German Wilkinson Swords

**Foyle** · 02-12-2011, 07:28 PM

Hi fellas. I picked up two packs of the German Wilkinson Sword Classics at a local pharmacy today for $1.42 per pack. I'm going to try one tomorrow. I know blades are one of those big "YMMV" things but does any one have an opinion on these? I'm using mostly Merkurs now and I've got some Red Ip's that I'm really beginning to get an appreciation for. They may yet replace my Merkurs next time I'm stocking up on blades. I've got just one box of the Red IP's so I've been spacing out my use of them.

I'm hoping to like these since I can get them locally.

**GreekGuy** · 02-12-2011, 07:34 PM

I actually really like these blades. They aren't the sharpest, but they are fairly sharp and pretty smooth. Much better than the Walmart wilkinsons. I'm so jealous you can buy those locally for that price. They are still cheaper on bulk, but that is really, quite cheap for an individual pack at a retail store

**Obi Wan** · 02-12-2011, 08:35 PM

I got 50 of these from my brother, they are good middle of the road blades, they get the job done efficiently enough and work really well for me in a more aggressive razor like the Merkur Futur dialled up to 6 YMMV. I would rate them close to Bic Chrome Platinums, Red IP's and blue Astra Superior Stainless Blades.

**Sledgehammer39** · 02-12-2011, 08:38 PM

I like using the German Wilks

**mikey** · 02-12-2011, 08:46 PM

The Wilkinson Sword Classics (white pack) were my favorite blades until I no longer had a local source.

BTW, $1.42 per 5-pack is a good price considering they were $3.50 per 5-pack locally a few years ago when I could find them.

Also, these CLASSICS are NOT the same blades as the Wilkinson Sword blades available at WALMART.

Thanks,
Mike

**rm71** · 02-12-2011, 08:46 PM

I like them alot.

**Magnum_Maximus** · 02-13-2011, 12:29 AM

Originally Posted by GreekGuy

I actually really like these blades. They aren't the sharpest, but they are fairly sharp and pretty smooth. Much better than the Walmart wilkinsons. I'm so jealous you can buy those locally for that price. They are still cheaper on bulk, but that is really, quite cheap for an individual pack at a retail store

Originally Posted by mikey

The Wilkinson Sword Classics (white pack) were my favorite blades until I no longer had a local source.

BTW, $1.42 per 5-pack is a good price considering they were $3.50 per 5-pack locally a few years ago when I could find them.

Also, these CLASSICS are NOT the same blades as the Wilkinson Sword blades available at WALMART.

Thanks,
Mike

I'm soon to be out of the Merkur blades that came with my razor several weeks ago (I ordered online). I'm going to order a sample pack to try and single down which blades work best for me. In the meantime, I decided to pick up some Wilkinson Sword blades to hold me over...I purchased these at Walmart. I'm guessing these are not the same as the Wilkinson CLASSICS in the white pack, as the ones I bought today were in a blue pack.

I guess my question is, what is so wrong with the blades available at Walmart? They look to be from the same company. Is there really that much difference between the Wilkinson Sword CLASSIC (white pack) and the Wilkinson Sword DOUBLE EDGE (blue pack)?

Hopefully I haven't made a terrible mistake...I just really needed some new blades.

**GreekGuy** · 02-13-2011, 12:33 AM

Originally Posted by Magnum_Maximus

I'm soon to be out of the Merkur blades that came with my razor several weeks ago (I ordered online). I'm going to order a sample pack to try and single down which blades work best for me. In the meantime, I decided to pick up some Wilkinson Sword blades to hold me over...I purchased these at Walmart. I'm guessing these are not the same as the Wilkinson CLASSICS in the white pack, as the ones I bought today were in a blue pack.

I guess my question is, what is so wrong with the blades available at Walmart? They look to be from the same company. Is there really that much difference between the Wilkinson Sword CLASSIC (white pack) and the Wilkinson Sword DOUBLE EDGE (blue pack)?

