Wilkinson Sword Blades

Discussion in 'Safety Razors' started by Rookie, Feb 1, 2010.

  1. Rookie

    Rookie New Member

    Haven't seen much discussion on Wilkinson Sword Blades. Are they any good?
     
  2. swarden43

    swarden43 "It's your shave. Enjoy it your way."©

    I've used 'em. Nothin' out of the ordinary.

    Check the reviews.

    Doubt I'll get 'em again only because I've come to prefer Astra and Dorco ST-301.
     
  3. BullGoose

    BullGoose Well-Known Member

    There are several different varieties of Wilkinson blades. I really like the Indian (by Gillette) Wilkinson blades, am not wild about the German Wilkinson blades, and have not tried the UK Wilkinsons. Of course, YMMV.
     
  4. goshawk

    goshawk Well-Known Member

    +1

    The NOS British Wilkinson blades are wonderful - if you see any in decent packaging, by all means pick them up.

    Best Regards

    goshawk
     
  5. DesertTime

    DesertTime Well-Known Member

    The very first blade I used was a Wilkinson back in the early sixties. It was my stepfather's favorite blade and I used what he bought. Don't remember much beyond it seemed to get the job done.

    Used whatever was cheapest at the drugstore when I left the nest.
     
  6. Rookie

    Rookie New Member

    Thanks guys. I didn't realize that there were so many choices. I have some on order from Highland Men's care. I'll just give them a try.

    Best always. Rookie
     
  7. Paul_D

    Paul_D Member

    The German-made ones are widely available in the UK and are rubbish.
    There are Wilkinson economie blades available in Europe ..which are rubbish.
    There are some Indian Wilkinsons (made by the Gillette company in India) which are quite good.
    The UK Wilkinson factory closed in ~2000 I think. There are still some UK-made blades to be found. These are very good but not easy to come by.

    Of course YMMV. You might even like the German-made blades. Personally I think the German-made razors (Merkur, Muhle) are superb but their blades (Merkur, Wilkinson) are distinctly ordinary.
     
  8. Paul_D

    Paul_D Member

    Oh, I see Bullgoose sells the Indian Wilkinsons. He knows what he's talking about......;)
     
  9. Rookie

    Rookie New Member

    Thanks Scuttle Master. My blades should be here in a couple of days and I'll see which ones they are.
     
  10. sas71

    sas71 Member

    how can you tell which is which?
     
  11. BullGoose

    BullGoose Well-Known Member

    The Indian Wilkinson packs look like this

    The German made Wilkinson packs look like this
     
  12. sas71

    sas71 Member

    well that clears that up. its funny how you see so much shaving gear and you dont make mental notes on the difference in packaging since i know ive seen both packs but youre site is the only one that actually gives the difference. i gotta stop perusing ebay so much.
     
  13. jnich67

    jnich67 Member

    I'm more of a straight razor guy, but I did find some NOS packages of Wilkinsons (UK made) left over from the 70s at my mother's house. I don't have much to compare them to (Murkur and Derby), but they give a very comfy shave. I have one more pack left.

    Jordan
     
  14. Rookie

    Rookie New Member

    Thanks, I'll see which ones come in. I just ordered them. Didn't know there was a difference.
     
  15. Ishouldbeking

    Ishouldbeking Member

    Mirrors my experience exactly. My merkur razor is good, their blades are not. German Wilkinson felt almost identical. Might even be the same factory.
     
  16. revtriplep

    revtriplep Member

    How are the Wilkinsons that are made in Egypt?
     
  17. fishgutmartyr

    fishgutmartyr Member

    I thought the German Wilkinsons were a good face blade, but the performance didn't really justify the difference in price in comparison to other blades.
     
  18. Ishouldbeking

    Ishouldbeking Member

    Interestingly enough, here in Los Angeles there's a mom and pop pharmacy that carries the german Wilkinsons and they're only $1.40 a pack. I bought several at the time, just for the sake of finding non-generic (CVS, Walgreens, Safeway) blades at a very good price. Considering these feel virtually identical (on my face) to Merkur blades, these seem like a good deal, since the merkur packs i own were bought for $5 or over.
     

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