Parker Variant Adjustable Safety Razor. Is it Worth it's Weight in Gold?

There's no shortage of various adjustable safety razors on the market. An adjustable safety razor typically has a knob that you can turn to adjust the razor blade's exposure on the razor making for a more aggressive or milder shave. Adjustable razors are great for every day shaving but also shaving off a weeks worth of growth without having to swap to a different razor mid shave to get a closer shave. You can start out aggressive and work your way down to a mild shave. The razor featured here is the Parker Variant Adjustable Safety Razor adn I think this might be a great bargain for the quality shave you get from it.
I got mine from the Shave Mercantile: theshavemercan...
It is also available on Amazon here: amzn.to/2Y2O8VR (affiliate)
The Vikings Blade Emperor Meiji Adjustable safety razor is available here: amzn.to/39PsEyi (affiliate)
My first impressions video of the Meji can be found here: • Vikings Blade the Empe...
And Rockwell Model T2 coverage is here: • The Rockwell Model T2 ...
and one month later • Best Safety Razor? Roc...
If you feel the urge to support the channel please consider "buying me a coffee": www.buymeacoff...

[@GregTardif]

Have you tried the Parker Variant?

[@billjohnsonseattle]

Just tried it today…. I was pleasantly surprised & it was the best shave I’ve ever had. With 2 days growth I started with a pass with the grain at setting 3, and another pass against the grain at level 1. Amazing shave. I used iridium super DE blades.

[@GregTardif]

Sweet!!! Glad you liked it

[@magnoliamike]

Going to actually use mine this week. It’s on DECK SON!

[@GregTardif]

@@magnoliamike sweeeeeet!!!

[@codycbradio]

Just ordered one. Can't wait to try it!

[@channelsixtynine069]

Greg, if you think this hobby is strange, go look at : ground coffee, fountain pens, mechanical pencils, pencil sharpeners, mechanical keyboards using individual switches and IBM Model-M and Model-F keyboards. All excellent ways to drain your bank balance. The mechanical keyboard using individual switches rates a special mention. The participants obsess over switch types, lubricant, springs, and all manner of key decorations. It's mind blowing. I like watch that from a safe distance, determined never, ever to go down that path.

[@RichardE62]

The variant i like. Very smooth. The open comb even more so.

[@unclelshaves]

My understanding is the Variant head is made of Zamak and the handle is made of Brass, the Variant design closely resembles the Merkur Progress which is about the same price. I have a short handled Merkur Progress which at 90gms is 20gms lighter than the Variant, which suits me better and I love the Progress at the milder adjustments below 3.

[@GregTardif]

nice! I have been interested in trying the progress. I am happy with the weight and displacement of said weight with the Variant. How is the weight distro on the progress? They do make really great razors. Thanks for watching.

[@TheShavingDisciple]

Great video. I like the Variant, but I prefer the handle length on the Progress. I would love a Progress (bakelite knob and all) that had the knurling of the Variant.

[@GregTardif]

There must be a way to make that happen! Thanks for watching. I have the progress on my list of need to get 👍

[@magnoliamike]

I’m going to use mine soon, I never use the same razor twice, and I have to break that stigma, i’m going to maybe start to pick one razor a week. One thing I love about the parker variant is the satin finish. It makes any soap you use seem like butter, it glides like nobody’s business

[@GregTardif]

Yeah! I’m with you, one a week is a good idea

[@averageguytested]

Awesome channel, Greg! Well shot, great writing and info - ++ humor 👍🏽

[@GregTardif]

Thanks for coming by! Love your stuff.

[@firlottp]

You ain't kiddin'... I'm like two months into this game and already wondering "WHAT WAS I THINKING?" on a lot of the recent purchases :) Yours in truth and justice, The Night Shaver.

[@cb7pwn]

owned mine for about 5 years now.. only thing i dont like about it, is the head is very fat/ tall, which makes it almost impossible to create a straight edge if youre trying to edge a beard or trim a moustachio .other than that its a solid little thing! its been living in my shower for the whole time ive owned it and still looks good!

