In this article, we will cover our top picks of the best Parker safety razors, one of the most reputable brands on the market. To make sure we list something that suits everybody, we have considered price, quality, beginners, features, and user ratings. Before you start looking for the best safety razor, there are a few important factors that you need to be aware of.
Not everybody thinks alike when they are shopping for a new safety razor, but a few factors tend to stand out and make a big impact on your buying decision. Price and overall value of the razor are the biggest factors people look for, other factors are grip design, blade layout, loading style, materials, and weight.
Grip length and material
Finding the right grip length is a balancing act leading to different preferences for each razor. The 4-inch handle is standard on some of the most respected razors, though the classic 3-inch models from the early 20th century remain popular. Several manufacturers had developed customizable models, but they never reached popularity. There are also a lot of handles in the middle that don’t fall into either category.
In terms of materials, many manufacturers opt for brass handles with a polished chrome finish, which provides a visually appealing and smooth appearance that is also supposed to protect against rust. Others prefer stainless steel, which is typically less likely to cut than its chrome counterparts. While less noticeable than polished handles, matt finishes and glossy finishes are not uncommon, especially with luxury razors, which are marketed as modern to classic razors. While tubular handles are standard, we’ve come across many creative grip designs, including custom-made handles in the shape of a cigar, as well as handcrafted handles that incorporate different razor elements.
As early razor users struggled to shift the wet grip, different manufacturers also tried different ways to get the best grip. A typical solution is to create a grooved handle with a concave pattern that is pinned directly to the metal so that the designer can show visual nuance while solving the practical problem of wet shaving at the same time. Even the top-rated synthetic plastic razors tend to have a grooved handle, although the texture can range from moderately rough to almost smooth, with many distinctive patterns to stand out from the competition.
Weight
The weight of the razor has a different effect on the entire shave. While lighter razors can still provide an excellent shave, heavier razors are preferred by many because they allow the shave to do most of the work. The higher the pressure on the razor, the more likely more passes are needed, which increases the chance of skin irritation. As expected, heavier models like the Parker – 99R and Edwin Jagger – DE89 perform very well on a general shave, ahead of lighter models such as the Merkur – MK 23C and Feather – Double Edge Razor.
Weight is also a determining factor in the razor’s center of gravity, which is usually the easiest way to find the best razor grip. Most safety razors are designed to balance your index finger about an inch from your head, for others, it can be a little less than an inch. Once you’ve found a balance point, it’s usually enough to secure the razor with your thumb for a working grip. Therefore, it is helpful to find a razor that has a preferred focus. While it may seem insignificant to a beginner razor, the point of balance affects your shave – whether you notice it or not.
Guard
Guard designs typically fall into four main categories: straight, angled, adjustable, and open combs. Straight safety bars, which provide only straight support between the striking surface and the blade, are perhaps the most popular. As part of a straight safety bar, many manufacturers make combs along the bar for aesthetic reasons, a design commonly referred to as a “comb” or “micro brush system”. Developed for thicker beards, the angled safety bar can provide a slightly more aggressive shave by cutting it at an angle to the chin.
The open comb guard is also made for a thicker chin and has a small gap in the strap – like a comb – and allows you to put extra pressure on the edge of the blade. Lastly, the adjustable safety structure gives the razor maximum freedom in choosing the gap between the blades, although they are more of a high-end razor and would be beyond the scope of this review. Some examples of adjustable heads include the Merkur Future, Parker Variant Adjustable, and Rockwell 6C.
Loading style
One of the most popular loading styles is the butterfly, which opens the razor head with a few quick turns of the handle (usually at the bottom). Butterfly razors, also commonly called open aperture rotators, tend to get good results in terms of blade loading convenience, although the downside is the increased risk of clogging and more difficult cleaning.
On the other side of the spectrum, the three-piece razor is really a no-brainer when it comes to cleaning. While it can take a few seconds longer to release the grip, a well-designed safety razor with traditional loading can help you get a good cleaning habit. In the end, users usually have to decide whether they value butterfly convenience or the old-school style and cleanliness of a standard three-piece razor.
Aggression
Although several different characteristics provide clues to razor aggressiveness, ultimately the perceived level of razor aggressiveness is important. Therefore, it is very difficult to measure the level of aggressiveness of a razor because the process is both an art and a science and every razor perceives razors differently. Razors who prefer lighter razors usually like them because they are less likely to cause cuts or irritation, making them ideal for new, safe razor users and those with sensitive skin. The razors on the aggressive side are designed for a closer shave, which is why they are preferred by experienced shaving enthusiasts and those with thicker beards.
