Stumbled Upon By Accident

[Shanxie]

Hi Everyone,

I just joined after two days of reading and learning about these razors. I picked up an old razor simply because I thought it was interesting and wanted a souvenir from the flea market I was at. After googling around I've learned a lot more about different types of shaving and am working on getting more information on the type of razor I've acquired as well as the items included with it.

The case says Wilkinson Sword Co, as do the three unopened blades, strop, and the small blade holder. The razor is engraved Gillette with patent numbers. I payed $10 for it, and at the time wasn't considering trying it out, but after reading a bunch of info on here I think I'd like to clean it up and try it out.

If anyone could give me more information on these items I would greatly appreciate it! Here are some pictures:

 

[amishmotorboat]

The razor is a bar handled New, long comb. It should clean up with some scrubbing bubbles or equivalent bathroom cleaner.
Someone else might know about the case. Most Wilkinson cases I've seen have 7 compartments for blades. Maybe that one with 3 is a traveler set of some kind?

 

[midniterambler]

welcome.
the gillette is a bar handled new. $10 +/- is about right for the razor. i can't tell you much about the wilkinson box or for which razor it was made; i'm sure the more knowledgeable in esoterica will help you out. if you want to clean up the gillette, there are many threads on cleaning. probably best to just use some scrubbing bubbles w/o bleach, a toothbrush, and maybe some toothpaste (lightly) if the scrubbing bubbles doesn't work. it looks like it was gold plated, but can't tell how much is left under the dirt. if the plating is gone, you'll have brass underneath which you can then polish with any metal polish for brass. go easy at first tho, the gold plating can come off easily. either way, the razor can still be used, the teeth look intact and straight.

 

[Copierguy]

Welcome to B&B.

You are now officially a collector working on you first two sets.

I believe the razor is a Gillette New.

Maybe someone else here knows what kind of Wilkinson Razor goes with that case.

Good luck on your journey and best wishes.

 

[amishmotorboat]

It looks like this set here.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Wilkinson-Sword...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f00f98db9

Empire model

edit: But keep in mind that I know nothing about these.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Welcome to B&B!

I don't have anything to add about the razor and case, but I want to encourage you to clean it up and give it a shave. Those are good razors - order a sampler pack of blades and give it a try!

 

[Shanxie]

Thanks for all the quick replies and the warm welcome! That is exactly the information I was looking for! I thought it was odd that there were two manufacturers names in the kit, and now I know why. Here is another picture of the razor, with all of the black stuff removed from the handle using soap and water.

 

[GentsInstinct]

As others have said, the razor is a Gillette and obviously doesn't go with the Wilkinson Sword razor kit. That kit looks like one of the Wilkinson Sword Empire Model sets. It's supposed to have a wood or metal blade box. I believe that actually is the wood blade box that's missing one side. These sets were manufactured 1929 'til 1938 and 1946 'til 1950. Yours was made sometime in the first production as in the second production they came in plastic cases. All you're missing in that set is the actual razor handle and half the wood blade box. Usually they are missing just the strop.