BRW alternatives - Parker or Tradere?

[JCinPA]

I have a Bob's Razor Works (RIP, Bob!) Bull Mastiff Deluxe XXL and I am looking to get something similar in length and weight. I do not have a scale, however.

It looks like the Parker 91R or 98R might fit the bill and both come in at 4", I think, and are pretty hefty. The price for the razors are under $30 each, so though I do not need the head, it seems like an economical way to go.

There are also the Tradere handles, which I think are also 4" and fairly hefty, at $42 for the handle only from West Coast Shaving.

Does anyone have any experience with these and know how close to the weight of a BRW handle these are? I have an extra head and I'm committed to getting one of these alternatives.

Thanks!

 

[ras120]

Bull Mastiff De Luxe XXL is 4-1/16" long and weighs 3.3 ounces.

Tradere is 3-3/4" long and weighs 2.5 ounces.

I don't own any Parker handles.

 

[JCinPA]

Thanks! I appreciate the weight, especially. That XXL is a beast, it looks like I will have a hard time finding something like it without Bob.

 

[bluesbishop]

I posted a reply in the BOTOC thread but..

The weber comes in at 68 grams
The iKon at 60 grams

Sabi is also a good choice, and if you want to see some pics on a scale, Here is a thread my brother did with various razor and weights on a scale:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...Weights-in-Grams-(photo-heavy)?highlight=Sabi

Hope this helps

 

[bluesbishop]

Here is a cool photo from one one of our members: It is with a R41 Head

Here's one to start. Clockwise from top left:

2011 R41 head with original handle 63 grams, Parker 91R handle 76 grams,

Merkur style stainless 82grams, Cooncat Bob Bull Mastiff XL 120grams.

 

[OldGreyGuy]

I posted a reply in the BOTOC thread but..

The weber comes in at 68 grams
The iKon at 60 grams

Are you sure about that Ken? I get 68.1g on my Gram scale for the Ikon, I'll look at it again tonight when I get home from work.

 

[bluesbishop]

Are you sure about that Ken? I get 68.1g on my Gram scale for the Ikon, I'll look at it again tonight when I get home from work.

I will have my brother re-weight it on his scale tonight....but from the iKon website:

If you're looking for the finest replacement handle for your favorite DE razor head - "iKon Bulldog" solid stainless steel 1 piece handle - professionally machined from 316L marine grade rust proof stainless - proper deep diamond knurling - finished with a high hand polish (not plated) that will match most any modern chromed DE razor heads - Approximately 3 inches long - 1/2 inch diameter - 60 grams - we make the best handles in the business​

 

[kingfisher]

John, I think you'd find the Tradere very close to what you're looking for, and it's a beautiful and elegant handle that just feels amazing in the hand.

 

[JCinPA]

Wow! I never knew what my Bulldog XXL weighed! To get apples to apples, it is about 93 grams. The Tradera is about 70. The Parker handle will be under 60, I think.

Looks like Tradere is about as close as I can get. Thanks, Kingfisher. Looks like they have only one model at West Coast Shaving, so I don't have to make any choices.

What I am looking for is something to put my DE89 head on when my NEW LC comes back from Dave after plating.

Thanks for the info, gents!

 

[Mick]

Wow! I never knew what my Bulldog XXL weighed! To get apples to apples, it is about 93 grams. The Tradera is about 70. The Parker handle will be under 60, I think.

Looks like Tradere is about as close as I can get. Thanks, Kingfisher. Looks like they have only one model at West Coast Shaving, so I don't have to make any choices.

What I am looking for is something to put my DE89 head on when my NEW LC comes back from Dave after plating.

Thanks for the info, gents!

There is no law that says you have to keep your XXL on one head. They do unscrew ya know

 

[jamesspo]

Indeed..my iKon handle pretty much travels everywhere! (although, I admit sometimes when I'm going back and forth between two razors, it might he nice to have a couple of handles).

There is no law that says you have to keep your XXL on one head. They do unscrew ya know

 

[crfcom]

I have both. The Parkers feel heavier to me than the Tradere, but I have to wonder if you've had your hands on a Parker razor or handle, and the Tradere?
The relative weights of the handles are nothing compared to the difference in appearances and workmanship. A Parker simply isn't in the same league with the Tradere. My Parkers all have visible flaws of sufficient magnitude that I didn't want them in my collection. The Tradere, on the other hand, is a work of art.

 

[JCinPA]

I've been scrolling through the old Bob's Razor Works thread in Vendors, for old times' sake, and I found that Bob was not overly fond of the really big, really heavy handles, but people wanted them, so he made them. I got his biggest, the Bull Mastiff Deluxe XXL with flare end, and it made the DE89 feel like a power tool.

Now that I am thinking this through, and realizing the aggressiveness of the NEW LC on that handle, perhaps what I should consider is keeping the DE89 on the BRW handle and putting the LC on an Ikon or Tradere with just a bit less heft. The combinations could bring out the best in both heads??

 

[Mick]

I've been scrolling through the old Bob's Razor Works thread in Vendors, for old times' sake, and I found that Bob was not overly fond of the really big, really heavy handles, but people wanted them, so he made them. I got his biggest, the Bull Mastiff Deluxe XXL with flare end, and it made the DE89 feel like a power tool.

Now that I am thinking this through, and realizing the aggressiveness of the NEW LC on that handle, perhaps what I should consider is keeping the DE89 on the BRW handle and putting the LC on an Ikon or Tradere with just a bit less heft. The combinations could bring out the best in both heads??

I find I like mild razors with longer heavy handles but the more aggressive ones like R41, Fatip, I like a short stocky (still heavy) handle.

 

[JCinPA]

I find I like mild razors with longer heavy handles but the more aggressive ones like R41, Fatip, I like a short stocky (still heavy) handle.

Turtle, that makes a lot of sense. I just saw this photo ... I think that is the one! My NEW LC is off to Dave for replating, when it returns, I hope to have one of these to put it on. I think I will leave the DE89 on the HYOOGE Bob's XXL handle. That truly is a match made in heaven.

Thanks for you posts, sir! You confirmed my thinking.

 

[Turtledrum]

Yes. I love the Tradere handle. I received mine from BullGoose Shaving Supplies. http://www.bullgooseshaving.net/ I place my Grand Shave King razor head on the Tradere handle and it is wonderful. Very weighty, super grip. Very nice shape. Elegant.

Well...I may still find it, however, very very sadly, I lost my CoonCatBob handle. I lost it during a move. I was going to reorder...

(I had the bull mastiff XXL handle also)

The design flaw with the Grand Shave King is that if you drop it, it falls on it's head and breaks the neck, top heavy. They made the neck out of cheap...stuff. I broke two of them before ordering the handle from CoonCatBob, then never had a problem with breakage even if I did drop it. Soapy hands...

So when I found out about Tradere, I got it. I love my Tradere handle. And I still HAVE to use my grand shave king head, because I love love the way it shaves so soft and smooth. My answer is Yes. Even if it wasn't a yes or no question.