Educate me on Wilkinson Sword blades

[Umma2gumma]

I recently found a single WS razor, Made in England.

Went to an antique store (more like “we dug up a landfill” store) and while looking at some cabinets, found it stuck in a drawer, in a small gap between the side and the bottom. Clearly unused, still in its wrapper. The girl at the counter seemed afraid to even touch it and was more than happy to let me have it.

This got me curious…. I keep hearing about these blades but haven’t ever used one.

It’s my understanding that “Made in England” ones are probably dated to before 2000. Judging by the piece of furniture, it was likely sitting there for 30 years. And then they were moved to Germany, and then to India ?

How are the modern ones ? Compared to, say, GSB or Nacet.

And how unobtainable are these English made ones ? I’m curious to try it but perhaps should set it aside for a special occasion if it’s rare.

 

[Frito Ray]

The German ones seem to be well liked, but I didn’t like them at all. Perhaps I got a bum tuck, but at $1 a blade from the pharmacy, really don’t care to try them again.

Only buy a single tuck at first, you might like them.

 

[lasta]

IMO English Wilkies are over-hyped middle of the road blades. Nowhere near GSB and Nacet quality.

They are a bit rarer than vintage Gillettes, small domestic market and all. But hardly collectable.

YMMV and all that, give them a try yourself.

 

[JimL911]

Not really a fan of any German blades. Stick with the GSB's and Nacet's.

 

[1e4]

I've been greatly enjoying the Indian "Saloon Pack" blades the past couple weeks. I haven't used a GSB in a while, but these seem to be just as good as — and maybe better than — the 7 O'Clock greens (both types) and yellow. Not much risk to them, either, at less than $7 / 100.

 

[rockrabbit]

Personally love the Indian made Gillette Wilkinson Sword blades. Have over 500 of them for my face. Used in my Vintage Gillette New Razor, it gives me the smoothest most comfortable shave.

 

[geneaut]

Wilkinson had more than one UK-made blade, so unless you get into some specifics, the Wilky's reactions can range from 'average' to 'very nice and worth pursuing".

I like the Wilkinson Sword 'Light Brigades' and 'London Bridge' blades quite a bit. They have a good reputation among people who like shaving with vintage blades. Some versions, like the 'Sword Edge' are considered the middle of the road.

 

[Yorkshire Pudding]

The German ones are easily available in UK shops, and my go-to blade. Several years ago, when I first started DE shaving, I bought an Edwin Jagger DE89, which came with Feathers. My face looked - and felt - like I'd shaved with a belt sander. I put it down to technique as a noob, and persevered. I managed to progress to looking like I'd shaved with a bread knife, but still...not at all good.

So I went to Boot's and bought the only blades they had - German Wilkys - and effortlessly got a beautiful shave at the first attempt. And the second. And the third, fourth and fifth.

I ordered a big ol' variety pack of blades and set about experimenting. GSB, various 7 o'Clocks, Derby, Kai, Astra, Feather, Gillette Platinum...all sorts. Various things were OK, some were a bit scratchy, some just seemed pretty dull...but the Feathers still cut me up something rotten, Personna Platinum were pretty nice, and the winner, by quite some significant margin, was the Wilkinson. Which I was very pleased about, as they're very easy to get over the counter in this part of the world.

So - for me - with a DE89, a German Wilky is the way to go. I make my own soap though, so my other key variable isn't something you can really replicate!

 

[Umma2gumma]

Not really a fan of any German blades. Stick with the GSB's and Nacet's.

Well, I liked German made Bics. But I believe they are now made elsewhere?

 

[Umma2gumma]

Wilkinson had more than one UK-made blade, so unless you get into some specifics, the Wilky's reactions can range from 'average' to 'very nice and worth pursuing".

I like the Wilkinson Sword 'Light Brigades' and 'London Bridge' blades quite a bit. They have a good reputation among people who like shaving with vintage blades. Some versions, like the 'Sword Edge' are considered the middle of the road.

It’s a single blade in a wrapper, I can take a photo later.

 

[Umma2gumma]

The German ones are easily available in UK shops, and my go-to blade. Several years ago, when I first started DE shaving, I bought an Edwin Jagger DE89, which came with Feathers. My face looked - and felt - like I'd shaved with a belt sander. I put it down to technique as a noob, and persevered. I managed to progress to looking like I'd shaved with a bread knife, but still...not at all good.

So I went to Boot's and bought the only blades they had - German Wilkys - and effortlessly got a beautiful shave at the first attempt. And the second. And the third, fourth and fifth.

