Q: How do I know which razor is for me?
A: Parker has a large assortment of razor styles with variations among them. Please refer to our safety razor comparison chart to help you decide.
Q: What is your return policy?
A: Please refer to our Shipping and Returns page for detailed information.
Q: How do I change the blade?
A: To change the razor blade, for Parker's butterfly open models, simply twist open at the base of the handle until the doors open. Holding the blade carefully at the ends, drop into the slot and twist closed to tighten.
For Parker's three-piece models:
- Simply hold the head of the razor and unscrew the entire head from the handle.
- Separate the top cap from the base. Insert the blade onto the top cap and select your base plate.
- Insert the base plate over the screw of the cap. Make sure that the larger indented middle circle is on the handle side. You will also want to make sure that the ridges on the outer edges of the base plate are facing upward when closed.
- Screw the head back onto the handle and enjoy a great shave.
When to change the blade/how often- Each blade should last approximately 4-7 shaves, but this can vary for each person depending upon his or her hair type & how often he/she shaves. If you don’t feel that you are getting a close enough shave or the blade feels like it’s dragging on your skin, it is probably time to change your blade.
Q: How do I dispose of the used blades?
A :Double edge razor blades are recyclable. We recommend our Parker Double Edge Disposable Blade Bank to safely store used razor blades in. The metal blade bank can be recycled, or better yet, you can empty out the blades when it is full into another recyclable container and reuse your blade bank. We suggest checking into your town’s scrap metal recycling procedures.
Q: Why should I make the switch to a safety razor?
A: There are many benefits to using a safety razor:
- Less Expensive: Shaving with a safety razor vs. a conventional plastic cartridge razor is much more economical. Double edge blades cost about $.10 per blade vs. an average cartridge razor blade of $4.00+!
- Considerably Closer and more Comfortable Shaves: Shaving with a safety razor by design reduces skin irritation dramatically as compared to a multi blade cartridge razor. Because the single edge blade cuts the hair directly at the surface (vs. below the surface with cartridge razors), shavers avoid getting painful bumps and ingrown hairs.
- Eco-Friendly Choice – Get a superior shave without generating all the harmful environmental waste that plastic cartridge razors and blades produce. One all metal Parker razor should last for many years, and the blades themselves are recyclable. A safety razor is a fantastic daily zero-waste choice to help reduce plastic waste.
- Handsome & Functional – Parker offers one of the widest arrays of beautiful razor designs to capture the eye of the beholder – everyone loves to have choices, and as they say, different strokes for different folks!
Q: What is the difference between cartridge & safety razors?
A: Safety Razors often provide considerably closer and more comfortable shaves. Shaving with a safety razor by design reduces skin irritation dramatically as compared to a multi blade cartridge razor. Because the single edge blade cuts the hair directly at the surface (vs. below the surface with cartridge razors), shavers avoid getting painful bumps and ingrown hairs. However, since many people prefer cartridge razors for personal preferences, we offer various luxury handle styles.
Q: How do I clean my safety razor?
A: Daily Clean: Rinse and pat dry razor with a cloth. It is best to store your razor in a dry place away from water.
Deeper Clean: We recommend you give your razor a thorough cleaning every few months or so to remove buildup. Simply disassemble your razor and clean all parts with dish soap, and if needed, scrub with a toothbrush to get into small areas. Rinse and pat dry with a cloth.
Q: Do you have a list of general shaving tips?
A: Please refer to our Shave Tips link for suggested uses for many of our Parker & Taconic Shave Products.
Q: Which blade is best for me?
A: We offer a wide assortment of double edge blades and all will fit your safety razor. Blades tend to be a personal preference, and many have different favorites depending upon their razor and hair type. We do highly recommend our Parker double edge razor blades which were designed for both beginners and experienced wet shavers alike. These blades are precisely honed on German made machinery and only the highest quality Swedish stainless steel is used. A special polymer plating process results in a premium razor blade that provides extremely smooth and comfortable shaves.
Q: What are the differences among all your different shave brushes?
A: Parker Safety Razor & Taconic Shave offer a wide selection of handmade shave brushes. Our brushes are available with different styles and bristle types to meet every preference. The density and softness of the bristles impact exfoliation, how much water the brush retains, and the thickness of the lather created. Please refer to our Shaving Brush Grades Explained for greater detail.
Q: How do I clean and care for my shave brush?
A: All our Parker & Taconic Shave brushes come with a drip stand to prolong your brush’s life with proper storage and drying. After shaving, rinse the brush well with clean warm water to remove all excess residue. Gently shake the brush dry and hang the brush with the bristles facing down in a brush stand. Parker Safety Razor & Taconic shave brushes will elevate your morning routine with a luxurious barbershop shave at home every day.
Taconic Shave Product QAs:
Q: How can I create the best lather from your Taconic Shave creams?
A: Taconic's shave cream is very concentrated - just use a small bit to create a fabulous lather. While our shave creams can be applied brushless, we recommend you use a shaving brush to produce a richer, more luxurious lather. Add very small amounts of water as needed to build your lather. If it's bubbly, you've added too much water. Swirl in the cream a bit more. If it's too thick, add a few drops of water and swirl again.
Q: How do I generate a rich lather from your Taconic Shave soaps?
- Taconic Shave's shaving soaps are best used with a high-quality brush and a shave mug. We recommend any of the Parker or Taconic Shave brushes and Parker's stoneware apothecary mug.
- For first use, prepare your shave soap by soaking briefly in hot water. This will soften it for an improved lather.
- Start with a pre-soaked shave brush and gently shake dry. When wetting your brush, use hot water. This will produce a soothing, warm lather.
- Swirl your wet brush gently against the soap puck until the lather reaches your desired consistency. Some people prefer to swirl a bit longer until the soap reaches a thicker consistency. Add a bit of water if needed if your lather is too thick.
Q: How do I help make my shampoo bar and cleansing bar last longer?
A: Since our bars contain many oils to keep your skin moisturized, they can get soft if left sitting in water. We recommend you allow it to dry between uses. Please don't let it sit in a water filled soap dish. You also may want to cut your bar in half and use one half at a time to keep it lasting longer.