Does anyone have blade gap measurements for the Parker Variant settings? At least for 1-5, I can’t seem to find them anywhere.
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Parker Variant Blade Gap Measurements?
- Thread starter pk_
- Start date
If I can find my set of feeler gauges I'll take some measurements and post up later this morning.
Well this was eye opening. I've had my Variant for a little while now, probably pushing a year maybe. I did get some good shaves with it, but it just never bonded with me as a smooth shaver, and I couldn't exactly say why. Now I believe I know.
Out came the feeler gauges this a.m. and I loaded a brand new Personna Super (aka "blue") in the razor. My razor zeros out exactly at number 1 when twist knob is snugly tightened on a blade, so that part is good. I took measurements at each increment, from 1 through 5.
The first thing I found out is the corner of one side of my top cap is lifted higher on one side than the other, by approximately .007". That is little more than the thickness of two pages of ordinary note paper, not an insignificant amount when precision and consistency are the goal. The opposite side of the razor top cap is more consistent end to end, and is ever so slightly tighter than the side that has the uneven gapping at a given setting. Pic illustrates area that is high on my razor:
Due to these inconsistencies, I tried measuring from the center of the blade edge on each side only, so the measurements here don't include the wild rise on the corner, but the lower (tighter) reading in the center. As a result of this, I'm not sure that a sample that was dead even all the way across on both sides would produce the same center measurement, but it should be fairly close. What I came up with was:
1 - .029"
2 - .036"
3 - .043"
4 - .050"
5 - .057"
Given the variations from one side to another (slightly tighter but not by a dramatic amount), and the drastic variation on one end, these measurements should be considered approximate. To the eye, the head of my Variant appears square on and completely true, so my guess is the gap variation is either a result of casting variation in the cap or base plate, or a combination of both. If you're having issues with your Variant, you can get feeler gauges at any auto parts shop for a few bucks and see if you have a similar issue going on.
Out came the feeler gauges this a.m. and I loaded a brand new Personna Super (aka "blue") in the razor. My razor zeros out exactly at number 1 when twist knob is snugly tightened on a blade, so that part is good. I took measurements at each increment, from 1 through 5.
The first thing I found out is the corner of one side of my top cap is lifted higher on one side than the other, by approximately .007". That is little more than the thickness of two pages of ordinary note paper, not an insignificant amount when precision and consistency are the goal. The opposite side of the razor top cap is more consistent end to end, and is ever so slightly tighter than the side that has the uneven gapping at a given setting. Pic illustrates area that is high on my razor:
Due to these inconsistencies, I tried measuring from the center of the blade edge on each side only, so the measurements here don't include the wild rise on the corner, but the lower (tighter) reading in the center. As a result of this, I'm not sure that a sample that was dead even all the way across on both sides would produce the same center measurement, but it should be fairly close. What I came up with was:
1 - .029"
2 - .036"
3 - .043"
4 - .050"
5 - .057"
Given the variations from one side to another (slightly tighter but not by a dramatic amount), and the drastic variation on one end, these measurements should be considered approximate. To the eye, the head of my Variant appears square on and completely true, so my guess is the gap variation is either a result of casting variation in the cap or base plate, or a combination of both. If you're having issues with your Variant, you can get feeler gauges at any auto parts shop for a few bucks and see if you have a similar issue going on.
- Thread starter
- #4
Well this was eye opening. I've had my Variant for a little while now, probably pushing a year maybe. I did get some good shaves with it, but it just never bonded with me as a smooth shaver, and I couldn't exactly say why. Now I believe I know.
Out came the feeler gauges this a.m. and I loaded a brand new Personna Super (aka "blue") in the razor. My razor zeros out exactly at number 1 when twist knob is snugly tightened on a blade, so that part is good. I took measurements at each increment, from 1 through 5.
The first thing I found out is the corner of one side of my top cap is lifted higher on one side than the other, by approximately .007". That is little more than the thickness of two pages of ordinary note paper, not an insignificant amount when precision and consistency are the goal. The opposite side of the razor top cap is more consistent end to end, and is ever so slightly tighter than the side that has the uneven gapping at a given setting. Pic illustrates area that is high on my razor:
Due to these inconsistencies, I tried measuring from the center of the blade edge on each side only, so the measurements here don't include the wild rise on the corner, but the lower (tighter) reading in the center. As a result of this, I'm not sure that a sample that was dead even all the way across on both sides would produce the same center measurement, but it should be fairly close. What I came up with was:
1 - .029"
2 - .036"
3 - .043"
4 - .050"
5 - .057"
Given the variations from one side to another (slightly tighter but not by a dramatic amount), and the drastic variation on one end, these measurements should be considered approximate. To the eye, the head of my Variant appears square on and completely true, so my guess is the gap variation is either a result of casting variation in the cap or base plate, or a combination of both. If you're having issues with your Variant, you can get feeler gauges at any auto parts shop for a few bucks and see if you have a similar issue going on.
Thank you for doing this for me! I have only been wet shaving a few months and I have a few different razors including the Variant. Still trying to get a feel for what I “like” as my technique improves. I really like the Variant as a head shaver set at 1.5 with a Personna blue. I don’t consider the Variant as my only one true razor (so many fish in the sea), so if I am going to eventually cough up for a high end razor, I want to buy a blade gap I know I will like. Thanks for helping me with this. Any other hints or tips for my quest?
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No real additional tips only to say "keep it up", and over time you will settle into a routine, blade, prep that works best for you.
Bear in mind, blade gap by itself is just a reference point...also to be considered is blade protrusion, or the distance a blade edge extends beyond the plane of the cap and guard bar. Protrusion measurements are not as easily taken though, and I don't have a way of doing it myself.
Enjoy your shaves
Hello,
I love the Variant as a head/face shaver. I set it at 5 or “+” and get an awesome three (two if in hurry) pass shave.
Don’t be shy about dialing it up. This razor has the characteristic of getting smoother as you dial it up. It is in my top five favorites.
I would recommend picking up a Slim, Fatboy and a Old type Gillette. If your a head shaver don’t overlook injector type Razors. They’re awesome. Even the Hawk, El Hefe AC type Razors perform wonderfully.
Welcome to RAD.
Cheers
John
