Wilkinson Sword - 2nd chance

[vinnyland]

Hey everyone,

I recently got into DESR shaving last December and have been doing it with my EJ DE89 and a vintage Gillette Super Adjustable. Since everyone recommended the fixed setting of the EJ, I kept my Gillette away for the past couple of months. Now with the Wilkinson Sword on my EJ, it didnt pair well with my face when compared to other blades like Astra or Personna Blue (my favorite). Just thought Wilkinson Sword irritated my face too much when compared to other blades. I had plenty of Wilkinson Sword blades left and I figured to try it on my Gillette. And after fiddling with the settings (3 for the first pass and 5 for the rest), the Wilkinson Swords were cutting with less irritation.

So just wondering if anyone else is having success with blades that work well certain razors? I was surprised the Wilkinson Sword even though after doing a search here on B&B, the consensus was that these blades wreck faces.

Much love from California!!!
-Vince

 

[redrako]

Vince, you've discovered one of the great truths of wet shaving. There are some blade/razor marriages that are made in heaven and others that should immediately be annulled.

I haven't used Wilkie blades, so can't directly comment. I have had the experience of taking a recommendation from B&B to try Derby blades in the new to me Merkur HD. Derby's had been pretty frustrating to me, but paired with the Merkur they became wonderful.

Some things just make us go hmmm.

 

[tacchini]

i have never hada problem with wilkie blades, bit of a surprise that people find them crap, i supose its just what works for some people, derby blades i hate, yet a lot of people rave about them.

 

[John Von Wuggz]

I have noticed that the same blade will perform different on my two razors. I have also noticed that blades I used to hate and locked away performed better a few months later. I assume it is attributed to tightening my technique over those few months.

 

[parastang]

I haven't had a problem with them. They sell them at the local Wally world for cheap ($1.87) so I know I'll at least be able to get them in a pinch.

 

[Jimbob]

No problems, per se, but they'll never be my favorites, which I really wanted them to be because they're so available.

 

[olschoolsteel]

I look at blades like a lady. They are all good, just some are better. Some specific blades mate very well with very specific razors in your cabinet. They are effective for a good shave. They will dull quicker because they are cheaper. I use my wilkies 2-4 times max and chuck them before they get sassy. Learning curve may play a part in it too. I used one tonight. Mostly due to familiarity. I used a Feather for the last 2 nights, I am not ready for that level of aggression.

I see them like TABAC. A good baseline to judge others by.

 

[Gary H]

I have found that the persona UK packaged works best with my 180 and so far I have found no other blade that works as well. On the other hand I have to use shark blades in my progress to get the best shave out of it. I was thinking the same as you how is this possible that the same blade does not work in every razor the same.

 

[BBS Kirk]

I have tried Wilkinsons before and have not been too impressed. They seem to give my face more irritation and razor bumps. I'm an Astra SP guy.

Kirk

 

[vinnyland]

One reason I kept my Wilkinsons was because a lot came with my sample pack from another B&B member. Also if Im not mistaken, they are cheaper to get compared to Personna Blue/Red and Astras.

 

[KCee]

I happened to try a Wilkinson blade in my EJ89 just this morning! I was pleasantly surprised. I always use the EJ89 to try a new blade as it's become my "baseline" razor. I had heard both good and bad about the Wilkinson blades, but I got a nice shave. I like that it didn't seem to need any "warm up" like some blades. I would rate it just a hair below the Astra SP. I still like Super Iridiums and Feathers best, but I could easily live with the Wilkinsons. I'll have to try it in the Fatip next.

 

[Obi Wan]

The German Wilks are quality blades that have a vintage smoothness about them,but I do need to use them in more aggressive razors. I would recommend everyone have at least one adjustable razor to tune in a blade.

 

[tacchini]

i sometimes get old packs of blades with razors i buy, in among them is a pack of unused english wilkinson sword blades, i will need to try one to see how it compares to the german ones of today.

 

[Mr Bob]

I've had mixed success with the Wilkinson blades. Sometimes they work great... smooth, efficient cutting, and good for 4 to 5 shaves. Then the next blade out of the box feels less than smooth, and I experience a slight irritation (with a possible wee bit of redness), in which case the blade gets tossed. This is possibly a QC issue?

I want to like them, as they are occasionally really good, but it seems like I manage to buy the packs half filled with lemons every single time. I probably toss one in the razor once a month to confirm my good vs. lemon experience. Why do I do this? I have no idea.