Parker 91R: Blade protrudes longer on one side

[Jesse G]

Hello, newbie here to both the forum and shaving with a DE.

So for Christmas, my dad got me a Parker 91R, Omega shaving soap, feather blades and a badger hair brush. After some practice and lots of research, I'm getting the best shaves I've ever had and no razor burn for the first time in my life. I specially adore the Omega shave soap.

However, I'm concerned about the way the blade sits unevenly in the head. One end has about 1/3 or 1/4 more length than the other. The longer end works better however I'm able to use both ends effectively if I shift my technique. I originally asked for a Merkur Classic but they have been having trouble in the factory or something so my dad wasn't able to place an order in time for Christmas.

So am I missing on a better shave if the blade is un-even, or is this something I shouldn't be concerned about?

 

[c0ry]

I figured something was wrong with the one I ordered--apparently I wasn't the only one that this happened to. I gave up using it, tbh.

 

[lamina]

Parkers have some issues...the blade gap or other finition problem are always popping around here. They need to dismantle the machines doing the razors maybe...

 

[Slivovitz]

I have a 90R, which is a twist-to-open, not a 3 piece like the 91R. The blade exposure is uneven on that, too, but on each side the blade aligns parallel to the guard, and it actually shaves pretty well. Knowing what I know now, I probably wouldn't buy a Parker again, but since I've got it, it's not actually bad. I've taken it as a travel razor where I didn't want to risk one of the razors I really like.

Welcome to the forum, by the way. Lots of good information here, but don't let the peer pressure make you buy too many more razors.

Oh, to answer your question directly, if your razor is actually working for you I wouldn't worry about it. At some point you may want to try another one, and you may indeed get a better shave, but if you're satisfied with the way things are, then it's nothing urgent.

 

[DougK]

I have a 91R and it can be difficult to get the blade to sit evenly; it takes quite a bit of coaxing to make it happen. When it does sit evenly, there's still a pretty large blade gap so it can slice my face nicely if I'm not paying attention. I get good shaves from it, though.

 

[Jesse G]

it takes quite a bit of coaxing to make it happen.

Can you expand on that? What exactly do you do to get it to sit evenly?

 

[DougK]

Can you expand on that? What exactly do you do to get it to sit evenly?

I hold the ends of the blade in place firmly against the ends of the cap when I put on the base of the head, then hold the cap and base together as tightly as I can tightly while I screw the handle on. If I don't, the blade turns a bit on the pins as I tighten the handle down and sits crookedly. It's a small inconvenience, but if I'm not careful when I change the blade I'll get a surprise the next time I shave. I gather from the reviews I've read here and elsewhere that Parker's quality control is a bit spotty, or at least it was at one time.

Oh, and I almost forgot: welcome to the forum!

 

[CCMphysician]

I feel that I have to defend Parker, I think it is an excellent razor. I have a Parker 91R as well (with the gunmetal finish) and I have not had a single problem with it yet. The finish is great and I haven't had a problem with the blade sitting unevenly, nor have I had any problems with the blade gap. I have yet to really cut myself with it, nothing in comparison to when I was using the Fusion. There wasn't a time that I could avoid having the Fusion nick the skin over my maxilla as I shaved (sorry, medical speak just comes out naturally), but with the Parker I have yet to have a problem with that. I also get a much, much better BBS shave each time.

The defense rests,
CCM

P.S. I am sure there are run-on sentences up there, but I just got off from a shift and I can't remember my own name right now.

 

[DougK]

CCM, I'm glad yours was perfect out of the box. I like mine, too; it shaves well and the price was right, but it does have a small alignment issue that I have to watch out for when I change blades. I would not have expected that problem with a brand-new razor, so I thought it was worth mentioning in my review. It's quite possible that issues people have reported with Parker razors occur mainly with models from older stock and that these issues may have been eliminated in later manufacturing runs. I certainly hope so, variety in the new razor marketplace is a good thing.

EDIT: I added a link to my review in case anyone is interested; the full review thread is here.

 

[scottb]

I think Parkers are a little unpredictable...I love my 90R, am enjoying the 82, but I had a 91 and found it way too mild, even with a feather, while others said it was the most aggressive razor they owned.

I used to have a 96, and it was scary aggressive. Who knows...