by Garrick Dee | Last Updated:Transitioning from cartridge shaving to wet shaving can be intimidating because of the fear of cutting yourself if you use something aggressive.
If you’re on the fence and considering a move from buying expensive refills to DE razors, the 96R from Parker is a good option because the design isn’t as aggressive as other safety razors (at least this is what reviews in Amazon say).
But the Shark blades that come with it are rather sharp, so you may need to buy something milder.
A throwback of an old Gillette safety razor
This razor is very similar to the vintage Gillette razors of old. That is if you’re old enough to own one of these beauties!
Underneath all that chrome is a brass frame that gives it nice heft – over 3 ounces.
Overall length is a little over 4 inches, and the handle is around 3.5 inches.
Family run business
Parker has been in the business of making razors for over 4 decades and owned by the Grover family who’s of Indian descent. It’s one of the pioneers of DE razors in the US.
In the United States, the primary distributor is Super Safety Razors, but you can also purchase this from big online retailers like Amazon.
Features at a glance…
- Utilizes a twist to open design
- Comes with 5 Shark super chrome
- Made from brass
- Blades are easy to remove thanks to the butterfly design
- Length: 3.5″
- Aggressiveness: 5/10
- Blades included: 5
Pros
- Has very good weight – over 3 ounces
- Not aggressive – great new wet shavers
- Made from brass
- Blades are easy to remove thanks to the butterfly design
Cons
- If you look at the company website, there is no contact information you’ll have to contact another site named SuperSafetyRazors.com in case you have any warranty concerns
- There are complaints of the butterfly mechanism failing – not fully closing after some time
- Chrome plating can chip over time if you don’t take good care of it
What to expect from the Parker 96R?
If you don’t want to fiddle with 2 or 3 piece razors, this would be a good alternative.
This razor has a one-piece design that utilizes a twist to open head (others would term this “butterfly”).
Here’s a video from Parker of how the “butterfly” works…
It is great because you don’t need to disassemble anything. But only twist a knob located on the handle to open the head to be able to remove or attach a blade.
Chrome finish
Parker used brass for the handle with a chrome finish.
If you buy this from an authorized reseller and it will come with 5 shark blades.
Buy a sampler blade pack
Here’s a tip for blade selection. If you’re not sure which blade will work well on your skin, you can buy a sample pack like this one.
These packs contain different blades made from different material and have different levels of sharpness.
This allows you to test each blade without having to buy a whole bunch which is a big money saver.
Is It Easy To Load The Blade?
The Parker 99R utilizes a “twist to open” design that makes it easy to load the blade. All you need to do is unscrew the handle and the two doors up top pop open.
The great thing about a twist to open design is it’s straightforward to load the blade. Unfortunately, it’s the most prone to breaking down prematurely due to wear and tear – particularly on the hinges that hold the doors.
Aggressiveness
This razor would be great for beginners because it isn’t aggressive. There isn’t too much blade exposure. Combine that with the close comb design, you’ve got yourself a mild razor.
Grip
It has a studded knurling design that looks nice in black but not as deep as a Feather DE razor.
Despite not being as deep, it still provides pretty good grip.
Length
From top to bottom, this razor is around 4.5 inches long which is longer than a Merkur 34C.
Razor Specification
| Model | 96R |
| Handle Length | 3.5" (approx.) |
| Weight | 3 3/4 ounces |
| Material | Brass |
| Finish | Black + Chrome |
| Type | 1 piece butterfly head |
| Adjustable |  |
| Knurled handle |  |
| Blade included | 5 |
| Manufactured in | India |
What do consumers say?
Consumers like this product because it had good weight and well built.
The shark blades that come with this is sharp as some reviews say. And if it nicks or cuts your face, consider buying a less aggressive blade like a Dorco.
Blade not lining up
Speaking of nicks and cuts, I’ve read a few complaints about the blade not lining up correctly when you attach it on the head.
Men who complained said that it shaves perfectly on one side but cuts on the other because blade exposure is uneven.
According to this video, as you tighten you can adjust the blade so that it sits evenly. So the issue shouldn’t be an issue if you align it well.
This could be a case of a manufacturing defect on the part of Parker in some of their items during the manufacturing process as this was only a complaint that a handful of consumers raised.
If you’ve have had a similar problem, I’d like to hear from you in the comments section below.
Big shaving head
Another complaint was the massive head of this razor not being able to shave the area between the nose and upper lip.
Be careful not to drop this razor because it can damage the hinges that hold the doors in place.
Other potential issues
It seems like the head of the razor is the possible weak point as I’ve read complaints about it not staying closed and becoming loose after a few strokes.
If you have any problems with your Parker razor, you can contact Super Safety Razors.
Overall a majority of consumers love how the quality of this razor. It shaves well, had good weight, and quality was good as well.
Some even say this was better than a Merkur razor which is made in Germany.
Where can I buy this?
You can buy this razor from Amazon for less than $30. It’s a bit more expensive than a cartridge razor or disposable, but that’s just the upfront cost.
When you compare the price difference between a DE blade and cartridge refills, it’s night and day. You will literally save thousands of dollars over 10 years. And mother earth will thank you because DE blades can be recycled while cartridge or disposables cannot.
Granted you will still to buy stuff like shaving cream, shaving brushes, and aftershave balms but the results will be worth it.
To wrap up
This one-piece razor is an excellent option for men who are looking for something easy to use and not very aggressive. It has good weight thanks to the brass frame that gives you more control when shaving.
Remember that technique plays a big part in the quality of the shave.
One mistake that a lot of beginners make is pushing down on the blade too hard.
So instead of adding to much pressure and cutting yourself, rely on the weight of the razor. And let it glide on your face. You see this, and other tips on wet shaving in this page make sure to read it before shaving.
One thing to note is the blades that come with this are rather aggressive, so while the razor itself is not – you may need to buy something less aggressive like a Dorco if you have sensitive skin.