Hopefully I haven't made a terrible mistake...I just really needed some new blades.

The walmart ones aren't terrible, they are definitely useable and better than 75% of the blades out there, but they aren't as good as the german versions.
Even though they are from the same company, I've used enough of both to conclude that they are not the same blade. The german ones are sharper, smoother, and sadly more expensive. The walmart ones are readily available, decent, and ridiculously cheap for a widely available blade.

You may love them, but you certainly didn't make a mistake by buying them. And as a side note, if you're used to Mekur, than these blades will be a major upgrade IMO

**Xman74** · 02-13-2011, 02:40 AM

Interesting that the price in Wisconsin for German blades is $1.42/5 blades ($2.84/10). In Germany, where I live, the 10 pack of Wilkis is EUR 3.95! What a rip-off. These are the only blades that a re widely available here, but at that price I can get much nicer blades online.

Anyway, they are generally decent blades, but there are better out there. Make sure you pick up a sampler pack at some point so you have a basis to compare.

**Speedwell68** · 02-13-2011, 03:13 AM

Tried them a few times and I didn't like them, not smooth enough for my tastes. The wife likes them though. But considering the price, £3.50 for 10, then you can get a much better blade for a fraction of the price, even locally.

**LagerLover** · 02-13-2011, 04:35 AM

I like the classics, I can get them at Bed Bath and Beyond for 1.99 per 5 pack. The Walmart blades don't even have the Wilkinson brand on the blade itself. Not a good sign. The Classics DO have the brand on each blade.

**haiti222** · 02-13-2011, 05:37 AM

I do not think that the Classic is the same blade as the Walmart one (at least the ones I tried in the dispenser). I felt they were similar in quality except the classic was rougher and more prone to weepers on the first shave.

If presented with the two at the same price, I would pick the Walmart ones, but a close decision for me.

**David in Boston** · 02-13-2011, 07:43 AM

I can get them locally from an area supermarket chain.

Granted I've settled on Astra SP blades still the German Wilkinsons are a darn good blade.

It's great when you can purchase your shaving supplies locally.

**Foyle** · 02-13-2011, 10:45 AM

I tried them this morning. They are definitely sharp enough for a good shave. They were however a bit rough feeling on my face leaving me with some mild razor burn. Bummer, I was really hoping to like these blades.

They certainly aren't bad but maybe just not for me.

**Peterfazekas** · 02-13-2011, 05:19 PM

I find that german wilkinsons are solid but unremarkable. They aren't particularly sharp but don't compensate with smoothness either.

**Little Joe from Mexico** · 02-13-2011, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by LagerLover

IThe Walmart blades don't even have the Wilkinson brand on the blade itself.

The Walmart Wilks they are now selling are made in Germany, come in a black plastic case and individually wrapped (with the Wilkinson Sword brand on each blade).

**wulfgar1976** · 02-14-2011, 08:07 AM

Personally, I can't stand them. I found them too rough and too dull - like Derby blades, only not quite as bad. I have quite sensitive skin so I prefer very smooth blades and the sharper they are, the better.

**The Pontificator** · 02-14-2011, 08:16 AM

I was in a Mom & Pop pharmacy getting an Rx filled and saw they had five packs of Wilkinson Classics for .99 a pack.

Mine!

**GreekGuy** · 02-14-2011, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by Little Joe from Mexico

The Walmart Wilks they are now selling are made in Germany, come in a black plastic case and individually wrapped (with the Wilkinson Sword brand on each blade).

These are not the same as the german 5 pack wilks in the white pack. There is a reason the first batch came in the schick dispensers, the tooling is different. They may look more like the classic german wilks, but they aren't the same blade

**Little Joe from Mexico** · 02-15-2011, 07:43 PM

They might be a different batch allright, but like I said "they have the Wilkinson Sword logo on them" and after 3 shaves I can't tell much difference. The carton they come in says "Made in Germany".