Wilkinson Sword as good as Feather!

[Xaltotun]

I have a very coarse beard - so coarse that a Feather blade will last two shaves, maybe three if the last one is a very light beard. I shave with a Razorock Game Changer 68 - and a Razorock BBS for my head (after two beard shaves, my blades are rotated for two additional head shaves). Few weeks ago I traveled to Greece with carry-on luggage, so bringing blades on board was a no-no. Instead at destination, I bought a five blades pack of Wilkinson Sword, the only DE I could find (1.75€ for five, which is not the cheapest around). I proceeded to use them during my vacation, and I was surprised to experience great shaving performance, very close in performance to Feather; let's say I got perhaps 95% of a Feather performance out of the Wilkinson Sword blades.

I tried many blades (Astra, Nacet, Platinum, etc.) and I must say that I had never encountered such great performance from anything else besides Feather! I thought I'd share my experience here, for those researching information on these blades in the future.

 

[MisfitWy23]

Great!

Were they made in Germany? I don't remember the details, but I seem to recall that at least a couple of different companies have leased the WS name in different countries and make them different places.

 

[MisfitWy23]

Great!

Were they made in Germany? I don't remember the details, but I seem to recall that at least a couple of different companies have leased the WS name in different countries and make them different places.

Okay, I just looked it up. Wikipedia says: "In India the 'Wilkinson Sword' brand is owned by Gillette, who manufacture and sell products using the Wilkinson Sword logo." That must be what I was thinking of.

So I'm going to assume you have the ones made in Germany.

 

[homh]

Escellent. Wilkinson Sword have long been a favorite with many

 

[ctr]

A good blade for certain. Everyone's face, razor, and technique is different. Glad the combination worked for you.

 

[Roy]

I used GSB mainly but recently found wilkinson sword in my local hardware shop. Excellent, hardly any difference at half price.

 

[Xaltotun]

Great!

Were they made in Germany? I don't remember the details, but I seem to recall that at least a couple of different companies have leased the WS name in different countries and make them different places.

Probably, unfortunately I did not look on the cardboard packaging when on hand. But I remember it was on a yellow blister card, and a small black plastic blade package.

 

[DesertIguana]

I have a very coarse beard - so coarse that a Feather blade will last two shaves, maybe three if the last one is a very light beard. I shave with a Razorock Game Changer 68 - and a Razorock BBS for my head (after two beard shaves, my blades are rotated for two additional head shaves). Few weeks ago I traveled to Greece with carry-on luggage, so bringing blades on board was a no-no. Instead at destination, I bought a five blades pack of Wilkinson Sword, the only DE I could find (1.75€ for five, which is not the cheapest around). I proceeded to use them during my vacation, and I was surprised to experience great shaving performance, very close in performance to Feather; let's say I got perhaps 95% of a Feather performance out of the Wilkinson Sword blades.

I tried many blades (Astra, Nacet, Platinum, etc.) and I must say that I had never encountered such great performance from anything else besides Feather! I thought I'd share my experience here, for those researching information on these blades in the future.

Japanese are OCD about products, quality, planning g for 10 years out, not the Made in Japan Junk we use to laugh about post WW-2, they have com long way in 70 years.

 

[Juanmosey]

Is that the Saloon pack? Sounds like they were popular in the Old West.

 

[schwaggy]

the Wilkinson Sword 5-blade blister packs branded "Classic", whether on Yellow or Blue & Silver cardboard, and using a black or white plastic container, are made in Germany.

 

[Juanmosey]

I asked the Amazon seller why two different prices for the same item in the 100 pack. They haven't answered me yet.

Amazon.com

 

[AndyPanda]

I asked the Amazon seller why two different prices for the same item in the 100 pack. They haven't answered me yet.

That link you posted (Saloon Pack) is for the Gillette Wilkinson Sword made in India. (the other pack, blue and red but no yellow looks like the Chinese blades). Then there are the Wilkinson Sword (not Gillette) blades that are made in Germany and are completely different. I am one of the few people here who really like those Saloon Pack blades made in India - most people disparage them if you read all the threads where they are mentioned. I find them very sharp and smooth for 2-3 shaves (first shave is the sharpest) --- the German ones will last for many more shaves (first shave isn't very sharp - they get sharper on subsequent shaves).

I don't know if there was a big difference between the batch I bought and the batches that people bought years ago and reviewed poorly -- but most threads you find will say the German ones are fantastic and the Indian ones are crap.

The German ones remind me of Personna (where you need to face strop the coating off with the first shave or two before they get sharp) and the Indian ones remind me of Astra SS (not SP) where they are sharpest on first shave.

 

[AndyPanda]

Was just thinking ... the Saloon pack (Salon Pack) was meant for professional Barber use and the other packs are for consumers. Barbers use a blade once and then toss it. So that would make sense for the Saloon Pack to be made differently to be sharp on first shave and no need to last for many shaves.

