The 1928 Wilkinson Strong Beard 7-Day Set
After taking a week off for the holidays I thought Id kick it of with a razor brand I have not covered yet.
This week I would like to take a look at and discuss another one of the fine unique shavers to the wet shaving world. Here is the 1928 Wilkinson Strong Beard razor.
The razor was produced by Alfred Dunhill/The Wilkinson Cutlery Co. Ltd., Acton, London, England.
The company began the production of razors in 1890 and produced the their first safety razor in 1896 known as the Pall Mall.
The Strong Beard razor (Known as a hoe type) came in a Leather clad case that measures 4-1/8x 4-1/8 x 1-5/8 w/snap latch. The set came complete with razor, seven blades, honing/stropping handle and strop.
The razor featured a number of revolutionary improvements to the safety razor such as Wilkinsons Patent Anti Friction Roller which, unlike the crude combs of other safety razors, gave a smooth rolling action over the face and fed the lather onto the cutting edge of the blade.
It also featured an adjustable blade locking system and an adjustable tilt head.
The seven blades were hollow ground wedge blades and have the days of the week etched on the backbone of the blade. Each blade was also etched with Wilkinson Sword Co. / Hand Forged/ Made In England on one side of the blade and a Wilkinsons Special on the other.
When I first found this razor I was intrigued by its appearance, with its black beaded styling on the handle and its Anti Friction Roller that I just had to have it in my collection. Mind you I never intended to shave with it as it was also a little intimidating to me with its open wedge blade.
Needless to say, being who over time I just had to give it a try. I picked out the best blade in the bunch, honed and stropped it (with my good strop as the one in the set is old and dried out) and popped the blade in. Lathered up and gave it a test ride. To my surprise this razor was actual great fun to shave with. The roller did its job and after three passes I had a very nice clean, comfortable shave. It was not BBS but very close to it.
Since that day I pull this razor out once in a while and have some fun.
Here is my SOTD for today 1/4/09
Any and all information about this razor is more than welcomed.
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