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Does anyone here that uses a DE shaver use or had experience with Wilkinson Sword DE razor blades? A pharmacy nearby sells the 5 pack for about $1.40. Talk about inexpensive. But before I purchase them to give them a go I was wondering what kind of experience sone of you have had and your thoughts.
Thanks.
They're a dollar a pop here ($10 a ten pack) . The pharmacy sells them even dearer than the local big name chain stores, so more than a buck each from them. As such, I've never bothered to try them myself.
Mick
I just had a nice close shave with on yesterday. I've been trying new blades and taking notes to determine which ones I'll settle with. I'm using a Gillette Super Speed (Late 40's model) as my base DE, its sort of mild which is my preference, so keep that in mind. Beard prep was a shower, rubbing in conditioner and letting it sit before getting out, and rubbing in the first lather application. Three days growth. Here were my thoughts on Wilkinson's through 2 shaves:
1) First shave a bit harsh. The blade was sharp but not as smooth as the Merkur, for my taste. Had a bit of irritation afterwards but it was due to slightly too much pressure.
2) Second shave was wonderful, close and smooth, no irritation. No noticeable drop in sharpness but certainly much smoother. DFS in two light passes. No nicks, no cuts, no redness.
Pretty good blade after it's "broken in", no clue how many shaves I'll get out of it (I usually get 4-5 2 pass shaves, or 2 Head shaves per blade). I'd still rate Merkurs and Feathers a bit higher. Hope this helps, YMMV.
local Shoppers Drug Mart here in Canada wanted 14.99 for a 10 pack. I walked away from that one
Hello, PaulCam:Quote:
Originally Posted by PaulCam
It's been a long time since I've used Wilkinson Sword blades.
Where are the blades to which you refer manufactured? The coveted ones were manufactured in Brittain. I am not sure whether the British Wilkinson Swords are made any longer. Or if they are, they are not readily available. I found the later Wilkinson Swords rough, although some gentlemen like them. Try the ones you've found and see how you feel about them. I can't tell you anything about their being the right price or not, though.
Regards,
Obie
I have a cream plastic-handled Gillette butterfly, plus a fat boy in which until recently I have always partnered with Wilkinson Classics, whenever lack of time forbade a straight edge, or travelling, when the likelihood of getting a straight discovered in my hand luggage could mean confiscation. It wasn't choice, they were the only double edges locally available. However, though very sharp if a bit scratchy, they certainly don't last like they used to, so now I have replaced the Wilkinsons with (eBay) Derby's, almost as sharp, not quite, but much smoother and longer lasting. Plus I don't have to mark them with a permanent marker, as all four edge sides are numbered.
However I have Wilkinson Classics to thank for the following, for which I am very grateful:- 1). I use my two straight edges far more (Dovo Pearlex 6/8 and Greaves 13/16 Sheffield Smiling (almost)Wedge. 2). I have bought an ingenious Rolls Razor. 3). I suppose I will eventually talk myself into buying more, but for the meantime, with these five strikingly different razors, I'm in some sort of shaving soap nirvana. Thanks Wilkinson for forcing the issue!
There are two types. One is made in Germany and the other in the East somewhere. The German ones are the better ones. I have a bunch of those and they aren't bad however I'd still prefer a feather any day.
My local Wallyworld has them for $1.29 a 5 or 10 pack, I don't remember which (the German made ones) so I picked up a pack last week to try out in my Dovo Shavette.
My notes on them:
First shave is a bit harsh. I really have to watch the pressure. However, after shaving my wife's legs a few times I've gotten really good at the no pressure thing so it's improving. I can also shave both of her legs with half a blade if I start with a fresh one.
2nd-4th shave: I really like them. Smooth, little to no irritation. They do degrade quickly. Somewhere on the 4th shave they start catching hairs out of the blue and there's lots of tugging so I just go for 3 shaves, maybe a 4th if it's just a pre-date night touch up or something of that nature.
dyimages, if you want to try a pack, pm me your address and I'll send a pack up to you. iirc, postage your way is about normal when I've sent stuff to my uncle in the wilds of Canadia.
I use Wilkinson (German manufacture) de razor blades frequently. They are one of my favorites, although I have begun to lean more towards the Gillette 7 O'clock blades (Russian manufacture) of late.
My cousin seems to like them, although I suspect that he'd be happy shaving with a lid off a tin can.... when he shaves at all.
