Reddit reviews Parker 96R - Long Handle Butterfly Open Safety Razor & 5 Parker Premium Platinum Double Edge Razor Blades

I bought a Double Edge Safety Razor. The start-up, like a lot of these thrift tips, was relatively high, but here's the argument that I make to everyone:

Note the price for an 8-pack of Gillette Fusion Razors.

Now, keeping in mind that I usually only shave about twice a week anyway, check the price for a year's worth of new razors for every shave.

Parker 96R
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002IFFSOS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Proraso Aftershave Lotion
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0085UECY2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream Bowl
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007MW2ZW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Go new. With vintage you run the risk of having rust on it. I personally use http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002IFFSOS/ref=mp_s_a_1_8_a_it?qid=1457711681&sr=8-8&keywords=safety+razor. Nicely balanced and doesn't break the bank. You're gonna wanna invest in a beaver hair brush. I use http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003WR3QSG/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_a_it?qid=1457713208&sr=8-2&keywords=beaver+hair+brush&pi=SY200_QL40 make sure your wash out the brush thoroughly and then you're gonna need a ceramic bowl for lathering. There are tons of YouTube videos on proper lathering techniques and blade strokes. For shaving cream http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0007MW2ZW/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_a_it?qid=1457713304&sr=8-2&keywords=shaving+cream&pi=SX200_QL40. And then you're gonna need a holder for your blade and brush for its not good for them to rest on the counter and it helps the brush naturally dry. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B017XXRM84/ref=mp_s_a_1_3_a_it?qid=1457713408&sr=8-3&keywords=brush+and+blade+stand&pi=SY200_QL40. For blades I always recommend http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001QY8QXM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?qid=1457713447&sr=8-1&keywords=astra+blades&pi=SX200_QL40.

Hopes this points you in the right direction.

This sexy beast right here: Parker 96R

And don't forget your Colonel Conk World's Famous Shaving Soap. It makes you smell like a god.

Here's my razor. I really wish I had dropped the extra coin for a Merkur though. The weighting on this thing is all weird.

I myself am not a fan of parker butterflys. I had one and it had just poor all around construction. It worked, but was not overly enjoyable. Also failed after like 2-3 years (the metal inside that controls the butterfly actions is like cheap pot metal).

I would suggest the similarly priced Edwin Jaggers or possibly a Merkur.

Also, combo blade packs are totally the way to go. I was crazy polarized on blades that I sampled. I personally settled with Astra and Feather, but that is just my preference. Sharks were ok, but IMO there are better blades.

Edit: Also, for $13 [this] (http://www.amazon.com/Tweezerman-2801-h-Mens-Shaving-Brush/dp/B000G647Y8/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1382624828&sr=1-1&keywords=tweezerman+shaving+brush) shaving brush is amazing. I bought it as a throwaway for a trip I was taking to Thailand. I ended up keeping it as a travel brush. Works fairly well, sheds a little bit. Still, surprisingly good for the price. I have $60 brushes but still don't mind using the Tweezerman.

Also, I personally don't use alum; I almost never cut myself. I shave about ever 2 days (more and I get mild irritation), I stay away from aftershaves with lots of alcohol in them, use a good glycerine soap, and if you need to there are a plethora of face moisturizers out there.

Thanks! right now I'm leaning towards the 96R

I'm sorry to say that Amazon is probably not the best option. But if it is the only option, you might try these:

https://www.amazon.com/Semogue-1438-Premium-Bristle-Shaving/dp/B00BEJJ16K/ref=sr_1_92_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1480624977&sr=1-92&keywords=shaving+brush

https://www.amazon.com/Proraso-Shaving-Soap-Refreshing-Toning/dp/B00837YY18/ref=sr_1_5_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1480625308&sr=1-5&keywords=shaving+soap

https://www.amazon.com/Parker-96R-Handle-Butterfly-Double/dp/B002IFFSOS/ref=sr_1_12_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1480625493&sr=1-12&keywords=double+edge+razor

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009XHQGY0/ref=sxr_rr_xsim1_s_it?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=2286650982&pd_rd_wg=JPam7&pf_rd_r=B51TWBZAJTT3F6F3ZHVE&pf_rd_s=desktop-rhs-carousels&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B009XHQGY0&pd_rd_w=2r2Lq&pf_rd_i=double+edge+razor+blades&pd_rd_r=7B90NABQY1KPS2BV1NK1&ie=UTF8&qid=1480625552&sr=1

You're on your own for a mug. Avoid anything from Vikings Blade, Smoothere, Perfecto, Bigfoot, GoBetter, PrChoice, Spacecare, Oldcastle, as they are overpriced Chinese products that can be found much cheaper - even on Amazon - directly from their source.

