WILKINSON SWORD

What is the history of Wilkinson Sword?

Henry Nock founded the company as a gunsmith workshop in London in 1772. His son-in-law James Wilkinson took over in 1804 and added sword production. The company supplied over 2 million bayonets during WWI. Razor production began in 1890 with the Pall Mall safety razor launching in 1898.

Why did Wilkinson Sword change the shaving industry?

In 1962, Wilkinson Sword introduced the first stainless steel razor blade — lasting a week instead of a day. This innovation forced even Gillette to follow suit. In 1970, it invented the world's first replaceable cartridge, the predecessor to all modern cartridge-based systems.

What is the connection to swords and Churchill?

Wilkinson Sword still manufactures ceremonial swords. The most famous is the Stalingrad Sword: Winston Churchill commissioned it from Wilkinson and presented it to Stalin in 1943 to honour the victory at Stalingrad. It was forged by 83-year-old master swordsmith Tom Beasley.

What were the most important Wilkinson Sword innovations?

Pall Mall safety razor (1898), first stainless steel blade (1962), first replaceable cartridge (1970), Quattro — world's first four-blade razor (2003), Hydro range with skin hydration during shaving. The Eprouvette blade-testing machine (1844) is still in use today.

Where are Wilkinson Sword products made today?

Since 2000, Wilkinson Sword razors and blades are manufactured in Solingen, Germany — the world capital of blade-making. The company is owned by Edgewell Personal Care and is the second-largest razor manufacturer globally.

What Wilkinson Sword products are available at TheTwoBarbers.com?

TheTwoBarbers.com stocks Wilkinson Sword blades for double edge safety razors. British heritage spanning 250+ years of blade-making, German production in Solingen — from swordsmiths to shaving pioneers.