Parker Variant Review – Great Affordable Adjustable Option
Parker Variant Safety Razor
The Parker Variant is a popular adjustable safety razor that offers users five main settings to choose from to deal with any type of hair growth. A very good adjustable option that’s affordable.
Pros
Traditional razor with a modern and traditional look
A good choice of settings from mild to aggressive
Easy cleaning and good drainage
Two-part design with easy-to-adjust knob for settings and blade changing
Affordable adjustable razor
May be a good choice of adjustable for first time adjustable razor users
Cons
Will not have the durability or longevity of stainless steel razors
The head may be bulky for some users
No shorter handle option
The Parker Variant is an adjustable safety razor that’s most definitely worth comparing with other adjustable models from other top brands.
This review of the Variant was going to be quite tricky as the previous safety razor reviewed after spending a month of shaving with it was the Rex Ambassador, which is a very well-engineered piece of adjustable shaving kit (a bit expensive, though!).
After using the Rex, I thought it wasn’t going to be fair to use and review the Parker Variant after such a good experience.
How could it match the Rex Ambassador was my thoughts? Nonetheless, the experience, as you’ll read, was –it didn’t need to –it’s a very good adjustable in its own rights for a certain type of user with their own particular needs.
Note – If any comparison were made with the Parker Variant, then I would suggest comparing it with the Merkur Progress. There are some close similarities between these, and the differences should offer user aspects of each that they would prefer and another person might not.
Let’s delve into who the Parker Variant might be best suited for and give you some facts, shaving experience, and opinions after a month of putting this adjustable through its five levels of aggressiveness.
The Brand – Since 1973 the family-owned business ‘Parker Shaving’ has been making and supplying quality shaving products that are based in India. They compete with some of the best shaving supply companies around the globe with a good range of safety razors which include a travel razor, the adjustable, and others.
Parker Variant Description & Features
- Materials and Finish – The Variant is machine tooled from a solid brass & zamak alloy. The standard finish is chrome satin (VARSC), and one model has a rose gold handle (VARRG), and another has a graphite handle (VARGR).
- Handle – The handle is knurled and offers substantial grip for users that prevents the razor from slipping.
- Closed Comb – This razor is closed comb, which means the bottom lip of the head does not have gaps within a comb. You’ll find grooves indented on the bottom lip that assist with making the shave smoother.
- Two Parts – The adjustment screw/dial at the bottom of the razor handle also loosens the top part of the head. This enables the top section to be removed, which gives a user two parts.
- Settings – A knob at the bottom of the handle is used to adjust the settings with numbers 1 – 5 to be aligned with the indent on the handle. Number one is the mildest, and number five is the most aggressive. Between each setting, there is also a half setting, which gives users 10 settings in total.
- Blade Replacement – As mentioned, this is a two-part razor with the top section of the head coming apart to replace blades easily. On one side of the razor head you’ll notice a marking that must be aligned to make sure blade alignment is correct.
- Dimensions & Weight – Weighs 110g. Handle length: 90mm, handle diameter: 12mm at the grip, 13.7mm on the adjustment knob. Overall length: 103mm.
- Warranty – Parker Razors have a warranty for 1 year. After contacting Parker, they informed me that they would also deal with each customer on a case-by-case basis, which means they offer flexibility.
Here are three settings to give you an idea of the blade gap and aggressiveness, from 1 – 5.
How Do I Know Which Settings I Should Use?
The best place to start with any adjustable safety razor is with the first setting to get the feel of the razor and then up the setting as needed.
It can take a few uses to find the most suitable setting, and this can change based on the amount of beard growth.
A method I use is to shave on setting 3 or 4 after 3 or 4 days of growth and then dial it down to setting 1 or 2 on the second or third pass, if a third is necessary.
The lower settings are suitable for guys who get nicks and cuts easily and have very minute spots that seem to always get chopped. Then the opposite is often true for those that get razor bumps where they have to use a higher setting.
The Parker Variant is quite a forgiving razor in terms of it being quite easy to use without getting cuts by mistake, which makes it a good razor for trying out each level.
I found this useful guide provided by Rockwell Razors a great starter guide that you can be flexible with.
- Setting 1 – Sensitive skin, spots prone to cuts and nicks, shaving 5 0’clock shadow; start with this when starting from using cartridge razors, body shaving sensitive areas.
- Setting 2 – Somewhat sensitive skin, spots prone to irritation, shaving heavier 5 o’clock shadow, shaving every 1 – 2 days, general body shaving.
