2011: The beginning

Over drinks at The Wolseley, in London's Piccadilly, two friends discuss the uninspired task of regular wet shaving and of a lack of genuine quality razors to make shaving once again, an exciting self-indulgent treat.

The days of lathering up a shaving brush with luxury shaving cream, loading a double edge blade into a 3-piece safety razor and applauding hand crafted shaving implements seem all but forgotten in the efficient-driven age of electric shavers and disposable multi-blade razors.

Surely, the time is right to introduce high-end British made razors to the shaving landscape?

There and then, a brand name was conceived. Derived from two favoured drinking establishments in London's bustling West End — The Oscar Wilde bar at the Café Royal, Mayfair and The White Harte in Drury Lane.

2012 - 2013: Setting a high bar

Time to embark upon a brand identity - understated, quintessential and above all, proudly British. Various designs were presented before the logotype and monogram still seen today, was chosen.

Ideas for razor handles followed. With the help of a professional in the international jewelry trade, initial designs were agreed, then developed, cast, plated and presented for consideration.

With an octagonal design and an innovative helix spiral design agreed, computer-aided-design (CAD) files were generated and signed-off. It was time to manufacture the first batch of 'stainless steel' razor handles ...read more

Skilled cutlery finishers then applied impeccable mirror finishes to these handles, allowing Wilde & Harte to position itself in the high-end shaving market.

2014 - 2016: Grandeur & Splendour

During the spring of 2014, inspired by the grandeur and splendour of iconic houses and palaces in London, three razor Collections nestle seamlessly into the luxury men's grooming market — The Apsley, The Eltham and The Osterley.

With good sales, many positive comments and 5-Star reviews about Wilde & Harte razors, it was time to expand the Collections to include matching shaving brushes, followed by a selection of sateen bedded grooming gift sets, available at our retail stockists and online in time for Christmas 2015.

Wilde & Harte become members of the Made in Britain campaign. An initiative which is endorsed by the British Government, supported by British manufacturers and recognised by consumers, both at home and abroad.

2017 - 2019: “The Eltham Safety Razor is an Art Deco Masterpiece” — announce Bloomberg

Now established as the brand for high-end, quentissential British shaving accessories, Wilde & Harte attracts press coverage from leading publications such as Bloomberg Businessweek, British GQ and is referenced in many respected Men's Lifestlye Blogs.

The increasing popularity in safety razors — regarded as indispensable bits of kit for wet shaving enthusiasts and eco-conscious gentleman — yields sales of Eltham and Osterley safety razors to new territories in China, Russia and the Middle East. Sales are still buoyant in our established territories of North America and Western Europe.

2020: What a year that was

Who would have predicted the world would be plunged into such economic and social turmoil? With national lockdowns restricting global productivity and growth, slowly, the world got to grips with a new way of life.

Wilde & Harte Director Paul Thompson accepts an invitation to write an article for Made in Britain, explaining the reasons why many businesses will still prosper through the global pandemic.

2021 & beyond

Paul Thompson starts the year by chatting to Peter Brooker of leading lifestyle blog Menswear Style. In this podcast, the chat is about how the shaving brand was launched, the meaning behind product names and why Wilde & Harte champion British manufacturing.