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Time to stock up Indian Gillette Wilkinson Sword

I understand a lot of people here prefer Gillette blades from India. I think I should just inform people that in the ongoing demise of DE shaving in the country, Gillette India has stopped production of the following products:

1. Gillette Wilkinson Sword
2. Gillette 365
3. Gillette Sterling Razor

The only DE products that are still manufactured here are:

1. Gillette 7 o'clock Green
2. Gillette 7 o'clock Black

Wilkies are still available for sale in India, but those are Chinese versions imported for sale, not made in India. In Spencer's yesterday, I saw a version imported from Germany, don't know what's that about.

So if you're a fan of Indian Wilkies, stock up.
 
This seems really strange to me. The decline of DE shaving would be largely explained by increases in cart sales, right? That should be having more of an effect on the higher end 7 o'clock blade lines, rather than the cheaper Gillette Wilkinson and 365.

You'd think they'd keep the carts and the low-end blades to serve more of the market, similar to how they keep Fusions and cheap disposables here on the US market. Unless this is just another play to force more people towards the Guard razor.
 
I think they're trying to capture the low-end DE shaving market (which is huge) with their cart based Gillette Guard single blade razor. The cart of that costs ₹5 while Wilkie and 365 blades cost ₹3 each.

That, and the blades are still available here, but they stopped making them here. The ones I just bought are Chinese imports. I called the toll-free number on the pack to ask, and I was told that they don't make it in India anymore.

7 o'clock is heavily used by local barbers for shaving. Going to a cheap roadside barber is still the most staple way semi-urban Indians get their shaves. Shaving at home is sort of a luxury. I've never seen any other blade used by a shop in a decade or so.

So, maybe, the local demand for Wilkies just wasn't high enough. DE was only used as a novelty. It is the straight razors in shops that drives the sales.
 
Thank you. I appreciate the local perspective. It is unfortunate but to be expected that Gillette is pushing the Guard more than ever. I believe the success the Guard is seeing in India will cause them to do similar things in other markets where DE still has a lot of users.

The Gillette Wilkinson I have are also labeled as made in Shanghai, China. I bought these blades a few months ago, so it seems they've been sourcing from China for a while now. The 7 o'clock black my favorite Indian made blade though, so I will be happy as long as I can still get some of those.
 
I don't think 7 o'clock is going anywhere anytime soon. :)

I preferred Wilkies because they cost about a third of black ninjas, and perform extremely well for the first shave. 7 o'clock black seems to perform better second shave onwards. I usually throw my blade after first shave as this is tropical weather, easier for the blade to foster germs.

These Chinese ones (this is the first time I got these), are no different than 7 o'clock greens. Fairly useless by third pass.
 
I also really appreciate your letting all of us know. I'll likely pick up more of the Gillette 7 o'clock Black just to be safe, should they try to lower the quality of the blade or anything else. I just need to figure out who offers the best deal on them, I think. Maybe buy 200 or so...
 
My go to blades are the 7 o clock greens and I have enough to last a few decades so I don't have to worry about it.

The indian wilkies are nice bladed as well and it's a shame to see it go.
 
I placed my order for my Gillette Blacks just a couple of minutes ago. If anyone else is interested in picking some up, here is the link that I used for a Buy It Now on eBay. It honestly seemed to be the best price for them that I could find anywhere, and they have a good, solid reputation. Please know that I am not affiliated with the vendor in any way. I just want to help my fellow members out should they want to stock up like I am doing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GILLETTE-7-...LADES-Black-/151795173045?hash=item2357b286b5
 
The link that Penknight posted is an extremely solid deal. It works out to be around ₹11 a blade, after shipping. ₹10 is what Indians pay!
 
The link that Penknight posted is an extremely solid deal. It works out to be around ₹11 a blade, after shipping. ₹10 is what Indians pay!

Thank you. :001_smile I know that with using PayPal and the conversion rate, it is around 16 cents per blade, if my math is correct.

Out of curiosity hereforbeer, why would the seller be using AUD? Also, how difficult is it for people there to purchase those blades on the card of 84? Is there any place special you go to for a bulk purchase there?
 
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Maybe he is targeting the Aussie market. I really don't know, but there are a lot of Australian DE websites, I would think it is a thing there as well. That seller is not listed on Ebay India, so he doesn't sell local.

As for blades, I usually purchase mine off Amazon(https://amazon.in), Flipkart(https://flipkart.com), or just order from Grofers(http://www.grofers.com). You basically get them at every convenience store. 84s, tucks, 200s, you get them everywhere.

Ebay(https://ebay.in) has good deals sometimes, but I haven't ordered from there yet -- it's an easy find here so I never really order more than a month or two's supply.
 
Maybe he is targeting the Aussie market. I really don't know, but there are a lot of Australian DE websites, I would think it is a thing there as well. That seller is not listed on Ebay India, so he doesn't sell local.

As for blades, I usually purchase mine off Amazon(https://amazon.in), Flipkart(https://flipkart.com), or just order from Grofers(http://www.grofers.com). You basically get them at every convenience store. 84s, tucks, 200s, you get them everywhere.

Ebay(https://ebay.in) has good deals sometimes, but I haven't ordered from there yet -- it's an easy find here so I never really order more than a month or two's supply.

Okay, and thank you for the information!
 
I was going to make these my next 100 lot because I like them, and because of the price point. Maybe I should triple or more that order!? This is not good news, not good at all!
 
I've been wanting to try the Gillette Wilkinson Sword and the 365, how is the quality of the blades? Which ones are sharper, smoother?
I kinda like the look of the 365. It's simple with just Gillette written on the blade itself.
I see some great deals on ebay for both, are these blades made at the same place as the blacks in India?

Someone mentioned it was imported from China? Thanks.
 
What is your source for this info. Company press release? Do you work in the factory?

I understand a lot of people here prefer Gillette blades from India. I think I should just inform people that in the ongoing demise of DE shaving in the country, Gillette India has stopped production of the following products:

1. Gillette Wilkinson Sword
2. Gillette 365
3. Gillette Sterling Razor

The only DE products that are still manufactured here are:

1. Gillette 7 o'clock Green
2. Gillette 7 o'clock Black

Wilkies are still available for sale in India, but those are Chinese versions imported for sale, not made in India. In Spencer's yesterday, I saw a version imported from Germany, don't know what's that about.

So if you're a fan of Indian Wilkies, stock up.
 
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