New Parker 82R 2010 Head (Pic Heavy)

[Sledgehammer39]

Well I finally took out my camera to talke about the Parker 82R. I have not owned an earlier version Parker that had the QC issues. The 2010 head is supposed to be an improvement from earlier TTO units. However, please look at these pics and tell me if you think that Paker might need a little more QC policies.

If you look at one of the blade/straight guards it appears that it is fairly even. The second one shows the un-even blade guard. My question to the more experienced folks here at B&B is there a safe way to perhaps bend it up so it appears a little more even? Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

The shots showing the underside of the razor shows some reddish/brownish exposure and I beleive that the razor was not perhaps left long enough for plating? Mind you this is new razor and not used! I just really wonder what the quality was for earlier TTO Parkers. Blade exposure seems to be even but you can judge for yourself.

The heft and length is nice but I think the QC needs major improvement to hang with Merkur, Muhle, Edwin Jaggers, and Vintage Gillettes. I like the idea that a company is trying to make a good TTO but I would like to see Merkur or another heavy-hitter make a solid TTO unit. I invite your feedback.

 

[Patriot45]

I wouldn't even mess around with it. You have spent your hard-earned money and expect quality...particularly with this are we are so enamored with. I would send it back and demand one that meets your standards.

 

[michiganlover]

Humm....even without the safety bar issues, I am not hugely impressed with it's overall quality.

The early Superspeeds didn't use the end caps as their pivot point; endcaps were simply for decoration. The endcaps could be removed, and the razor would still function fine. (although it would look funny)

Later model Superspeeds switched over a to cheaper build construction which used the endcaps as the pivot point, and they were thus an integral part of the razor. This was not a superior design, and certainly not as durable.

Parker has unfortunately copied the later design; I feel this design is cheap, and kind of chintzy.

I don't expect such a razor to be very durable; and it probably wouldn't survive a drop to the floor.

I would most certainly send it back, and invest the money in a nice condition Superspeed instead. If they let such shoddy construction (that safety bar obviously has issues, and wouldn't pass even a quick visual glance over) leave the factory, there is little hope that the replacement model will be any better.

 

[cvac]

+1 get your money back and buy a nice vintage Superspeed. I fail to understand why people keep buying these Parkers. The QC is atrocious and they're really not that cheap when you consider what a vintage Gillette goes for.

 

[cirrusvirus]

+1 get your money back and buy a nice vintage Superspeed. I fail to understand why people keep buying these Parkers. The QC is atrocious and they're really not that cheap when you consider what a vintage Gillette goes for.

I agree that Parkers leave much to be desired. However I do own a TTO in gun metal. Like most people it was my first razor and thought difficulties I was having was part of the learning curve.

Thats where board members like our self came in and let the noob's like me know what's really going on. Then set me on the path to many acquisition disorders

 

[col conk]

I agree with all the above comments about Parker "quality"
I made the mistake of getting a 90R 3 years ago. Horrible razor. The doors didn’t close even ,blade exposure was ridiculous . I could have held the blade with my fingers for a more comfortable and safe shave.

 

[dtb]

Your razor head was crushed.. This is not a manufacturing defect. Somewhere along the line, this baby got crushed (and I'll bet in transit).

Your razor looks used. Those dark spots look like blade rust.

I have many parkers with the new TTO head. No issues. There is no doubt.. your razor was mishandled somewhere. My money says you got a returned razor that someone damaged. Where did you buy it? Send it right back and ask for a replacement!

 

[Sledgehammer39]

Your razor head was crushed.. This is not a manufacturing defect. Somewhere along the line, this baby got crushed (and I'll bet in transit).

Your razor looks used. Those dark spots look like blade rust.

I have many parkers with the new TTO head. No issues. There is no doubt.. your razor was mishandled somewhere. My money says you got a returned razor that someone damaged. Where did you buy it? Send it right back and ask for a replacement!

I have cleaned many razors and that is not razor rust.

However, I was fortunate to talk with the main supplier for North America after they read my thread, we are working on this issue. I will update this thread as things develop.

 

[dt_in_av]

DO NOT touch it. One slight misalignment exposing a blade edge just ever so slightly higher than the rest of the safety bar and you will gouge yourself bloody seriously - and I mean a deep cut requiring immediate medical attention - not worth it!

Just like Patriot45 mentioned send it back.

 

[Sledgehammer39]

Well I finally took out my camera to talke about the Parker 82R. I have not owned an earlier version Parker that had the QC issues. The 2010 head is supposed to be an improvement from earlier TTO units. However, please look at these pics and tell me if you think that Paker might need a little more QC policies.

