Wilkinson Sword
Encyclopedia
Wilkinson Sword is a brand name for companies that make gardening tools and razor
s. Wilkinson Sword's origins are in the manufacture of sword
s. The company was founded in London in 1772. The brand is currently owned by Energizer Holdings
. Past product lines have included gun
s, bayonet
s, and other objects such as typewriter
s, garden shears
, scissors
, and motorcycle
s. Wilkinson Sword has manufactured its products in three UK locations over the years: in London, (Chelsea
and Acton
), Cramlington
in Northumberland
and Bridgend
in Wales, where they made gardening tools. In 2000 it closed its razor plant in the UK and consolidated production in Germany.
Wilkinson Sword produced some of the earliest motorcycles in 1903. These were two-cylinder machines with French engines made by Antoine
, which were marketed by a garage in Chelsea
in London – one of the first motorcycle dealerships in the UK. The venture was not a success however. In 1911 Wilkinson developed and manufactured the Wilkinson TMC
, a luxury touring motorcycle
between 1911 and 1916, when production was stopped by the First World War. The first 'Wilkinsons' were originally designed for military reconnaissance by P G Tacchi, who was granted a patent for the design in 1908. Demonstrated to the British military in the summer of 1908, the Wilkinson motorcycle failed to impress the authorities, despite optional accessories including a sidecar complete with Maxim machine gun – and a steering wheel instead of handlebars. Undaunted, the company continued development and exhibited a new version a year later at the Stanley Clyde Motorcycle Show at the Agricultural Hall, Islington
, London in 1909. Only about 250 Wilkinsons were produced before the First World War restrictions brought the line to its end in spring 1916 and the Wilkinson company had to produce thousands of bayonets for the war effort. After the war they decided to continue to develop the in-line four engine – but in a new car called the Deemster, and they never returned to motorcycle production.
to form a new company Wilkinson Match. This was intended to create a bigger company, with a bigger advertising
budget, to enable the company to fight its American
rival in the consumer
shaving
market: The Gillette Company
; and its British subsidiary, Gillette. In this advertising war, Wilkinson Sword made full use of its long and proud tradition of sword making in its television
commercials.
Wilkinson Match was then bought by an American
company Allegheny Ludlum, from Pittsburgh
, who later became bankrupt
. Wilkinson Match was then owned by Stora Group and Swedish Match
NV (formerly Eemland Management Services BV). Most of the former Bryant and May
half of Wilkinson Match was closed down or sold off in the late 1970s and early 1980s, including the Bryant and May Factory, Bow and the Bryant and May Factory, Melbourne
. The gardening tools division was sold to Fiskars
in the 1990s.
Wilkinson still also makes double edge razor blades for safety razors as pictured above.
who bought the Company from Pfizer
in 2003. The company produces a four-blade razor that is marketed under the Wilkinson Sword brand in Europe and the Schick
brand in North America and Australia. The Wilkinson Sword-branded razors are made in Germany.
and is based in Bridgend, Wales.
(Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Cie) of Solingen, Germany. Amongst these items were most of the current British MOD Pattern Sword and Scabbard tools as well as the original blade roll forge of Wilkinson. These are currently used to produce ceremonial swords and scabbards for military and police forces worldwide.
Robert Pooley purchased sword drawings and forging machinery from Wilkinson Sword and sent them to India
. He then set up his own company Pooley Sword
which finishes and engraves swords forged in India.
Razor
A razor is a bladed tool primarily used in the removal of unwanted body hair through the act of shaving. Kinds of razors include straight razors, disposable razors and electric razors....
s. Wilkinson Sword's origins are in the manufacture of sword
Sword
A sword is a bladed weapon used primarily for cutting or thrusting. The precise definition of the term varies with the historical epoch or the geographical region under consideration...
s. The company was founded in London in 1772. The brand is currently owned by Energizer Holdings
Energizer Holdings
Energizer Holdings is an American manufacturer of batteries and personal care products, headquartered in Town and Country, Missouri. Its most well known brands are Energizer and Eveready batteries, Schick, Wilkinson Sword and Edge shaving products, Playtex feminine hygiene and baby products, and...
