Just saw this from an email by Super Safety Razors. I said what the heck, it’s very affordable and the SB version is quite the shaver.
Report in a week or so.
Report in a week or so.
Open Comb Parker Variant.
- Thread starter GlazedBoker
- Start date
Cool! Which one did you get?
Hello,
I feel a fall case of RAD coming on. Hope it shaves as well as SB. Now if they made a adjustable slant......
Cheers
John
I feel a fall case of RAD coming on. Hope it shaves as well as SB. Now if they made a adjustable slant......
Cheers
John
- Thread starter
- #4
I'll be interested to hear your experience! I have the closed comb one and it's a very good razor for me.
I've never had a soft spot for the Variant, but I'm curious about your impressions Sir 
That is tempting. I've preferred the Variant over the Progress. It might become a Christmas gift for me.
Yes, Howie has always been great to me. I am an OpenCombohilic and Slantohilic ...keep only the ones naturally the works best of me and have purpose in the den....So yes, it is on my get it list....
I just wish they had it in a shorter handle ...
BFX..
I just wish they had it in a shorter handle ...
BFX..
Beautiful razor, but the closed comb is plenty aggressive enough for me!
In two weeks time they will probably be for sale here in Europe.
Can't wait to get one. I will then be the proud owner of three Parkers in Graphite. The Variant and the semi slant are already in my den and are great. Wish the handles were a bit shorter but they're great shavers nonetheless.
Can't wait to get one. I will then be the proud owner of three Parkers in Graphite. The Variant and the semi slant are already in my den and are great. Wish the handles were a bit shorter but they're great shavers nonetheless.
My favourit colour aswell. Please put on some picturen when you get yours and tell everybody how the shave was.Graphite.
Nice find @GlazedBoker
Watching your review with interest
Does the adjustment mechanism of this razor has a "finite stop point"?
Watching your review with interest
Does the adjustment mechanism of this razor has a "finite stop point"?
- Thread starter
- #13
Was walking out to get a few things done and this happened to be in my mailbox.
I'll get a photo in comparison with the SB version soon. I'll try to squeeze in a shave or two between the Guerilla & Osprey. Might be a few days though.
Great shaves to all....
I'll get a photo in comparison with the SB version soon. I'll try to squeeze in a shave or two between the Guerilla & Osprey. Might be a few days though.
Great shaves to all....
Interested to hear a review. Got my eye on this too.
- Thread starter
- #15
Nice find @GlazedBoker
Watching your review with interest
Does the adjustment mechanism of this razor has a "finite stop point"?
Yes, as it’s configured currently it has a limit. But, the Parker Variant can be over-clocked as I did read somewhere that it could be done, just don’t remember where at the moment.
- Thread starter
- #16
On dimensions, the SB & OC are identical. There are a few changes but, they are all aesthetics if you look closely. First is that the color on my SB Variant is true black (first release) whereas the OC version sports the updated Graphite color theme. The knurling or actually the dimple design on the body of the handle is smoother to the touch and might be an issue with grip on the OC when it gets soap, hair and water all over it. The SB version has more tactile feel to it but, we’ll see once in action. Also, the adjustment knob at the bottom of the SB has true knurling for better feel when turning the knob to adjust. THE OC Variant has no knurling but, rather lines/groves that run parallel to each other. I like the feel and knurling on the SB Variant over the OC version. Time will tell if it’s a nonissue. The last thing that I noticed was the ferrul underneath the heads where the handles attach. One is rounded on the OC while the SB has a curved unit. Does nothing performance wise but, does change the look of it, not better nor worse. Underside of the cap is equally as good on the OC as the SB with very well chromed finish. Looks clean and well done. Two thumbs up to Parker on the overall look & quality of this version. Teeth also look nicely rounded and don’t look nor feel pointy or aggressive to the touch. Almost forgot to add that the movement on the new OC version felt a bit smoother and cleaner without any rough spots, squeaks or grinding noises of any kind. Overall it has a nice feel of quality to it. It’s not a Timeless, Blackland or Wolfman type feel but, for the money it conveys a product that’s worth the $$$.
Maybe I’ll put a shave in tomorrow morning. That is if the Bronze Guerilla doesn’t call to me first…
Maybe I’ll put a shave in tomorrow morning. That is if the Bronze Guerilla doesn’t call to me first…
Thanks for sharing your findings...
Looking at your photos, I do like the look of the former SB version a bit better, but that's my personal preference. However, it looks more refined.
I hope you have a great first shave with the OC.
Looking at your photos, I do like the look of the former SB version a bit better, but that's my personal preference. However, it looks more refined.
I hope you have a great first shave with the OC.
Nice photos. Thanks for showing them.
Thanks a lot Gus for the pics and comparisons, great post. Looking forward to your thoughts.
I've spoken to our local agent and he is likely only ordering his next Parker shipment in the new year, so it's going to be a while before I get one.
On the knurling of the adjustment knob. It is "technically" correct when you consider how (in which direction) its is used.
- Thread starter
- #20
This will be brief but, to the point. The Parker Variant OC came in a few days back and I decided to get a couple of shaves in with it with this one being the first. Went to my tried and trued Gillette Minora on its 3rd use. Stubble was decent and covered the regular spots and neck but, was on the lighter side from yesterday’s great shave with the Guerilla .99. Anyhow, I set the dial to 3.5, whipped up some gorgeous lather from the Taconic shave cream and had meself a go.
