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117 of 119 found the following review helpful:
 Perfectly serviceable, but nothing special May 28, 2009
By Vincent J. Pascarella
I've noted that most reviews for safety razors focus on how much better using a safety razor is than a disposable or replacement head system. While this is COMPLETELY true, it tells you nothing about the actual razor you are considering buying.
I've been using the Parker 22R for over a month now, and I have definitely fallen in love with using a safety razor, but I suspect there are razors that are MUCH better than this one.
The bad: the finish is beautiful, and I didn't have problems with the grip, however, the finish is flawed on mine, with discolored spots all over, especially on the bar, and it gets a very grimy look after a shave if you don't wipe it down each time with cotton.
The butterfly wings open well enough, if not perfectly smoothly, but the razor doesn't sit perfectly evenly in the head. The result is, you need to tap the edge of the razor (SOOOO not safe) to get the blade to sit straight (or run the risk of carving your face up).
Also, some have said this razor is a bit too aggressive for beginners. I am not sure if its just because the reviewers didn't adjust the blade to be straight, or if their face just doesn't love this razor. I've had no problems with it being too aggressive (as long as you use good lather).
The last bad, the 7AM blades this comes with are absolutely terrible. Do NOT use these on your face, or you will never want to use a safety razor again. They leave patches, and there is no such thing as a close shave with them. Pick up a variety pack to find one you like, but make sure it includes Derby (I like them the best of all I've tried so far).
The good: Once you have a good quality blade set in this razor so it is straight, it's easy to use and pretty gentle. The weight is quite nice, the handle is a great length, and it's pretty cheap. I haven't tried other safety razors yet, so I'm not saying this is the best one to get started with, but my learning curve was one shave. No complaints there.
Words of caution for first time safety razor users: a good razor is important, but the blade you use in it is the most important. Get a variety back to find what works best for you, it's the best thing you can do for your face.
Also, the shaving soap/cream you use is INCREDIBLY important. The general rule is, if you can find it in your supermarket or Walmart, you probably don't want to use it. Cans and foams are totally out of the question, they dry your face out despite your other best practices, and it WILL cause your face to get shredded and give you razor burn and ingrown hairs. Nothing from nivea, neutrogena, or other big names works.
I was fortunate enough to find one in Rite Aid that works pretty well. It's from the Real Shaving Company, and it's called pro-lather. It's the best I've used so far, but I am certain it's far from the best available.
If you are a first time safety razor user, your best bet is to buy soap or cream on Amazon, since it's so incredibly difficult and expensive to find a good lather out in the world. The only places I saw real shaving soaps around were the Body Shop (but they only had one choice, but it did smell and look fantastic) and JC Penny, but they only had the lab created stuff, and nothing really natural.
To sum up: Not a bad razor, though I'm certain there are better, the blades it comes with are garbage, get others (I like Derby), and make sure you buy a good soap or cream to lather with (you'll need a badger hair brush to whip it up properly), and give yourself time to get the hang of using a safety razor. It is very rewarding, in terms of having a smooth face without burn, bumps, or ingrown hairs, and it just is a pleasant tiny morning ritual. (It's hard to explain, you'll understand within a month!)
46 of 49 found the following review helpful:
 If you have wanted to try using a safety razor..... Dec 02, 2008
By Michael A. Fisher
"Myke"
....this is a great place to start. This is my first safety razor. I wanted to make the switch to save money, since "modern" razor replacements constitute a costly recurring expense. I had also read that safety razors provided a superior shave to even the the latest multi-bladed razors.
I can verify this is indeed the case. The learning curve for this razor is not as steep as I had thought, though you cannot simply drag it around the face and neck as most current razors allow the user to. The amount of time I spend shaving is only a little longer, but this is due to applying quality shaving products, and carefully using the safety razor to produce a baby-soft shave with multiple applications of shaving cream and shaving over multiple passes. The time is well spent, and I find that a shave using this method will last much longer than before.
This is not to say you won't have some cuts or razor burn at first, since your skin has to adjust, as does the the user to new shaving habits, but the investment of time, and money is well spent.
This razor is very solid and has good weight, something you want in a safety razor since you use the weight of the razor resting against your skin to move the blade around as opposed to pressing down as most modern shavers are accustomed to doing.
The razor comes with two packages of blades, each containing 5 blades. A blade will last the typical user about 5 shaves if proper attention is paid to the correct amount of shaving cream, use of hot water, and proper care of the razor. The Ten 7AM Platinum blades are good, though I will be trying other brands of blades to determine which I like the best. Replacement of the blades is easy using the butterfly function.
If you want to try using a traditional razor that delivers great quality for an excellent price, this is the best unit to start with. Very recommended.
47 of 52 found the following review helpful:
Parker razor Aug 05, 2008
By L. Tuck
"Ltorridone"
I received my Parker razor today.I have never used a safety razor before and I was skeptical. I have used a Mach 3 for years. I used my Parker razor with Van der Hagen shave soap. I have NEVER and I repeat NEVER had a shave so close in my entire life. When I finished shaving I went to the medicine cabinet and picked up my Mach 3 and a full set of five blades and threw the Mach 3 and all of the blades directly into the trash can. I can not believe how smooth my face is and best of all I do not have any razor burn at all. I love this razor....and highly recommend it to anyone.
8 of 8 found the following review helpful:
Very Best of Class by Far Apr 03, 2009
By Charles W. Wallace
Parker 22R Double Edge Butterfly Safety Razor and 10 Blades
"Excellent,Great,Fantastic,Beautiful,Mighty fine piece of Metal,Trust Me this razor totaly Wins "BEST in CLASS",I am 61 years old and shaved with a double edge Gillette 0ver 40 years ago when I was in the Navy and this lasted for about 7 years then I picked up a single edge adjustable that I have used till now, but when I picked up this Parker 22R everything came back to me, the feel the looks the all out "STYLE" I can not understand why I have wasted all these years without a "REAL" razor in my hands. This Parker 22R is the absolute most, I just can not say enough about it. If you want a real shave then you just have to use it yourself to know what I mean. WOOOW!!! All that and it arrived early!!! Just the finest product for the price I have ever bought from Amazon or anywhere else and I shop here a lot. Amazon over the last few years is where I always check with before I make any purchase even for something I pick up at my local brick and mortar just to make sure I do not get ripped off. I WILL be back to this seller for any and all my supplies in the future "THANK YOU very much for putting this on Amazon"
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
 good safety razor, ok blades Feb 17, 2010
By D. Ulloa
"pmpddyd1"
i would like to preface this review by saying this is my first safety razor, so i can only comment on the quality of this razor and not compare it to other brands.
this razor feels great in the hand, has a nice weight to it, and the butterfly doors are not loose, nor does the blade jiggle like some other reviews stated. i would say it is a great razor to learn the art of wet shaving, or try it out to see if you like it.
I was on the fence about it until i ordered some different blades, which made a big difference in the comfort and closeness of the shave. my problem was going against the grain of the beard with the included blades really tore me up, but with some derby blades,Derby Extra Double Edge Razor Blades - 25 Ct the razor glides much easier. i would say that this razor is a great starting point from which to move forward with wet shaving. i don't think ill be going back to the mach3 i had before.
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