. Past product lines have included gun
Gun
A gun is a muzzle or breech-loaded projectile-firing weapon. There are various definitions depending on the nation and branch of service. A "gun" may be distinguished from other firearms in being a crew-served weapon such as a howitzer or mortar, as opposed to a small arm like a rifle or pistol,...
s, bayonet
Bayonet
A bayonet is a knife, dagger, sword, or spike-shaped weapon designed to fit in, on, over or underneath the muzzle of a rifle, musket or similar weapon, effectively turning the gun into a spear...
s, and other objects such as typewriter
Typewriter
A typewriter is a mechanical or electromechanical device with keys that, when pressed, cause characters to be printed on a medium, usually paper. Typically one character is printed per keypress, and the machine prints the characters by making ink impressions of type elements similar to the pieces...
s, garden shears
Shears
Shears may mean:* trauma shears, scissors used by emergency medical personnel to quickly and safely cut clothing* kitchen shears, a kind of scissors* pinking shears, a kind of scissors* blade shears, typically used for shearing animals...
, scissors
Scissors
Scissors are hand-operated cutting instruments. They consist of a pair of metal blades pivoted so that the sharpened edges slide against each other when the handles opposite to the pivot are closed. Scissors are used for cutting various thin materials, such as paper, cardboard, metal foil, thin...
, and motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
s. Wilkinson Sword has manufactured its products in three UK locations over the years: in London, (Chelsea
Chelsea, London
Chelsea is an area of West London, England, bounded to the south by the River Thames, where its frontage runs from Chelsea Bridge along the Chelsea Embankment, Cheyne Walk, Lots Road and Chelsea Harbour. Its eastern boundary was once defined by the River Westbourne, which is now in a pipe above...
and Acton
Acton, London
Acton is a district of west London, England, located in the London Borough of Ealing. It is situated west of Charing Cross.At the time of the 2001 census, Acton, comprising the wards of East Acton, Acton Central, South Acton and Southfield, had a population of 53,689 people...
), Cramlington
Cramlington
Cramlington is a town and civil parish in the county of Northumberland, North East England, situated north of the city of Newcastle upon Tyne. The town's name suggests a probable founding by the Danes or an Anglo-Saxon origin, the word "ton" meaning town. The population was estimated as 39,000 in...
in Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
and Bridgend
Bridgend
Bridgend is a town in the Bridgend County Borough in Wales, west of the capital, Cardiff. The river crossed by the original bridge, which gave the town its name, is the River Ogmore but the River Ewenny also passes to the south of the town...
in Wales, where they made gardening tools. In 2000 it closed its razor plant in the UK and consolidated production in Germany.
Motorcycle production
Antoine (automobile)
The Antoine was a Belgian automobile manufactured by Victor Antoine of Liège, an engine manufacturer, from 1900 to 1903. At least two models were offered. One was a voiturette. The other, offered in 1903, was a 15/25 hp car....
, which were marketed by a garage in Chelsea
Chelsea, London
Chelsea is an area of West London, England, bounded to the south by the River Thames, where its frontage runs from Chelsea Bridge along the Chelsea Embankment, Cheyne Walk, Lots Road and Chelsea Harbour. Its eastern boundary was once defined by the River Westbourne, which is now in a pipe above...
in London – one of the first motorcycle dealerships in the UK. The venture was not a success however. In 1911 Wilkinson developed and manufactured the Wilkinson TMC
Wilkinson TMC
The Wilkinson TMC iss a British luxury touring motorcycle manufactured by the Wilkinson Sword company in Acton, London between 1911 and 1916, when production was stopped by the first World War.-Development:...
, a luxury touring motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
between 1911 and 1916, when production was stopped by the First World War. The first 'Wilkinsons' were originally designed for military reconnaissance by P G Tacchi, who was granted a patent for the design in 1908. Demonstrated to the British military in the summer of 1908, the Wilkinson motorcycle failed to impress the authorities, despite optional accessories including a sidecar complete with Maxim machine gun – and a steering wheel instead of handlebars. Undaunted, the company continued development and exhibited a new version a year later at the Stanley Clyde Motorcycle Show at the Agricultural Hall, Islington
Islington
Islington is a neighbourhood in Greater London, England and forms the central district of the London Borough of Islington. It is a district of Inner London, spanning from Islington High Street to Highbury Fields, encompassing the area around the busy Upper Street...
