One of the most common recommendations I hear for men that are just getting started with safety razors is to stay away from open comb razors. I even typically recommend this. Why? It's simple -- they are just too aggressive for men that don’t understand proper technique yet.
Most men have such poor shaving technique from years of using a cartridge razor, that it’s really tough for them to be able to pick up a safety razor and not revert back to bad habits that take time to break. And an open comb razor would just exacerbate every mistake even more.
All that said, some beginner wet shavers really do need an open comb razor. Men with beards that are extremely thick or coarse might have a difficult time working a closed come safety razor through all that facial hair.
So what should these men do? It seems like there's no easy solution for them. Well if this sounds like you, we would like to introduce you to the Parker 26C.
Pros
- Moderately aggressive
- Excellent balance of providing a smooth shave but not too aggressive
- Great for men with thick or coarse hair
- Solid grip
- Superb value for price
- Great weight distribution
Cons
- Black handle shows spots if you don’t clean after every use
- Not recommended for beginners that haven’t yet mastered the wet shave technique
- Yeah, this safety razor is pretty awesome
KEY FEATURES
- Well-designed open comb; moderately aggressive so it is a great option for a variety of men. Gives guys with thicker, coarser beards a great shave. Moderately aggressive if you use proper technique. Do not use it like a cartridge razor!
- Highly textured handle makes it easy to grip and hold throughout your shave
- Great weight distribution allows for the razor to glide across your face with minimal effort when performed with proper wet shaving technique
- Solid brass frame with chrome plating is very durable
- 4” handle is great length for grip and maneuverability
Everything You Need to Know About the Parker 26C
The Parker 26C is a classic three-piece safety razor. Parker Shaving has been making shaving products for more than 40 years, and their extensive background and experience has helped them to engineer one of my favorite open comb safety razors.
The Parker 26C is a rather unassuming safety razor -- it has a black handle that certainly stands out, but other than that there’s nothing that really grabs your attention. Don’t let that fool you into thinking this is just another run of the mill razor though.
Product Specifications
- Three-piece, open comb safety razor
- Solid brass frame with chrome plating and a black handle
- Weighs 3.3 ounces
- 4 inches long
- Fixed razorhead
Shave Quality and Aggressiveness
The headline for the Parker 26C is without a doubt how it balances providing an excellent, close shave without being overly aggressive. While it’s not the mildest open comb razor available, it certainly is only a moderate aggressiveness.
One of the reasons it is only moderately aggressive is because the teeth are spaced closer together which helps give you some protection from the blade. At the same time though, the teeth have deep grooves which helps expose expose more blade than a closed comb would, ensuring that you get an extra smooth shave. The teeth have a high-quality smooth and rounded finish so you shouldn’t worry about any of the teeth poking you. (And if you are having teeth “poke” you, back off on the amount of pressure you are applying.)
Because it is only moderately aggressive for an open comb safety razor, the Parker 26C can deliver great shave quality for a variety of men, including but not limited to:
- Men with thick or coarse hair
- Men that want a slightly more aggressive and smooth shave than what their current closed comb razor provides
- Men that only shave after their facial hair has grown out for a few days and need the extra help from an open comb
I typically steer beginners away from open comb razors, but if they really need one, the Parker 26c is an excellent one to begin with because it eases you into a little more aggressiveness. At the same time though, I want reiterate the need to really focus on getting the technique right. Otherwise, you will be severely disappointed in the quality of your shave and have a face full of nicks and cuts.
Size and Weight Distribution
Weighing in at 3.3 ounces with a length of 4 inches, the Parker 26C is right in the sweet spot of size weight distribution. It’s long enough to fit great in the majority of most men’s hands, but isn’t so large that it gets in the way. It’s the perfect length to feel like you have a secure grip but still allow you to maneuver in those tight spaces under your nose and around the ears.
I really like the weight of the Parker 26C. It is heavy enough that it performs exactly like a top-notch safety razor should and it glides easily across your face to where you should be applying minimal pressure and effort when making passes.
The solid brass frame gives it a sturdy feel and adds the weight to the product. Remember to keep in mind though that just because a razor is a good weight doesn’t mean it has good weight distribution though. Weight distribution is extremely important and the Parker 26C distributes its weight fantastically.
Grip
The black handle throws some men off: they see it and figure it might be a rubber handle. It's not though. The handle is also brass but has a black finish instead of the chrome finish the rest of the product has. It is highly textured, but it is still easy on your hands as it is not a coarse finish. With the handle being 4 inches long and textured for a firm grip, you should have no trouble maintaining complete control of it during a shave.
Durability and Maintenance
Parker knows how to make solid and durable products, and they lived up to their reputation with the 26c. Despite being on the lower end of the price scale, this is not some cheap safety razor that you will have to replace in 6 months. As long as you are taking good care of it and not over-tightening the razorhead, there’s no reason to believe you won’t be able to get many years of use out of it.
One thing to keep in mind when considering the 26c though is that because the handle is black, soap scum and spots are more visible. This really shouldn’t be a problem, because it takes less than 30 seconds to clean your razor after your shave. But if you’re lazy and don’t want to clean the handle after every use but still want it to miraculously look clean anyway, you may want to look at Parker’s 24c instead
The great thing about the handle though is that unlike most handles that lose their color over time due to regular use, the 26c’s handle does a superb job of keeping its color. We have not found that the black (or chrome) have lost any color.
Overall, the Parker 26c is an incredibly durable and easy to maintain safety razor.
What Are Some Other Safety Razors To Consider?
Merkur 34C
The Merkur 34c is another safety razor that is always a contender for any “best of” series. Its two biggest differences from the Parker 26c though is that it is closed comb and has a shorter handle at only 3.3 inches. The Merkur 34c aggressiveness is very mild, so we recommend it for beginners or anyone looking for a very mild shave.
Parker 99R
The Parker 99R is another excellent option from Parker. It is a butterfly open, open comb safety razor. And it is quite a bit more aggressive than the 26c. If you really need an aggressive shave, this is a great option because it is durable, has a long sturdy handle and great weight distribution. If you are a beginner or don’t need/want an aggressive shave, you should look elsewhere. Only experienced wet shavers looking for an aggressive shave should purchase the 99R.
WEISHI Long Handle Butterfly Open
The WEISHI Long Handle is a very good option if you’re on a very tight budget. It is also a butterfly open, has a handle that is over 4” long and provides a mildly aggressive shave. The construction and durability are not as good as others available. But if you’re looking for an extremely mild safety razor, this might be the one for you. It’s also good for beginners that want to “test the waters” of safety razors before making a nicer, more expensive purchase.
Final Thoughts on the Parker 26C
I have no reservations about recommending the Parker 26C to men looking to get a moderately aggressive shave. Everything from the solid brass frame to the excellent weight distribution to the superbly designed open comb makes this safety razor a winner. The Parker 26C should be considered by any man that knows proper wet shaving technique and looking for a safety razor that can give them a superb moderately aggressive shave.
Didn't find the right safety razor for you in this article? Then go read my guide on what I think are the best safety razors on the market right now. I review a variety of safety razors with different features in different price ranges. It has an option for everyone. So go check it out and figure out what safety razor will be best for you.