If you look at one of the blade/straight guards it appears that it is fairly even. The second one shows the un-even blade guard. My question to the more experienced folks here at B&B is there a safe way to perhaps bend it up so it appears a little more even? Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

The shots showing the underside of the razor shows some reddish/brownish exposure and I beleive that the razor was not perhaps left long enough for plating? Mind you this is new razor and not used! I just really wonder what the quality was for earlier TTO Parkers. Blade exposure seems to be even but you can judge for yourself.

The heft and length is nice but I think the QC needs major improvement to hang with Merkur, Muhle, Edwin Jaggers, and Vintage Gillettes. I like the idea that a company is trying to make a good TTO but I would like to see Merkur or another heavy-hitter make a solid TTO unit. I invite your feedback.

********************UPDATED**********************************************************************************************

I just wanted to update my thread regarding the Parker 82R. The distributor for Parker Razors contacted me and wanted to rectify my current situation. The Parker rep wanted to send me another unit to replace the one seen in the photos. I was really happy to see this level of concern and customer support, it was greatly appreciated.

I received the unit on Monday March 1/2010 and have used it since. I returned the original unit back. The blade gap is even and both safety bars are straight/level. I did have a pretty good shave with this unit its aggressiveness level reminds me of my Red-Tip.

I believe that a returned unit was somehow given to me originally or damaged in transit, which made me jump the gun and start to banter about the QC when in fact the vendor should have caught this earlier on before sending it to me.

Anyway I am satisfied with this replacement model and I plan on getting some good shaves to come.

 

[kingfisher]

good to hear that the company did the right thing.

 

[coughdrop]

********************UPDATED*******************************


I believe that a returned unit was somehow given to me originally, which made me jump the gun and start to banter about the QC when in fact the vendor should have caught this earlier on before sending it to me.

:

Hmmmmmm.....I wonder if some vendors would address this charge?

 

[msandoval858]

It's good to know that the company will stand behind their razors and I know the distributor here in the US will do all he can to correct the situation. The problem is still that the QC coming out of the factory with these razors is terrible. I went through a box of 5 different models a friend showed me and the quality is all over the place. One even had the head crooked on the handle.

Parkers are nice, overall appearance wise and they are affordable. Some guys have really enjoyed them, which I'm sure they are good if you get one made properly.

 

[Sledgehammer39]

Hmmmmmm.....I wonder if some vendors would address this charge?

Perhaps they should.. Thankfully the vendor I had issues with is not any vendor mentioned on this board.

 

[xgunterx]

I agree with all the above comments about Parker "quality"
I made the mistake of getting a 90R 3 years ago. Horrible razor. The doors didn’t close even ,blade exposure was ridiculous . I could have held the blade with my fingers for a more comfortable and safe shave.

This was my first razor. It is probably more useful in the kitchen.

 

[michiganlover]

Hmmmmmm.....I wonder if some vendors would address this charge?

I also find that statement intriguing.

Had I suspected a returned unit was re-issued to me, I would have been done with the situation, and demanded my money back. That's worse that bad quality control, that is effectively the distributor indicating their clients are less than intelligent. That's extremely bad form, and shows a total lack of professionalism!!!

 

[Aevum]

send that thing back, my parker had a bent handle but the head was ok, so i used it a few times and then moved on to a merkur,

 

[rainman]

Is this a parker slant?

 

[82R100]

With a quick glance at the title I thought you were talking about my head!

 

[K.T.]

Hmmm... I thought I posted a review of the 82r to this thread, but it seems to be gone.

I'm curious to hear more about your experience with the 82r the more you use it. I have one, and I like it a lot.

Yes, the QC is an issue. Though the one I have works fine, some of the plating on some parts is thin or not quite there. The welds look unground and unpolished. The doors don't exactly line up really well. The silo doors clamp the blade down closer to the safety bar at the corners. The handle has a bunch of tiny pre-plating dings, probably from rough handling on the way to the plating tank. I was slightly disappointed when I first unpacked it.

But it shaves really well. I was surprised at how good of a shave it gives me. It feels aggressive. I was afraid of getting cut at first (just moved up from a Tech), but it gave me satisfyingly close DFS/WTG shaves without any irritation. That's with the included Shark chrome blades.

I don't have a Red Tip, but I kept on reading reviews of the Red Tip and thinking that these describe my experience with the 82r pretty closely: a heavy feeling razor that gives an aggressive shave, but one that's smooth and irritation free. I'm curious to hear more about how the 82r compares to the Red Tip the more you use it.

Despite the QC issues, I like it enough to consider getting another one. I like it that much.

Best,
K.T.