The cost of a close shave., 13 Feb. 2016

Please note this listing is for the blades only and not the razor. There are a lot of features incorporated in these blades including a gel lubrication, a flip back guard and 5 blades. However as Gillette and Wilkinson Sword compete in adding these features the cost keeps going up and I feel we are into the area of diminishing returns. The flip up blade guard is handy though for edging although I am less convinced of the value of the lube strips.I will not dispute these blades give a close shave but is it really noticeably closer or more comfortable than say a triple blade razor? Even a single bladed razor works for me if I am careful and I can get 100 double sided blades for the same cost as 4 of these. For me the final nail is the fact you can buy a pack of 9 blades with the razor which includes a battery powered trimmer for £6 more than this pack from Amazon (B00UAWU1TS) so currently it is cheaper to keep buying that then the replacement blades.

This review is from: Wilkinson Sword Hydro 5 Groomer & Power Select Razor Blades - Pack of 4 (Personal Care)

They also have a better lubrication strip than Gillette but you have to be ..., 18 Feb. 2016

The Wilkinson Sword Hydro 5 blades are designed to be used with the Power Select & Groomer handles (not included). The blades themselves are unique in that they feature a flip back lubrication strip if looking for closer trimming as the lubricant section is about 3mm wide. They also have a better lubrication strip than Gillette but you have to be careful where the blade is stored – store it next to anything damp (like a facecloth) and the blade seems to expel the gloopy lubricant which then comes off in blobs while shaving rather than providing any lubrication. Blades should be replaced when more or more of the reservoirs are empty – this happened after one use with my first blade.

In terms of how good a shave they give, I have to say I prefer Gillette Proglide over the Hydro 5. They do give a close shave but I find there is a slight drag on my skin which causes some irritation although part of this might be down to getting used to the far larger Groomer handle...

This review is from: Wilkinson Sword Hydro 5 Groomer & Power Select Razor Blades - Pack of 4 (Personal Care)

DEFINATELY GIVES A CLOSE SHAVE, THE EXTRA GEL LUBRICATES FOR LONGER BUT DOESN'T EXTEND THE LIFE OF THE BLADES, 18 Feb. 2016

I remember the wet shaving revolution when the competing Mach 3 razor arrived on the scene. Not long afterwards we all saw the competition between manufacturers as to who could fit the most blades into a razor. I'm surprised no one brought out a 'ten blader' such was the apparent kudos of having the most blades for the closest shave.

Anyway, over the last few years I have migrated to the Wilkinson Sword Hydro brands, both the 3 bladed and 5 bladed razors. courtesy of Christmas and birthday presents. It's certainly a more useful present than socks and the shirts that never fit I usually get.

So on to these refill blades. They have the full 5 blades and extra 80% lubrication that lasts twice as long ensuring a smoother less irritation shave. This doesn't actually mean that the blades 'last longer' though.

Let's be realistic here, Do you stop because the lubrication is a little on the low side or do you persevere until the blade is blunt? I'm a blunt...

This review is from: Wilkinson Sword Hydro 5 Groomer & Power Select Razor Blades - Pack of 4 (Personal Care)