He went way expensive and turned it into a hobby (nothing wrong with that).


I started with a $10 razor handle and started with a $15 mug/soap/brush from Amazon and that worked just fine for about a year. Then, the cheap razor broke and I bought one for $30 and the brush started losing hair, so I bought a replacement for $7 [it was on sale]. Shave soap is like $3 a puck and lasts a year or more.


I've been using the new razor and brush for about 2 years now. The mug I got in the cheap set I still use as well.


I pay ~$10 for 100 blades and change it every week on average (which is actually probably wasteful of me). From November until ~March or April, I let the beard grow. Those 100 blades last me around a year and a half (give or take a few weeks).


So, if you went for better equipment from the start, it'd be something like:

$30 razor ... not the one I use, but nice ... you can go a lot cheaper than this for a quality one as well.

$15 brush [like I said, mine was way cheaper, currently $15 on amazon

$15 blades [this is middle of the ground, some people spend as little as little as $8 for 100 blades, the brand I like is ~$10]

$10 mug/soap/cheap brush combo

= $70 for the first year and you've got an extra brush.


Realistically, that's around what some would spend for a year of shaving with a normal razor from Gillette. For some, it would be a bit more and for some it would be less. For me, I think it was around $40 worth of cartridges a year when I used the Gillette 5-blade.

But, the second year of shaving, would only cost around ... well, nothing since you'll likely have right around a years worth of blades left and won't actually need to buy anything at all other than maybe some shave soap.

Parker 71R

Edit: Its the Parker 96R. His is a TTO not a 3 piece. Oops.

I sprang for one decimal place over and am quite happy with my Parker 96R. I actually bought it in 2011 and still haven't had to buy any blades since it came with so many sample packs (and I keep a beard half the year, which requires minimal shaving). My shaving expense has pretty much just been aftershave, though my shaving soap puck that I got at the same time is getting a little thin.

I agree. I was in the same position as you are about 2 years ago. I HATED shaving. And believe me when I say I HATED shaving lol. I watched this video and got intrigued. Soon after that I bought my first double edge razor. Before it even came, I had already purchased some Wilkinson, some Proraso shave soap, and an Omega Boar Brush. About a week before I even got my razor I was already using the brush, and the soap to make lather and shaving with it. I loved it. When my razor came in I fell in love with wet shaving. I could go further in depth, but I think you get the idea. It's a passion instead of a chore by now and it's well worth it. I understand your apprehension, but I promise you that with the right start you'll not regret it. I run a Wet Shaving Group on Google+, and if you look up /r/wickededge you will find ALL the help you need to get a good starter set and be well on your way. Everyone in these groups, and the many other groups available, are great. My suggestion for your neck, take your time, go light on your neck and put less pressure and your irritation will go away. Mine did and I used to have a full face cloth full of blood after every shave. I hope this helped :), and feel free to friend me if you want a little additional help :).

Parker has a lot of good options such as this one. You could also grab a Weishi.

Edit: Here's a Lady Gillette for under thirty bucks shipped.

Avoid this site they are selling crap. Poor choice of words, they are ridiculously overpriced would be a better description.

The razors branded as Ice that cost $40 are Chinese made Weishi razors, which most definitely are not stainless steel, and you can get them for much cheaper than $40. The one that costs $65 is actually a Parker 96R.

Also the slim and fatboy are adjustable razors, none of the "ice" razors on that site are adjustable.

Edit: I added links to weishi and parker 96r. Here is a link to Merkur Futur. Notice the differences in price?