If you want to show razor aggressiveness, you can focus on two important indicators for orientation: blade gap and blade exposure. While other properties (eg weight, shaving angle) also contribute to overall aggressiveness, determining blade spacing and blade exposure is important in separating razors that may be very similar.
Blade gap
Even a tenth of a millimeter between the guard and the blade can change everything when it comes to shaving a razor. While relatively soft razors like the Merkur MK 23C – in the 0.61 to 0.64 mm range are popular for blade spacing, aggressive razors can have a blade distance north of one millimeter. The distance between the blade and the blade also affects how easily you can clean the razor after shaving, as stubble and shaving cream don’t easily collect in larger spaces.
Blade exposure
While the blade gap is often more of a concern, the total blade load is the more important factor in shaving a razor. Blade exposure is a measure of how far the edge of the blade protrudes beyond the guard: positive exposure means contact is possible on a flat area of your face, while negative exposure means the edges can’t actually touch without skin adhering.
This means that when you change the cutting edge, the shaving angle will change, so you can still have a smooth and comfortable shave while you practice. If the razor is labeled “aggressive,” think of it as a bicycle without training wheels.
4 Best Parker Safety Razors
Below we have listed our top 4 picks of the best Parker safety razors, make sure you do your due diligence and read up on what other customers are saying before making a decision. Each razor listed below is picked for quality, beginner friendliness, non-aggressiveness, and adjustability. However, they are all perfectly good for any purpose, so you should choose based on your own preferences.
1. Parker 96R – Best Quality Parker Safety Razor
One of the hardest parts of shaving with any blade is keeping it under control after the handle is wet. This Parker razor solves this problem with a textured grip. Such a design helps to make the controls a bit easier. Suitable for both new and experienced razors, this is one of the easiest Parker razors to use.
Who is this razor most suited for? This is especially useful for those who are not comfortable shaving with a straight-edge razor. The structured handle makes it close to impossible to slip and the longer length gives the user a bit of reach.
Pros
- Nice length
- Nice textured handle
- Quality construction
Cons
- The grip may cause some maneuverability problems
What’s in the box?
- The Parker 96R razor
- Five interchangeable blades
2. Parker 99R – Best Parker Safety Razor for Beginners
If you’re looking for a long, good weight grip, this is probably the best Parker razor out there. Lighter in the hand and long enough for a more detailed shave, it’s actually perfect for anyone who wants more control over the shaving process.
Who is this razor best suited for? This is the perfect razor for beginners. Because the handle is longer, it’s easier to grip. While it may take some getting used to in terms of maneuverability, it’s still a good choice for beginners.
Pros
- Nice grip
- Long enough for complex tasks
- Nice construction
Cons
- Too heavy for some people
What’s in the box?
- The Parker 99R Safety Razor
- Five interchangeable blades
3. Parker 87R – Best Non-agressive Parker Safety Razor
The Parker 87R is one of Parker’s best safety razors for those who like a less aggressive blade. It doesn’t have any fantastic tricks or unique features, but it does an impressive job for both beginners and experienced razors.
Who is this razor best suited for? In all fairness, this razor is a great choice for beginners. The blades are much less aggressive than most Parker models, which is great if you’re learning to wet shave. This is great for experienced users too, but beginners will get the best.
Pros
- Easy enough to shave
- Easy-to-change blades
- Nice grip
Cons
- Less aggressive blades than some would like
What’s in the box?
- The Parker 87R Safety Razor
- Five interchangeable blades
4. Parker Variant – Best adjustable Parker safety razor
Parker safety razors are great, but they’re not always easy to use. If you want to shave, this might be Parker’s best safety razor for you. This razor is easily adjustable for angles and blades, allowing you to really skip the shaving process.
Who is this razor best suited for? It is suitable for almost everyone. Since the razor is adjustable, you have more control over how much of the blade is exposed. This is the perfect razor to learn, especially if you’re usually a little shy about aggressive blades.
Pros
- Easy to customize
- Good blade control
- It looks really good
- Sturdy construction
Cons
- It’s hard to change the blade
What’s in the box?
- The Parker Variant Safety Razor
- Five chrome-plated “Super Shark” blades
Summary
To sum things up, there are a few important factors to take into consideration when deciding on the best Parker safety razor. In this article, we have covered 5 of the absolute best safety razors from Parker and shared what makes them better than the others.
If you are a complete beginner we recommend you start with the Parker 99R, mainly because it is one of the cheaper alternatives but also because it gives you more control over the shave with a larger handle and a lightweight build.
For more advanced users we recommend you take a look at the Parker Variant as this razor is adjustable and is built with quality and durability in mind. This safety razor from Parker is sure to last you a lifetime.
Don’t forget to also take good care of your skin before and after a shave, have a look at our list of the best alum blocks for beginners.