Parker 71R Long Handle Safety Razor

I am only on this page to order another, as someone amazingly threw mine out(along with my brush) due to some unknown cosmic-level misunderstanding. I first ordered this razor and an AoS badger brush when I was a 23 year old Army Sergeant. After a few days of reading about the wonders of wet-shaving, I couldn't resist. I hated shaving at the time, but it was mandatory in the Army(stateside anyway ha). i decided to do what I could to enjoy the process, get a closer shave, and save money on razors. I grew to enjoy my morning shaving routine, and regularly invested in my soap collection. When I went to the field, I shaved with this razor while peering into a humvee side mirror with a canteen cup of cold water. As the years went by, I left the Army, grew massive beards for long periods of time, but always knew that I would have this amazing razor when I got bored with my beard. Now I'm in my mid 30's, and I don't see a reason to use any other razor.

I really like this razor, I was using the more "mild" Merkur 23c long handle before. The Parker's handle is a lot thicker and has way better grip while being just a touch shorter maybe 5mm, really good, hefty weight and balance to it. I was always scared of razors deemed "aggressive". Thinking they would cause irritation. But actually it's the opposite. With mild razors I tend to over shave because I'll have trouble getting certain areas smooth. So a mild razor will end up giving me more redness and irritation from extra friction in certain spots. The chance to nic yourself is a little higher but you'll be okay. I see people throw dirt on the Parker brand. I guess from earlier in the 2000s maybe some quality control issues with razors lining up and variations between razors of the same model! But it seems like they've addressed those things because it's a good product and I'll be buying a Parker 96R butterfly next.

I've been using a cheapo brush and mug to whip up lather for my Mach 3 for some time. I finally decided to take the plunge and get a safety razor. I looked around on Amazon, found the Parker 71R, and thought it was a good deal, especially with the extra blades. Maybe I just lucked out. I'm getting a great shave with this thing and the supplied blades are very sharp. It has some weight to it and I honesty like the looks of it. I'm ordering a badger hair brush, but I'm in no rush to get rid of my Parker. I think it will last a long time.

Update on this. 15 shaves with this and many nicks later with multiple shave soaps and different blades still one of the closest shaves ever but still the most aggressive razor I've found thus far. This was more aggressive than the parker open comb. This is still one of my favorite razors. Beats my edwin jagger hands down on closeness not on ease of use and my two gillette's vintage and yes my parker open comb. The blade to safety bar gap is pretty damn noticeable that's the aggressive part. blades line up perfect. I have finally found an angle that makes this razor smoother. It will leave some razor burn but it will shave close, this razor is not for sensitive skin it will take some time to learn but well worth it. Hope this helps, good shaving