Parker 99R Chrome Long Handle Heavyweight Butterfly Open Double Edge Safety Razor for Men, 5 Parker Premium Platinum Double Edge Razor Blades Included

My hair is curly. Because I have beard that is very thick in some spots but rather thin in others, and further because I have sensitive skin, it was impossible to shave with a cartridge razor without getting shaving bumps. I switched to a safety razor ten years ago; during that time I extensively used 4 different safety razors.Contrary to the assertions of many reviewers, there are only a few relevant factors in choosing a safety razor: A) blade exposure, angle, and gap; B) handle weight and shape; and C) durability.This review will compare the Parker Long Handle Super Heavy (iii), to the Merkur Long Handle 3 Piece (i), Short Handle 2 Piece (ii), and Futur (iv). A few comments on the Merkur Progress and Parker Variant will be made at the end.i) Is the least aggressive of the four. So little of the blade is exposed, and it is at such a shallow angle and with so little spacing between the safety bars, and it is so light, that I cannot get a with-the-grain shave without either applying pressure or making multiple passes. Either way, for someone with a moderate to heavy beard, this razor may give you irritation. It is, however, a great candidate for travelling, since the 3 pieces mean it disassembles flat.ii) Is the second least aggressive. I get a good shave after one with- and one against-the-grain pass, and a very close shave after a second against the grain pass. However, it is still light enough that I need to apply pressure while going over the thicker areas of my beard. This is the razor I would recommend for most first time wet-shavers.iii) This is the most aggressive of the fixed blade safety razors I have tried. It is sufficiently heavy that absolutely no additional pressure is needed, and the razor provides a rather close shave after one with- and one against-the-grain pass. I use this razor when I have shaved within the last 36 hours or whenever I travel. It is evident from the construction that it is extremely durable, as compared to the Futur, or any other adjustable razor for that matter.iv) This adjustable razor has the blade angle of ii) at setting 1 and of iii) at setting 3; at setting 6 it is considerably more aggressive than anything else I have tried. I use this razor whenever my head or beard has been growing for more than 36 hours--first pass with-the-grain setting 6, second pass against-the-grain setting 3, which provides a rather close shave even if I have a week of beard/hair growth. A third pass against-the-grain at setting 6 provides an extremely close shave.Furthermore, the large gap between the safety bars make it possible to cut through a week of growth with only a few strokes-per-pass, since unlike other razors, the cut hairs do not clog the spaces between the blade and safety bars. This is the only true safety razor (that is, a fixed blade razor with top and bottom safety bars) I have tried where this is the case, and for that reason, I highly recommend it for anyone who infrequently shaves their face or head.However, the mechanism which holds the top safety bar in place, thereby securing the razor blade, seems considerably less durable than any other mechanism I have seen: the inward and downward pressure of two thin metal rods is all that holds the top bar in place, as opposed to one large (i & ii) or two medium (iii) screws. For this reason, and also because of its weight, this is by far the least drop resistant of the razors. I would not travel with it.All that is to say: for those who have thick beards or who do not have sensitive skin, but who are not interested in an adjustable razor, the Parker Long Handle Super Heavy is likely the ideal razor. I would not hesitate to recommend this as a first fixed blade razor to such a person. However, it might be too heavy, hence too aggressive, as a first fixed blade razor for someone with sensitive skin or a thin beard. Because this razor is ideal for its target user, I rated it 5 stars.For those of you considering the Merkur Progress, I would simply say: if your beard is medium thickness or if you have sensitive skin, the Futur is likely the better bet. The Progress is even more aggressive than the Futur, so even on the lowest setting, it is impossible to simulate the Short Handle 2 Piece.For those of you considering the Parker Variant, you should be aware that you might have to exchange the one you receive for a new one--there seems to be an issue where the blade sits unevenly and insecurely when you get a lemon, making an otherwise great razor unusable. A good Parker Variant is likely comparable, if not superior, to the Futur. But both have their durability/manufacturing/shipping issues.

I decided to purchase the Parker 99R after doing some research on their line; and plus butterfly openers are awesome. Apparently the 99R is the way to go if you want one of Parker's butterfly operner razors as the others are prone to quality control issues; the blade might not sit right, the opener not functioning properly, and some shoddy work in the finish. Now two of those I could see being a big deal as they could assist you in accidentally slitting your own throat, but I think for an item procuced in India, the last issue could be expected. Now I have nothing wrong with India, but it's overseas manufacturing, that's all.TL;DR - This is a great razor but I don't recommend it too highly for newcomers to the world of DE shaving as the blade angle is more aggressive. If you're purchasing a razor for the first time, go check out Edwin Jagger; their razors paired with a good blade cut through hair like a lightsaber through Battle Droids yet are very easy to use. Your whiskers and your skin will wish to shake your hand and go have a round of scotch. If you have been shaving with a DE razor for a while, the Parker will make a nice addition to your whisker slaying arsenal; just don't expect the finish to be absolutely perfect and do expect to see some more aggressiveness in the razor.For those of you still reading, let's get the ball rolling. The 99R arrived fast and well packaged. Super Safety Razors did a great job here. I have Amazon Prime, granted, so if it wasn't two day shipping I'd be raising an eyebrow to some degree. Upon first inspection, the razor's appearance was, for me, an 8.5 out of 10. The chrome finish was for the most part nice and shiny. There was a minor scratch on one of the opening panels, as well as some other little "dust scratches" here and there but you'd have to be searching for them to notice. For me this isn't a big enough issue to take a star off for as the razor is going to wear over time anyway. If I cared that much I am sure a jewelry store could polish it up. The razor is also pretty hefty, the handle is about four inches long and has some significant weight. It felt like most of this was in the razor head however so it is a bit top-heavy in comparison to my other razor which I adore, the Edwin Jaffer DE89BL; not an issue for me, but it could throw some people off.The butterfly mechanism worked very well. The bottom "dual knob" piece twists to open the razor head to expose the piece that the blade slides on to. The razor head houses the blade snugly and the first time I shaved with it I did not notice the blade being loose or moving around. Some reviewers have had an issue with this so I must have gotten a good one; then again look at the numbers. WAY more five stars than anything less so I think your chances of receiving a good razor are pretty high. I raise my glass to you Parker, well done on the mechanism.What I did notice is that this razor is much more aggressive than the EJ, and my skin felt it. Applying my good old Aqua Velva Ice Blue post-shave stung more than usual. The angle required for this razor is a little more than the EJ I felt, but was quick enough to get used to as I've been using my EJ for a number of years. Despite the increased aggressiveness I managed to not cut myself; whether this was lady luck smiling upon me that morning or just skill I do not know, I'll take it either way. The increased aggressiveness felt like it actually led to a closer shave than the EJ but not by much. It's a bit of a double edged sword (razor) with the Parker (Pun intended. Come on. Coooomeeee on. You laughed.) It might net a closer shave but I feel I'd have to be much more careful than with the EJ. Each razor has their ups and downs.The 99R is a great razor and I look forward to many a manly shave with it. My EJ still has a special place in my heart as it was my first safety razor and still has comfort factor going for it, but the Parker does yield a great shave with some more care and patience than normal. If you're in the market for a new safety razor, the Parker 99R is worth the money.Happy shaving gentlemen, stay smooth. Stay classy.

Good quality. Exactly as advertised. Surprised it doesn’t cost more considering how much I have enjoyed this razor.