I recently purchased this razor which is marked "Parker" and came in what appears to be a genuine Parker box. But I am very reliably informed that this is not a genuine Parker razor. Does anyone know anything about this type of razor that has "Parker" etched rather than stamped and no other markings?
Question about "Parker" razor
- Thread starter Hario
- Start date
Reminds me a lot of the Suzumasa and Unique razors, the only branding was on the scales, usually. Some of them had a more pronounced downward swoop from the tang to the blade but here is an example that looks a lot like yours.
Since these weren't stamped or etched it would be relatively easy to etch them after the fact, and occasionally you see razors with Iwasaki's mark etched (not stamped) which look remarkably like a Suzumasa (draw your own conclusions). But the bigger question I have would why someone would want to fake a Parker, of all things. Not that they're bad razors, just... it doesn't make sense to me. Another possibility is that these all came out of the same shop and were branded to spec for different resellers. At the very least I would guess it's from a much later production era than some of the other numbered Parker models we see that were stamped "Swedish Steel" or sometimes "Swdeish Steel" on the monkey tail.
Since these weren't stamped or etched it would be relatively easy to etch them after the fact, and occasionally you see razors with Iwasaki's mark etched (not stamped) which look remarkably like a Suzumasa (draw your own conclusions). But the bigger question I have would why someone would want to fake a Parker, of all things. Not that they're bad razors, just... it doesn't make sense to me. Another possibility is that these all came out of the same shop and were branded to spec for different resellers. At the very least I would guess it's from a much later production era than some of the other numbered Parker models we see that were stamped "Swedish Steel" or sometimes "Swdeish Steel" on the monkey tail.
I don't like anything about this razor, the quality grinding looks substandard. I have seen many Parker razors down the years they are top quality, I would immediately pass and reject this razor, I would say it's 100% a fake.
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I have the same exact razor. Never once thought it wasn’t authentic. Takes a fantastic edge and a great shaver.
Just out of curiosity, what is the nature of your reliable informant? I'm not trying to cast aspersions, just trying to understand the background and context a bit more.
I also share Darth Scandalous' confusion about why someone would want to counterfeit Parker in particular, for the same reasons. But I know nothing about straights.
- Thread starter
- #6
The honemeister I sent it to.
How in the world would anyone know unless he’s hones a number of them. Parker isn’t Filarmonica or Dubl Duck.
Can he not hone it?
My guess, and it's only a guess, is that the etched razors were a later production when things were slowing down. Something similar to what happened with Filarmonica.
This was my thought. A legit Parker late stage razor. That doesn't mean I'd buy an etched "Iwasaki"...
Plus, the box looks legit. And while I'm sure someone could fake a box, it requires a different skill set than etching a blade. And still ignores the most important question: why?
I think Alex is right, here’s mine. Looks like the same razor
I would be surprised if it is actually fake. Could it be a private label blade made after they ceased OEM production?
I have seen a few Iwasaki razors with etched kanji and people claiming them to be genuine, if there is a profit to be made then that is all the motivation needed to take the razor along and laser engrave it.
I dare to say the profit margin on a Parker is minimal compared to an Iwasaki and hardly not worth the effort.
Profit margin on one razor like this is going to be small.
On 5000 pcs it might be more than 3x someone's annual salary.
The boxes could be legit, old stock. Blank blade blanks could also be found and etched and the two paired up.
Like fake Marukas, Nakayamas, and Mikawa Nagura, bogus razors are available. Anything can and will be faked for the right deal. Most of you probably don't remember the 'smoked' Mikawa Nagura. The b/s never ends in this game because, as someone once said - there's a sucker born every minute.
I've had known vendors contact asking for some ridiculous stuff. Most recently it was Hatanaka stamped Koma. He's blocked now. People ask around for this stuff because they know that the producers are out there and they want a way in. They also know that the goods sell pretty well so there's money to be made.
Over the years there have been a lot of Parker branded razors that just said Parker, not Parker Razor Co. And the rear of the tangs were often not stamped or etched. Can't remember if they were all etched or not but most probably were. I remember some had covered tangs. I never really gave it much thought past that the logo fonts seemed to be all over the place. I am pretty sure that Parker Razors were made for beauty supply places and maybe barber schools and stuff too. These might be part of that story, no way to know for sure though.
So, to answer the OP, yeah, Razors with that etch/look/type of box have been around. It's not a new thing.
Are they from the same source as the Parker Razor Co. razors? Dunno for sure.
Most of the info online about Japanese straights has been put together based on bits and pieces of Hooya auction listing descriptions. Some truth, some not so much truth, a lot of opinion and even more fabrication conjured up to make a sale. I don't suppose anyone will ever connect all the dots on the (this) Parker Razor story and if they do I'll be they made a carpton of assumptions to build the story.
The good news is that, like most vintage straights, most Japanese straights are good quality and shave well.
On 5000 pcs it might be more than 3x someone's annual salary.
The boxes could be legit, old stock. Blank blade blanks could also be found and etched and the two paired up.
Like fake Marukas, Nakayamas, and Mikawa Nagura, bogus razors are available. Anything can and will be faked for the right deal. Most of you probably don't remember the 'smoked' Mikawa Nagura. The b/s never ends in this game because, as someone once said - there's a sucker born every minute.
I've had known vendors contact asking for some ridiculous stuff. Most recently it was Hatanaka stamped Koma. He's blocked now. People ask around for this stuff because they know that the producers are out there and they want a way in. They also know that the goods sell pretty well so there's money to be made.
Over the years there have been a lot of Parker branded razors that just said Parker, not Parker Razor Co. And the rear of the tangs were often not stamped or etched. Can't remember if they were all etched or not but most probably were. I remember some had covered tangs. I never really gave it much thought past that the logo fonts seemed to be all over the place. I am pretty sure that Parker Razors were made for beauty supply places and maybe barber schools and stuff too. These might be part of that story, no way to know for sure though.
So, to answer the OP, yeah, Razors with that etch/look/type of box have been around. It's not a new thing.
Are they from the same source as the Parker Razor Co. razors? Dunno for sure.
Most of the info online about Japanese straights has been put together based on bits and pieces of Hooya auction listing descriptions. Some truth, some not so much truth, a lot of opinion and even more fabrication conjured up to make a sale. I don't suppose anyone will ever connect all the dots on the (this) Parker Razor story and if they do I'll be they made a carpton of assumptions to build the story.
The good news is that, like most vintage straights, most Japanese straights are good quality and shave well.
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I would not consider a vintage straight razor with laser engraved logos and old graphics.
Not to mention everyone knows "Swdeish" steel is junk.
O.H.
How do you know the razor is Swedish steel? You made it, did you? Here is a picture of some scrap gold I have been collecting.
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- Thread starter
- #20
Wonky scales too.
