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Thread: Question about blades?

  1. #1
    Senior Member SRNewb's Avatar
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    Default Question about blades?

    I started out shaving with a D/E when I was 14 or 15. I lost that razor some time after boot camp, and switched to disposables, with a short dalliance with electric razors. Until recently I had not shaved with a D/E in a long time.
    When I was using the D/E (35 years ago) I used Wilkinson Sword blades. All I can get locally are dollar store blades and other generic ones from different drugstores, etc.
    So I'm contemplating ordering a large quantity online.
    My question is, for those of you who have used them for a very long time, are the present Wilkinson comparable in quality to the ones I used 35 years ago?
    I know someone's going to chime in with"Get a sample pack of various brands and try them". I'll pass. If I do that I could end up not liking half of them. I'd rather stick to something I'm familiar with.
    If it matters they'll be going in this razor.
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    Yeah, that's a Lady Gillette.
    If the Wilkinsons are not what they used to be, recommendations are welcome. Even the sample packs.

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    Senior Member tiddle's Avatar
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    Sorry wasn't around then, but I have used and still use Wilkinson sword ss blades from walgreens and I like them a lot. Smooth, not too sharp, and no irritation at all. I keep the in a dop bag for when I'm at the girlfriend's for a few days at a time.
    Mastering implies there is nothing more for you to learn of something... I prefer proficient enough to not totally screw it up.

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    Senior Member McBrautigam's Avatar
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    I started to use a DE with Wilkinson blades and then got a sampler pack later on. Most everyone in the sampler pack was better to me. I ended up liking Personas the best and then got a large number of them. I would give a small sample pack a try since after 35 years what your face likes could have changed. Good luck!

    Marc

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    The Hurdy Gurdy Man thebigspendur's Avatar
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    When Wilkinson started selling the blades they were the first stainless DE blades on the market and they gave Gillette a run for the money. They were very high quality and you could get 10+ shaves with them and could sharpen them if you had a mind to. Sadly the ones being made now bear no resemblance. I suspect the original company does not even exist anymore and they are just a name. I've used the modern blades and they are far from the best out there these days. There are 2 versions. Some are made in germany and some in the east somewhere. The German ones are better but still nothing great.
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    Senior Member Wayne1963's Avatar
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    My mom had one just like that. Wish I had it today.

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    I'd pass on the Wilkinsons. Mediocre at best, horrible at worst. Which is too bad since they were a reputable brand for decades.

    As for what's better, that's a loaded question. You'll get dozens of replies and you still won't know until you try them yourself. If you want a solid dependable brand I think Astra or Personna would fit that description nicely. However, considering you want to order in bulk, and I would hate to recommend a blade that your face and razor doesn't like, it would be wise to order the aforementioned sample pack. I know that's not what you wanted to hear but there it is lol.

    BTW, if others chime in with blade suggestions try to get a sampler that contains the brands most listed in this thread....

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    Senior Member blabbermouth Hirlau's Avatar
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    ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,get a sampler pack,,,,,,,,,,,

    &


    the ones you don't like send to me,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
    deepweeds likes this.

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    Senior Member SRNewb's Avatar
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    Thanks for all the replies. I guess I'll look at samplers and get some recommendations.
    Please keep in mind that I'm looking for blades available from SR Designs. This will go with a larger order from them.

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    Make ready the heat. henryconchile's Avatar
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    I used to use Wilkinson's when I started shaving with a DE about 8 years ago. I used them rarely after I tried other brands, and I tried them again last year for nostalgic reasons. The Wilkinson's are OK blades at best. I can get them locally at the supermarket or Walmart. However, I noticed that the ones sold at my supermarket shave better than the ones sold in Walmart.

    I'd say forget the Wilkinson's and get a sampler pack.
    You can take the boy out of NY, but you can't take NY out of the boy.

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    Senior Member blabbermouth Haroldg48's Avatar
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    The Wilkinsons that are made in Germany are my favorites. Feather are my second choice. So far I've concluded that like everything on the forum, YMMV.

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