, London in 1909. Only about 250 Wilkinsons were produced before the First World War restrictions brought the line to its end in spring 1916 and the Wilkinson company had to produce thousands of bayonets for the war effort. After the war they decided to continue to develop the in-line four engine – but in a new car called the Deemster, and they never returned to motorcycle production.
Merger to form: Wilkinson Match
In 1973 Wilkinson Sword merged with The British Match CorporationBryant and May
For the Bryant and May series of crime mystery books, see the author Christopher Fowler.Bryant and May was a United Kingdom company created in the mid-nineteenth century specifically to make matches. Their original Bryant and May Factory was located in Bow, London...
to form a new company Wilkinson Match. This was intended to create a bigger company, with a bigger advertising
Advertising
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
budget, to enable the company to fight its American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rival in the consumer
Consumer
Consumer is a broad label for any individuals or households that use goods generated within the economy. The concept of a consumer occurs in different contexts, so that the usage and significance of the term may vary.-Economics and marketing:...
shaving
Shaving
Shaving is the removal of hair, by using a razor or any other kind of bladed implement, to slice it down to the level of the skin. Shaving is most commonly practiced by men to remove their facial hair and by women to remove their leg and underarm hair...
market: The Gillette Company
Global Gillette
Gillette is a brand of Procter & Gamble currently used for safety razors, among other personal care products. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, it was one of several brands originally owned by The Gillette Company, a leading global supplier of products under various brands, which was...
; and its British subsidiary, Gillette. In this advertising war, Wilkinson Sword made full use of its long and proud tradition of sword making in its television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
commercials.
Wilkinson Match was then bought by an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
company Allegheny Ludlum, from Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, who later became bankrupt
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a legal status of an insolvent person or an organisation, that is, one that cannot repay the debts owed to creditors. In most jurisdictions bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor....
. Wilkinson Match was then owned by Stora Group and Swedish Match
Swedish Match
Swedish Match is a Swedish company based in Stockholm that makes snus, tobacco, cigars , Red Man Chewing Tobacco, dipping tobacco, matches and lighters. It was founded as Svenska Tändsticksaktiebolaget by Ivar Kreuger in 1917 in Jönköping...
NV (formerly Eemland Management Services BV). Most of the former Bryant and May
Bryant and May
For the Bryant and May series of crime mystery books, see the author Christopher Fowler.Bryant and May was a United Kingdom company created in the mid-nineteenth century specifically to make matches. Their original Bryant and May Factory was located in Bow, London...
half of Wilkinson Match was closed down or sold off in the late 1970s and early 1980s, including the Bryant and May Factory, Bow and the Bryant and May Factory, Melbourne
Bryant and May Factory, Melbourne
The Bryant and May Factory is located in the suburb of Cremorne in Melbourne, Australia. It was constructed in 1909 as the Empire Works to a design by prolific Melbourne architect William Pitt...
. The gardening tools division was sold to Fiskars
Fiskars
The Fiskars Corporation is a metal and consumer brands company founded in 1649 at Fiskars Bruk , a locality now in the town of Raseborg, Finland, about 100 km west of Helsinki on the old main road from Turku to Vyborg...
in the 1990s.
Products
- Wilkinson Sword Hydro: Wilkinson's Sword redesigned razor system released on April 6, 2010.
- Wilkinson Sword Hydro 5 : A 5 blade razor system with "skin guards advanced hydrating gel and a flip trimmer".
- Wilkinson Sword Hydro 3: A 3 blade razor system similar to the 5 blade system but all for a flip trimmer.
- Wilkinson Sword Intuition: A women's shaving system that lathers and shaves at the same time.
- Wilkinson Sword Quattro: a four-bladed razor for men, introduced in 2003. The Quattro Midnight and Quattro Titanium are models with redesigned handles and different color schemes from the original Quattro.
