What’s the Best Parker Shavette? Review & Comparison
All aboard for the next stop on your journey to find the perfect Shavette for you!
Next up we are going to look at Parker Branded Shavettes for the discerning gentlemen. They have a very diverse set of razors that come in several different styles. Most shaving companies only have maybe one or two styles of shavette for sale, but not Parker.
Their options range from your typically all metal razor to some classy styles of wood and faux ivory perfect for a gentleman who wants to really enjoy their shaving ritual.
Though, which shavette is best for you and your face? Read on my friend and we will break down each one in their catalog to find the most cost effective and comfortable razor just for you.
Brand/Company:
For over 30 years, Parker has been a solid brand for shaving accessories and supplies. They make razors, brushes, soaps, and accessories for everyone. They use quality materials and stand by their craftsmanship as a world leader in the shaving market.
My own experience with Parker is solid, as they are a go to if you are looking for something you must have. While they may not be the “Best of the Best,” they are always a solid and dependable choice. They advertise to both professionals and to the amateur at home, so whatever you need, Parker has you covered.
The Parker Shavettes
Below we have a list of Parker’s catalog of Shavettes. Listed with each razor are the dimensions of the razor, its materials, and an aggregate price range in US Dollars gathered from several websites. These prices do not take into account any shipping costs you might incur, so make sure to factor that in when you are deciding which one you would like best.
The Shavettes are not listed in any specific order of prominence or best to worse, but rather listed individually for you, dear reader, to decide which one is going to be best for you.
It should be noted that each of these razors are the folding style type, so they are all close-able to protect the blade when not in use. They are also all made with a Stainless Steel Razor Arm, not your typical aluminum style. This means overall, these Parker razors are designed to last.
The Parker PTB Razor
Our first Razor is the Parker PTB. This shavette is what is referred to as a “Push Type” meaning that it has an insert housed within the “blade” that carries and secures your actual disposable razor blade. This style is actually a preferable one for me because it is easier to load the razor without accidentally cutting yourself. The major downside being it can be sometimes difficult to get the blade seated just right.
The handle is a black resin style with the thin curve you see in many straight razors. While it is a very traditional style, I don’t like it myself because I have larger hands and they sometimes feel like toys in my hands. That being said, there is nothing that stands out wrong with this blade, and the stainless steel looks great with the black resin.
The Parker PTW Razor
Second up is the Parker PTW, and it is exactly the same as the PTB. I do believe the PT stands for push-type and the B for black. That would mean this is the Push-Type White. It uses the same housing as the PTB, and the same hinged design.
The major difference between this one and the PTB is the subtle change in the shape of the handle. Rather than the smooth arc like the PTB, this one is more flat and angular. It still has the nice curve shape to the overall design, but it ends in a squared off point. The Faux Ivory color is also very nice and clean, making the whole blade look very timelessly professional.
The Parker SR1 Razor
Our next razor is what Parker calls a “Clip” but I often refer to it as a “Fan Blade” style. Basically, to load the razor into the blade, you unclip and split the blade in half like you are opening it up. I personally think it looks less like a clip and more like a Fan, but that is neither here nor there. I do know that this style of holding the razor is the most popular style in shavettes, and most of Parker’s catalog uses this mechanism, with the PTB and PTW being the exceptions.
The SR1 is fully made from stainless steel, making it a rather heavy razor. It has a nice weight to it that I like, but others might be turned off by the heavy design. The engraved logo and design along the handle have a look of something very timeless. It almost feels like this shavette could have been a part of the wild west. The brass hinges and brads give the handle some much needed color, but I would worry about corrosion on the brass and copper over time. Overall it is a very nice looking, if heavy, razor.
The Parker SRX Razor
The SRX is to the SR1 what the PTB is to the PTW. It is a very similar design with just one major change up in the style. Specifically, the handle is wider and accommodates more of the blade itself inside of it. It also trades out the more rounded design for a more angular and boxy shape.
The real deciding factor in which one you want to use is going to come down to major personal preference. If you like the heavier razor design, but want something that hides more of the blade, then this is your razor. It will also feel different in your hand, as the edges are not rounded as much. For some guys this could be a comfort thing, but I personally prefer the more boxy design of the SRX than the SR1.
The Parker SRB Razor
The Parker SRB is a slight innovation from the SR1, in that instead of a fully stainless steel razor, the handle is made from black resin like the PTB. Like the SR1, this blade also fans out to hold the razor in the center between two posts that clip together. While this style is a very secure method to holding a razor blade, it can sometimes cause the blade to wobble slightly. I’ve had issues with almost cutting myself when putting the blade back together, so that is something to keep in mind with using these SR style razors.
The black resin handle on this blade is nice and light as opposed to the heavy stainless steel of the SR1 and SRX. Like before, some can find this lighter handle more comfortable, but guys with larger hands might not. Overall, it is a very nice design, however I find it flimsy and wishing I had some more heft to the razor itself.
The Parker SRW Razor
Third verse, same as the first? The SRW is to the SRB as the PTB is to the PTW. This model of razor uses the same clip/fan style for holding the razor blade in place, but has a slightly redesigned handle that is more boxy on the end, but still having the same amount of curve. It’s also slightly thicker to hide more of the blade when the whole razor is folded down.
I really like this faux ivory color as it has a classic design to it. However, like I have said before, the resin can sometimes feel too light in my hands and makes me feel like it might break. This is especially true if I drop it. Though the Faux Ivory look is classic and would go with any bathroom decor you wanted to make sure everything matched.
The Parker SRDW Razor
Finally, a change up here, even if it is only a small one. The SRDW breaks the mold you see on a great deal of shavettes. Specifically, rather than just plastic or metal, this shavette has a handle that is made of actual wood. In this case, it is a dark hardwood known as Sheesham, which grows in India and is known to be very sturdy and durable. It is also sometimes known as Indian Rosewood.
The SRDW uses the same clip style as the other blades in the SR series, with the same stainless steel razor blades as before. The one main difference here is the wooden handle. The wood is very lovely, and has a timeless quality to it. The one issue being that if it starts to crack for any reason, you are going to get some warping and turning in the material. Hardwoods are less likely to do that, but really it is only a matter of time.
The Parker SRRW Razor
Last, but certainly not least, we have the SRRW. This beautiful razor is almost exactly like the SRDW, but it is made with a lighter colored Rosewood. The grain is very lovely, and it almost has a reddish tint to the look of the handle that is really amazing. The wood handle is a great touch on this razor. Like I said before though, watch out for cracks because moisture is always going to be an issue with this type of razor handle. You might be replacing it before too long if you don’t treat it right.
It uses the same fan out or clip style as the rest of the SR series, so be aware that you will need to be careful about where you put your fingers when putting everything together after loading the blade. Though, if I have to give my opinion on this one (and I do), these two wood handle razors are definitely the most classy in Parker’s catalog.
That covers the Parker Shavette razor roundup that should be able to clarify the differences between the models which I hope provides you with enough clarity to choose the best Shavette from the Parker range for your shaving needs.
