Ok... I have went through about half of the sampler I have From gillettes to bics to feathers to everything... and the local walmart wins. I can't believe it but the $1.35 cent for ten wilkinsons have come out WAY on top. I used a feather 3 times and after that a gillette blue (oh my god I had my first ingrowns in months) using my merkur hd 38c longhandle. These cost more and were far less effective. Its hard for me to believe that something so cheap and readily accessible is what works best for me. I want to have some cool razor blade that noone has ever heard of... "I use spetznas power hungers, the translation doesn't work (mythical blade btw) and they are like shaving with sharpened silk" but no. Other people get to be all like "I use personna reds... they are made in Israel by commandos who kill mujahadin as they work." I get to say... "I got mine from Wal Mart". So I'm going to order some other wilkinsons today to see if others are as good as these. I'll continue on this sampler but I think wilkinsons have it.
Wilkinson Sword Blades
- Thread starter patrickmjett
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- #3
Thats actually in my sampler. I've got about 3 more.
+1 on the Astras. Worked my way thru a sampler pack from WCS and pretty much stopped after discovering the smoothness of Astra SP. I may give the Wilkinson Swords a try.
Patrick, I'm in H-town as well, which Walmart did you find these Wilkie's at?
Nothing wrong with the Wikinson's and if you travel in the US you always have a blade supply handy.
The Wilkinsons have always worked well for me. Astra's are a little rough on my face. My favorite blade is the Blue Personna, and the Reds also work well. If I can buy a blade locally I think it's great, and that's why I like the Walmart Wilkinson's.
Clayton
Clayton
Blade choice and discussions about blades is always such a IMO/YMMV thing. Wilks were not good for me. Astra SP and Personna Super (Blue/Labs) are my everyday go-to blades, especially at 10-14 cents a piece in 100 packs. I actually do OK and keep on hand the Dollar Store or other discount store "generic" versions of ASR and Dorco blades. They are handy for travel in their metal dispenser with used blade slot.
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Thanks for telling me what that bottom slot was for... AWESOME!!
The Wilkinson Sword classics are good blades, and $1.35 is an excellent price. Local supermarkets around here sell them for about 4 euros, which is a bit expensive, compared to other blades that can be bought online (such as the Astra SPs). Still I occasionally buy a pack of Wilkinsons locally.
The "generic" blades sold in under the Tesco and Boots Chemist brands are Israeli made Personas in different packaging very smooth but a bit mild if you have a coarse beard. Well worth a try.
I tried a few blades and settled on the personas. are the astras and wiljinsons considered sharper or smoother?
I haven't tried wilkinsons but I've tried both Astras and Personas I found the Astras to be sharper then the Personas but not quite as smooth. I also found that one in every 5 Astras could give a rough first shave then give perfectly smooth shaves afterwards.
Good to hear this. I was checking out the shaving supplies a couple of weeks ago at my local wally world and saw they stock these razor blades. I'll pick some up and give them a try next time I'm there.
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I felt the same way. I'm most of the way through my sampler pack from WCS and nothing works better for me so far than the Derby, which is what came with the razor when I bought it. On one hand I feel like I've wasted my time. On the other hand, the blade variety has vastly improved my technique. Every blade has something it doesn't forgive so you learn a great deal along the way.
Blade choice seems to be more personal than any other piece of shaving hardware or software. Every blade on the vendors site will have people swearing up and down it's the best blade ever. To that I say, "For them." Your prep, your skin, your beard, your technique; these are all huge factors in what blade works for you.
I'll finish working through the sampler and put what's left in the back of the drawer. I haven't used all of the blades in any of the packs yet. In a few months I'll break it out again and see if my technique has changed/improved enough to appreciate some of the blades more. Of course now I'll have to go get some Wilkinson Swords at the grocery store too. No stone unturned y'know.
Cheer up, now you'll never have to pay shipping costs for blades!
Scott
Blade choice seems to be more personal than any other piece of shaving hardware or software. Every blade on the vendors site will have people swearing up and down it's the best blade ever. To that I say, "For them." Your prep, your skin, your beard, your technique; these are all huge factors in what blade works for you.
I'll finish working through the sampler and put what's left in the back of the drawer. I haven't used all of the blades in any of the packs yet. In a few months I'll break it out again and see if my technique has changed/improved enough to appreciate some of the blades more. Of course now I'll have to go get some Wilkinson Swords at the grocery store too. No stone unturned y'know.
Cheer up, now you'll never have to pay shipping costs for blades!
Scott
UK and German Wilkinson sword blades are STILL my most trusted and reliable of blade brand. Followed closely by Astra SP.
It is all subjective but for me, they provide the best all round consistent performance and quality sharpness to most shaves per blade. Personally, I find Wilkinsons are "broken in" AFTER the initial shave and I get at least 6 shaves ( one week) before needing a blade change. Unlike say, Feathers which VERY sharp but for me is dull after 2 or 3 shaves (and that includes the initial shave) - I get more nicks from Feathers. Hence as the week goes on, I dont need to change blade once I've settled into shaving with my choice blade.
With Wilkinsons, I dont have to worry about razor burn from too many passes on those BBS obsessive days (you know those days - when you keep going over that one spot xx number of passes).
The above applies only to UK/German Wilkinsons and not those Wilkinsons from Asia though...
As a previous poster has said blade choice is a personal preference.
It is all subjective but for me, they provide the best all round consistent performance and quality sharpness to most shaves per blade. Personally, I find Wilkinsons are "broken in" AFTER the initial shave and I get at least 6 shaves ( one week) before needing a blade change. Unlike say, Feathers which VERY sharp but for me is dull after 2 or 3 shaves (and that includes the initial shave) - I get more nicks from Feathers. Hence as the week goes on, I dont need to change blade once I've settled into shaving with my choice blade.
With Wilkinsons, I dont have to worry about razor burn from too many passes on those BBS obsessive days (you know those days - when you keep going over that one spot xx number of passes).
The above applies only to UK/German Wilkinsons and not those Wilkinsons from Asia though...
As a previous poster has said blade choice is a personal preference.
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Walmart Wilkies are my favorites too
I have to agree with you. Consistent and readily available to. They feel thick for some reason, making me think that they are not as aggressive/sharp as others.
Thanks for the tip RE the used blade storage.
Thanks for the tip RE the used blade storage.
