Thread: Wilkinson Sword DE razor blades

Does anyone here that uses a DE shaver use or had experience with Wilkinson Sword DE razor blades? A pharmacy nearby sells the 5 pack for about $1.40. Talk about inexpensive. But before I purchase them to give them a go I was wondering what kind of experience sone of you have had and your thoughts.

Thanks.

They're a dollar a pop here ($10 a ten pack) . The pharmacy sells them even dearer than the local big name chain stores, so more than a buck each from them. As such, I've never bothered to try them myself.


Mick

I just had a nice close shave with on yesterday. I've been trying new blades and taking notes to determine which ones I'll settle with. I'm using a Gillette Super Speed (Late 40's model) as my base DE, its sort of mild which is my preference, so keep that in mind. Beard prep was a shower, rubbing in conditioner and letting it sit before getting out, and rubbing in the first lather application. Three days growth. Here were my thoughts on Wilkinson's through 2 shaves:
1) First shave a bit harsh. The blade was sharp but not as smooth as the Merkur, for my taste. Had a bit of irritation afterwards but it was due to slightly too much pressure.
2) Second shave was wonderful, close and smooth, no irritation. No noticeable drop in sharpness but certainly much smoother. DFS in two light passes. No nicks, no cuts, no redness.

Pretty good blade after it's "broken in", no clue how many shaves I'll get out of it (I usually get 4-5 2 pass shaves, or 2 Head shaves per blade). I'd still rate Merkurs and Feathers a bit higher. Hope this helps, YMMV.

local Shoppers Drug Mart here in Canada wanted 14.99 for a 10 pack. I walked away from that one

Originally Posted by PaulCam

Does anyone here that uses a DE shaver use or had experience with Wilkinson Sword DE razor blades? A pharmacy nearby sells the 5 pack for about $1.40. Talk about inexpensive. But before I purchase them to give them a go I was wondering what kind of experience sone of you have had and your thoughts.

Thanks.

Hello, PaulCam:

It's been a long time since I've used Wilkinson Sword blades.

Where are the blades to which you refer manufactured? The coveted ones were manufactured in Brittain. I am not sure whether the British Wilkinson Swords are made any longer. Or if they are, they are not readily available. I found the later Wilkinson Swords rough, although some gentlemen like them. Try the ones you've found and see how you feel about them. I can't tell you anything about their being the right price or not, though.

Regards,

Obie

I have a cream plastic-handled Gillette butterfly, plus a fat boy in which until recently I have always partnered with Wilkinson Classics, whenever lack of time forbade a straight edge, or travelling, when the likelihood of getting a straight discovered in my hand luggage could mean confiscation. It wasn't choice, they were the only double edges locally available. However, though very sharp if a bit scratchy, they certainly don't last like they used to, so now I have replaced the Wilkinsons with (eBay) Derby's, almost as sharp, not quite, but much smoother and longer lasting. Plus I don't have to mark them with a permanent marker, as all four edge sides are numbered.

However I have Wilkinson Classics to thank for the following, for which I am very grateful:- 1). I use my two straight edges far more (Dovo Pearlex 6/8 and Greaves 13/16 Sheffield Smiling (almost)Wedge. 2). I have bought an ingenious Rolls Razor. 3). I suppose I will eventually talk myself into buying more, but for the meantime, with these five strikingly different razors, I'm in some sort of shaving soap nirvana. Thanks Wilkinson for forcing the issue!

There are two types. One is made in Germany and the other in the East somewhere. The German ones are the better ones. I have a bunch of those and they aren't bad however I'd still prefer a feather any day.

My local Wallyworld has them for $1.29 a 5 or 10 pack, I don't remember which (the German made ones) so I picked up a pack last week to try out in my Dovo Shavette.
My notes on them:

First shave is a bit harsh. I really have to watch the pressure. However, after shaving my wife's legs a few times I've gotten really good at the no pressure thing so it's improving. I can also shave both of her legs with half a blade if I start with a fresh one.
2nd-4th shave: I really like them. Smooth, little to no irritation. They do degrade quickly. Somewhere on the 4th shave they start catching hairs out of the blue and there's lots of tugging so I just go for 3 shaves, maybe a 4th if it's just a pre-date night touch up or something of that nature.

dyimages, if you want to try a pack, pm me your address and I'll send a pack up to you. iirc, postage your way is about normal when I've sent stuff to my uncle in the wilds of Canadia.

I use Wilkinson (German manufacture) de razor blades frequently. They are one of my favorites, although I have begun to lean more towards the Gillette 7 O'clock blades (Russian manufacture) of late.

My cousin seems to like them, although I suspect that he'd be happy shaving with a lid off a tin can.... when he shaves at all.

I haven't heard many favorable opinions on the non-English Wilkinsons, but the recent reviews on the German made ones gives me hope.