My Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements DOC |
I've currently had three shaves with my Lord Platinum Class blade. This blade isn't dangerously
sharp, so my use of my mild Double-Open-Comb (DOC) razor was limited to the blade's maiden shave. Then as is my custom, my razor progression went next to my 1965 Gillette Tech. This razor, too, was only needed for shave number two.
My '65 Tech Head on the PAA handle. |
Contrast that to my prior blade, which was a Feather brand. Because it's a sharper and more irritating blade, I took several shaves with the DOC before switching to the Tech. Even then, the shave with the Tech was a bit too aggressive for my skin, so I returned to the DOC for a couple more shaves.
Then I returned to the Feather-Tech combination for a couple more shaves before finishing the blade's useful life in my Parker Variant. (By the way, since my PRA article was published on Sharpologist, I've relegated to my closet razor box my Ming Shi 2000S, the Merkur Futur imitator, because though good in its own way, one edge of the razor was slightly more aggressive than the other. The Variant offers as good a shave and is more uniform in the relative aggressiveness of its edges.)
Parker Varian |
It was much better to put the Feather blade into the blade-recycle can, and pull out a blade that is much more comfortable for me to use. The Lord blade was a welcome relief.
Happy shaving!
A couple of things I dislike about the Ming Shi 2000S is the side edge of the blade is about 1/4" from the side of the razor (I didn't actually measure it.) This dead space is annoying and at times difficult to compensate for. Secondly, I found that if I rotate the razor to far up where more of the cap is on the skin it tends to create friction and stops the razor dead in it's tracks.
ReplyDeleteThe razor as a whole does give a good shave and I love the adjustability of it. However, it's like driving an army tank. I was curious if you experienced the same thing with yours and if the Parker Variant does the same?
Yes, a drawback of the Futur design and copycats is the width of the razor head being significantly larger than the width of the blade's cutting edges. This does take some working around. And no, the Variant from Parker does not have this issue. In my experience, the Variant has a smaller, more manageable head and offers a high-quality shave. Its adjustability is similar to the 2000S in that its mildest setting is somewhat moderate, not uber mild. The Variant, like the Merkur Progress, does however have the ability to be set to very aggressive settings, if desired.
DeleteMy personal preference is to use the Variant set between 1 and 3 depending on the blade type and number of shaves for which it has been used.
In sum, many consider the Variant to be a top-drawer option, a first-class razor. That is also my opinion.