Parker 96R (India)
@Phunk describes this very razor as garbage and advised that the 96R delivered a shaving with an asphalt experience. I’ve tried some bad razors but never heard of any razor being described as delivering a shave so bad that it’s been labeled as producing a ‘shaving with asphalt experience’. I wondered what an asphalt shaving experience would be like, so I offered to purchase the offending blade holder to find out, but
@Phunk had had enough after two shaves and gave it to me; from my perspective the price was right and
@Phunk was probably not too much out of pocket either, even if he did pay for postage, thanks Brendan. I offered to do a review of the razor soon after it was received so here today, straight from
@Phunk – the offending Parker 96R razor complete with its shaving with asphalt experience!!!
Assembled from chrome plated brass with black handle, the Parker 96R is a twist to open style razor with a straight bar, nice and simple and that is all that is required to describe this razor. There are many other razors out there that are made to similar specifications, so why is this one so bad. For
@Phunk to have had such a bad experience, I’m thinking that there must be something out of alignment. There is a lazy wing on one side, it does not work in tandem with the other side and needs assistance to fully open; only light finger pressure is required but it won’t open without help. To add to the woes, the lazy side wing does not clamp down as far as the other side leaving it cocked up slightly. In this position, a minute difference in the gaps between the closed wings and the centre blade post is visible. It’s no wonder there is a difference in gap when the pivot points were checked they are very sloppy so that won’t be helping anything. This razor has sustained damage at some time as one end plate has a slight kink and is not sitting square. As the tray on the the lazy side lowers, it does so with a very jerky action, the other side moves smoothly. Under normal circumstances I would now straighten the offending end plate and give the razor a dose of oil, but in this case I’m holding back, repairs and oiling can come after I’ve given it at least one outing.
Because I was not really brimming with confidence about the ability of the 96R to deliver, I readied the next review razor, just in case.
@Phunk used a Muhle blade to achieve the asphalt shaving experience, so the selection of the first blade was easy. With the blade inserted, it sits parallel, there is an equal amount of blade exposure and equal blade gap, that part all looks good. For some reason, and I hope I can correct it with some maintenance and a good oiling, the shave was terrible. Efficiency was about Karve CB Level #D, there was a generous amount of blade feel but the shave was so rough; I’ve not experienced pulling like that with a Muhle blade previously, and I’m not for one second blaming the Muhle blade. This must be what
@Phunk has been referring to. After corrective maintenance and a few drops of oil, both wings opened in harmony, closed flat, the mechanism was a lot smoother, functioned better but I’m sorry to say, the shave was still terrible even if there was an improvement. I was hoping that the results would improve with a bit of tweaking, and I could send the razor back to
@Phunk, but mate, you done the right thing, you would not want it back. It’s a dud, and like you, I packed it away after two shaves.
Blade Used – Muhle
Material – Chrome plated brass & black
Blade Tab - Exposed
Weight – 77g
Head Width – 42.86mm
Handle Length – 99mm
Handle Diameter – 11.36mm
Availability – Parker
Final Word – Rubbish