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Post by mjclark on Feb 4, 2014 5:19:25 GMT -6
So me and PJGH did a temporary razor exchange - I sent him my PAL adjustable ( elusive angle and patchy harsh shave even when it's found) and Durham Dorset (outstandingly good shaver which deserves much more appreciation) to try for a couple of weeks. In return he sent me his Personna injector ( good looker but simply doesn't shave as well as any of the Schicks) and a Wilkinson Sword Empire, a razor I've been wanting to try for a while now. Prior to this shave, I'd thought of the Empire and the Valet Autostrop as being in the same class, and after being very dissapointed with the mild and inefficient shaves of the VAS VB1, I wasn't expecting much from the Wilkinson. I'd got it very wrong though, cos the Empire delivered a fantastic and extremely comfortable 2 pass BBS and behaved like an SE version of the FaTip, aggressive yet super smooth. The Empire is fully adjustable, which is unusual for an SE. There's a screw at the back of the head which alters blade gap and which covers a very broad range. You can take it from sub-Tech mildness to OCMM aggression and beyond, with everything in between. I had the Empire set at about 80% aggression for WTG then dropped it down to 60% for ATG and the result was one of the best shaves I've ever had. The other great feature is that the guard bar is on a roller and has a helical ridge along its length - it acts like an Archimedes Screw, displacing the lather just as the blade cuts and also, because it rolls there's no possibility of scraping or digging in. The rolling guard bar is a great bit of design and I'm surprised it hasn't been used in any other razors. Does anyone know where the Empire fits in the SE timeline? What was it competing against? The only cons with this razor are that it takes despined, corner-snipped SE blades, so that's a little bit of extra work, and the balance is head heavy so it takes a firm grip but feels quite clunky in the hand. But these are only minor issues and not really problems for this beautifully made and very responsive razor, which delivers an absolutely superb shave.
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papabear
Blade King
Looking for one that is just right
Posts: 465
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Post by papabear on Feb 4, 2014 7:03:01 GMT -6
Nice idea of the razor exchange. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Empire. I have been lusting after one of these for a while.
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Post by mjclark on Feb 4, 2014 9:55:01 GMT -6
Yeah - razor loans are lots of fun and a great way of trying new razors before making a purchase or trying out rare and obscure models when you wouldn't otherwise get the opportunity. It would be cool to have a razor library thread here, with members putting up razors to be loaned out for a couple of weeks. I'd happily participate! I know now not to bother with the Personna but to acquire an Empire when I've got some spare cash - or when somebody wants to trade one for a PAL adjustable
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Post by coolbus18 on Feb 4, 2014 12:36:24 GMT -6
Thanks for the review and the idea is neat! The comparison to the FaTip rang with me. One of my fave de, oc's. That is a marvelous looking razor.
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Post by PJGH on Feb 4, 2014 13:03:29 GMT -6
Beauty! I am so pleased you got on with it because I also found it one of the best shaves I've had and it's been creeping its way back to the surface for another shave, but as you folks will know, I seem to get a new razor every other day and there's quite a backlog now ...
It reminded me of the shave I got from my GEM Micromatic Open Comb. Astoundingly efficient yet smooth with it. Glad you found it this way, too.
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RocketMan
Gem Star
RazorAddict
Welcome To The Sharp Side!
Posts: 4,167
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Post by RocketMan on Feb 4, 2014 20:50:21 GMT -6
I have yet to modify a wafer blade for the Empire. Can you remind us the alterations to a blade to allow it to fit?
Thanks!
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Post by PJGH on Feb 5, 2014 5:49:52 GMT -6
For GEM style SE blades:
Place the blade on a flat surface and using a small flat bladed screwdriver pop the spine off by levering one end, then the other. Press down on the flat of the blade with your fingers to keep it steady as you go.
You'll be left with a blade which then just needs the back corners snipping off. Take a pair of pliers and crack the back corners off. You actually only need the merest slice of a millimetre removed, so personally, I'm going to look into modifying the razor itself to accommodate.
