Parker 68S Stainless Steel Handle Double Edge Safety Razor with 5 Blades

This Double Edge Safety Razor from Parker deserves five stars in my book for several reasons: 1.) it is made of solid components with a beautiful finish; 2.) it's top-heavy which means it's well balanced to give you a close shave without having to apply pressure; 3.) it's very simple to use and easy to take apart, clean, and re-assemble. IT JUST WORKS effortlessly and safely. After three shaves, I didn't even nick myself a single time, let alone cut my face -- nope, no cuts, no nicks. If you will take a closer look, you will notice that the razor blade sits flush against the bottom plate, the one with the comb; since there is no gap below the blade, it's very unlikely that you will cut yourself. My other Parker razor is the Long Handle Butterfly type, model 96R (black handle version), and even though I like the *looks* of the long handle 96R slightly better, this open comb model 68S (hereby under review) gives me a BBS shave ["Baby Butt Smooth" in wet shavers jargon] with less stress and fewer worries than the 96R. I believe the difference is in the blade alignment vs. the bottom plate. The 96R Butterfly razor has a gap between the blade and the comb (actually it's more like a serrated bar, not a real comb) where I once got some loose neck skin trapped, which resulted in a noticeable cut; that's not likely to happen with the 68S. Here's a TIP: to ensure that BBS shave during the second or third pass, *loosen* the screw one eighth (1/8) of a turn by rotating the handle counter-clockwise with respect to the comb; that will result in a slightly flatter razor at a slightly higher angle against your skin, which means a more AGGRESSIVE shave. But here's the CAVEAT: try this trick only after you've shaved a few times with this razor and you feel quite comfortable using it, based on its shape, cutting angle, weight, etc. Heed the experts' advice: >>never press<< hard against your face; let the weight of the razor do the work, and proceed with frequent >>short strokes<<, not long ones. Apply a sandalwood shaving oil or a similar lubricant prior to lathering shaving cream, and an alum block after you're done shaving. You'll feel like a million dollars and you will have joined the mini-revolution of wet shavers who are dumping their expensive cartridge blades! Read more

Better than I expected. Heavy and Solid 3 piece construction. Very Functional and Traditional. update: After several months of using this razor without any problems, the threads on the head won’t catch to the handle anymore. Read more

Razor with Open Comb. At such a cost, this is optimal variant. All the details of the razor fitted exactly, and nothing dangles anywhere. In a fully assembled state, the blade line and the ridge line are practically the same direction - but I do not aim specifically for this, and just I twist completely the handle. This is a very good indicator! The level of aggressiveness of this razor is not too dangerous. I would say that this is a razor with an average level of aggressive shaving. But, at the inaccurate accidental movement, you, surely, will wound skin. The best razor for this price, of many razors that I held in my hands. Of course, there are razors of higher quality. However, at its cost it is a very worthy option! The only thing that I would change is that I would make the surface of the razor head not polished, but satin, matte. However, it is a good razor! And the blades, which lie with a razor in the kit - they are very sharp, and they are quite enough to shave for the first time. I almost cut myself when I put the blade into the razor - because the Parker Platinum blades were really sharp. The packaging is very similar to Derby Premium blades - but perhaps Parker Platinum blades do not have a polymeric coating on edges . I will compare these blades, definitely. But you can confidently talk about the good quality of this kit. And the price is reasonable. As for how long this razor can remain in working condition - it can be found out only after a long time. However, this razor model does not seem as if it is flimsy and unreliable, as many have written here. I think that some users may be making excessive efforts to the razor - and then the razor, of course, will fail prematurely. In my razor all its details are well matched to each other, they are quite accurately adjusted. Now I want to purchase also a model with a closed comb - in order to look for a better combination of a blade and a razor. The head of this model of the razor has the non-standard form. In my opinion, this form is more convenient than the usual smooth line in the form of a semicircle, which happens to most other razors. However, this is a matter of personal preferences for everyone. I really like everything at the moment. I am pleased with my purchase. Read more

So I thought this razor didn't cut for the first 3 weeks until I realized I was putting the bottom part on upside down. this is the closest shave I've ever had on my neck. It is hard to cut oneself but you can if you go too fast. Personally, I'm using Wilkinson sword blades which I think are as sharp, and thicker, than feather's. Read more

First shave using Parker blade was great....next shave I’ll use a Feather, my go to blade. Not for a beginner and requires technique an go slow. Read more

The razor is very heavy and seems to have great quality! Unfortunately, I do not have blades to try it as I thought it was supposed to include 5 blades...... Read more

Shaves well ,but the threads on the handle are not very good. The Mercur razors that I have are built much better. Time will tell how long this razor lasts. Fast forward to Feb.6,2018. Handle will probably not tighten next time I change blades. The threads on the handle are all but gone. My Merkurs are older and the threads are just fine. Would never consider another Parker product! Read more

Perfect balance and feel. Smooth and great comfort. Open comb is only way to go! Read more