Thread: Can shaving daily with an agressive razor do harm to your skin?

Hi fellas,

After a bit of trail and error, I've ended up with a 91r, and a handful of different blades.

I found straight razors didnt' quite turn my crank, although I got good enough at them, that they DID give me a good shave.

I tried the shavette, and they just felt too flimsy, and somewhere in between.

I have recently tried a Feather popular TTO razor, and although it shaved well, I find the plastic handle and TTO head to be a bit cheap feeling, and I just couldn't get past it.

I really like the style of the 3 piece parker head, but its fairly aggressive. I do find I get a bit of heat (not burn) after a shave, but otherwise close shave with little to no redness, plus its built like a tank.

Will this be okay for my skin long term?...... I dont want to end up looking like leatherface down the road!

Thanks,

Ryan

Hello, Ryan:

I know that Parker 91R is an aggressive razor. I found it quite unpleasant and eventually sold it to someone who likes aggressive razors and is still happy with it.

Although I am not a dermatologist, I would assume skin under daily assault from such a razor could receive some damage. Again, it's only an uneducated assumption.

If I may ask, why not try a milder razor and stop worrying? There are other high quality razors. I always recommend the Edwin Jagger razors for their overall quality. They are also not aggressive as the Parker 91R. The Merkur 38C "Barber Pole" is a bit more aggressive than the Edwin Jaggers and it is highly regarded.

I don't see the reason for being a prisoner of sorts to the Parker 91R.

Regards,

Obie

Thanks Obie,

Well, actually with one pass on the neck, and two on the face, I find it does the job nicely.

Also, I feel like Ive spent a lot on trial and error, and wasted too much money trying to figure this out. I think this razor could work with the right blade and technique.

I figure its easier to dial down an aggressive razor when you want it to be aggressive, and next to impossible to increase the aggressiveness of a mild razor when you want a quick close shave. I'm fairly new at this, and thats purely opinion.

Ryan:

You are very welcome.

On the other hand, if I may suggest, you might try the Edwin Jagger or the Merkur 38C with Feather blades. There is a chance you can find measurable aggressiveness that is well balanced.

In the end, though, what you prefer is what matters. A little experimentation and improvisation might solve your problem with the Parker.

Good luck.

Stay well.

Obie

Thanks again Obie.

I'll see how the next shave goes with a fresh Feather!

I don't think the aggressive quality of a razor can do you any harm. It's more the user using a razor in an aggressive fashion. That's where the problems start.

Thats what Im wondering. I've gone slow and been okay, and Ive gone either too many passes, or too fast, and been chewed up. Thats probably the nature of the beast.

Any idea where the 91R slots in between other razors in terms of aggressivenes? How does it compare in aggression tot he bigger guys? Edwin Jagger, Murhker, Gillette, etc.....

Thanks!

My Parker is way more aggressive than my other DE's (save for my Fat Boy , due to the fact it's adjustable), especially compared to my Merkur.

I think a good compromise would be to try an old Gillette adjustable and get the best of both worlds. It can be as mild as you want, and it can be face-torn-to-shreds aggressive when dialled up to 9. Most of us stick to the middle settings (4,5,6) which seems to work great. Plus you can pick one up for fairly cheap, so there's not a lot of up-front cost.

Thanks ryan,

Any idea which setting the Parker compares to on the Gillette?

Just curious.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

My Parker is way more aggressive than my other DE's (save for my Fat Boy , due to the fact it's adjustable), especially compared to my Merkur.

I think a good compromise would be to try an old Gillette adjustable and get the best of both worlds. It can be as mild as you want, and it can be face-torn-to-shreds aggressive when dialled up to 9. Most of us stick to the middle settings (4,5,6) which seems to work great. Plus you can pick one up for fairly cheap, so there's not a lot of up-front cost.

Originally Posted by ryan2022

Any idea which setting the Parker compares to on the Gillette?

Though I can't say how aggressive your particular razor is, I'd compare my Parker to maybe a 7 or 8. You really have to watch the angle and pressure or else it feels like your skin is being scraped off.