[@SmokmasterP]

Mine will show up on Saturday. Excited for the addition no doubt. #6 razor I believe. Looking forward to it. It’s been long enough sir. The beer shelf in the garage needs to be installed in the bathroom as well sir. This will be a nice touch as you will be able to enjoy a nice shave whilst protecting your cold one along the way. Thank God for Texas.

[@GregTardif]

😘

[@ewk_]

The "+" means you can dial up above the 5 to essentially "9" or so. The topcap starts getting wobbly beyond that. Personally my face is quite warm when used at 5. I have a Merkur Progress, the smooth-handled razor the Variant copies.

[@GregTardif]

Heard good things about the progress as well. I think the head design is similar too. Thanks for sharing more info on the + I dunno that I would ever get that high haha

[@manishbhoola]

Great video. Today morning, I had a first shave with my graphite variant razor with a blade on its 10th shave, part of one blade in Feb challenge over at B&B. I have the silver satin version from two years ago when it first came out, sadly it had the initial defects on my copy. But this new version is solid and perfect. Oh and it sings like a hollow ground straight razor ! Only thing nicer than this razor - The Rockwell 6S 😇, but this has more blade feel and higher range and something magnetic about it which makes u Want to pick it up more. Cheers !

[@GregTardif]

Cheers buddy. One blade for the entirety of February!!???!?!?????!??!??

[@manishbhoola]

@@GregTardif yes. 28 shaves off a single blade, as far as one can get using techniques... crazy I know 😜

[@ioanpop776]

Hello! Great reviews on your channel and i appreciate the quality of your video montages. I am still waiting for the battle of the adjustables.

[@GregTardif]

Thanks for the kind words! The battle is being recorded this weekend!!! 😬

[@GregTardif]

It’s being released tomorrow!!!

[@Medomsley]

Glad the moustache is back again Greg, always a good look so hope the Mrs. will let your keep it going!

[@GregTardif]

Lol thank you

[@motorockstar8379]

Super nice looking razor. Have not tried it yet.

[@motorockstar8379]

I received received your Parker variant in #2 mystery box

[@GregTardif]

Oooooooooooooo sweet!!!

[@motorockstar8379]

@@GregTardif yeah! I'm stoked!

[@GregTardif]

@@motorockstar8379 thank you for the support too

[@motorockstar8379]

@@GregTardif yeah man! You got it! I enjoy your channel!

[@Shaverboy516]

I love the Variant, it’s a touch more aggressive on the same settings of the Merkur progress. I love the Futur, although I didn’t initially like it, I kept using it with different blades and getting used to it, now it’s one of my favorite adjustables. I have the VB crusader and have been unable to get a good shave with it. I guess YMMV:)

[@GregTardif]

Absolutely! What blade do you prefer with the Futur? I’m always willing to call myself a liar haha

[@Shaverboy516]

@@GregTardif I normally gravitate toward Astra green because of price, but Gillette Nacets work great with that razor, also Polsilver works well but the price for those are crazy and I think they stopped masking them.

[@GregTardif]

Thanks for that! I usually use the greens as well. Noticed my gravitating to more aggressive shaves after using a shavette…may be time for a revisit and maybe a nacet blade!

[@kitkat-cl3vv]

Use different blades on the VB!

[@Shaverboy516]

@@kitkat-cl3vv I tried different blades, nothing worked, it ended up on eBay.

[@ahmed007Jaber]

looks nice how is it compared with Merkur slant and progress? R41? rockwell 6s or T2?

