I too love the variant. BBS or near every time. I go 4 or 5 on the setting.
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Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
I do sometimes, but I'm more of a DE shaver. I like efficiency.@kyproset: 4.5 or 5 and a Feather blade??? Why not just use a strop and a straight razor?
@Tallships:
Based on everyone's comments (and that it's similar to a Merkur Progress which I have never tried but wanted to, with the benefit of a grippier handle), I bought a Parker Variant as well.
-it's a relatively heavy, nicely satin-finished razor with a large head. No quality concerns on examination. It feels balanced to me and is nicely knurled
-it shaves very well (and loudly!). It reminds me of a bulldozer - it doesn't slow down for stubble but simply plows ahead. Smooth, feels friendly at a very low setting (1-1.5) once you get past how aggressive it looks ;-)
-overall, I quite like mine - it's good enough to earn a spot on my "frequently used razors" in the bathroom, rather than being relegated to longer term storage to be rotated in and out (or PIFed away)
-I enjoy mild razors the most (Gillette blue tips, Techs, Slims/Fatboys/Super Adjustables from 2 to 4), so I typically run my variant at 1-1.5. I will almost certainly fine tune this as I've only had 2 shaves going in
-in short, highly recommended so far
Based on everyone's comments (and that it's similar to a Merkur Progress which I have never tried but wanted to, with the benefit of a grippier handle), I bought a Parker Variant as well.
-it's a relatively heavy, nicely satin-finished razor with a large head. No quality concerns on examination. It feels balanced to me and is nicely knurled
-it shaves very well (and loudly!). It reminds me of a bulldozer - it doesn't slow down for stubble but simply plows ahead. Smooth, feels friendly at a very low setting (1-1.5) once you get past how aggressive it looks ;-)
-overall, I quite like mine - it's good enough to earn a spot on my "frequently used razors" in the bathroom, rather than being relegated to longer term storage to be rotated in and out (or PIFed away)
-I enjoy mild razors the most (Gillette blue tips, Techs, Slims/Fatboys/Super Adjustables from 2 to 4), so I typically run my variant at 1-1.5. I will almost certainly fine tune this as I've only had 2 shaves going in
-in short, highly recommended so far
Hello,
Once your comfortable try dialing up the setting to about 4.0 or higher. The razor has the tendency to get smoother as you set it higher. I run mine at 6.0 (1past 5) and it is smooth as silk.
Cheers
John
I use my Progress at 10 only and it works great. You could go to 12 before the mechanism gets too loose. That is why I also prefer my Futur clone over the real one as it doesn't have the limiter on it(even though that can also be bypassed).Hello,
Once your comfortable try dialing up the setting to about 4.0 or higher. The razor has the tendency to get smoother as you set it higher. I run mine at 6.0 (1past 5) and it is smooth as silk.
Cheers
John[/QUOTE
If your son is a DE shaver that would beI probably will. I looked into it a couple years ago, but never got around to it. I may do that and gift it to my son.
Are you still using the Parker VariantI've been using mine exclusively for months now. No need for any other razor.
Are you still using the Parker Variant
Exclusively ?
That's good to know and I'm glad to hear itYes, exclusively.
I think the more I use the Variant the better it gets. Shaved ATG, 1 pass with short strokes plus touch up this morning for a BBS.
Are you still using the Parker Variant
Exclusively ?
The Variant's been my Main Axe since summer (except for my month in Europe, where I took my new Parker three-piece travel razor). I honestly don't think I've enjoyed shaving quite this much before. Changing up to one of my older razors honestly hasn't come to mind at all.
One big unexpected surprise for me: my long-time go-to blade, Dorco's ST-300, has now been replaced by the Astra Superior Stainless. The KAI is still tops in terms of absolute BBS goodness, but the Astra beats it on a bang-for-the-buck basis, so I've stocked up accordingly.
I wonder if even Parker was surprised by what an out-of-nowhere hit this thing has (or would) become?
I think they knew they had a winner. Parker made many improvements on the Merkur Progress, a non-slip handle, weight, balance, length, thicker handle, brass instead of Zamak. Even though the Progress is a great razor and has been on the market for many years, Parker IMPO has made a better razor than Murker.
I'll not say the Parker Variant replaced my Weber PH but I will say it replaced my Gillette Slim, Fatboy and the Super Adjustable (BB) comes in a close second.