Any thoughts on this DE Razor?

[Merlot Tbird]

The FAVORITE! ClassicShaving Exclusive Deluxe Vintage Butterfly Safety Razor

All, I'm new to wet shaving and new to the forum. I wish I had found this site one day earlier before I ordered the razor above. Not because it sounds like a bad razor, but I like to know it's not a bad choice.

http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/522941/6460096.htm

 

[mdevine]

I believe it is a relabeled Parker. I bought my first razor from Classic Shaving as well. It wasn't listed as such but it is a Parker 65R. Although I have had no major issues with my Parker, there are many here who have complained of quality issues. I recommend reading the reviews of Parker razors in the review section. My biggest concern I would have with you buying this particular razor is whether you would be able to tell if the razor wasn't as it should be (blade gap etc.). I like vintage Gillettes, especially Superspeeds as a starter razor. You can often find them on B/S/T for under $20 shipped.

 

[CB_DoubleEdge]

I like vintage Gillettes, especially Superspeeds as a starter razor. You can often find them on B/S/T for under $20 shipped.

Or $2-8 at a local antique mall or flea market. And who knows what else you might find. The first antique mall I went to I picked up a NDC Tech, 51 Super Speed, and two early 60s Flare Tips. Got them all for about $20.

 

[mdevine]

I looked through Parker's various razors on Amazon and it is indeed a Parker 80r

.

 

[americanarmsdealer]

Welcome to B&B! I can't comment on the razor you bought, as I have no experience with that particular model. Hopefully it will work well for you. +1 on what the other guys said about vintage Gillette razors being plentiful and relatively inexpensive to pick up. Just remember to take your time and don't use any pressure at all when shaving with a DE, and I think you'll be both pleased and amazed with the results! Happy shaving!

 

[BigFoot]

My vintage Gillette was even cheaper. My dad who is 72 found out I was interested in DE shaving and dug around the house until he found his 1961 slim adjustable. The last time it was used was probably when I played with it as a 5 year old with out a blade. That was 1970. I know I am off topic but it is kind of cool actually shaving with something at 45 I played with as a 5 year old.

 

[themilkman]

My vintage Gillette was even cheaper. My dad who is 72 found out I was interested in DE shaving and dug around the house until he found his 1961 slim adjustable. The last time it was used was probably when I played with it as a 5 year old with out a blade. That was 1970. I know I am off topic but it is kind of cool actually shaving with something at 45 I played with as a 5 year old.

I have just been telling my wife about how i used to 'shave' with my grandad. he would put a blade in his razor and give me one without - we would both get lathered up and he would shave properly and i would use the razor without the blade, taking the lather off. Unfortunately he died 5 years ago now, before i was into DE shaving, would have loved to have had his old razors, would have been a great link to him and nice to pass down. Am going to speak to my dad to see if he has any of his old DEs

 

[CB_DoubleEdge]

I have just been telling my wife about how i used to 'shave' with my grandad. he would put a blade in his razor and give me one without - we would both get lathered up and he would shave properly and i would use the razor without the blade, taking the lather off. Unfortunately he died 5 years ago now, before i was into DE shaving, would have loved to have had his old razors, would have been a great link to him and nice to pass down. Am going to speak to my dad to see if he has any of his old DEs

Good luck.

I had much the same story and my dad had already given away my grandfather's five vintage razors.

 

[BigFoot]

I wonder how many more folks out there are using a DE or straight that their father or grandfather used?

 

[Zumkopf]

The new-production TTOs I have seen are pretty shoddy, with the exception of the Merkur Vision; though the Vision is so different from anything else it isn't a valid comparison. Meanwhile, as far as I can tell, Gillette never made a *bad* TTO; every single one, from the Senator through the SuperSpeeds to the Black Beauty adjustables, has its fans. And '40s and '50s SuperSpeeds are nearly as cheap as dirt. Try a good-condition '40s SuperSpeed, and I expect the Parker clone will lose its appeal immediately.

[There *are* good modern two- and three-piece razors made, by several manufacturers. But even there, a good fat-handle Tech or an open-comb NEW are as good as straight DE razors get. Merkurs and Muhles and EJs may be nearly as good. They won't be better.]

 

[Merlot Tbird]

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Well, I now have several razors in a very short time. First, the razor I ordered was indeed a Parker. So much for use of the words - Exclusive, Deluxe and Vintage. Cannot imagine any really apply.

I also was gifted an adjustable, longer black handled Gillette razor that I believe is from 1976.

Finally, I bought at an antique store an adjustable Gillette from 1968.

I will give all a try, but I have to say the Parker is not as bad I had been led to believe.
decent shave with very few nicks for someone who has used a DE, for what, 4 shaves now!

So here is what I'm thinking. Use the Exclusive and vintage Parker to learn as it seems to be forgiving and graduate to the Gillette adjustable as I grow more proficient.

Oh, other pieces of the puzzle - C.O. Bigelow (proraso) shave cream and Crystal Ultra blades.

Thank you everyone for posting and giving guidance.

 

[RCC]

I have that razor as sold by Classic Shaving.
I like it.
It's similar in mildness to my 63 SS.
There's a lot of Parker hate around here but based on my experience, I would consider this a good economical razor.

 

[stobor]

I bought this razor from classicshaving a while back, it turned out to be the Parker 80R.

It gives a decent, mild shave, but when you twist it closed it doesn't automatically align the blade properly. You have to manually line up the blade with one hand as you twist it closed with the other hand , otherwise the blade will be crooked or protrude farther on one side than the other. (My 50-year old Gillette TTO never has this problem.)

Once you get it closed with the blade lined up right it's a decent shaver, but considering you can get a solid reliable Muhle or Merkur for just a few dollars more I wouldn't recommend this Parker.