Today we are going to be reviewing Parker’s 96R safety razor. Parker is one of the most popular wet shaving companies in the industry. They have been making high-quality safety razors since 1973 and have a nice diverse product line of safety razors that vary in terms of size, weight, aggressiveness and design. They have an option for just about every wet shaver out there, much like Merkur.
All of Parker’s razors are hand assembled in India. And although some people scoff at this because they are not made in Germany or the USA, I think they are still really good quality and high-performing razors. You shouldn’t have any concerns about the quality of a razor from Parker. In fact, I think Parker safety razors are some of the best you can buy if you have a tight budget.
Alright, enough chit chat. Let’s get to the review.
Pros
- Above average aggressiveness is great for men with coarse, thick beards
- Textured handle offers really good grip
- Brass frame gives it good weight
- Durable
- Butterfly open makes it quick and easy to replace blades
Cons
- Hinges on butterfly open more prone to wearing out
- Too aggressive for beginners
Product Overview & Specs
- Weighs 3.75 ounces
- 4 inches long
- Closed comb
- Butterfly/twist-to-open razorhead
- Razorhead frame is brass and chrome plated
- Black, textured handle
- Comes with 5 shark super chrome blades
Key Features of the 96R
Excellent Weight and Balance Point
At 3.75 ounces, the 96R is well above average in weight. I always like heavier safety razors because they make it much easier to shave with good form. When a safety razor is too light, lots of men revert back to bad cartridge razor habits and apply pressure instead of letting the weight of the razor do all the work.
But what’s also important is that the weight is distributed very nicely with an excellent balance point. Butterfly open safety razors are typically lighter in the razorhead than 2-piece and 3-piece razors, but the 96R is heavy enough so the balance point is pretty high up on the handle. Again, this is the ideal location for good wet shaving form as it allows the razorhead to easily glide across your force without having to use any force.
Long, Knurled Handle Provides Very Good Grip
The 96R has one of the longer handles on the market. The overall length is 4 inches, and some guys are intimidated by that size but I think it’s still very manageable and shouldn’t be a concern. If you have really small hands the 96R might be too big, but as long as you have average sized hands or bigger, I don’t think you’ll have a problem.
The knurling on the handle is really good too. In my opinion, it’s not quite as good as the kurling on the Merkur 23c, but it’s still really good. Additionally, there’s also knurling on the knob at the top of the handle. This is where I hold the razor and I rest my pinky at the bottom which helps with balance.
Above Average Aggressiveness
Parker razors are typically known for being above average aggressive, and the 96R is no exception. I rate it as a 7/10 on the aggressiveness scale. It’s definitely noticeably less aggressive than the 99R, but still well above average.
Of course, you can always dial the aggressiveness down a little by using a more mild blade like a Shark or Merkur. However, the blade gap on the 96R is so big that it’s still going to be pretty aggressive. And if you put a Feather blade in the 96R, you better know what you’re doing.
Because it is above average aggressiveness, I don’t typically recommend the 96R to beginners. I really prefer when beginners learn with something just moderately aggressive so it will give you a more smooth, comfortable shave that won’t punish you for every little mistake.
Quick and Easy Blade Replacement -- But Be Careful & Don’t Over-tighten the Razorhead
One of the benefits of the butterfly head design is that it’s really quick and easy to replace the blades. The drawback to the butterfly head design though is that the hinges are the weakest part of the design and usually the first part to fail.
Overall, the design of the Parker 96R is very sturdy and durable. You just need to make sure you’re not over-tightening the razorhead. Make sure the blade is safe and securely locked in, but it doesn’t need to be clamped down as hard as you can get it.
Who Do We Recommend The Parker 96R For?
The Parker 96R is an excellent option for men that want a bigger safety razor that is above average in aggressiveness. This is a very well made, durable and affordable safety razor that is great for men with thick, coarse beards. If you have little facial hair and/or very fine hair, it’s unnecessary to use something this aggressive though.
I don’t typically recommend something this aggressive for beginners. As I said earlier, I pretty much always recommend beginners start with a moderately aggressive razor. If you have thick, coarse hair go ahead and use a sharp blade, but a moderately aggressive safety razor will be easier to learn with. Then once you get your form down, you can upgrade to something more aggressive like a Parker 96R or 99R.
What Are Some Other Safety Razors To Consider?
The Parker 99R is another excellent safety razor made by Parker. It’s a little bit shorter (3.8 inches) and heavier (4 ounces) than the 96R. And it’s also a little more aggressive.
In fact, it’s one of the most aggressive safety razors on the market because the blade gap is pretty big and noticeable. Don’t get me wrong, the 99R delivers a really good shave, but you need to know what you’re doing. I definitely would not recommend it for beginners.
However, if you have a really thick, coarse beard and need an ultra-aggressive safety razor, then this might be a good option for you.
The Merkur 23c is one of the 5 most popular safety razors out there. Why? Because it has a great design and is very versatile.
It’s definitely one of the longer handle safety razors at over 4 inches long. And it’s below average in weight (2.2 ounces) but it has such a good balance point that I don’t notice it being too light.
The 23c is moderately aggressive, I rate it as 5/10. It is closed comb and has pretty minimal blade gap so it provides a really comfortable, smooth shave. However, it’s aggressive enough that it can easily cut through most beards with ease. This gives you a lot of versatility with blade selection. You can use a really mild blade like a Shark and get an incredibly smooth, mild shave. Or you can use a Feather blade and get a baby butt smooth shave on one pass.
The Vikings Blade Chieftain is a top quality safety razor that sometimes gets overlooked, but it shouldn’t. It has good size at 3.75 inches and good weight at 2.9 ounces and it is made with excellent materials. Overall, it’s a very functional, durable and high-performing safety razor.
The Chieftain is also a butterfly open and has pretty sizable blade gap, but it is only moderately aggressive. This makes it an excellent option for beginners. If you need something more aggressive though, this probably isn’t the right razor for you.
Still not sure which safety razor would be best for you? Then go read my comprehensive guide on what I believe are the best safety razors available on the market rigght now. It should have all the information you need to find the best safety razor for your needs in your budget.
