Parker TTO's

[sojat54]

Just wanted to know if any of the new 2010 Parkers are worth buying?

[bakerbarber]

I wasn't particularly impressed with the two I bought brand new.

While not unusable, they aren't durable.

Decent razors, and good shavers.

They just are too flimsy.

I bought the gun metal finished one and the barber pole heavy model.

The gun metal finish chipped off easily and eventually broke at the stem that raises and lowers the doors. To be fair- it broke because I took it apart and put it back together several times and forced it. Under normal circumstances I would not expect it to break. The finish began chipping after just a few shaves. From hanging on the rack in my shower.

The barber pole style heavy model was not true when I got it. Where it twists to open is the same place the stem attaches that rises and lowers the butterfly doors.

Mine was too 'high' out of the box and the doors were catching on the safety bars. I held the blade tray and twisted more. You can "adjust" or limit the amount of travel in the action but no set position is built in. You can also totally remove the TTO knob and disassemble the entire razor by hand this way.

Like I said. The ones I bought shave well. I'm not impressed with the finish or design.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy one for travel or for daily use. If you do- don't expect it to last forever.

At less than $30 brand new, it's a little disappointing. Particularly the gun metal finish being so fragile. It's not an enormous investment, but it's $30 that could have went towards a nicer razor.

For the money, a nice used Gillette is much more durable and solid feeling. I would recommended that you invest in a nice Super Speed or a new German or English modern razor.

Parker makes nice TTO razors as far as variety and design, but they feel flimsy and fragile to me. I can't speak to the three piece models.

I did want something new and unique. The Parkers I bought are unlike any vintage Gillette. They are heavy and well balanced. The two I bought shaved well and had no issues with blade gap or being slippery when wet and soapy.

The thing that turned me off was the fact that the TTO knob is not seated securely and is easily over-turned. That can cause issues with the butterfly doors not opening enough or too far.

[sojat54]

I bought an Edwin Jagger DE 86bl and love it. I just wanted a tto to go with it.

Thanks for the info.

[mgiah]

I have a 90R with the 2010 head. It's a nice razor. I've had no issues with it (as mentioned above). Seems solid and well built.

It's fairly aggressive and I wouldn't recommend it as a first razor. If I could go back and do it again, I'd get the EJ DE89 or a vintage tech or superspeed.

[KcHighLife]

I have had ZERO problems with my Parker 22R and I have had it at least a few years.

[FIREitUP]

I bought an Edwin Jagger DE 86bl and love it. I just wanted a tto to go with it.

Thanks for the info.

Stick with the EJ. After trying both I can tell you that the EJ feels like a $200 shaver compared to the Parker.

[Stroker]

I have two Parker TTO's; a 90R and a 96R and both are great shavers. As mentioned above they are not in the same league as the EJ 86/87/89 what so ever. The EJ's are exceptional razors both in performance and quality of manufacture. The price of the EJ's are reasonable as well however, that being said; the Parkers for the $20-$22. bucks you pay for this TTO razor is a good performing razor (I have had no problems with them) but the finishing quality is not there. So, if you are looking for a new cheap, good performing TTO razor the Parker's should be considered. There are many vintage Gillette TTO razors out there though that are better quality that would also be in the Parker price range. That too, should be considered.

[Koken]

I recently purchased a Parker 22R and have no regrets, one of the best razors in the $20-$30 price range IMO. There have been quality control issues in the past according to other posts but it seems as if the recent releases are of better quality. Nice balance, above average finish, and a better than average aggressiveness make this one of my go to razors.

[Egmont]

I've had an 82R for almost a year and like it. Originally I thought it was a little heavy, but I'm used to it now. Only razor I use.