Wilkinson Sword Blades Classic Double-Edged Razor +5 Blades

After using a Gillette Mach 3 for years I decided I wanted a change. Being so cheap I ordered this item and wow, I am truly amazed. Cuts with ease, the blades are incredibly effective and easy to clean, not like the Gillette blades that constantly get clogged.

Also, the replacement blades for this type of Razor are very cheap. I would most definitely recommend this Razor to anyone and everyone!

For me, this is so much better than a "modern" multi-blade system, for the following reasons:
- If it gets clogged, you can easily loosen the blade and rinse away the clogging.
- Shaving is quicker, because having two edges, you only need to rinse the razor half as many times (shave, turn, shave, rinse) per shave.
- The blades seem to last longer, and are cheaper to replace than multi-blade cartidges.
- I'm not encouraging the razor manufacturers in their arms race towards absurd numbers of blades per cartridge!

Perhaps the shave is not quite as close as a brand new 5-blade (!) cartridge, but quite frankly, who cares? The quest for the ultimate close shave (for the first hour after you shave) is just something the ad men want to push. Real men don't care!

The Wilkinson Sword Classic is a very forgiving DE safety razor.
It is in the category of mild safety razor. The construction is of a two piece design, primarily of plastic with a plastic thread and a metal weighted handle with a plastic honeycombed effect grip offering confident handling when wet.

Plus and minus side of mild DE safety razors in general.
Great for those wanting a mild shave or used to disposable and cartridge razors afraid of turning their face into hamburger.
Possible problem comes if you intend to progress onto a better quality razor as the vast majority of DE razors say 90% of them are medium catagory, there are very few good quality mild razors that are reasonably priced on the market.

DE razors basically come in three categories of safety razor:
Mild aggressive safety razor, Medium aggressive safety razor and Aggressive safety razor.
This accommodates different beard and skin types. The vast majority of people including those with sensitive skin like myself can easily use a medium aggressive razor like the hugely popular DE89 razor or the Merkur 34C.

One more thing DE razor blades also come in varying degrees of sharpness, so try a mixed sample pack to find your ideal combination, you can get a mixed sample pack for a very good price.

I strongly suggest you watch mantic59 shave tutor on youtube as there is a different shaving technique required from disposable or cartridge razors.

Top tips for newbie's to DE shaving:
Good lathering is very important for a comfortable shave get a proper shaving soap or cream not that stuff out of a pressurised can, and get a shaving brush as a properly hydrated lather will feel like pure luxury even if you go back to your multi-blade razor.

If this is your first time with a DE razor, shave with the grain of the beard and across the grain, try not to go against the grain for now.
Also keep your wrist straight don't swivel it, let the weight of the razor do it's job, normally you don't apply pressure with a DE razor but the Wilkinson Sword Classic is so light you will probably need to apply a little, not much just a little.

Take your time shaving, enjoy it, don't rush it.