I haven't heard many favorable opinions on the non-English Wilkinsons, but the recent reviews on the German made ones gives me hope.
i picked up a couple of 10 packs of the wilkinson sword blades at my local walmart tonight for $1.79 a pack. this was my first DE shave so my opinion my not be as well adjusted but i think for about 18-19 cents a blade all i can say is wow. these are made in germany and they arent real pretty, some discolored spots on the blade im not sure what from but they arent on the cutting edge so i didnt worry about it. im using a gilette super speed from the sixties i think. the wilkinson blades left my face and neck very smooth WTG. XTG and ATG went super BBS on my face no nicks or anything but on my neck i got a bit of burn trying to go against the grain. prolly me as much as the blades and my neck seems to be SUPER senstive to anything. all in all in my very inexperienced opinion these blades are worth the money if they are cheap as they were for me but there may be better out there.
I use Wilkinson's all the time. I get them at Walmart for under $2.00 a pack (10 blades). My next favorite DE blade is Feather, or Personna. The Feathers are actually my favorite, but they are hard to come by around here.
+1, I use themtoo. Nice blades to use.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gigmaster
If anyone is interested I noticed that the Razor Emporium (Razor Emporium | A gentleman’s source for his vintage shaving needs.) sells what appears to be NOS Wilkinsons. I'm assuming those to be the good ones.
BTW - They are also selling rebranded Gillette Swedes....
i order them by the 100 from amazon they are my go to de blade,ive recently found 120 gillett thins (which are vg also)for $18 on ebay,i also like derby xtras.i like to order in bulk because you can often get a better deal.wilkies will always be my fav though
For a buck forty just try some!Quote:
Originally Posted by PaulCam
If they are not counterfeit or some
odd thing going on you may well be pleased.
Wilkinson Sword is a good brand for some
faces.
Bought some and I don't believe they are counterfeits.Quote:
Originally Posted by niftyshaving
They branded "Made in Germany" and I purchased in
reputable pharmacy.
Thanks for all the input.
First shave is a bit harsh. I really have to watch the pressure. However, after shaving my wife's legs a few times I've gotten really good at the no pressure thing so it's improving. I can also shave both of her legs with half a blade if I start with a fresh one.Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
As mentioned here, the cheapest brick and mortar location for Wilk Swords is Wally World. I got my 10 pack of Germans for under $2. They were a bit harsh compared to my straights, but I didn't get burn...just wasn't super comfortable afterward for about an hour...then the discomfort faded. They were sharp and gave a good shave. Were I not so in love with my straights I'd certainly use Wilk's without hesitation, and keep some around with a fatboy for travel purposes, etc.
Point of Fact: I do not have extensive experience, and have not tried other blades. I got into DE shaving because of a logistical issue with my straights and did not want to go back to cartridges. I'll never buy cartridges again.
Peace,
They are OK blades for me. They work, but they just don't last very long. I can get 3-4 decent shaves out of one blade. I don't usually use them because I can get 5-7 shaves from a Derby, 7-10 shaves from a Shark, and 10-14 shaves from an Astra. My wife, however, loves them so I keep some on hand for her.
They were what I used when I first started using a DE. However, I have since switched to Derby's. I like the Derby's better (I do also have a much better razor than the Schick Krona and am now using a Gillette Slim Adjustable). Looking back, I thought the Wilkinsons blades were pretty good, but now having a comparison, I'd MUCH rather spend a few extra bucks and opt for a little bit better blade. The Wilkinsons were a bit harsh for my legs.
HATE THEM!!
The old razor blades in white boxes were sharp, the pleasure of shaving, my first razor.
New razor blades in black boxes are not sharp. Cutting - YES, but not to shave.
It's been a while since anyone posted up here. Since my last post in this thread I've been blessed to try out some Double Platinum Israeli blades, and they do put the Wilk's to shame. Don't get me wrong, the Wilks work. But I get more weepers from them, and less comfort than I do with the Israeli's, and especially when compared to my straights.
Jim
I like the Wilkinson's made in Germany in black plastic case. $1.76 for 10 blades at local Walmart. Good smooth shaves and they last very well for me. I can go at least a whole week with 3 pass shaves. I have only tried a couple of other blades. I have the Double Platinum Israeli blades, but have not tried them yet BigJim. I will try them next.
Lou