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I read a lot of reviews and looked at the all the favorotes: Dovo, Feather etc. and landed on the Parker SRW. I was worried I'd crack the plastic on the Dovo and crack my wallet bare on a feather. The gimmick that pushed me to the Parker was the locking mechanism and the heft of the razor itself. I enjoyed the shave and the razor. Anyone else?
I'm guessing there isn't a lot of shavette users here. :shrug:
Hi Glory,
I believe that there are a number of shavette shavers on the board, but it may take a little while before they see your post. Back it the 70s my dad gave me one of his "shavette" razors to trim around my mustache. Called an "L & A Razor", it was solid stainless steel, used Shick style injector blades and it worked well. After using it a while for trimming, after using my Trac II, I started going ahead and shaving the rest of my face with the L & A. Worked great as long as I was careful and didn't get nicked by the corner of the injector blade. I haven't used the Parker razor that you are referring to, but I believe that like the L & A was back in the day is currently used by barbers. Glad it is serving you well.
Cheers,
Jeff
The Parker of that model is a good example of its kind. Get rid of those blades! Get a blade sampler from a vendor and pick the thickest one to do yourself justice! No flex makes your face a happy camper.
Then after swearing at, or enjoying it. buy yourself a CJB or Sam Seong shavette that uses the longer Feather and blades from other manufacturers.
Way cheaper than the big name ones which seem to come off the same assembly lines.
Have fun and:
Softly, softly, catchee monkey!
~Richard
Thanks, I finally got a chance to go through the shavette archives and found that I was beating a proverbial dead horse. There's a lot of great information here.
I have been using a Parker SR-1 for about six months now, and I am very happy with it. In fact, I use it seven days a week -- it is my daily shaver. It can give you a ... well, I suppose, a perfect shave. But it is very aggressive and it took me a few weeks to really get the feel for it. I'd give it a try if I were you.
I've been using shavettes for 2 years now, very occasional DE when in a hurry. I like the Parker because the blade exposure is just right for me and the closure holds the blade securely without flex. The Dovo with red insert has more blade exposed and the plastic doesn't hold the blade tightly enough to prevent flex, hence more nicks. The Dovo with the black inset, and longer, thicker Dovo blades, is a great shaver and more forgiving. But the blades are not as sharp as 1/2 of a DE blade. Still, if you like longer blades its a good value for the money.
The Feather system is really in its own category, between a real straight and shavette, if you can swing the price. I have the Feather Artist Club folding SS, which I love, and the non-folding one, which I don't like so much and would happily exchange. I also have 2 Russian made shavettes bought from a Russian barber here in NYC that would good for a collector, as I don't use them much.
That basically summarizes 2 years of experimentation. Feel free to agree, disagree or expand. Always interesting to hear of others experiences.
Best,
Alan
I used a parker shavette before I ever bought a real straight. It worked very well for me. I used Astra, shark, and feather blades with no problems. I would recommend it if you are looking to get one. Check out this guy on Amazon.
Amazon.com At a Glance: Wish4Star
They have pages and pages of blades, sample packs, razors, brushes and shavettes. Great prices for a beginner.
I've been using the Parker for daily shaving. I have paid some blood to the razor divine but, on the whole its been a great shave. I recently purchased a straight its a Premier Professional X98. Its a nice blade in great condition however, it needs to be honed and stropped. I called my local barber and he is getting me a strop on Thursday. It does need to be honed though. I believe the barber can do this as well if he cannot I found a business near me (Westminster, MD) to hone blades. I'm a little too timid to ruin a blade on a hone. I'd like to see it done in person first. I've seen the videos but, its not the same as watching a professional doing it in person where you can have questions answered. You know what I mean?
Used one twice then got a feather RG and feather blades, when I use a shavette type it's only a feather or the CJB geezer mentioned would be ok , but the shave from it will have you throwing rocks at the Parker. Tc
I've got the Parker SR1. It works well and the blade locking mechanism works very well.
It, pretty much, does what it's supposed to. I can't complain.
Hey glory,Quote:
Originally Posted by Glory
ensure that the person who hones the razor, does actually hone razors, knife sharpening is a different skill as far as I am aware.
The person who said he would hone my straight is a local barber that's been doing it well before I was born. So, here's hoping. I've been counting down the days, I'm headed over on Thursday for my strop and honing.
excellent, i had fears you were going to use a knife shop.Quote:
Originally Posted by Glory
I am glad you mentioned that though. Prior to reading on this forum, I though about using my ceramic knife sharpener (stick used for kitchen knives) and thought hmm...should I do this? Then did some googling and found this place among some links and videos. Glad I did.
I am glad you did too :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Glory
Me i got a Bluebeards Revenge but i'm interested on a parker ptb model. They seem to be good shaver and they say on reviews that there heftier then the older model. If You guys have any output let me know. Gino
I like to use the Parker srx and the Universal models superb
I used to shave with Parker SR1 (all-stainless one) before switching over completely to straights. I actually have bought it as a test case before deciding straight razors were for me and investing in a more expensive "real" SR.
It's much more aggressive and unforgiving than your regular cutthroat, but on a positive note - it you manage not to cut yourself with it, switching to SR will be easy: it really does teach you the meaning of "light, self-weight only pressure" :)
BTW, I still use it from time to time - when flying with a carry-on only and not being able to pack my SR.