Revisiting my Parker SR1

Over the weekend I decided to revisit my Parker SR1 shavette. I had been a little disappointed with my Hartsteel 6/8 with irritation so I thought I'd give myself a break.

I pulled out the Parker, loaded up a half-Bluebird DE blade, and figured I'd have at 'er.
Lathered up with the Strop Shoppe Baker St on Saturday and took off.

The first thing that I noticed: the scale weight made it feel off-balanced compared to the blade-heavy Hart. After a couple awkward repositionings of the scale through the first swipes down my my cheeks and I stopped even noticing it. It was as though I've never used anything else and this was my "perfect" razor.

I did a two-pass shave, not because I needed to but, because I wanted to enjoy the scent of the Baker St soap and keep having a relaxing shave. The bluebird was a little harsh on the first two swipes and then quickly mellowed.

... In two passes: I had a fine shave with no irritation.


Sunday: old-SR1 came out again. This time with the tried-and-true: Arko soap. Another fantastic shave. The blade was in its stride throughout.

I could easily use this day-in and day-out if needed. I do, however, find that the shorter blade length meant I couldn't easily see my sideburns when I started my stroke to help trim them but, otherwise, the couple extra strokes to clear my cheek with the smaller blade were a non issue.

The SR1 with the Bluebird blade is really my perfect combination there.


Monday I went back to my Hart. I guess I just needed a break from it as I got a great shave again with no irritation.

That s my problem with the sr1 i just can't get a good balance in particular when dealing with my neck area

I've been finding myself more and more going to my Feather SS shavette. Although I prefer shaving with my real straights, the shavette is a nice companion for when you're in a bit of a hurry. I too though prefer the longer straight blades vs the shorter shavettes. Especially when I get to the neck as it means more passes. Another thing I've been noticing with the shavettes is that the second shave using the same blade seems to be better. Maybe it's a bit duller or something, but I tend to get knicks/weepers with the first shave, then it settles into good shaving for another 5-10 shaves.

I've wanted to try the feather series but never got one before the missus clamped down on my acquisitions. Maybe I'll pick up a CBJ...


I really wanted to revisit the SR1 shavette after having used a 'proper' straight for a while. Many seem to talk down to the DE bladed shavettes and, after using my Hart, I felt that I got a great shave and any criticism was unwarranted.

I will say this, however, that I feel the learning curve with a shavette is fraught with far more facial damage than from a traditional straight. Shavettes are truly unforgiving but it's equally rewarding - though (undeservedly) less impressive when speaking to someone who doesn't use either.

The comments about the shorter blade and balance of the scales are only in comparison. When I started with the straight razor: I had the same comments that I needed to get accustomed to the longer blade and lighter scale. I nicked my ear lobe and a nostril a couple times getting started with the longer blade.