Parker Variant Review

The Parker Variant has become a popular choice in the wet shaving market, thanks to its customizable settings, high-quality construction, elegant design, and relatively affordable price.

All of this together makes for an adjustable safety razor that is suitable for both beginners and experienced wet shavers alike.

This review focuses on the design and performance of the Variant to help you decide if it’s the perfect addition to your grooming arsenal.

Design and Build Quality

The Parker Variant Adjustable Safety Razor has a satin chrome finish that gives it a sleek, sophisticated appearance. The razor is built with a genuine brass frame which helps deliver both durability and longevity.

Some folks prefer this over zinc alloy (Zamak) construction found in many other safety razors, as brass is known to be more resistant to corrosion and wear.

Weight and Balance

Weighing 3.88 oz (110 grams), the Parker Variant is considered a heavyweight razor, which provides excellent balance and control during the shaving process. The optimal weight distribution ensures that users can easily handle the razor without experiencing hand fatigue, even during longer shaving sessions.

When using the razor, you’ll likely find that the weight of the head allows you to apply very light pressure against your skin while still achieving a close shave. Simply just let the razor’s weight do the work for you, reducing the risk of nicks or irritation.

Here’s how this razor compares to other safety razors:

Handle Length and Grip

At four inches long, the Parker Variant’s handle is suitable for users with various hand sizes. The overall length of the razor is 4″ or about 10.16cm, which allows for easy maneuverability during shaving but may be unwieldy for smaller hands.

Here’s how the Variant compares to other razors in terms of length:

The textured, knurled handle ensures a secure grip, even when wet or covered in shaving lather.

For context, the 4″ length is just a touch shorter than the Merkur Futur, but on par with the Merkur 38C.

Blade Gap and Adjustability

One of the standout features of the Parker Variant is its adjustable dial located at the base or knob of the handle. This dial allows users to choose from 5 different aggressiveness settings (ranging from 1 as the mildest to 5 as the most aggressive). This customizable feature caters to a wide range of users with varying skin types, hair thickness, and experience levels.

What’s so nice about this, and with other adjustable safety razors as well, is that you can tailor your shave according to your needs and preferences. For instance, you might want a milder setting (1 or 2) if you have sensitive skin or are new to wet shaving, while those with coarser hair or seeking a closer shave might opt for a more aggressive setting (4 or 5).

It’s also worth noting that the ability to adjust the aggressiveness level on the fly means that you can start your shave with a higher setting for your cheeks and upper lip, where the hair may be denser, and then dial down to a lower setting for more sensitive areas like your neck and under your jawline. This level of control and customization helps in achieving an irritation-free, comfortable shave that’s suitable for your unique skin and hair type.

Country of Origin

One aspect to consider when selecting a safety razor is the country of origin. Renowned for their quality and craftsmanship, razors made in countries like Germany, Japan, and the United States often stand apart from their counterparts in terms of build quality, durability, and materials used.

Unfortunately, this is where the Parker Variant falls short. Made in India, you’ll often find complaints about inconsistent quality control and finish issues. While this does not mean that all Parker Variant razors are of poor quality, it’s essential to keep in mind that there might be more significant variances in the final product.

So if you decide on this razor, make the order, and aren’t happy with it, exercise the return policy and get in touch with the vendor to address your concerns.

Shaving Performance Analysis

To provide a robust analysis of the Parker Variant’s shaving performance, we considered various factors such as our own testing results, customer reviews, and comparisons with alternative razors.

Our Verdict

In our tests, the Parker Variant displayed impressive performance, providing smooth and close shaves. The adjustable blade gap allows users to tailor their shaving experience according to their preferences, and the razor’s weight and balance contribute to a comfortable, enjoyable shaving process.

We think that most folks reading will find the Parker Variant to be an excellent choice for their shaving needs, especially if they prefer a highly customizable and adaptable razor.

Customer Feedback

Customers highly praise the Parker Variant for its build quality, customizable settings, and smooth shaving experience.

A majority of user reviews are positive, with only a few mentioning concerns about occasional manufacturing inconsistencies, such as rough edges. Despite these minor issues, customers generally love using the Parker Variant:

The Parker Variant adjustable safety razor has transformed my shaving routine. After experimenting with the different settings, I’ve found the perfect combination for my skin type and hair thickness, resulting in consistently smooth and comfortable shaves. Alex T.

The quality and performance of the Parker Variant initially impressed me. However, upon further examination, I discovered some rough edges in the manufacturing. This is disappointing considering the price of the razor, and it raises concerns about its durability in the long run. Jordan M.

