Parker PTB Professional Straight Edge Barber Razor with 5 Parker Platinum Blades

The Parker PTB is my first straight razor, albeit a disposable single edge blade type of razor. I've always wanted to see if I could shave using a straight razor but the initial cost was very prohibitive being in the $300-$400 range just to start up with razor, strop, soap, etc. The Parker PTB Shavette allows me to attempt this with very little money out of pocket, 1/10th of the cost at least. At approximately $20, I could not pass this up.I ordered the Parker PTB along with the "Colonel Conk Watertight Travel Container with Soap" and chose the free shipping. I received both pieces in a single Amazon box from FedEx within two days instead of the expected 7 days or more I was expecting that normally comes with these free shipping offers.The Parker PTB was packaged nicely in a small box with a black sleeve covering the box. The floor on the inside of the box was lined in what I would consider a red velvet type material indicating some "class" to the Parker line. Within the Parker PTB box was housed the actual PTB, 6 replacement single-edged razor blades and illustrations describing how to "load" the razor blades into the PTB's head.The Parker PTB has a black plastic handle that does not feel to be flimsy at all, which was surprising. It feels very sturdy to the touch and while shaving. The metal arm appears to be stainless steel and is also sturdy to the touch and during use. The head that holds the disposable razor blade pushes out the end of the metal arm. To load the blade, I slid the entire head out of the metal arm for ease of inserting the blade. The hardest part I found was actually attaching the blade to the head and getting the top portion of the blade beneath the retaining metal flap that holds the razor snuggly against the inside of the head. But, I believe my fear of cutting myself on my first attempt probably didn't help with securing the blade to the head.My first shave was actually not that good. This was definitely due to me being new to the straight razor shaving club and my technique was definitely flawed. I have now shaved three times with the Parker PTB and am loving it.I would recommend this Parker PTB to anyone looking to attempt shaving with a straight razor for the first time or for someone who is looking for a razor that is cost effective.Giving the Parker PTB Straight Edge Shavette 5 Stars was an easy decision.*** EDIT ON 20130423 ***OK, I've had almost two weeks with this razor and I've used it several times. I like it; however, I have discovered that it is very easy to "gouge" yourself with the outside corner of the blade. Unlike some normal straight razors that have a rounded tip, the corner on the PTB blades are pronounced and caution is warranted. I have gouged my cheek a couple of times so far and thus, I am trying to tweak my technique a little more. I believe with lots of practice and patience, I will be able to get a decent shave with the PTB. But for right now, my Safety Razor is still King.

Professional barber here. This razor is a big step up from a lot of other razor handles in this price class. It grips the shavette tightly and leaves only a sliver of the blade exposed, making for a nice smooth glide over the skin. Push load mechanism is a bit finicky at first but after a few days break in it’s faster and easier to load. This handle is rather light as some reviewers mentioned, though I fail to see why this is a problem; never understood why people want heavier razors - to me the weight causes no difference in control if you have good technique. Works fine with all the brands of blades I’ve tried loading into it. The Parker blades it comes with are pretty good also. All in all, very good product for the cost. Many barbers will recommend other more expensive brands - those may look or feel fancier, but in terms of performance, expect seriously diminishing returns for anything above this price point.

Great quality razor I’ve bought this brand before and will continue buying this brand again

It's a nice shave. I've been using the Turkish style for a while now and while it is a great blade holder style for its versatility having the slightly more exposed razor style offers a higher degree of razor skin contact. As a more experienced barber I appreciate that a little more than when I was just getting going. The cartridge could have been better. It seems like the manufacturing process doesn't stamp it enough on the area that holds the blade so you have to blend the metal up a little but not to much or you lose tension. Hence my star reduction.

If you are a barber, I highly recommend this product

Poor material way too much expensive for this price.

So, after several years of using this shavette, here's my unbiased report. Except I am biased, however, because this thing is really that good. I've had in my hands many other shavettes that are so-called "of the same design", but they really aren't. This Parker has much thicker and stiffer metal in its construction. While the others feel actually cheap, this feels just the opposite. It has heft. Its solid. It does feel premium. It is a great offering from Parker and worth every dime. Will this replace my Dovo or my Boker? Nope, but darned if it isn't close. Its a pleasure to use, honestly, and it goes on every camping trip or out of town or hotel stay.