[@michaeldamisch1367]

Buying some weird shit, sooooo true! The Rabbit hole is endless. Cool shirt got the same one. Have a great weekend and stay safe 🪒

[@GregTardif]

Aloha! (From Wisconsin(unless you’re talking about the grey t shirt in the beginning haha)) hope you do the same. Thanks

[@michaeldamisch1367]

@@GregTardif Aloha 🌺

[@rauldelarosa2768]

I enjoy the merkur futur.. I don't have anything else regarding dial in adjustable razors are concerned.. I have been digging slant razors lately.. I'm a single edge razor guy for the most part. Particularly artist club razors.

[@GregTardif]

The artist club razors are nice and the various blades and type of blades are fascinating to me. Have you tried an Occam’s Razor?

[@magnoliamike]

I started wet shaving when this razor first came out

[@lenny24445]

Awesome video Greg!! Spending alot of money on weird shit....that's exactly what my wife said. She doesn't understand this new culture I've adopted....Lol.

[@GregTardif]

Lol I hear that…my wife doesn’t understand me making the videos on top of the weird purchases. Lol at least we have a large group on enablers

[@chrislj2890]

What setting have you been using on the Variant? I won't be getting one since I have to justify all the money I spent on the Rex Ambassador, lol. I have discovered that I can get a BBS shave with the Rex on 1.5 with a Bolzano blade. Two passes to perfection with no touchups.

[@GregTardif]

Nice! Yeah I think I need to take a purchasing hiatus lol. For this one 4-4.5 on the first pass and 2 on my second pass. Pretty efficient

[@jkatkat7950]

Just got mine in the mail - first try in a day or two with a few days growth?? wondering if I should store un-tensioned between shaves? I know I need to do that with my Phoenix Double Slant (but that's plastic)

[@GregTardif]

You should be fine to leave it as it is unless you’re not going to shave with it for a few weeks or months

[@emilduda3816]

My daily driver.

[@ivermec-tin666]

Meiji is pronounced May-gee.

[@ca_aseltine]

What camera do you use?

[@GregTardif]

Sony A7C

[@timshull59]

I love spending money on weird shit :) Im after a 2 piece and I think an adjustable I really like the Rex but the Parker sees like a hell of a value. Dude you could do stand up comedy!

[@GregTardif]

Lol! Thank you! Yeah the Parker is a great deal. Some people have reported QC issues (but that happens with everything)

[@pink_kaju]

is henson shaving a gimmick?

[@GregTardif]

Some people like them

[@bradd3840]

I bought this last year and proceeded to cut the $#it out of my face on like the 3 1/2 setting. I had to check to make sure I had the head on correctly (which I did). I find it much more aggressive than say the Rockwell 6C using comparable plates. IDK maybe it was just the day but I rarely use mine anymore.

[@GregTardif]

Brad, thanks for sharing your experience. What blades were you using in the razor? (Still need to try a 6s or 6c)

[@bradd3840]

@@GregTardif probably the Astra green

[@GregTardif]

I’ve been using a Voskhod in there recently. I know mileage varies. Sorry buddy

[@Redfox1970]

Hi, who makes this razor? Thanks

[@GregTardif]

Parker

[@sierrapapa9932]

Hi. I'm considering to subscribe your channel, but a question is burning in my mind. ..so.. Are you a serial killer? . Don't get me wrong, I like your stuff but every time I wach one of your uploads this question comes to mind, I don't know why it's the same thing that you feel when you unfold the barbecue and just starting to think if there's an animal inside. . Okay thank you 👍

[@GregTardif]

I don’t think that’s any of your business

[@sierrapapa9932]

@@GregTardif Okay I'll subscribe your channel anyways,.. just in case. .. ye know 😉

[@GregTardif]

@@sierrapapa9932 thanks for giving me a chance

[@ivermec-tin666]

I think you need to find a new BBQ joint.

[@Man_Cave]

If you like scars under your nose. It's another potato peeler!

[@GregTardif]

My under nose area is pretty easy to shave. Sorry

[@Man_Cave]

@@GregTardif Sorry? That's a strange response. Doesn't mean the razor isn't hard on that area for others.

[@GregTardif]

@@Man_Cave sorry as in sorry you have that experience with it.