Parker Shaving is one of the household names in the wet shaving community. They have been making high-quality safety razors for over 50 years and they have an extensive line of safety razors for just about every budget and shave profile.
Today we are going to be taking a closer look at what is probably their most popular safety razor: the Parker 99R.
The Parker 99R definitely stands out from most other safety razors: it’s a big, heavy and very aggressive safety razor. Lots of men love it, but it’s definitely not a middle of the road safety razor that tries to appeal to all wet shavers. It has a target niche and serves that demographic really well.
Pros
- Affordable
- Aggressive shave is great for men with thick, coarse beards
- Quick and easy to replace blades
- Long handle is easy to grip
- Heavy
Cons
- Not recommended for beginners
- Slightly handle heavy
Product Overview & Specs
- Made with chrome plated brass
- Twist-to-open razorhead
- Overall length 4.25 inches, handle is 4 inches long
- 3.4 ounces
Key Features
One Of the More Aggressive Safety Razors
If you’re looking for a mild safety razor, the Parker 99R probably isn’t right for you. One of the key features of the 99R is that it is one of the most aggressive safety razors on the market. I rate is as an either 8 or 9 out of 10.
What makes the 99R so aggressive? Really the biggest factor is just that it has a pretty sizable blade gap. Other than the blade gap, it has pretty mild features: closed comb, fixed, straight bar.
Because it is so aggressive, the Parker 99R is really geared towards men that have thick, coarse facial hair. If you have light facial hair or have a very sensitive face, there really isn’t a good reason to use something this aggressive. It’s overkill and it is not going to give you an optimal shave.
Slightly Handle Heavy But Still Good Balance Point
At 3.4 ounces, the Parker 99R is pretty hefty. But it definitely does feel a little handle heavy to me.
Personally, I prefer razors that are heavier in the razorhead than the handle because it makes it easier to use good form and let the razorhead do the work for you. But lots of guys like the weight of the Parker 99R and its weight distribution.
“Barber Pole” Grooves On Handle Give Good Grip
The handle on the 99R offers very good grip. The handle has texture that spirals around the handle and makes it look like a barber pole. I’d prefer if the grooves were a little deeper, but they still do a good job. Overall, I think the grip very comparable to that of a Merkur or Muhle. You shouldn’t have any issues with this razor slipping in your hand.
Long Handle
The 99R is one of the bigger safety razors. It’s overall length is 4.25 inches with the handle being 4 inches long. The handle alone is longer than a lot of safety razors!
And because it is so long, it’s really geared towards men with average or above average sized hands. If you have smaller hands, you might want find something a little shorter that’s a little easier to handle.
All that said though, it really just depends on how you like to grip the handle.
Easy, Quick Blade Replacement
It’s incredibly easy to replace blades in the Parker 99R. All you have to do to open and close the razorhead is twist the knob at the bottom. With 2-piece and 3-piece razors you actually have to take them apart. But with the butterfly design on the 99R, it’s much easier and quicker to take a blade out and replace it with a new one.
If you do end up buying the Parker 99R though, just make sure you aren’t over-tightening it when putting in a new blade. Yes, you need to make sure the blade is safe and secure, but if you tighten it too much you can possibly break the hinges. The 99R has much better construction and stronger hinges than most other butterfly open safety razors, but the hinges still are the most likely part to break down.
Premium Shave Quality -- If You Know How to Wet Shave With Good Technique
The Parker 99R is capable of giving an extremely close and comfortable shave. However, you really need to know how to use good wet shaving technique to get good results from it. If you’re still learning proper wet shaving technique, this probably isn’t the right razor for you.
Who Do We Recommend The Parker 99R For?
The Parker 99R is a great safety razor for any wet shaver that needs an aggressive shave and wants a razor that is above average in both size and weight. So if you have a thick, coarse beard, the Parker 99R is a great option. Just let the weight of the razor do the work for you and the Parker 99R will cut through your beard like a hot knife through butter.
If you don’t need or want an aggressive razor, I definitely wouldn’t recommend the 99R. It’s just not necessary. You should be able to get just as close of a shave with a less aggressive razor that will also be much more forgiving.
What are some other good options to consider? Let’s take a look...
What Are Some Other Safety Razors To Consider?
Muhle R41
Muhle is a German company. The R41 is nicknamed “the beast” for a reason — it’s one of the most aggressive razors you can find. Even more aggressive than the Parker 99R.
The R41 has an excellent design. It’s handle is right in the sweet spot at 3.7 inches long and although it only weighs 2.2 ounces, it doesn’t feel that light. Feels very sturdy and solid in your hand.
I only recommend the R41 to men that know they need a very aggressive razor and know how to wet shave with experienced form. If you’re looking to buy a premium safety razor that is ultra-aggressive, the Muhle R41 might be the best.
Merkur 23c Long Handle
The Merkur 23c long handle is one of the most popular and highly rated safety razors you can buy. It is incredibly well made, durable and delivers a very close and comfortable shave.
The Merkur 23c is not as heavy as the 99R, but it has excellent weight distribution and a good balance point. It’s also not as aggressive, but it is still a moderately aggressive razor. And if you need to turn up the aggressiveness even more, you can definitely do so by using a very sharp blade like a Feather.
If you’re looking to buy your first safety or just want a top-notch razor that is very affordable, the Merkur 23c is a great option.
Feather “Popular”
The Feather “Popular” is my favorite budget safety razor. If you have a very limited budget or just don’t want to spend much money yet, this is probably the best bang for your buck budget razor.
It’s got a really good butterfly design and is moderately aggressive. Really the only drawback to the Popular is that it’s pretty light because the handle is made from plastic. Other than that, it’s a really solid safety razor.
So if you’re looking o test drive a cheap safety razor before spending a little more money, the Feather Popular is an excellent option.
Need a little more help figuring out which safety razor you want to buy? Then I recommend reading my comprehensive guide on what I think are the best safety razors on the market. It has all the information you need to find the perfect safety razor in your budget.
