Parker Adjustable Injector Razor Review – Mild to Medium Adjustments
Parker Adjustable Injector Safety Razor
The Parker Adjustable Injector Razor proved to be a shaving tool that was better than I expected, based on how it shaved and my experience with it. I’m not in any rush to switch any of my DE razors with the Parker Injector, but it was an enjoyable razor and something different.
Pros
Long handle that suits those that prefer them longer
Lightweight, if light is your preference
The five settings offer very mild to medium aggressiveness
Newbies to wet shaving with safety razors could equally use this razor as well as experienced wet shaving gents
A better than expected shave experience and end result
Cons
The long handle may not suit everyone
Loading the blade is tricky at first
Blades will cost more than standard DE razor blades
Unique design will not suit everyone, especially guys who have used traditional safety razors for a period of time
The last Parker razor I picked up, used, and reviewed was the Parker Variant (adjustable). Closely related, but only in terms of being an adjustable made by Parker, is the Parker Adjustable Injector Razor–up for review now.
This single-edged, unusual-looking razor was not a priority for me to get and review, and part of that was due to me having quite low expectations about how it would perform. My low expectations were unfounded–as it did excel, even if it was not the best safety razor I have used (let’s keep costs, etc., in perspective, though).
According to Parker Shaving, the Parker Injector is on version 3 (V3), which is an improvement with the lower blade settings, improved precision, and blade alignment. I have never used the V1 or V2, so I can’t vouch for the improvements, but I trust they know what they are doing (I’ve used enough Parker supplies).
Parker certainly has its hand in various types of razors, which include DE razors, adjustables, straight and shavettes, and butterfly razors. Also, having single-edge razor options available means they cover most razors they can. While I am a fan of some of their razors (my favorite being the Adjustable Variant), I am not into all of them; however, they are one of the leaders in affordable traditional shaving supplies.
Description & Features
We know we are dealing with a single-edged razor and that its blade system is quite different from the loading method of double-edged safety razors.
Let’s look a little closer at the InjRzr features and design that make it what it is.
- Materials and Finish – The upper side and head are made from brushed stainless steel, and the underneath is made of a plastic resin.
- Handle – Flat and slim upper area with a ridged plastic underside that offers grip with its patterned plastic/resin area.
- Closed Comb – While the design is different from most open comb DE razors, it does have a bottom safety bar, making it a closed comb.
- Single Part – There are no sections to this razor, and it does not need to come apart to replace blades.
- Settings – The razor has 5 adjustable settings (1 for mild – 5 for aggressive).
- Blade Replacement – Single-edged blades are replaced with an injector blade device that pushes out and replaces the old blade. A new razor comes loaded with one new blade, and you have to purchase an injector blade set for future blades.
- Dimensions & Weight – 5 inches long (12.4 cm). Weighs 1.2 oz (35g).
Settings and Aggressiveness
There is a small dial to turn that changes the settings from 1 to 5. When it is turned, the bottom safety bar moves down to provide more blade gap and aggressiveness. When it is returned back to the lower positions, it decreases the blade gap and aggressiveness.
The switch or dial is easy enough to turn, although it is quite small. Big fingers might find it tricky!
Im not sure about the actual blade gap in measurements as this info is not available. However, I can say from experience the lowest setting is very mild, so we are not looking at anything like a Merkur Futur type of adjustable razor, which has a much larger blade gap. The settings could be seen as closer to the Merkur Progress, for example.
Anyone from someone who needs a very mild razor to the mid-range of aggressiveness for tougher stubble growth can find a suitable setting.
Of course, you can use variable settings, as I did for each shaving session, which I’ll go into shortly.
Look and Design
I am new to this type of razor (injectable), so the Parker Injector Razor was quite foreign to me at first. I usually think about a cartridge razor or safety razor when considering a razor; it is hard to envision a single-edged blade razor that adjusts and has such a different blade replacement mechanism. However, I have been planning to get on the single-edged razors and injectables bandwagon for some time, so the Parker was my introduction.
The design is still quite peculiar to me. Still, I like it, and it’s great to have a shaving tool that is very different from other safety razors I have used. However, I can’t say I would switch this out for other DE razors with a good solid handle and the rest of what I like about a DE razor.
