Wilkinson Sword razors and blades

Wilkinson Sword is a historic brand with a legacy dating back to 1772 in London, originally founded by Henry Nock as a manufacturer of guns and swords. During the 19th century, under the leadership of Henry Wilkinson, the company became the premier sword maker for the British military. As the demand for blades shifted in the 20th century, the firm successfully transitioned its expertise in precision steel into the consumer market, launching its first safety razor in 1898 and pioneering the stainless steel blade in 1962.

While the original British sword-making factory closed its doors in 2005, the brand name survives through two distinct entities. The shaving and personal care division, which represents the majority of global consumer visibility, is currently owned by the American personal care giant Edgewell Personal Care. Most manufacturing for these consumer products moved from the UK to Germany (Solingen) and other global facilities. Despite its American ownership today, the brand maintains its distinct British heritage and identity in its marketing and product design.