As some of you know, I prefer vintage double edge razor blades. Today I am comparing two old Gillettes, the Platinum 'Swede' and the similar UK Platinum, sometimes called the 'Surrey.' I believe that both of these blades were primarily made and sold in the 1960s and 1970s. Each comes in a light but durable white plastic dispenser on a blue cardboard card with white lettering. On the back of the 'Swede' card, among the names of other cities, are listed Oslo and Stockholm. The 'Surrey' card lists Weybridge and Surrey.
For the comparison I used each blade with the exact same razors and shaving creams for a total of four shaves each. However, because the 'Swede' remained viable longer, I continued to use it additional days. The 'Surrey' dulled enough to drag by the fourth day. The razors used were a Weber DLC Bulldog and a Feather AS-D2, chosen because they seem to bring out the best qualities of whatever vintage blade I use. The creams used were Coate's varieties and vintage College Club, all of good quality and providing adequate cushion and glide. I did not used any pre-shave oil for the test shaves. I did not strop either blade.
The 'Surrey' was used first. Initially it was quite sharp, but it was not really very smooth, leaving me with several small nicks from each of the first three shaves. By the fourth shave it no longer nicked me but was so dull that friction kept it from being able to glide at all over my skin, and it left trails of shaving cream. The shaves, performed with three passes, were quite close at first, less so by the end. Other than the nicks mentioned, this blade did not irritate my skin at all. I was able to use splash aftershave or balm without any appreciable burning or other discomfort.
Next I used the 'Swede.' From the first shave it was both sharp and smooth, providing a very close three-pass shave without any cuts or nicks. It maintained these qualities, so I was able to continue using it for at least 6 shaves. I plan to use it for a seventh shave and then discard it. Once again, there was no skin burning or irritation at all.
Overall my impression of these blades is that the 'Swede' is very similar to the vintage Wilkinson Light Brigade, providing extremely high quality that is unmatched by many other vintage blades and by none of the modern ones. The 'Surrey' is more like the vintage UK-made Wilkinson Sword, good but not great, a definite step down in quality from the 'Swede.' In addition, the 'Swede' clearly had better durability, lasting several days longer. Admittedly, these judgments are subjective and, in addition, are based only on use of a single blade of each type. YMMV, as always.
Neither of these blades is cheap. I am not sure of the typical cost of the 'Surrey,' since the pack was sent to me by mistake when the buyer meant to send 'Swedes.' The 'Swedes' he subsequently sent me cost $2.00 per blade. This is significantly higher than the $1.25 or so that I have paid for Wilkinson Light Brigades, but generally lower than average prices commanded by the comparable Personna 74. I don't think any of these blades could be called bargains, but I don't buy them to save money anyway; I buy them because they give me the most enjoyable shaves I can get. So for me the 'Swedes,' like the Wilkinson Light Brigades, are definitely worth their cost. For me they are equal in quality, the very best blades I have ever used. The 'Surreys' and UK Wilkinson Swords, on the other hand, are not among my favorites.
For the comparison I used each blade with the exact same razors and shaving creams for a total of four shaves each. However, because the 'Swede' remained viable longer, I continued to use it additional days. The 'Surrey' dulled enough to drag by the fourth day. The razors used were a Weber DLC Bulldog and a Feather AS-D2, chosen because they seem to bring out the best qualities of whatever vintage blade I use. The creams used were Coate's varieties and vintage College Club, all of good quality and providing adequate cushion and glide. I did not used any pre-shave oil for the test shaves. I did not strop either blade.
The 'Surrey' was used first. Initially it was quite sharp, but it was not really very smooth, leaving me with several small nicks from each of the first three shaves. By the fourth shave it no longer nicked me but was so dull that friction kept it from being able to glide at all over my skin, and it left trails of shaving cream. The shaves, performed with three passes, were quite close at first, less so by the end. Other than the nicks mentioned, this blade did not irritate my skin at all. I was able to use splash aftershave or balm without any appreciable burning or other discomfort.
Next I used the 'Swede.' From the first shave it was both sharp and smooth, providing a very close three-pass shave without any cuts or nicks. It maintained these qualities, so I was able to continue using it for at least 6 shaves. I plan to use it for a seventh shave and then discard it. Once again, there was no skin burning or irritation at all.
Overall my impression of these blades is that the 'Swede' is very similar to the vintage Wilkinson Light Brigade, providing extremely high quality that is unmatched by many other vintage blades and by none of the modern ones. The 'Surrey' is more like the vintage UK-made Wilkinson Sword, good but not great, a definite step down in quality from the 'Swede.' In addition, the 'Swede' clearly had better durability, lasting several days longer. Admittedly, these judgments are subjective and, in addition, are based only on use of a single blade of each type. YMMV, as always.
Neither of these blades is cheap. I am not sure of the typical cost of the 'Surrey,' since the pack was sent to me by mistake when the buyer meant to send 'Swedes.' The 'Swedes' he subsequently sent me cost $2.00 per blade. This is significantly higher than the $1.25 or so that I have paid for Wilkinson Light Brigades, but generally lower than average prices commanded by the comparable Personna 74. I don't think any of these blades could be called bargains, but I don't buy them to save money anyway; I buy them because they give me the most enjoyable shaves I can get. So for me the 'Swedes,' like the Wilkinson Light Brigades, are definitely worth their cost. For me they are equal in quality, the very best blades I have ever used. The 'Surreys' and UK Wilkinson Swords, on the other hand, are not among my favorites.
