My new $7 razor is making me rethink everything

[Vacumatic]

Well said.

Regarding plastic and lubricants. You struck upon the one I think would be the best: silicone. An alternate would be KY Jelly. Don't know why I didn't think of this before...I've used food grade silicone jelly for O-rings on a shower filter housing and for my RO (reverse osmosis) system filter body seals. I'm near out of the jelly I've had on hand for almost 25 years. I can't find this particular product and food grade silicone has been really hard to track down.

In looking over some videos on RO system maintenance it was recommended to use KY Jelly to lube the rubber O-rings when replacing filters and sanitizing the system. The stuff is widely available and relatively inexpensive.

I have used a silicone grease for some years, a useful product that is worth having in 'just in case'. Before I knew any better, I bought a $2, two ounces of silicone grease from a plumbing supply store and it has come in useful in all sorts of situations. Experts tell me that I should have bought the grease from a scuba store although I have used the plumbers grease on all manner of things with no ill effects, including fountain pen repair.

I have no need for water purifiers and RO but would probably review my choice if things were different.

 

[wetshaver233]

From what I've heard, the plastic material of the Wilkinson Sword razors is very durable and with minimal care it can easily outlast it's user. The only thing that might go wrong is if you somehow over tighten the handle and snap the trading post. I've always been curious about this razor and even see in going for around $3 on sale in local supermarkets, but never had the guts to buy one. I will definitely get one to try it out. If it turns out to be a decent razor, I might use it for travel if not for anything else.

 

[Vacumatic]

From what I've heard, the plastic material of the Wilkinson Sword razors is very durable and with minimal care it can easily outlast it's user. The only thing that might go wrong is if you somehow over tighten the handle and snap the trading post. I've always been curious about this razor and even see in going for around $3 on sale in local supermarkets, but never had the guts to buy one. I will definitely get one to try it out. If it turns out to be a decent razor, I might use it for travel if not for anything else.

Exactly.

Inexpensive and durable.

The razor is mild and easy to use. As I said earlier, we may all have teenagers in the family who might ask you about DE shaving, a black Wilkie at coffee money is a very easy starting point.

Mine doesn't give me a rash or cause cuts.

 

[EdHeart]

I have used a silicone grease for some years, a useful product that is worth having in 'just in case'. Before I knew any better, I bought a $2, two ounces of silicone grease from a plumbing supply store and it has come in useful in all sorts of situations. Experts tell me that I should have bought the grease from a scuba store although I have used the plumbers grease on all manner of things with no ill effects, including fountain pen repair.

I have no need for water purifiers and RO but would probably review my choice if things were different.

That's exactly where I obtained the original supply of silicone jelly I have nearly none of now: scuba store. I got a mask, snorkel and fins for a vacation I was heading off too. Really handy stuff to have around as you well noted. A little dab will do ya!

 

[roaduck]

Looks can be very deceiving. For instance, I never thought that I would buy Yates 921, because the design of the razor seems very primitive. However, a lot of people have recommended me to try it out, since we share similar interests in razors and then I decided to buy one and now it's my favorite and best performing DE razor and if it wasn't for the fact that I like to use at least one or two more razors from time to time, I would have sold absolutely every razor I own.

I totally concur whetshaver233 I never judge a book by it`s cover - my British stereo including a Sugden Class A amp and the CD are ugly but they sound gorgeous and immersive with 3D holographic tall, wide and deep sound fields with two old dipole speakers that look like four foot gravestones - they totally disappear aurally !

 

[mozartman]

Why would the price of a razor have anything to do with how well it shaves for you? A higher price may offer many things, perhaps exclusivity, tighter tolerances, being hand made, more expensive raw materials etc. but none of that guarantees that you will like the razor any more than a Bic disposable. The same applies to soap, brushes, blades, cars, coffee, and many other things. Just use what you like and sell the Blackbird if you want to release the funds. I guess the longevity of the Wilkinson Sword depends on the type of plastic used, many Gillette cases are plastic, such as the 195 Adjustable, and they have been kicking around for 60 years.

You had an excellent, sensible, well-written post going there. But then you did it. You mentioned the dreaded Bic disposable. I am old enough to remember the horror, and to suffer the agonizing nightmares that return more often than I'd like to admit, making me leap from my bed in the middle of the night, moaning and whimpering, my blankets on the floor and my shirt soaked with sweat. Please use and enjoy your razors, whether they be plastic, titanium or yak dung. But let's not speak of The Razor Whose Name Must Not Be Mentioned again.

 

[ivan_101]

A couple concerns with it though…I haven’t been able to find it on any of the Wilkinson Sword websites so I’m guessing it’s been discontinued. That sucks.

That is what I thought too, since it disappeared in the last 2-3 (or more) years from Wilkinson's sites.
But I can assure you they still are making it. 5-6 months ago new batches were restocked in stores here and they bear the new 2023 redesigned Wikinson logo on them.

Regarding the longevity. The polymer used in the razor is Delrin, which is used in bearings. Highly wear resistant. Can be used for a long time at 80°C, and for short at 100°C.

 

[Vacumatic]

That is what I thought too, since it disappeared in the last 2-3 (or more) years from Wilkinson's sites.
But I can assure you they still are making it. 5-6 months ago new batches were restocked in stores here and they bear the new 2023 redesigned Wikinson logo on them.

Regarding the longevity. The polymer used in the razor is Delrin, which is used in bearings. Highly wear resistant. Can be used for a long time at 80°C, and for short at 100°C.

I am surprised that it has disappeared from the sites including the UK website, also missing from the online shopping sites such as Sainsburys and Ocado.

Thank you for the information on the polymer.

 

[ivan_101]

I am surprised that it has disappeared from the sites including the UK website, also missing from the online shopping sites such as Sainsburys and Ocado.

Thank you for the information on the polymer.

They want you to buy the metal TTO Wilkinson razor (WEISHI 9306-P) that costs much more.

 

[Vacumatic]

They want you to buy the metal TTO Wilkinson razor (WEISHI 9306-P) that costs much more.

I also have that razor

I find it difficult to use, the razor is heavy and the handle is very slippery when soapy and wet, to the point where the razor slips around in your fingers.

The TTO is about £20 retail.

 

[ivan_101]

I also have that razor

View attachment 1930987


I find it difficult to use, the razor is heavy and the handle is very slippery when soapy and wet, to the point where the razor slips around in your fingers.

The TTO is about £20 retail.

I don't have problems with it. But that is because I never get soap/cream on my fingers. It provides a significantly closer shave than the plastic Wilkinson, which is practically unusable for me (Can't even get DFS). But let's not derail the thread in the direction of the metal Wilkinson.

 

[NorthernSoul]

Regarding plastic and lubricants...

Additional lubricants aren't really needed with this razor. Soap is sufficient lubrication. There's also not much of a load, and that is mostly a static load.

 

[DownSouthShaver]

First, CONGRATULATIONS! You found a great razor, period!!

My ’travel’ razor is the Lord L6 (also $7), a very fine shaver!! You might consider one if and when you need a replacement.

Right on BigJ. I ordered some shaving cream off the bay a few weeks ago, and to my surprise, they threw in an L6 with it. I slapped in a Wizamet SI and it was a very good shave. Will definitely keep it around.