I found a new use for my Wilkinson Swords

[krynd]

I absolutely despise Wilkinson Sword blades. Of the 3 blades I've used, each for at least 3 shaves, I only liked one shave - on a blade that was near dull. Each shave was murder on my face, to the point where I couldn't even touch my face for about a day and had some redness the next day. I suppose it's the coating or something, because the shaves got (slightly) better with use.

At any rate, this all could've been avoided if I hadn't foolishly thought it was mere technique that caused this. However, I'm still new, so it was a valid concern; but I've never had razor burn this bad. I had to buy face lotion to help heal my face, and I never felt compelled to do this before, even after "Bloody Monday" a while back; when a Feather + my inexperience resulted in around 10 weepers and some significant irritation. I confirmed my suspicions about the blade by taking great care during my last few shaves, implementing every trick in the book that I know (Kyle's Prep, several hot towels, re-building my lather between passes, etc), only to still achieve the same result.

Anyway, I've officially banished Wilkinson Sword from my own den, and am saving the rest of the blades for some family members I'm trying to convert to DE shaving (as part of a sample pack, although it's basically as a "what not to look for" kind of thing). In the meantime, I was going through my mail earlier and found myself frustrated with my regular letter opener (a cheap pocketknife that can't hold an edge). So, I took a new Sword out and I used one to open my mail. It worked a million times better than my knife, cutting through the envelope like it wasn't there (yeah, I'm not used to that, hehe).

So, not much content here so much as a little story about my new use for my absolute least-favorite blade. Also, before anyone suggests I simply buy a better knife and keep it sharp - this was just a fun little experiment I did and I probably won't repeat it.

[shawn_d]

Brilliant idea... I have a box of Topaz blades I feel the same way about

[Nobody]

I'm kind of curious. Where were your blades made and what did you use them in? I shaved with a WIlkinson in a new improved last nite and it worked well. I was pleased, given that that particular razor seems finicky.

[Kwaka_Chris]

To be honest, I can buy wilkinson blades at my local and I still don't feel like touching them, especially not when the store wants roughly $1 per blade! outrageous.

[JNance007]

I have the opposite feelings, I think the Wilkinson blades are about the best I can find locally. Granted, there not as good as Feathers, but until I online order some more, I've been stockpiling them lately.

[FonGu]

Wilkinson is the only blade I can find locally. I'm hesitant to try them because of bad experiences with them 20 + years ago.

[doug1066]

I use Wilkinson's exclusively and find them to be just fine. They give me a smooth comfortable shave each and every time.

[Sledgehammer39]

I actually get great shaves from the Wilks.

[sispc]

I have fairly good results with the Wilks too. They're not my favorites but at less than $2.00 for 10 blades (and available at any Wal-Mart) they're not bad at all for me. As always, YMMV.

[pgriffin]

I love Wilks, but can't find them anywhere locally (Wallyworld is always sold out)

[Blade Man]

Next time you get razor burn,splash on some "Witch Hazel" it will stop the pain right away.

[FL shaver]

I'm changing my opinion of this blade slowly. I've gotten some fine shaves this week with one.

[Presbyteros]

German Wilkinsons are always my "fall back" blade. $1.79 for ten at WalMart (at least I think they are German). From looking at the 'net, there are Wilkinsons and there are Wilkinsons.
I would like to try a "Gillette Wilkinson" made in India sometime. That is on the list.
But dollars to doughnuts, they are not the same animal.

[Rivguy]

For many years, Wilkinson's were my blade of choice. Their market share was so large and growing, it was one of the reasons Gillette started making cartridges. I use several others today but still find that I can get a fine shave with them.

Regards,

Doug

[Kilgore]

I love the Wilks myself & at $1.67 for ten you can't go wrong. If your a newb hang
on to those blades. I didn't like Crystals when I tried them, it felt like a torn aluminum
can dragged across my face. LOVE those blades now! But if you need another use try this:

[krynd]

I'm kind of curious. Where were your blades made and what did you use them in?

I threw the original packaging out, and the plastic container the blades are in doesn't have any markings on it. I bought them at Wal-Mart, though. I used a Merkur 38c to shave with them each time.

Next time you get razor burn,splash on some "Witch Hazel" it will stop the pain right away.

I did. I suppose I should've elaborated more when I said I "used every trick in the book that I knew" after I started suspecting the blade. (tl;dr: I've done a lot of lurking before joining)

First, I washed my face. Then I did a hot towel treatment. Then I built my lather and did a Kyle's Prep. Another hot towel after I wiped off the lather, then I re-lathered my face. Then I shaved WTG. Rinsed my face, re-lathered and shaved XTG nose to ear. Rinsed, re-lathered and a XTG ear to nose. Another rinse, another Kyle's Prep with the initial lather while I rinsed out my brush and bowl, then built a new lather. A hot towel treatment after rinsing off my face, then I re-lathered my face. Final ATG with very short strokes, and if I found any tugging I'd stop shaving that spot and ignore it until after finishing my ATG pass. After I finished my ATG, I'd go XTG ear to nose on the spots that I skipped.

For AS, I did witch hazel, alum block, and AS splash. I pretty much knew it was the blade causing the irritation, though, when the witch hazel burned as much as the AS splash did (my Dollar Store brand witch hazel has a small bit of alcohol in it). In fact, if I felt I had a particularly bad shave (which happened quite a bit, unfortunately), I'd skip the alum and AS splash and use an AS balm instead. For completeness sake, the AS splashes I used were Pinaud Clubman, Aqua Velva Ice, and Barbasol Original. The AS balm (if you could call it that) was Mennen Afta After Shave Skin Conditioner. The soaps I used were Mama Bear's Ye Olde Barbershop, Arko Stick, Palmolive Stick, Col Conk Bay Rum, and TOBS Sandalwood (cream).

If there was a problem beside the blades, I suspect it was the numerous hot towels I did. However, the water wasn't very hot (I used tap water out of my tub, and even at full blast, the water isn't very hot) and the towels always felt soothing. Perhaps I inadvertently dried out my skin / washed away too much protective oil on my face? My second guess would be my cheap Tweezerman Pure Badger brush, but it has never bothered me before (sure, it's scratchy, but has never irritated my skin). However, since the Grand Sword Experiment, I'm noticing the brush is "more scratchy". My face probably needs more time to fully heal. The OP was posted after only one other shave between the GSE and posting, 3 days after my last use of a Sword (I shave every other day).

If your a newb hang
on to those blades. I didn't like Crystals when I tried them, it felt like a torn aluminum
can dragged across my face. LOVE those blades now!

I am saving the blades I have left, although I doubt I'll revisit them anytime soon (in the next millennium). The local Walmart always has them in stock, so I'm not worried about throwing them out and never being able to find them again.

[Nobody]

I threw the original packaging out, and the plastic container the blades are in doesn't have any markings on it. I bought them at Wal-Mart, though. I used a Merkur 38c to shave with them each time.

Ok, thanks. The Merkurs I've never used, so there are no suggestions for me to give. If it was a blade/razor combo I knew, then there was a chance. I'm strictly vintage. I'm working with some German Wilkinsons now with decent results. Not outstanding, just decent do far. I've noted that some blade/razor combos just seem problemmatic.

[shanman]

Wally Wilks are OK, but the English Wilkies are awesome.

[krynd]

So, whenever I'm willing to give the Wilkies a try again, what countries should I look for (on the back of the packaging)?

[alumblock]

You'll be incredibly lucky to find any English made Wilkinsons now - the factory was near where I live but closed in 2000 and production transferred to Germany. The reason given at the time? Blade sales were declining!