Forums

Places like The Shave Den, Badger & Blade, and Reddit’s /r/wicked_edge are great resources for learning more about the Parker Variant and other safety razors. When perusing The Shave Den, we saw some interesting insight from members about the Parker Variant, among other adjustable safety razors and generally had positive things to say. The most notable centered around the knurling on the handle which helped provide better grip and control. Another detailed review over at Badger & Blade found that the Variant provided a good shave, but the reviewer didn’t necessarily find it the most aesthetically pleasing razor.

Aside from our own testing and analysis along with third-party reviews, it’s important to note that there are many variables in shaving preferences and personal experiences. Factors such as facial hair type, skin sensitivity, technique, and the usage of pre-shave and post-shave products can all affect the overall shaving experience.

Comparing the Parker Variant to Other Adjustable Safety Razors

In order to provide a comprehensive evaluation, we compared the Parker Variant to other popular adjustable safety razors, such as the Merkur Progress, Rockwell 6S, and Merkur Futur.

Parker Variant vs Merkur Progress

Both the Parker Variant and Merkur Progress offer adjustability and customizable shaving experiences. However, the Parker Variant boasts a superior handle grip and a more attractive design.

Additionally, users have reported that the Parker Variant’s adjustment dial is smoother and more reliable than the Merkur Progress. Price-wise, the Variant is only a few dollars cheaper than the Progress.

There’s also a great discussion over at Reddit’s /r/wicked_edge on the Parker Variant vs Merkur Progress.

Parker Variant vs Rockwell 6S

The Rockwell 6S is a stainless steel adjustable safety razor that features six adjustable base plates. Unlike the Parker, the 6S requires manually flipping or changing the base plates to achieve different levels of aggressiveness. The Parker Variant, on the other hand, offers seamless adjustability through its dial mechanism.

Despite the somewhat clumsy swapping of the base plates, the 6S is favored by many as the shave quality is consistently praised for its smoothness and comfort. Also, the 6S, unlike the 6C is made in the USA and is constructed of high-quality stainless steel, while the Parker Variant is made of brass with a chrome-plated finish.

However, the Rockwell T2 is another adjustable safety razor from Rockwell that features a similar dial mechanism as the Parker Variant, providing users with an easy-to-adjust shaving experience.

Parker Variant vs Merkur Futur

The Merkur Futur is an adjustable safety razor with a modern design. Some users have reported that the Futur can be more aggressive than the Parker Variant, potentially causing issues for individuals with sensitive skin.

When we tested the Futur we were let down by the fact that it can be quite bulky and unwieldy, especially around tight areas like the nose or under the jawline, which may lead to nicks and cuts if not handled carefully. Additionally, the Futur has a snap-on cap mechanism for blade replacement, which some users might find less secure and less convenient compared to the Variant’s screw-on method.

Warranty

Despite some editorial claims that the Parker Variant is covered by a one-year warranty, when visiting the Parker Safety Razor website, we found no specific details regarding their warranty policy.

Additionally, another person over on the Badger & Blade forum had the same concern but was unable to get any clear information. Therefore, we recommend that you purchase your Variant through a larger retailer that has a generous return policy should you experience any issues with the razor.

Should You Invest in the Parker Variant?

The Parker Variant is a high-quality, adjustable safety razor that offers excellent value for money. Its customizability, durable construction, and comfortable grip make it an appealing choice for both shaving novices and experienced wet shavers alike.

While there are some questions especially about the country of origin and warranty, on the whole, the Parker Variant isn’t a bad razor by any means.

What We Like

• High-quality materials and construction
• Customizable aggressiveness settings
• Smooth and close shaves
• Secure grip and comfortable handle
• Great value for money

What We Don’t Like

• Potential manufacturing inconsistencies resulting in rough edges
• Some users may find the lowest setting too aggressive
• No mention of a warranty

Bottom Line

The Parker Variant adjustable safety razor is a reliable and versatile grooming tool that delivers smooth, close shaves with adjustable settings to suit individual preferences. Regardless of your experience level in the world of wet shaving, the Parker Variant adjustable safety razor is a worthy contender for a spot in your grooming routine. Its high-quality construction, user-friendly grip, and customizable settings make it a solid investment for anyone seeking a superior shaving experience.

Compare the Parker Variant to other adjustable safety razors:

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Buy the Parker Variant from these retailers:

Amazon

West Coast Shaving

Shave Nation

Walmart

Fendrihan

Maggard