 

[NorthernSoul]

That link you posted (Saloon Pack) is for the Gillette Wilkinson Sword made in India. (the other pack, blue and red but no yellow looks like the Chinese blades). Then there are the Wilkinson Sword (not Gillette) blades that are made in Germany and are completely different. I am one of the few people here who really like those Saloon Pack blades made in India - most people disparage them if you read all the threads where they are mentioned. I find them very sharp and smooth for 2-3 shaves (first shave is the sharpest) --- the German ones will last for many more shaves (first shave isn't very sharp - they get sharper on subsequent shaves).

I don't know if there was a big difference between the batch I bought and the batches that people bought years ago and reviewed poorly -- but most threads you find will say the German ones are fantastic and the Indian ones are crap.

The German ones remind me of Personna (where you need to face strop the coating off with the first shave or two before they get sharp) and the Indian ones remind me of Astra SS (not SP) where they are sharpest on first shave.

Gillette Wilkinson Sword has been made in India and China, for sale in India. Some feel the Chinese blades were an improvement. They have gone back to Indian manufacture now, I think. They are not bad, but don't last for many shaves. Saloon pack means they are sold to barbers, BTW.

The blades in the black plastic pack sound like the German made ones. They last much longer than the Indian Gillette Wilkinson Sword ones.

 

[skibik]

I like both the Feather and Wilkinson Sword Classic(German made blades) but I prefer the Wilkinson Sword Classics. There has been mention the newer production Wilkinson blades aren't as good as the older ones from 5 or 6 years ago. I just picked up a lot of 100 and they feel the same to me as the ones I have been using in the past and are my number one blade now. Just had shave 5 today and just on the verge of pulling, will do one more shave and likely toss. I do like Feathers also but, like you, I only get 2 to 3 shaves and they are dull. I have tried the ones from India and they are okay and could use in a pinch but I don't or won't buy them.

 

[BurnFree]

There has been mention the newer production Wilkinson blades aren't as good as the older ones from 5 or 6 years ago. I just picked up a lot of 100 and they feel the same to me as the ones I have been using in the past and are my number one blade now.

I was one of those people. Where did you buy your latest batch? Is there a date stamp on the box?
I really liked German Wilkinsons in the past and might take another chance.

 

[skibik]

I was one of those people. Where did you buy your latest batch? Is there a date stamp on the box?
I really liked German Wilkinsons in the past and might take another chance.

I just went and checked the box and I could not find any date on the box other than a copy right date of 2022 so the packaging indicates it was made 2022 or later but that. I placed the order through Walmart and it come from Royal Island Enterprises LLC shows as the seller.

All I know is I was using Gillette Permasharp blades from India dated 2015 and '16, but my last purchase late last year of 200 are not usable to me. I just got tired of them pulling and such and ordered these hoping they hadn't changed any. I didn't realize that they had been mentioned that they had changed until I posted in one thread about the Gillette Permasharp blades. I tried to do more research about this change but couldn't find but a couple mentions of it. I have only opened one pack and only tried one blade so far and that blade made it to shave #7 so I can only hope the rest are like that.

After that run of seven shaves I went back to the Permasharp blade and got 2 decent shaves, changed to a new blade for yesterdays shave and after barely one stroke I had to grab the Injector razor just to get through the rest of the shave. I just need to give up on those blades I think. I was hoping to get at least one good shave from them so they wouldn't be a total loss. Makes me wonder I should order another 100 of these Wilkinson sword now then I should be set maybe for life.

 

[Winking Whale]

The German-made (black box) is a decent blade, but comparatively expensive. I got 6 shaves off one in an Old Type and they were all good. In Greece, you should have tried a Bic!

 

[Gabeira]

As far as I know Gillette bought Wilkinson Sword company but the European Union objected to that purchase. Therefore Gillette sold the European part of the company to the owners of Personna brand today Edgewell.
Gillette kept the patents and that's why they own the brand in the rest of the world.
And that's why the European Wilkinson Sword brand is sold in the rest of the world as Schick.

Recently the Personna brand owners bought Harry's Razor company in Germany. However the USA authorities objected to that purchase. As the only reason for that purchase was the USA business The deal was call off .

Amazing Gillette has a lot of power in the FTC as they fend of all competitors to Gillette with the excuse of consumer price protection, same thing like Dorco who had to downsize USA operations and reach an agreement with Gillette. So no surprise why Gillette is the market leader.

Interesting to see how the Razor business evolves.

 

[BigJ]

Okay, I just looked it up. Wikipedia says: "In India the 'Wilkinson Sword' brand is owned by Gillette, who manufacture and sell products using the Wilkinson Sword logo." That must be what I was thinking of.

So I'm going to assume you have the ones made in Germany.

+1! The German Wilkinson Sword blades are very good IME!