Changing the blades was a little awkward at first. However, once I understood it, it was easy enough. The razor does come with instructions about how to load a blade, which is helpful, but I did still wrestle with getting it right at first.
The razor has a contemporary look, but it is not actually the first of its type. Another adjustable injectable razor named Pal from the 1960s looks close to identical.
The single-edged blades are thicker than a standard double-edged blade. I am not sure that makes any difference, and it probably should not, as it’s about the edge of a blade.
Handle and Grip
It took me a little time to adjust to this type of handle. It’s very light for a safety razor, and the handle is not rounded or shaped like any other handle. However, the resin-like ridged grip under the handle and the shape, which curves, work very well ergonomically when shaving.
Not having any weight on the razor meant I had to adjust my shaving style to make the razor do a bit more work. Weighty razors generally help make letting the razor do the work easier.
The length and the lightweight made me think this would be a razor that is easy enough for a cartridge razor user to switch to when trying out traditional wet shaving with safety razors. Cartridge razors are mostly quite light and have longer handles compared to standard-sized safety razor handles, so the injectable and cartridge razors share similarities.
Weight and Balance
As the Parker Injector only weighs 1.2 oz (35g), it’s about a third of the weight of many other safety razors. This weight difference is something I think other guys who use a heavier safety razor might find odd at first. Still, I did find I became more familiar with it and adjusted my style when using it quickly enough.
It balances out nicely, so there are no top or bottom-heavy issues.
Ease of Use
This razor needs a user to have some time to adjust to what works for them in terms of the settings. With an adjustable, it’s generally best to start low to make sure it’s not too aggressive. Still, I reckon most guys can shift up to the 2nd or 3rd setting when they see how mild setting one is.
I felt I had to adjust my shaving style and maybe the shaving angle somewhat. I was soon just using it like I had used the razor for years after the first two shaves, though.
Having the injector blade mechanism makes it easier to change blades in one way (no blade to place inside a post, etc.). The other side of that is learning to use the injector device, which is easy enough when you learn how.
Shaving Experince
I was surprised to find –that once I had gotten familiar with the design and weight of the Parker Injector, I enjoyed using it.
I tried out various settings and found that on three days of growth, setting 5 on the first pass and setting 3 on the next pass worked a treat. Setting 1 and 2 was too mild for me, but I dont shave daily, and they might be suited for guys that shave every day.
I had a tub of Taconic Bay Rum Shaving Cream and Taconic Unscented Pre-Shave Oil that I ordered at the same time as this razor, so I was able to stack these together when testing out the Parker. I also bought a box of 20 Parker Injector Blades as I felt it was best to test out the brand of blades made for this razor.
I found I had to do quite a lot of tidying up stubble leftovers with this razor. I’m not sure if I was missing parts because it is so light or if it was just my usual missing bits. This was no deal breaker, but I kept noticing it!
Shaving under the nose area required some attention and going over a few times. I attribute this to the shape of the head or angle, as it slopes rather than aims straight, if that makes sense!
I got six shaves out of a blade until I felt it needed a change.
Overall, it was a lot better than I thought it would be. I got very close shaves and enjoyed trying out a completely different style of razor.
Value for Money
The Parker Adjustable Injector is sold for around $37 (USD), and replacement blades cost around $13 (USD) for 20 blades in the injector. Prices match around the same amounts in the UK.
The razor is not a bad price and fair.
Blades cost considerably more than double-edge razor blades, and for less than $13 (USD), you can get a pack of 100 Astra or Derby blades for a DE razor. You can also use Schick injector blades, but they generally cost a little more.
Final Thoughts – Who Should Try It?
I was pleasantly surprised at the comfortable and close shave I got from this single-edged razor. I enjoyed using a very different style of shaving tool (i.e., DE safety and cartridge razor).
Of course, I am not going to ditch any of my favorite safety razors or my choice of the best adjustable safety razors, and most definitely not the Rex Ambassador Adjustable; however, I am fond of it, and it can remain in my shaving supplies shack.
I can see a newbie to wet shaving with safety razors getting along very well with the Parker injector because of its long handle and lightweight design. They just need to be cautious and start on a low setting!
For guys into their adjustable or any other safety razor, give this a shot–it’s a fun razor. Otherwise, I can’t say many guys would want to swap out a quality DE razor with a nicely weighted and rounded handle design that is cheaper to run on DE blades for the Parker Injector.
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