I ordered a big ol' variety pack of blades and set about experimenting. GSB, various 7 o'Clocks, Derby, Kai, Astra, Feather, Gillette Platinum...all sorts. Various things were OK, some were a bit scratchy, some just seemed pretty dull...but the Feathers still cut me up something rotten, Personna Platinum were pretty nice, and the winner, by quite some significant margin, was the Wilkinson. Which I was very pleased about, as they're very easy to get over the counter in this part of the world.

So - for me - with a DE89, a German Wilky is the way to go. I make my own soap though, so my other key variable isn't something you can really replicate!

Just goes to show that blade preferences are extremely subjective. I find Feathers very smooth, my only issue with them is that they don’t last.

 

[JimL911]

Well, I liked German made Bics. But I believe they are now made elsewhere?

Never seen non Greece Bics.

 

[Yorkshire Pudding]

Just goes to show that blade preferences are extremely subjective. I find Feathers very smooth, my only issue with them is that they don’t last.

I can see that. When I have used them, they've transitioned from being like the scythe wielded by Death to the wrong side of a rusted butterknife in one shave. So even if their effect is less extremely felt, I can easily imagine how they'll go from keen to useless in less time than you'd like.

 

[Umma2gumma]

I can see that. When I have used them, they've transitioned from being like the scythe wielded by Death to the wrong side of a rusted butterknife in one shave. So even if their effect is less extremely felt, I can easily imagine how they'll go from keen to useless in less time than you'd like.

Yes, they start sharp and smooth, then good enough, then mediocre. I am not trying a 4th shave with them. Perma-sharps or Nacets are almost as sharp but last much longer.

 

[MrSpeedy]

The German-made WS is my favorite blade. Sharp yet smooth, and lasts a long time.

 

[DanielEdge]

Wilkinson-Germany is one of the best blades in current production. Period. Great performance once you get past the first “break-in” shave which is true of most coated blades. More importantly is the quality control. Outstanding. Other than Japan, no other blade manufacturing has the same consistency. I love good production runs of the Nacet (back in the day) but the Russian blades have long suffered quality control lapses. It’s a major problem. Sort of like French Bordeaux, some good, some great, some pretty bad.

A final point.

I don’t get people that want to squeeze an extra shave or two out of a blade. Is you face not worth the extra 2 cents to change the blade? Really? No coated blade retains its sharpness after 4-5 shaves. Feathers are good for 2.

 

[Joezamboni]

Unless you have one of the rare desirable “Light Brigade“ chromium versions the English stainless ones aren’t that sharp, but are consistent and forgiving. Being loose even in the wrapper I’d be concerned about the edges being roughed up

I could definitely see them being someone’s perfect blade if they have sensitive skin and hair that isnt as tough. They are much less sharper than GSBs or Nacets.

I got a large lot of the english stainless ones with a razor, decided to try one and was pleasantly surprised. They aren’t top tier daily drivers for me but good enough to throw in to mix things up regularly. Better than many mainstream modern blades.

They‘re plentiful on eBay sometimes if you’re patient and people like me who have more than they need are more than willing to part ways with large amounts for a fair under market price.

 

[JAHE]

Wilkinson-Germany is one of the best blades in current production. Period. Great performance once you get past the first “break-in” shave which is true of most coated blades. More importantly is the quality control. Outstanding. Other than Japan, no other blade manufacturing has the same consistency. I love good production runs of the Nacet (back in the day) but the Russian blades have long suffered quality control lapses. It’s a major problem. Sort of like French Bordeaux, some good, some great, some pretty bad.

A final point.

I don’t get people that want to squeeze an extra shave or two out of a blade. Is you face not worth the extra 2 cents to change the blade? Really? No coated blade retains its sharpness after 4-5 shaves. Feathers are good for 2.

You nailed it.

A "+1" to everything you stated in this post. The miG Wilki needs only one shave to smooth out. It increases its keenness significantly once the coating has worn off. I can have up to 6 or 7 shaves with this blade before sharpness fades. Mind you, I'm not an Excalibur guy. My whiskers need a sharp blade.

Even on shave 7 this blade is on par to a couple of blade brands when new.

 

[Sweeney_]

You nailed it.

A "+1" to everything you stated in this post. The miG Wilki needs only one shave to smooth out. It increases its keenness significantly once the coating has worn off. I can have up to 6 or 7 shaves with this blade before sharpness fades. Mind you, I'm not an Excalibur guy. My whiskers need a sharp blade.

Even on shave 7 this blade is on par to a couple of blade brands when new.

I agree. They flew under my radar for years... just too many blades to try. But over the past few months, they've become my favorite. Very consistent blade to blade and excellent longevity.

 

[Jay21]

Supposedly, the German Schicks are the same blade as the German Wilkinson Swords. I really like the Schicks but haven’t used the Wilkinsons.