I have been using a Parker 65R for the past several months. I had been using a Fusion with my Vulfix brush for several years. I was interested in DE shaving and, when purchasing several new creams and some soap from Classic Shaving, I decided to give the Parker a try. I hadn't yet stumbled across B&B and didn't have a good idea of which razor was which. I admit that I purchased the Parker mostly because I liked how it looked. I did get cut up a bit the first few times that I used it, but as my technique improved, I came to get a DFS and occasional BBS with only the rare weeper. Having nothing to compare the Parker with, I was happy with it. After finding B&B, things have changed. It hasn't helped my SCAD and I have developed an acute case of RAD. After reading about various vintage razors, I recently purchased several including a 40s style SS. I tried it for the first time this morning and what a difference from the Parker. It was a much smoother shave. It is clearly less "aggressive" but I now realize that doesn't mean that the Parker shaved closer. In fact, just the opposite. It was a very close BBS shave with no irritation. I wish I had found B&B before I started DE shaving. Any newbie starting with an SS instead of a Parker will be much less likely to give up on the DE.
SS vs. Parker 65R
- Thread starter mdevine
- Start date
I had a similar experience. I began wetshaving with a Parker 96R about a month and a half ago. Then I purchased a SS off of e-bay. It arrived last week. It was a night and day difference.
yeah, the parkers seem to have a fairly bad rap around here. the 40's superspeed is one of my favorite shavers. enjoy it.
Hold the blade down and turn the Parker 96R closed and it's OK
Yeah, but at least we FOUND it
With a hobby like this, with SO many variables, the knowledge available is a huge help.
Your experience is that of many people here.
My Parker 22R was perfectly fine for a first razor and gave me many DFS and BBS shaves.
And, honestly, if I'd never come here I would have continued to use it quite happily.
But once you come here you become quickly convinced that it's much better to get a vintage shavor, and, once RAD sets, any new razor you've bought quickly goes into the storage bin.
Jeff in Boston
My Parker 22R was perfectly fine for a first razor and gave me many DFS and BBS shaves.
And, honestly, if I'd never come here I would have continued to use it quite happily.
But once you come here you become quickly convinced that it's much better to get a vintage shavor, and, once RAD sets, any new razor you've bought quickly goes into the storage bin.
Jeff in Boston
Is the handle of the 65R compatible with any of the vintage Gillettes or SS's? It would be a shame to waste it.
Thanks, I will try that.
Will have to try that with my 89R. My Parker has seen very little use as it just tears my face to shreds and makes a hamburger of it. My ED DE89L on the other hand is almost identical to look at but is so much more forgiving and so much smoother to use.
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