Thread: To Go All-In or Not (Pair of W&Bs)....

Wade & Butcher Boxed Set of 2 Straight Razors - eBay (item 180424239144 end time Nov-03-09 19:15:57 PST)

As for disclosure, this is not my auction and I have no idea who the seller is - but I AM thinking about winning them. The only reason I'm posting this is because after about $250 the pool of folks willing to keep bidding shrinks rapidly and most of us become spectators. Since this is past that now, I'm a spectator at the moment but since I keep looking at them I may decide to bid like I mean it. These remind me of what would be a set of mint proofs in the coin world - and I've never seen any W&Bs that look this good or that even have a style like these.

This one has been up for almost a week I think. I saw it a few hours after it was started and put in a bid just to remind me about it later. I thought my bid was about right to win it but I also realized that things may get out of hand - so I reserved a few bucks just in case I need it for this.

I have to say this LOOKS like one heck of a set of blades. The scales on one of them needs to be replaced but I still like both blades. So the question is, to go all-in and bid the moon for these or stop bidding at around double what a good W&B might go for on a good day? Man I can't stop looking at those pics! Does anyone see anything else problematic with these that I might be missing aside from the fact that we all want them?

I have been watching them for afew days trying to make up my mind. But I think the bidding might get crazy. You have to admit they are beautiful and unusual and would look great in your shave den.

Bummer about the one with the missing scale tip. Very nice razors in spite of that. I like being a spectator on things like this. All you need are two people who set head scratching high snipes.

I amuse myself in situations when something goes for a crazy high bid. I can't help but wonder that someone set a very high snipe not banking on someone else doing that same thing. Then the one who wins it goes....GULP! See, I'm smiling even typing that last sentence.

Chris L

I've been watching them since day one. They are just a couple of razors after all. OTOH, I've been fooling with razors for over 20 years and have never seen a pair like that. Referring to the grind of the blade. If things were busy at the shop I would take them home. They are just a couple of minty W&Bs but if you really want them go for it because you may never see a set like that again. Plan on going $500 or better I would bet.

They are attractive razors. On first look they look pristine but I can't believe the survived in this condition since 1850. On closer look there are two shots that show they were 'restored'. The shot of the spine that shows the stamp has polishing compound in the grove. The shot of the tail tells all. If you look close you can see where the polished area meets the older finish. The scales were broke during the restore. Polishing the blade would remove the black in the stamps so they were re-colored with what? The edges look uneven. What other damage was done during restore that is not apparent? If you plan on willing this set I would ask the seller a lot more questions and not expect the absolute truth.

As for the broken scale, I would look for another razor with similar scales and a bad blade or the opposite side broken to replace it in original material if I got the set.

Even if I had the money to bid on this set, which I don't, I would have reservations. Unique? Yes. Quality may be questionable. I would not have a problem with a high bid if they were not restored and damaged during the restore.

Good luck.

Great observation Joed! Something I didn't put in the post above was that I DID ask a few questions about the other blade the seller has up for auction (A Keen Kutter) and here's the answer I got:

"The width is 5/8", not that it's necessary to measure a dead mint razor."

WTF?!?!?! It took me a few minutes to get my head back on straight and to not slam him hard. So a little later I wrote back and apologized to the guy for being inconsiderate and bothering him with questions. :-) My guess is that the seller simply sees dollar signs - but he does seem to have an unnatural opinion of something.

Anyway, based on what you guys are seeing, as well as the responses I've gotten from the seller - and some new issues I picked up on after looking more closely at the photos I'm not bidding any higher - have fun with this one guys, I'm out!

screw that!

Originally Posted by Ichinichi

screw that!

Seconded, especially when they say "The width is 5/8", not that it's necessary to measure a dead mint razor." When they aren't 'dead mint'

Think I'd rather try to get a couple of NOS filies etc. and source a nice case for them.

Originally Posted by AirColorado

Great observation Joed! Something I didn't put in the post above was that I DID ask a few questions about the other blade the seller has up for auction (A Keen Kutter) and here's the answer I got:

"The width is 5/8", not that it's necessary to measure a dead mint razor."

WTF?!?!?! It took me a few minutes to get my head back on straight and to not slam him hard. So a little later I wrote back and apologized to the guy for being inconsiderate and bothering him with questions. :-) My guess is that the seller simply sees dollar signs - but he does seem to have an unnatural opinion of something.

Next time consider a back handed compliment like "Thank you for your reply! Based on the sentiment in your reply I decided to take a closer look at your item and have found anomalies in the item that you are unwilling to disclose. Hence I will be withdrawing my bid and placing you on my blocked sellers list. I was just about to place an extremely high bid on this item and you reply has shown me that my money would be better spent on a different item. May the gods bless you." Something like that should wake them up an return them to the real world.

Originally Posted by Joed

Next time consider a back handed compliment like "Thank you for your reply! Based on the sentiment in your reply I decided to take a closer look at your item and have found anomalies in the item that you are unwilling to disclose. Hence I will be withdrawing my bid and placing you on my blocked sellers list. I was just about to place an extremely high bid on this item and you reply has shown me that my money would be better spent on a different item. May the gods bless you." Something like that should wake them up an return them to the real world.

Doubt they'd give a monkeys tbh.. When the time approaches zero there'll always be a few folks dumb enough to forget the value of money..