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The Wilkinson Sword Roller Shaver is an early model, earlier than the Empire and earlier than the Pall Mall. 1904, of thereabouts.
Upon arrival, I checked out what blades will work. I already have a couple of blades for a later Pall Mall, but they're a different shape and won't actually fit. What does fit by happy coincidence, and fits exactly, it a GEM ...
You can see from the last three how the comb can be popped out. It is held in with a sprung clip, which after 110 years still works. Furthermore, the blade retainer still works and further still, the blade adjustment screw still turn!
The rest of the kit is not so good. The blades may come back with some work, the box is kippered and the stropped is broken, end not present. It's the razor I'm interested in, though.
Let's take a spin around ...
... and given a good clean-up:
Not quite good as new, but pretty damn good for over 100 years old!
But, how does it shave?
Oh! Very nice!
This is everything I thought it would be. So much more nimble than the Empire razors, less fiddly than the Pall Mall, longer, more comfortable handle and despite the last of adjustment, a very well pitched shave; nearer too aggressive nor too mild, smack bang in the middle and a perfect compromise of efficiency and comfort.
The blade did not move around much at all despite not being screwed in place. I tried it angled by sitting on the base plate and pushed up against the blade stops, but in use the angle is determined by the handle. I might well fashion a little wedge to sit in behind GEM blades which, for me are just fine.
Upon arrival, I checked out what blades will work. I already have a couple of blades for a later Pall Mall, but they're a different shape and won't actually fit. What does fit by happy coincidence, and fits exactly, it a GEM ...
You can see from the last three how the comb can be popped out. It is held in with a sprung clip, which after 110 years still works. Furthermore, the blade retainer still works and further still, the blade adjustment screw still turn!
The rest of the kit is not so good. The blades may come back with some work, the box is kippered and the stropped is broken, end not present. It's the razor I'm interested in, though.
Let's take a spin around ...
... and given a good clean-up:
Not quite good as new, but pretty damn good for over 100 years old!
But, how does it shave?
Oh! Very nice!
This is everything I thought it would be. So much more nimble than the Empire razors, less fiddly than the Pall Mall, longer, more comfortable handle and despite the last of adjustment, a very well pitched shave; nearer too aggressive nor too mild, smack bang in the middle and a perfect compromise of efficiency and comfort.
The blade did not move around much at all despite not being screwed in place. I tried it angled by sitting on the base plate and pushed up against the blade stops, but in use the angle is determined by the handle. I might well fashion a little wedge to sit in behind GEM blades which, for me are just fine.