Parker SR1 Shavette Review – A Fashionable Shave
Parker SR1 Shavette
The Parker SR1 Shavette is a folding cut-throat style shavette that uses ½ disposable razor blades for its cutting edge.
Pros
Beautiful all Chrome Design
Durable Stainless Steel Blade
Comfortable in the hand
Easy to open Housing
Blade opening closes with an audible click and blade doesn’t move
Lovely Engravings (offering no tactical advantage whatsoever)
Cons
Acquired Skill to use properly
Smooth chrome and steel can slip out of your hands
Clasp can come open when fully closed
After going through the whole catalog of Parker Shavettes last week, my Editor in Chief suggested a couple to review. For the first review, we are going to try out the Parker SR1 Shavette.
Sometimes Parker calls their shavettes “Barber Straight Razors” because of a semi-apocryphal story about where Shavettes come from. Originally when legislation in Britain came down about making sure that straight razors in barber shops were sterilized, the shavette was created to make sure each razor blade was nice and clean for each individual customer. While it would be better to autoclave a straight razor, not every barber shop could afford an autoclave. Thus the shavette was born.
Parker has an extensive catalog of razors and shavettes, but for now let’s focus on the SR1 and see what it offers.
Brand/Company –
Parker is a stable work-a-day brand that has been around for 40 years. They are a top of the line brand when you are looking for something that is safe and gets the job done right. Their products are high quality and last for a long time. Even their disposable blades have a good edge on them for more than just 4 shaves.
You really can’t go wrong with a Parker product. There may be some more expensive options on the market that could have some higher performance. Parker razors and brushes are always a great bet for a close and professional shave.
Parker SR1 Shavette Features
Let’s take a look at the all-important features of the Parker SR1 that make a razor function well to provide us with a great shave experience – hopefully!
- Stainless Steel Blade arm – The arm that holds the disposable razor is all stainless steel, making it good and sturdy without blemishes after extended use with water and soap.
- Fan and Clip style blade housing – The blade housing opens easily, but clips in place audibly. It holds the blade tightly with just the right profile.
- Durable all metal product – The chromed steel blade and handle are durable.
- Engraved with Parker Logo and Designs – The blade and handle are covered in just enough engravings to look good without looking overly decorative.
- Replaceable Blades – The cutting edge uses disposable razors, letting you have a nice sharp edge every time you shave.
- Full Tang for comfortable grip – The tang and blade arm are shaped comfortably to hold when you are shaving.
- Made in India
- Approximate Dimensions – Weight: 1.7 oz (48 g), Length: 5.75 in (14.6 cm)
How does it look?
If you haven’t figured out by what I said before, I do really love this razor’s aesthetics. It looks like an old-fashioned type of hunting knife, with the engravings and all chrome design.
The stainless steel look makes it easy to clean and find amongst my other shaving supplies. The Parker logos really stand out on the stainless steel.
The handle has a pair of brass brads, one on the bottom of the handle and the other at the blade hinge. On the blade arm, the clasp hinge and the posts clipping the housing together are copper. These two metals add just a touch of color to the monochrome look.
The blade arm itself has just enough of a curve cut into the tang to make it very comfortable to hold without being too thin. There is a bump and divot on the blade arm as well to either provide you with a better grip to get more control on the blade, or to keep your fingers from crowding out each other.
Overall this blade looks great, and is definitely something that I would be and am happy to show off.
How does the Parker SR1 Shavette Perform?
Like normal, I shaved with this razor a total of 4 times. I used three passes for each shaving session: with the grain, across the grain, and against the grain. The first two times I used a Parker brand Disposable Razor, and the last two times I used a Lord brand half blade.
When it comes to shaving, this razor does its job and does it very well.
The blade is recessed more into the housing than you get with most of the shavettes on the market. This makes the corners of the blade a great deal easier to navigate around. Unlike some other shavettes I have reviewed, that leave the blade corners too exposed so they gouge into your cheeks or neck.
The blade has a nice wedge to it as well, helping to make sure you get just the right angle when shaving. That part is important, because the right angle can make sure you don’t accidentally slice anything you want to keep on your face.
Just remember that your shave is going to depend on the quality of your razor blade. High-quality razor blades are going to glide and cut easily, but low-quality dull blades are going to give you all kinds of razor burn and nicks.
There is only one major issue I have to bring up. When fully closing the blade, the handle has an issue with the clasp that holds the blade housing together. The handle is so tight it will actually cause the clasp to open up halfway. This probably won’t cause it to open up unless it is jostled open, but it is still an issue that might expose a razor blade if it was being carried in a pocket or a travel case.
How Easy is it to Use?
At the risk of repeating myself (again and again and AGAIN and AGAIN), shaving with a shavette or a straight razor is not just something you can pick up and do easily. Well, you could but you’d probably end up cutting yourself to ribbons. In my case, the first time I attempted to use a straight razor, I wound up looking like I had gone hunting with Former Vice President Dick Cheney. (Is that joke dated now?)
The great news is that there are plenty of youtube tutorials online that should be able to help anyone and everyone get up to speed. It will take some practice, but after a bit you can start shaving like a pro. We even have our own guide right here!
All that being said, in skilled hands, this razor works really well, and is definitely a recommendation if you are in the market for a new razor. It is great for just picking up and using, and is a good razor to use as your main razor for shaving. It’s even small enough to easily get into more than a few trouble spots that over shavettes can’t reach.
Just make sure to take your time as you get to more sensitive spots. Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. If your attempting to go fast, you could really cut yourself. Also, the smooth design of the handle can become slippery if you are attempting to move fast. The whole thing might slip out of your hand if you aren’t careful.
Consumer Complaints, Issues, and Overall Reviews
For the most part, other consumers have almost nothing but praise for the Parker SR1. There are few complaints.
One of the issues I have noticed brought up is that oftentimes dried soap can get on the business end of the razor and have a tendency to gum up the razor around the blade. Though, that can be easily fixed by making sure to clean it thoroughly and change out the blade often.
Most people bring up the value for the money, and I have to say they are right. This is a high quality shaver for the price. I like it and feel like I definitely got my money’s worth out of the razor. Most say it’s good for beginners, and I would agree except for the fact that I think it is a good place to stop as well. This razor could last you a while provided you trade out the blade often enough.
There are a few reviews saying the razor is flimsy and falls apart easily, and….I would wonder what kind of product they are using. Honestly, this thing is pretty sturdy. At least my version of it is. I have no idea what these other customers are talking about. It doesn’t even look cheap, which some people bring up as well.
Final Thoughts – Who is the Parker SR1 Shavette For?
My final thoughts can be pretty easily summed up here. Overall, I really like this razor and thought it was a pretty good purchase.
While I might continue to use my DOVO shavette for personal use, this one is $10 USD less and actually much easier to change the blade on. Plush the DOVO uses its own long blades and the Parker Shavette uses regular small blades.
This is perfect for the beginner or intermediate shaver. If you are looking for a good gift for Christmas or a birthday, you could do a great deal worse than a Parker SR1.
