Parker SRX Heavy Duty Professional 100% Stainless Steel Straight Edge Razor Requires Replaceable Blade

I will outline a few things in the hope that the information given will be a useful review to anyone considering the purchase of the Parker SRX ‘Shavette’ type straight razor. I am late 50’s and have always had very sensitive skin – the type that burns and turns red with exposure to a 40 watt light bulb or my forehead that bleeds if a fly collides with it! I tried electric shavers, both safety razors and the old single blade Bic disposables (the only disposables available at the time) back in my younger days but all resulted in horrific sore areas and rashes which were very uncomfortable. I ditched shaving in 1986 and grew a full beard as a result. Since then I’ve just used a disposable (single and multi-blades) to shave the small areas around the edges of my beard. During COVID-19 lockdown, being much older, I decided to give clean shaving a try again. I started with multi-blade disposables which I wasn’t impressed with. They just didn’t give a great result and due to the size of the head made it difficult to get at hairs in awkward places like just under the nose. I therefore bought a good quality double-edge safety razor together with ‘Astra’ brand blades which were good value with excellent reviews. The results were far better although as an experiment I thought I’d give a straight razor a try and bought the Parker SRX. I have never used a straight razor and after reading loads of reviews I half expected to cut myself to pieces initially, but that hopefully as my technique improved through time the risk of a hospital visit would decrease. To start with I used a face scrub, rinsed – followed by a face wash, rinsed. Covered my face with a wet flannel warmed with bath temperature water for a couple of minutes. Rubbed in a pre-shave oil and left for a minute or so. Covered the area to be shaved with a good quality shaving cream whipped up with a shaving brush. Shaved using the Parker SRX fitted with half of the double edge ‘Astra’ razor blade I had used once previously a couple of days before in my new safety razor (making sure my hands were completely dry beforehand so that there was no chance of my grip on the Parker slipping). Delicate short strokes with the SRX, using just the weight of the straight razor and being aware that the blade protrudes from that razor slightly more than when fitted to a safety razor. No slips and the razor was well balanced and easy to hold. I am pretty certain that this has given me the closest shave I have ever had. My technique wasn’t perfect and as a result of using the blade at a poor angle and possibly not using enough pre-shave oil/shave cream I did end up with four nicks. These were all very minor in areas on the face or neck with bumps or bits that aren’t flat (near the Adams Apple on the neck for instance). I am absolutely certain that these small nicks were down to my own inexperience in using a straight blade razor and not at all down to the tool being used. In any case after rubbing a dampened alum block over my face the pores closed almost immediately and the small nicks sealed themselves. Patted dry and application of aftershave lotion and some aftershave balm and job done. I have to say I was a bit nervous about using the Parker SRX for the first time, but ignoring my inexperience and mistakes (which hopefully will improve in time), the ultra-smooth results and lack of irritation have made me a convert. I have ordered some ‘Feather’ brand blades, which are reportedly the sharpest objects known to man. However I think I’ll keep these for use in my safety razor for a while, until I have mastered straight razor shaving with the Parker SRX (no point in trying to run before you can walk). In short a beautifully finished quality item that will give fantastic results for a considerable time to come, provided sufficient pre-shave preparation is conducted, a good quality blade is fitted and it is used with the caution and respect it deserves. I bought a number of shaving items a few days before ordering the Parker SRX and one of these items was supplied by the same Seller that I bought the Parker from (all being through the Amazon UK website). The Parker was posted direct from the Seller as opposed to by Amazon but arrived before it’s due date and was packaged well. In fact when looking for ‘Feather’ razor blades I found them expensive on Amazon but much cheaper on Ebay. I found the same Seller I bought the two items from on Amazon advertising the ‘Feathers’ on Ebay and as a result have ordered them from this same supplier, albeit they were a touch more expensive than other Sellers. Great Seller, superb product. Can’t recommend any more than that.

Great and light weight but feels sturdy when holding

Arrived quickly ! Upon opening the packaging I really was surprised by the quality of the Product. Fantastic finish with a really sturdy closure to support the Blade. Looks and feels like it will last many years ! Buy it !

figured it was worth a try to be a bit more convenient on the maintenance side than a fixed blade straight razor, it does work but the standard of the shave at least from first impressions seems sub-standard, perhaps it's a matter of adjusting technique in which case I'll amend the review but if I don't then my results didn't improve.

A stainless steel shavette razor for under £20 seemed like a good deal for me, it was also recomended on on of the shaving forums. The quality of my razor is quite good, no flaws or dings, it is pretty square and i have not had to re shape it at all. I needed a training shaver to improve my technique using an AC Razor. With the shavette you can try many different blades by snapping a DE blade in half so you can come up with a combination that works for you, basically the options are endless. you can also buy half blades. I found the shavette easy to use and hold, much easier that my Feather DX, although this is why i bought the Parker - a training aid. i will keep it in my razor rotation as it is nice to use. T

A double-edged safety razor is better in most circumstances but there are times such as when you have a really bushy beard to get rid of that clogs the safety razor or you simply want the slightly meditative task of shaving with an open blade where it is nice (but definitely not essential) to have one of these. The cost is mainly time and (to a lesser extent), comfort. Certainly much more convenient than a traditional straight razor where you need to maintain the blade yourself.

Straight razor itself works alright and holds the half de blade well. It's a bit smaller than I expected and somewhat slippery due to the stainless steel finish on the handle... so be extra careful. The reason for the 2 star review is because the stainless steel finish arrived with lots of fine micro scratches and gunk in parts of the razor such as within the lock flip handle. Dissapointed as I expected a lovely smooth finish but in reality came with tons of micro scratches making me question whether it was a manufacturing issue or if it wasn't new and I received it used! G

This is a fantastic razor, light weighted and extremely precise with the right blade!