If you’ve used and experienced the Variant in its original SB format, you will know that although it’s not the most rigid clamping razor in the business nor does it support it as good as some other well known razors in the adjustable arena. Still, it offers more than enough clamping power to get the job done regardless of what blade is being used to get the task at hand done quickly and comfortably. Placed the razor on the skin near mid opening of the ear on the burns and let it go. One thing the Parker Variant does well is that it sings and if you like audible feedback, this one is a chirper. You hear and feel the blade and razor combo slice through whiskers like nobody’s business. By the third stroke I will say that for me this OC variation feels smoother and easier on the skin. Maybe it has to do with some lather being allowed through by the teeth or whatever but, the teeth on the skin feel like it’s rolling on the skin with a very nice and smooth feel. The teeth are well rounded and don’t feel pointy or aggressively squared off from end to end. Each pass from WTG, XTG & ATG proved to be a very easy exercise from start to finish. Whiskers and soap were pulled away nicely from the contact and cutting area allowing one to keep the Variant on the skin for extended passes. It rinsed and cleaned itself quickly and easily under water equally as good as the SB version. The shave was done in 2.5 passes with that final pass being more clean up and some buffing mostly with a hybrid XTG & ATG combo pass. Really a very good and efficient performing shave. As I stated before, I started on 3.5 or thereabouts and finished on 2.5 with remarkable feel and comfort throughout all passes. Not all was clean as a whistle as I had 3 tiny red dots on the chin with one of them at the corner of the stache area at the mouth. I put that on me as I got loose and let the OC Variant run up and down and across with some reckless abandon. That was the dummy holding the tool and not on the tool nor blade itself. Good thing was that the red dots were gone with a cold water splash. I ran the alum and not a single area that gave a burn nor the tiniest amount of heat. Put the razor down and I was BBS both face & neck with the skin feeling great everywhere. A quick note here concerning feel in hand. I think the OG offers a bit more tactile feel and feels less prone to slipping out of ones hands during a shave. The OC Variant handle feels smoother and slicker once it’s in the shave zone but, again no mishaps or loss of grip during the shave. A comparison shave with the OG could answer this quickly.
I’ve always considered the Parker Variant a very good razor and a good adjustable at that. It’s well made and very affordable and can go from mild to wild and give one some real good blade feel if that’s what one desires. The OC Variant follows along the same path as the OG but, for now I feel like this version is smoother and easier on the skin. Maybe it’s just the first shave and first shave luck. Another shave or two will probably give me more of an idea and cement it for me as to which of the two brings a better overall shave action and result to the table. Perhaps a shave off? We’ll see if it needs to be done soon enough.
Great shaves to all….
If you’ve used and experienced the Variant in its original SB format, you will know that although it’s not the most rigid clamping razor in the business nor does it support it as good as some other well known razors in the adjustable arena. Still, it offers more than enough clamping power to get the job done regardless of what blade is being used to get the task at hand done quickly and comfortably. Placed the razor on the skin near mid opening of the ear on the burns and let it go. One thing the Parker Variant does well is that it sings and if you like audible feedback, this one is a chirper. You hear and feel the blade and razor combo slice through whiskers like nobody’s business. By the third stroke I will say that for me this OC variation feels smoother and easier on the skin. Maybe it has to do with some lather being allowed through by the teeth or whatever but, the teeth on the skin feel like it’s rolling on the skin with a very nice and smooth feel. The teeth are well rounded and don’t feel pointy or aggressively squared off from end to end. Each pass from WTG, XTG & ATG proved to be a very easy exercise from start to finish. Whiskers and soap were pulled away nicely from the contact and cutting area allowing one to keep the Variant on the skin for extended passes. It rinsed and cleaned itself quickly and easily under water equally as good as the SB version. The shave was done in 2.5 passes with that final pass being more clean up and some buffing mostly with a hybrid XTG & ATG combo pass. Really a very good and efficient performing shave. As I stated before, I started on 3.5 or thereabouts and finished on 2.5 with remarkable feel and comfort throughout all passes. Not all was clean as a whistle as I had 3 tiny red dots on the chin with one of them at the corner of the stache area at the mouth. I put that on me as I got loose and let the OC Variant run up and down and across with some reckless abandon. That was the dummy holding the tool and not on the tool nor blade itself. Good thing was that the red dots were gone with a cold water splash. I ran the alum and not a single area that gave a burn nor the tiniest amount of heat. Put the razor down and I was BBS both face & neck with the skin feeling great everywhere. A quick note here concerning feel in hand. I think the OG offers a bit more tactile feel and feels less prone to slipping out of ones hands during a shave. The OC Variant handle feels smoother and slicker once it’s in the shave zone but, again no mishaps or loss of grip during the shave. A comparison shave with the OG could answer this quickly.
I’ve always considered the Parker Variant a very good razor and a good adjustable at that. It’s well made and very affordable and can go from mild to wild and give one some real good blade feel if that’s what one desires. The OC Variant follows along the same path as the OG but, for now I feel like this version is smoother and easier on the skin. Maybe it’s just the first shave and first shave luck. Another shave or two will probably give me more of an idea and cement it for me as to which of the two brings a better overall shave action and result to the table. Perhaps a shave off? We’ll see if it needs to be done soon enough.
Great shaves to all….