- Setting 3 – Average skin, skin that’s sometimes irritated by cartridges, short stubble, shaving every 1 – 3 days, head shaving.
- Setting 4 – Hardier skin, somewhat prone to razor bumps, prone to ingrown hairs, longer stubble, shaving every 3 – 5 days.
- Setting 5 – Hardy skin, coarse facial hair, prone to razor bumps and ingrown hairs, short beards, shaving every 5 – 7+ days.
How Well Does The Parker Variant Perform And Shave?
As mentioned at the start of this review, I had been using the Rex Ambassador for a month before picking up the Parker Variant. The Rex is an extremely high-quality adjustable, which was likely to make the Parker feel pretty rubbish.
However………..
After a few shaves, I got to like the variant and could easily see it’s a good choice of razor for many guys, especially those new to using adjustable razors.
After using the Variant on various settings with different amounts of days growth, I found setting 2 and 3 suited me best. Setting 5 was definitely too aggressive for me, and setting 1 was too mild.
I did find it surprisingly comfortable while shaving.
The head is quite bulky, and shaving under the nose was quite tricky. I find the chin area is more difficult to shave with a bulky head.
I know most adjustable type razors do have a larger head; however, I did notice it more with the Parker and had some hairs left under the nose after shaving, even though I did move my nose over.
I would say the bulkiness I experienced was similar to when I was using the Merkur Futur although the Futur is bulkier.
I found the range of blade settings very flexible for various types of users, whether shaving daily, every few days or even for those new to wet shaving with safety razors.
I nearly forgot to mention this razor is very audible. You know when it is still slicing through the beard!
Look & Design – 8/10
The Parker Variant has a traditional look that’s combined very well with a modern appearance.
The materials used are not as strong as stainless steel models and would not last as long. However, the satin finish might be a plus for some guys if they don’t like shiny chrome-finished razors that tend to wear over time and can have pitted chrome.
There is a fair bit of blade overhang on the side edges, although this does not cause any issues.
I do like the reservoirs and drainage holes which make a difference when rinsing the razor between strokes, and I am sure the grooves on the bottom lip of the razor head assist with a smoother shaving experience.
As mentioned already, I am not a fan of the bulkiness, which is part of what we get with most adjustable type razors, although the Rex Ambassador I have been using is quite superior with its low profile head (the Rex costs four times as much, though).
Handle and Grip 9/10
With an overall length of 103mm and handle length of 90mm –it makes the razor quite long, which is very close to the Merkur Progress 510 long-handled model. Some guys favor longer handles, and others don’t.
While I have become a fan of short-handled razors like the Merkur 34C, the longer handle on the Variant makes head shaving easier. Setting two is very good for head shaving.
There is no issue with grip and slipping with the knurled handle design.
Weight and Balance – 9/10
The Variant is quite weighty and weighs in at 110g, which is about right when comparing other adjustable razors. Buyers get a lot of metal!
Everything seems to balance out well when shaving, and it’s easy to relax and let the razor do some of the work.
Ease of Use – 9/10
All adjustable razors take a little time to get accustomed to and get used to the differences between them and using standard DE safety razors, especially if the person is transitioning from cartridge razors (it might be best for these guys to test out a standard DE first).
Because the Parker Variant is a two-part razor, it is easy enough to change blades, and the knob at the bottom doesn’t require a user to touch the top of the head near the blade.
Value for Money – 9/10
With a price tag of approximately $57.00 USD (£49.99 GBP – €75.50 EU) it is a fair buy and non-expensive for what a buyer gets.
Any Common Consumer Issues, Complaints, or Positive Reports?
When the Parker Variant first came on the market, there did seem to be some issues with quality control, specifically with the blade gap not being level from each side. It’s been noted that this issue has been resolved.
There have also been mentions of the blade protruding more on one side than the other.
After contacting Parker Shaving, the company, they advised me that all products are covered by a one-year guarantee, and on a case-to-case basis, they can deal with issues. This is encouraging as it likely means if you are genuine, they will take care of any issues.
On a positive note, there are many and more users who love the Parker Variant and give it a heck of a lot of praise. For some, it is their go-to razor.
Final Thoughts – and who is the Parker Variant best suited for?
I must admit I was pleasantly surprised after using the Parker Variant and had some great shaves. My expectations were low, and it outperformed them.
I like the fact that anyone from a beginner to wet shaving and those experienced could find settings that would suit them. It is a razor along with the Merkur Progress that would make a great first adjustable razor if the buyer did not want to overspend.
As always, safety razors are about testing to see what shaves well, and while one razor might be a guy’s lifetime companion, another may not favor it at all.