For Feather style SE blades:
Dunno. If they don't fit, crack the back corners off.
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Post by mjclark on Feb 5, 2014 6:19:42 GMT -6
Great stuff! Can someone also clarify which Empire models WON'T take modified SE blades, and what to look for to see if it's one that will or one that won't. I think I'm just gearing up to buy one now...
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RobinK
Lather Catcher
Posts: 505
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Post by RobinK on Feb 5, 2014 7:26:08 GMT -6
Let's see if this works...
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RocketMan
Gem Star
RazorAddict
Welcome To The Sharp Side!
Posts: 4,167
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Post by RocketMan on Feb 5, 2014 10:13:24 GMT -6
Yes, those videos by Dave, or SuperDave our fearless founder, presented the idea of trimming a blade for a VAS. A good time to remind folks of those vids BeBerlin. It has only been about a year since somebody thought to give one a shot in a Wilky. The info was originally posted over on B&B. We looked at this last year and the VAS blade mod seemed to be what worx for the Empire. Not all models though. Check this TOST thread post by Sleddog. As he points out, the blade holders on the different models are the key. Some allow you to seat the modified blade well back of where it was originally intended, and some don't. So look closely at whatever model you are trying to use and see if the holder will allow you to push the blade well inside. Some people have been able to get a blade to seat in the earlier 1920's versions also, but the fit is pretty tentative and therefore not too secure during the shave. I think I have too much time on my hands lately. Here is a bad rendition of a modified blade. (My stickman might be next!)
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Post by drumzalot on Feb 5, 2014 18:40:38 GMT -6
MJ, thanks for your insight on the Wilkinson razor. There is so much information about this razor on this post one of the reasons why TOST is the best! I almost scored a Wilkinson SE razor for a dirt cheap price but I had no information about using modern blades with it so I let it go. A lot of useful info on this post thanks all!
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Post by mjclark on Feb 5, 2014 23:50:31 GMT -6
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Post by PJGH on Feb 6, 2014 4:07:50 GMT -6
I have two - both Empire Editions, one in a wooden box (this one) and one in a metal box with a slightly different handle. One has a cracked roller, which doesn't much get in the way of it working the way it should, but there is a theoretical risk of a hair getting trapped and pulled out.
When looking at buying one of these, scrutinise the pictures. Look hard at the roller.
Cleaning these is simply a case of a good, long soak. The insides can collect a lot of soap and experience has taught me that it is not worth taking them apart. Inside there is a tiny little tab and a spring. These fell out and I had almost no idea how the went back or how to put them back. I managed it after maybe a couple of hours of proggling, more by chance than anything. That was this razor, so proof they do go back together. While open, I gave it a good clean, but saw the horrors that can lie within.
Beyond that it's simply a case of a lot of elbow grease and dedication to get it into good order.
One of those ultrasound cleaners would be ideal for this kind of razor. I have one on my list of things to buy at some point. Meanwhile, I'm finding a product call De-Solve-It, an all purpose metal cleaner, will bring almost anything up to "pretty good" with little more than a soak and a gentle scrub with a bristle brush. Quick hand polish and you've got a very presentable razor.
I'd like a seven day Empire, not to use the blades but to complete that mini-collection. I am interested in the earlier ones which hold the blade in with a spring clip at the back but unsure as to blade suitability. I'll probably buy one some day and find out ... unless someone here has one and can play around with fitting modern blades?
One thing for sure is these are lovely razors, another thing is they do shave well.
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Post by PJGH on Feb 6, 2014 5:43:06 GMT -6
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RobinK
Lather Catcher
Posts: 505
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Post by RobinK on Feb 6, 2014 6:11:30 GMT -6
I don't quite understand why you guys don't have a few wedge blades made to specs by a cut-throat manufacturer (and no, I don't mean Dovo or TI, but a real manufacturer). Those modern blades look mildly obscene in the old razor. I think. And if the resulting aggressiveness is like that of my Henckels LCs, then you are getting a complete different type of shave from the razors, too. Might be interesting, but nowhere near the original feeling.
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