too much pressure (I'm sure), my angles were probably wrong, I was more focused on not hurting myself, and less on proper technique, etc.

After I got my technique and prep down, I found that almost any razor will give me a great shave ------ if I take some time to learn its peculiarities. Some razors just work the first time I pick them up, others take a shave or two before I figure them out. I'm sure there were some dud models made, but I've yet to find one that doesn't work at all for me (I don't pick the really far-out razors).

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So Ryan, I agree with you: if you're into experimentation, once you're experienced with DE razors, return to some of the razors you wrote off.....they may surprise you.

Yes, you're correct with many things however I don't think I'll be giving that Williams soap a second chance-har har.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Yes, you're correct with many things however I don't think I'll be giving that Williams soap a second chance-har har.

LOL - Second chances only go so far, and I think I've given Williams four or five by now....

Originally Posted by Ryan82

LOL - Second chances only go so far, and I think I've given Williams four or five by now....

Noooooooo!!!

Alright, Ryan82, I've got a vintage WWII army-issue Gillette from my father's father that is way too aggressive. You know how these contraptions are... safety razors that are less safe than an unsafe open razor! I walked away with it left with the lingering concept it was only intended to be used lightly as an WTG shaver designed not to embarass U.S. troops when we capture and process the lovely Nazis (national pride prevents us from showing our yankee five 'o clocks).

I'll give it another shot, Ryan82. (You're still not the boss of me!)

Originally Posted by AxelH

I've got a vintage WWII army-issue Gillette from my father's father that is way too aggressive. You know how these contraptions are... safety razors that are less safe than an unsafe open razor! I walked away with it left with the lingering concept it was only intended to be used lightly as an WTG shaver designed not to embarass U.S. troops when we capture and process the lovely Nazis (national pride prevents us from showing our yankee five 'o clocks). I'll give it another shot

Go ahead and give it another go. Just keep in mind all your straight razor/DE shaving knowledge and you may like like the result....

Originally Posted by AxelH

You're still not the boss of me!

Just keep telling yourself that, bud