Surgical precision, superglued to your hand when you need it most
It's been over a month since I received the Parker 26C, but due to a series of snafus, including but not limited to an abscess in my jaw, I haven't been able to review it until now. Before I go into the review itself, I must state that what you're looking at is an OPEN COMB safety razor. By their nature, open comb razors are more aggressive than standard razors like the Weishi butterfly. By 'more aggressive', I mean they give a closer shave, but in the hands of a newbie wet shaver, they can and WILL LIKELY cut and leave razor burn. For this reason, most wet shavers, particularly those who have storefronts will recommend a standard razor to newcomers. If you're looking to buy your first safety razor, I suggest you bookmark the Parker 26C and make a note to purchase it as your SECOND razor, once you've learned how to properly use a safety razor in general, and know what your skin and beard need for a good, close, and smooth shave. As an individual with a thick beard and sensitive skin, I've found that pressing a hot, wet towel to my face for a few minutes and applying a tiny amount of olive oil as a preshave works wonders to prevent irritation and nicks. Alright, with that done, onward to the review! The Parker 26C is absolutely beautiful! Highly polished chrome plating on the two piece head, and on the handle end pieces, and a highly textured black handle surface that may or may not be aesthetically pleasing to some(looks great to me!), but makes it virtually impossible to slip through soapy fingers. Although it is indeed more aggressive than my Weishi butterfly razor, the sheer weight and rough, almost sandpaper-like grip in the hand provides absolute control, while the open comb leaves enough lather behind to allow for a couple extra cleanup passes. Dorco blades, which went so well with my Weishi, are prone to 'skipping' and irritation in this razor, but I was still amazed at the closeness of the shave. Even considering the fact that my first use was somewhat hurried due to both an impending appointment and a back that was trying to spasm, I was completely astonished with the level of control made possible by the weight and exceedingly grippy handle texture. The extremely rough finish borders on uncomfortable when first held in wet fingers, but initial sensations were forgotten the instant my back tried to seize in the middle of a pass. What happened next is something I still have trouble believing. The razor stopped cold and pivoted slightly as if it were part of my hand while I shifted position, and I was able to continue the pass as if nothing happened. For the longest time, I thought it would take me years to get that kind of precision out of a safety razor, and the first time I used this one, it was as if I came out of my mama's belly with it attached to my hand. It's not just experience that saved me from a severe cut yesterday, it was the hardware. Don't get caught up in price or aesthetics, and for the love of God, don't look at the textured handle and think 'that looks uncomfortable'. Parker spent years researching handle finishes and textures looking for the perfect combination that would allow the shaver to stop the blade on a whisker and maneuver the head with surgical precision right out of the gate. Sadly, my Parker 26C is so well made I don't know if I'll ever have to make another purchase from Super Safety Razors, but I keep browsing their store in case I'm wrong. Their razors are excellent(as if I need to repeat myself), and their customer support is equally so. If you're new to wet shaving, they'll gladly answer your emailed questions in around two hours and get you started with the best razor for your needs, regardless of your level of experience with wet shaving. I could go on and on about this razor, and Super Safety Razors in general, but common sense should compel most people to throw one of these lovely Parkers into their cart for immediate purchase. My work here is done. Read more
