We recently sent out a Parker 98R safety razor to Mike Sandoval, who writes for leading US wet shaving website Shaving101.com.
Mike had politely told us before we sent him the 98R that he had already tested the Parker 91R and had given it a “less-than-favorable” review.
Parker 98R Heavy Duty Premium Barberpole
However, he said he was open-minded and really wanted to give Parker another chance to prove they produced quality razors.
So off went the 98R by plane across the pond…
The US wet shaving guru started off his 98R review by saying: “When unpacking the razor, I was most surprised by the weight of the 98R. The handle and cutting head weigh in at approximately 4.3 ounces (121 grams), making this one monster of a razor.
“The handle design is a variation of Merkur’s barber-pole style and has a one-direction spiral-knurling pattern instead of the diamond pattern found on the Merkur. The knurling is cut deep and uniformly, and it provides a good grip surface on the handle.”
He went on to add: “The chrome plating on the razor and cutting head is applied well with no noticeable spots of uneven coating. The two-piece cutting head itself lined up properly when loading a blade and reassembling the razor, leaving an even blade exposure on each side of the cutting head.”
Mike explained that he thought the cutting action of the razor felt a bit more aggressive than he expected due to its heavy feel in hand, but added that the 98R delivered a “solid shaving performance”.
In conclusion, Mike said he found the Parker 98R to be well made and a fair alternative to the more expensive Merkur 38C, adding it is a “good value razor for the budget conscious wet shaver”.
You can read the full Shaving101.com review by clicking here.
The Parker 98R retails for just £21.99 at the Shaving Shack. We also stock a large number of other Parker razors and affordable double edge safety razors.
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