I find the German Wilkinson Sword blades to be inconsistent. I have tried 5 blades and each one was in a different tier that ranged from outstanding to a complete dud.
I'm not about to endure the first shave and hope it gets better, especially since there are many other blades that shave good the first time using them.I've come to think of this process as "Face Stropping". After you use the skin of your face and neck to strop out the Micro-serrations on the blade in that first shave, subsequent shaves will be smoother.
I am not a fan of having to "face strop"...
I have Bics so I'll see how those are for me.The German Wilkie and Bic Chromes are the only blades I can’t get along with in any razor.
Bum blades do happen, so I suppose whole bum tucks could also happen, but I don’t care to revisit either any time soon.
There were reports of counterfeit Bics, so I may eventually retry them eventually.
A perfect example of YMMV. Bic and German Wilkies are at the very top of the heap for me, vying for #1.The German Wilkie and Bic Chromes are the only blades I can’t get along with in any razor.
Bum blades do happen, so I suppose whole bum tucks could also happen, but I don’t care to revisit either any time soon.
There were reports of counterfeit Bics, so I may eventually retry them eventually.
I used a Bic Chrome Platinum today, and it was the exact opposite of the German Wilkie. Three pass, BBS, no sting from the alum block at all.A perfect example of YMMV. Bic and German Wilkies are at the very top of the heap for me, vying for #1.
I would have to agree with this. My first German Wilkies were bought locally and were older tucks that had been sitting on the shelves. They were my favorite blades for awhile until I ran out and bought new ones.The German Wilkinson blades were much better in 2019 than today. I have still a couple of tucks the old ones. They are really smooth and sharp.
I think they were changed somehow in the past 2-3 years. All of the older tucks I got locally were amazing blades and I want to say were 5-7 years old? Reasonably sharp, buttery smooth, and long lasting.I too used an underwhelming tuck of German Wilkinsons within the last year. No idea on dates (the latest batch could have also been older), but I'm definitely talking about a perceived German vs. German difference; none of it super old stock.
Many of you have used far higher numbers of them, but I think of them as a premium all arounder - sharp, smooth, long-lasting, a little stiffer/thicker than most, with less chattering. They feel moderately tuggy for the first few swipes (a full pass or less) before smoothing out and are the only blade that becomes significantly better for me like that. It's always marginal improvement or downright wishful thinking with others.
However, a recently-ordered single tuck of German Wilkinsons started off middle-sharp and only offered average durability. One was a little on the rough side and perhaps there was more general variation blade to blade - not absolutely terrible, but definitely not the Wonder Blades I was expecting. A change could certainly explain the recent lack of love expressed for them, which seems to extend beyond the usual variety of opinions.
It is a fairly distinct blade that still looks the same without having multiple batches in-hand. The finish, "bendy-feel," and microscopic appearance is the same as far as I can tell. Was there a steel or angle change? Placebo? Counterfeit? If so, they did a heck of a job and tricked a reputable vendor.
Hopefully this isn't misguided bad-mouthing due to Group Think. I disappeared down a Treet rabbit hole but plan to try German Wilkinsons again someday.
Perhaps the German Wilkies from 5-7 years ago were better. I just got mine recently, and they were from a reputable store.I think they were changed somehow in the past 2-3 years. All of the older tucks I got locally were amazing blades and I want to say were 5-7 years old? Reasonably sharp, buttery smooth, and long lasting.
Going from memory I believe the newer ones were still very smooth blades but the sharpness really decreased. It wasn’t just your batch. I ordered from multiple locations over a period of time trying to find a good batch like the old ones but none came close to the old ones for me.
I still have them in the stockpile of blades in case I ever want to try them again and maybe in a really aggressive razor it might be a good choice. I do remember in my red tip the new German Wilkies were downright awful. Something about that combination was just bad. The Red Tip likes sharp blades, and so do I. With a Nacet, or Rubie the razor really comes to life.
That's interesting. I am surprised because German straight razors are considered good. I would have thought companies that make high end straight razors would also make good razor blades.Extremely late to this party but I hate German blades. Used maybe 7 or so brands at this point and they were all made in Solingen etc. They are the worst 7 blades I've ever used. I love the Gilette Wilkinson Sword's made in India and would take them anyday. Legitimately, I would rather not shave than use a German blade.
So did I. Though to be fair, I don't have any experience with German Straight razors. I know of them only by reputation. The blades though are awful IMO. YMMV.That's interesting. I am surprised because German straight razors are considered good. I would have thought companies that make high end straight razors would also make good razor blades.
Weren't those from the UK?I keep think of those Wilkinson commercials in the 60s which ended with two swords quickly crossing. Were they USA made back then?
Weren't those from the UK?