- Quattro Power: A motorized version of the Quattro; it is supposed to reduce frictionFrictionFriction is the force resisting the relative motion of solid surfaces, fluid layers, and/or material elements sliding against each other. There are several types of friction:...
. The Quattro Titanium Power is a Quattro Power with a different color scheme and Quattro Titanium cartridges. The Quattro Power is powered by a single AAA batteryAAA batteryA triple A or AAA battery is a standard size of dry cell battery commonly used in portable electronic devices. A carbon-zinc battery in this size is designated by IEC as "R03", by ANSI C18.1 as "24", by old JIS standard as "UM 4", and by other manufacturer and national standard designations that...
. - Quattro Titanium: includes a titaniumTitaniumTitanium is a chemical element with the symbol Ti and atomic number 22. It has a low density and is a strong, lustrous, corrosion-resistant transition metal with a silver color....
coating on the blades that is claimed to reduce irritation. - Quattro for Women: A modified version of the Quattro with a feminine color scheme.
- Quattro Power: A motorized version of the Quattro; it is supposed to reduce friction
- Wilkinson Sword Protector: A razor that is claimed to protect against nicks.
- Wilkinson Sword Protector 3D: A Disposable Razor
- Wilkinson Sword Xtreme3: A three blade men's shaving razor.
- Wilkinson Sword XTreme3 Disposable: A disposable version of the Xtreme3, introduced in 1999.
- Wilkinson Sword Extra 2 Sensitive: A two-bladed disposable razor that comes in four different varieties
- Wilkinson Sword Classic: A budget, entry level double edged safety razor produced exclusivly for the European market.
Wilkinson still also makes double edge razor blades for safety razors as pictured above.
Shaving products
The company is owned by Energizer HoldingsEnergizer Holdings
Energizer Holdings is an American manufacturer of batteries and personal care products, headquartered in Town and Country, Missouri. Its most well known brands are Energizer and Eveready batteries, Schick, Wilkinson Sword and Edge shaving products, Playtex feminine hygiene and baby products, and...
who bought the Company from Pfizer
Pfizer
Pfizer, Inc. is an American multinational pharmaceutical corporation. The company is based in New York City, New York with its research headquarters in Groton, Connecticut, United States...
in 2003. The company produces a four-blade razor that is marketed under the Wilkinson Sword brand in Europe and the Schick
Schick (razors)
Schick is a brand of safety razors by Wilkinson Sword, a subsidiary of Energizer Holdings. It was founded in 1926 by Jacob Schick as the Magazine Repeating Razor Company. In 1934, Schick introduced its highly successful single blade safety razor system, that stored ten blades in a steel injector...
brand in North America and Australia. The Wilkinson Sword-branded razors are made in Germany.
Gardening tools
The gardening tools company was owned by Finnish company FiskarsFiskars
The Fiskars Corporation is a metal and consumer brands company founded in 1649 at Fiskars Bruk , a locality now in the town of Raseborg, Finland, about 100 km west of Helsinki on the old main road from Turku to Vyborg...
and is based in Bridgend, Wales.
Disposal of the sword business
The Acton sword factory closed, and sword production ceased on 15 September 2005. Most of the Wilkinson Sword machinery, tools and equipment was purchased by the oldest producing sword factory in the world, WKCWKC Stahl- und Metallwarenfabrik
WKC Stahl- und Metallwarenfabrik, formerly Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Cie., is a sword manufacturing company located in Solingen, Germany....
(Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Cie) of Solingen, Germany. Amongst these items were most of the current British MOD Pattern Sword and Scabbard tools as well as the original blade roll forge of Wilkinson. These are currently used to produce ceremonial swords and scabbards for military and police forces worldwide.
Robert Pooley purchased sword drawings and forging machinery from Wilkinson Sword and sent them to India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. He then set up his own company Pooley Sword
Pooley Sword
Pooley Sword is a sword manufacture company headquartered in Shoreham-by-Sea, England that make ceremonial swords for the British Armed Forces. Robert Pooley founded the company when Wilkinson Sword announced they would close their sword factory in Acton in August 2005. Pooley purchased the...
which finishes and engraves swords forged in India.