07-12-2012, 08:59 AM
Wilkinson Sword Razor
AKA "Sticky"
AKA "Sticky"
![[Image: DSCF5955.jpg]](http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/TonySC/Shave/DSCF5955.jpg)
After reading the thread "A "sticky" situation" I thought about posting some curiosities about this wonderful razor.
The first time I saw a sticky I thought to myself ... " it looks like a plastic SuperSpeed made by Wilkinson ... don't like plastic that much ... curious but nothing that special".
Those thoughts lasted about a milisecond after I got to hold it. Have you ever picked up an object and found yourself fondling it unconsciously? That's what happened when I first had a sticky in my hand. It is smooth and feels more solid than what it may appear to the eye.
"A designer's razor"
![[Image: 3178406974.jpg]](http://www.hamhigh.co.uk/polopoly_fs/kennethgrange1_1_987967!image/3178406974.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_490/3178406974.jpg)
Keneth Grange
The man behind the sticky is the British designer Keneth Grange. I have never heard of the name before coming to this razor but some of his designs are familiar to most anybody ...
![[Image: kodak-instamatic-133-x.jpg]](http://diarium.usal.es/bjordan/files/2011/02/kodak-instamatic-133-x.jpg)
Kodak Instamatic 1975
Parker 25 (1979)
![[Image: British_Rail_Class_43_at_Chesterfield.jpg]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dc/British_Rail_Class_43_at_Chesterfield.jpg)
Bristish Rail 125 Innercity)
![[Image: black-cab-in-london.jpg]](http://londontravelogue.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/black-cab-in-london.jpg)
The redesigned London Cab
![[Image: bowers.jpg]](http://www.blogcdn.com/www.luxist.com/media/2007/05/bowers.jpg)
and the famous Bowers & Wilkins speakers
... add to that kitchen blenders, sunglasses, a women's schick razor, lamps, furniture, and a long etcetera are kind of cousins of this razor born in 1968.
![[Image: DSCF5950.jpg]](http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/TonySC/Shave/DSCF5950.jpg)
![[Image: DSCF5947.jpg]](http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/TonySC/Shave/DSCF5947.jpg)
![[Image: DSCF5943.jpg]](http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/TonySC/Shave/DSCF5943.jpg)
Regarding the design of the sticky, it has received an award by the London Center for Design, and it has been in exhibition in the Victoria & Albert Museum.
![[Image: USD216657-0.png]](http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/USD216657-0.png)
![[Image: USD216657-1.png]](http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/USD216657-1.png)
Another characteristic of this razor is its box and its curious system for blade storage
Foto rustyblade SMF
Foto rustyblade SMF
![[Image: USD216635-0.png]](http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/USD216635-0.png)
![[Image: USD216635-1.png]](http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/USD216635-1.png)
"It is not plastic ... a resin? ... whatever it is, feels right
Even though the official name of the razor is a plain and generic "Wilkinson Sword Razor" it is generally known as the Sticky thanks to its handle. I don't know the exact material it is made off, but it is smooth to the touch and it lacks the coldness of plastics. The handle kind of transforms itself as soon as it encounters wet fingers. What it may seem a poor grip when dry becomes, surprisingly, sticky when wet. Very ingenious !
By the way, not being metal does not mean that this razor is flimsy. On the contrary, the Sticky is quite sturdy.
![[Image: DSCF5953.jpg]](http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/TonySC/Shave/DSCF5953.jpg)
As to comparisons, it can be placed in the area of the SuperSpeeds. It is smooth and benign, although I tend to believe the sticky to be better balanced.
![[Image: DSCF5895.jpg]](http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/TonySC/Shave/DSCF5895.jpg)
Very little blade exposure and a mild cutting angle makes the sticky a mild and smooth razor
When talking vintage razors we don't know what the razor has gone through, so our unit may not be representative of the ones in mint conditions. Fortunately the tolerances of my unit are tight and the overall sensation is solid, and TTO operation is smoother than any of the SuperSpeed I've had.
Kenneth Grange has said that his attitude when designing a product is that it should be a pleasure to use it.
With this razor he has certainly has achieved his aim !
07-12-2012, 07:46 PM
(07-12-2012, 05:25 PM)Harvey Wrote: Excellent review..I have one as well plus perhaps the only Wilkinson FLIP open probably also designed by this man ( I got it from Phil...very mild but VERY unusual design)
The Flip Top was a very interesting design. I think it immediately followed the sticky. Funny...Harvey got it from me but I actually bought it on a tip from Harvey.

07-12-2012, 09:04 PM
(07-12-2012, 07:46 PM)bullgoose Wrote:(07-12-2012, 05:25 PM)Harvey Wrote: Excellent review..I have one as well plus perhaps the only Wilkinson FLIP open probably also designed by this man ( I got it from Phil...very mild but VERY unusual design)
The Flip Top was a very interesting design. I think it immediately followed the sticky. Funny...Harvey got it from me but I actually bought it on a tip from Harvey.The circle of life.
No the circle of R.A.D...better we should all " enable" each other !!!!!
09-02-2012, 04:30 AM
I've been able to acquire an excellent example of the British Sticky and I finally shaved with it last night.
I have to say that I really love the design and feel of the razor and paired with a Feather blade, the initial shave was superb.
It is a fairly mild shaver yet very effective for me. I was expecting something similar to a Schick Krona, which I also have and love yet it was slightly more aggressive when using the correct angle.
I'd say it has definitely shot into my top 5 razor list based on the initial shave and the fact that I cannot stop staring at it.
This razor seems to have polarizing opinions. Some get great shaves, seemingly even those that like aggressive razors and others call it unusable due to it's mild nature.
A true razor objet d'art IMO.
I have to say that I really love the design and feel of the razor and paired with a Feather blade, the initial shave was superb.
It is a fairly mild shaver yet very effective for me. I was expecting something similar to a Schick Krona, which I also have and love yet it was slightly more aggressive when using the correct angle.
I'd say it has definitely shot into my top 5 razor list based on the initial shave and the fact that I cannot stop staring at it.
This razor seems to have polarizing opinions. Some get great shaves, seemingly even those that like aggressive razors and others call it unusable due to it's mild nature.
A true razor objet d'art IMO.

05-07-2013, 01:50 PM
Great write up and nice photos there. The Sticky is indeed a great razor. The two different razors you show are a US version (horizontal closure of the case and a blue razor end cap) and a UK version (vertical closure of the case and a grey or silver end cap). Both razors are fantastic shavers but are a bit different. The US flavor is a bit more aggressive while the UK flavor gives a more mild shave. This might be one of the reasons that folks have varying opinions on the aggressiveness of the razor.
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