German Wilkinson Sword

[FL shaver]

I bought a 10 pack in the black plastic dispenser when on vacation last week and I have used a blade twice. Yesterday's shave had me thinking that it was as bad as a Dorco, Merkur, or Derby blade; the worst blades I have used in my 34C. It pulled on the whiskers and left stubble behind. My cheeks were a bit irritated as well. I settled for a two pass shave and figured I'd try agin today. Today's shave, with the same prep (shower) and software (Lavanda cream) and brush (a two band finest knot), resulted in a much smoother pass of the blade over the skin. The shave went as well as it usually goes with an Astra SP. So...

...the jury's still out...

 

[Aresmsu3]

I'm currently on day 3 of a Wilkinson Sword and I've had a similar experience. I had a really poor first shave but yesterday and today have been pretty comfortable.

 

[FL shaver]

Glad to hear I'm not the only one. Would have been easy to chuck it and the other nine after the first shave!

 

[SpannerX]

Yeah, I've had the same experience, except that it didn't get better on the 2nd shave, so tossed it. I might try corking one and see how that goes next time I decide to try them. I've got a few lying around. I wouldn't go out of my way to buy them, that's for sure.

 

[Dog Whiskerer]

Just goes to show you how ones feeling about a blade is so personal and subjective. German Wilkies are amongst my favorites. I can easily ride one to double figure shaves. Corking might do the trick for you. My Super Max Super Stainless are a tad rough on the first shave and have learned that corking (three passes each edge) smooths things out.

 

[Pippirull]

Used one of those in the One blade in February. Took it to 25 shaves if I remember correctly, and it wasn't completely finished but I decided to toss it anyway.
Exceptional good blades in my opinion.

Edit: and I used almost exclusively a Merkur 34c throughout February. Just shows that YMMV.

 

[DEPenguin]

Almost two months ago I tried a German Wilkie and got 7 really nice shave out of it, likely could have taken it to 10 at least but was itching to get to my next trial blade. Because I really liked the German ones I tried the Indian/Gillette blade and for some idiotic reason half expected it to be lackluster by comparison, but I actually really liked them too . . . go figure.

A lot of guys here like the Gillette 7 series, but I haven't had good luck with them so far. YMMV!

 

[emwolf]

I've had a great experience with the German wilkies, but as they say YMMV.

 

[lancre]

Used one of those in the One blade in February. Took it to 25 shaves if I remember correctly, and it wasn't completely finished but I decided to toss it anyway.
Exceptional good blades in my opinion.

I've been using one in a Fatboy for the FFFMM project. Today was shave #25 on the same blade, all at least DFS. I'm waiting to see just how far it goes.

 

[Southernman53]

Used one for the 5th time last night in a Superadjustable on 4. I'm still a newbie, probably 8 weeks in. This is my second go around using a German Wilkinson and the first time I've felt confident pushing a DE blade past 3 times. This shave was as smooth as any of the others and on a 3-day growth to boot.

This seems to fall in line with a lot of everyone's experiences.

 

[Pippirull]

I've been using one in a Fatboy for the FFFMM project. Today was shave #25 on the same blade, all at least DFS. I'm waiting to see just how far it goes.

I'm not a Excalibur shaver, but still convinced that I would be able to stretch them to 50 shaves if I really wanted to. Problem is that I don't want to because I get bored and want something else

 

[BigJ]

Interesting!! I have great results with the German Wilkies!! YMMV for sure!!

 

[FL shaver]

Wow. Third shave even better. Very comfortable. Got through the whiskers easily again. I almost can't wait to toss another one in and see if it is rough on its first shave, but I will wait until the weekend.

 

[Dog Whiskerer]

Wow. Third shave even better. Very comfortable. Got through the whiskers easily again. I almost can't wait to toss another one in and see if it is rough on its first shave, but I will wait until the weekend.

Glad they are performing better for you. It would have been a shame to have tossed the tuck before you were able to give it a proper evaluation.

 

[CanuckShaver]

I’m a fan of the Wilkinson Sword, German, Indian and Chinese. I’ve been able to use them up to a dozen shaves but mostly I change the blades after 7 shaves. It really is YMMV.

 

[FL shaver]

I'd say I wish I bought more in Germany, but Astra SPs work at least as well, but are less than half the price. I paid €2,50 for the tuck of 10, IIRC.

 

[lancre]

I'm not a Excalibur shaver, but still convinced that I would be able to stretch them to 50 shaves if I really wanted to. Problem is that I don't want to because I get bored and want something else

That's pretty much the way I feel too, and I'm not Excalibur, either, but I'd like to see, one, how far I can go.

 

[HiPowerRon]

I've had good results with the German made Wilkies. They are not in the 'very sharp' category, but certainly better than Derby or Dorco in my experience. Just a good everyday blade on par with Astras and Personna Lab Blues. YMMV of course, as it's all subjective.

 

[Tallships]

Wilkies give me great shaves, I've used them for years without any problem, I get 5-6 BBS' before I change them. I've always used them in my Gillette Slim and now in many of my razors. I was uncertain about getting the black cases at first but I think there great.

 

[Starsky]

I really like the Indians from China and in fact have bought more after my first experience. I find them extremely good and have some Germans to try. One thing is for sure YMMV.