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OLD WADE & BUTCHER STRAIGHT RAZOR 1860'S 7/8 - eBay (item 160404694552 end time Feb-19-10 17:01:39 PST)
I just won this on ebay. As discussed in another thread I have RAD. How do you think I made out. It was a little more then I would have liked to spend considering the condition, but do you think it will clean up to be a nice shaver?
Thanks
Dave
yep it will clean up nicely.
Pretty steep price for a 7/8 though.
Yeah I didn't expect the other bidder to go so high. What would a 7/8 typically go for in that type of condition. Or rather, what is a fair price for one?
I like it. If the black stuff at the very edge is superficial you'll be fine. As far as the $ it could have been better or it could have been worse. I should make a great shaver for you and I love them when they have a smiling blade with a humpback tang. Nice piece AFAIC.
ummm 96 bucks? you got ripped way off, sorry man, but that's my opinion, if your happy enjoy it, don't let my cheapness ruin your day.
cheers
David
I think you paid a good chunk of money, but not a rip-off at all. If you want, just a decent honing will have that razor shaving like mad in not time. Those old W & B's are stiff and tough, easy to shave with and very forgiving.
On the other hand, if you're so inclined, that razor would look wonderful after some competent buffing, plus maybe a rescale. Nothing new you could buy for less than $150 or so would perform like that will, and the new one will be full hollow ground; not a heavyweight like the Wade.
Just make sure that whoever hones it or restores it knows what they're doing, it would be a shame to f-up a 140 or 150 year old razor. Take it from me, screwing up a razor is almost effortless.
Thanks, I saw one of these being displayed on youtube, and I went ape for it. I remember seeing a thread on here ( I think) regarding the difference between red rush, and black rust, but I can't seem to find it again.Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
If you know the thread I'm speaking of, or could briefly explain the difference, It would be a great help.
Thanks,
Dave
Dave, I don't know the thread. I imagine that red is newer and superficial and black older. Bottom line is when you get the razor give it some swipes on the bevel setter and see if you get through the rust to good steel. If you get to good steel you're golden as the saying goes. Just took another look at the photos and I would bet $ that it will be okay.
I had bid on that puppy as well, but my max was like 56 bucks, because I;m a cheap bastard. While it may need some work, that blade is (imo) in pretty decent shape all things considered.
Let us know how it shaves when you clean it up!
I'm not sure of the thread about rust, but I read a post by Gssixgun once about red rust being easiest to clean, black rust almost always has pitting underneath, and black devil's spit is the worst. (Sorry Glen if I misquoted you, but I think I got it right. :shrug:)
This one doesn't seem to have rust, but that could be staining, not patina, and might be harder to get off. Someone with more experience should be able to answer that for you.
+1 on stimpy's post - go to a pro for a restoration. Just check the Member services in the classifieds.
Much more than I would have paid for it, because there is no telling if you'll have to lose the stamps to get off the pitting/staining. But if you are happy than I am happy for you.
Ahh i was bidding on that bad boy too!! Except i topped out at 75USD lol. Im really glad it went to someone on SRP :D. Congrats mate!!!!! She is a beauty!!!
Thanks for the info on the rust guys. It did end up costing me more then I would have liked, especially since I will be sending it out for pro touch up and care, but I just had to have it.
I had been looking at a few of the W&B barbers use only razors, and almost instantly fell in love with the massive, dense blade. I'm not really interested in making a show piece out of it, I'm just hoping to make it a great shaver, which from my observations, the reading I've down, and some feed back I've gotten,
I should be able to achieve.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Magpie
Sorry guys. I had spotted a few others on the bay which I like much more, and there was no activity until the last few seconds, and every time someone came in and dropped a huge max bid beating me out. So when I saw this one, I went a little bid crazy.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spartigus
I'll post pics when it's done. I think it will clean up nice.
Thats ok mate!!! You deserved to win it!!!! I have my eye on a few others too :DQuote:
Originally Posted by freyguy
Thats ok mate!!! You deserved to win it!!!! I have my eye on a few others too :DQuote:
Originally Posted by freyguy
EDIT: SOrry double posted it :(
Frey, good purchase, and don't worry about what others would spend! It looks like it will clean up well, and you'll have an excellent barber-notch W&B to enjoy for several lifetimes' worth of shaving. Frankly, there's just some razors that "speak" to each person, and when that happens, you've got to bid a little higher than the average bidder to win it. By definition, anything you win is going to be at a price that is higher than most others would have paid, but once you get that thing cleaned up and maybe rescaled, you will definitely have the better half of the bargain. Enjoy!
Thanks. Happy bidding. I hope you win some good ones.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spartigus
Thanks for the positive words. Despite some of the skeptical comments, I was still thrilled with the purchase, but it's nice to hear some encouraging feedback. You make some very good points about the nature of bidding as well. I never thought of it, but it wouldn't be an auction unless someone was willing to pay more then the rest.Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffE
I will start a thread when the razor is finished. I think it will come out very nice.
Freyguy-
I think you made a good buy. Those scales will look great with a short soak in neatsfoot oil, and the blade should look just fine as is, or nice and shiny after a bit of polishing.
I just got the razor in the mail today. It was worth every penny I paid for it. The size and shape are stunning. The weight is superb; you really feel like you have a tool in your hand. The razor overall looks to be in better condition then I had imagined.
The only area of concern might be a little bit of pitting on the very edge of the blade, but I think any of the fine honemeisters on SRP should be able to work with it.
I can hardly wait to get it cleaned up and have a shave with it.
That pitting at the edge is nothing, because whoever does the honing will take all that metal off. (The bigger problem is when the pitting or rot goes up higher into the body of the blade, but you can't really tell about that until you start honing.) BTW, if you don't have someone to help you restore it, I can recommend one person who is excellent (although there are many others on SRP) -- Bob Keyes at www.bobsrazors.com. He's a gentleman and an excellent person to work with, and he does really fantastic work. Anyway, enjoy the new blade, and don't forget to post some pics when you get it into shape! Got to make all those who didn't buy it jealous, right?
Absolutely. Thank you for the link, I will check it out. I'm not sure if I will go for a full restore. As nice a shiny razor is, there's something about a bit of petina that really draws me in. Does he do partial restorations?
Who doesn't? :DQuote:
Originally Posted by freyguy
Nice puppy, will clean up nicely.
I'm biased, cause I love W&B's myself. It looks nice and solid for such an old razor. However, for that money, I would have liked to see a more unusual type. Now you can do a FULL restore on it. But, if you are like me, you can gently restore it - enough to return it to shave-readiness but not attempting to make it look like it was fresh out of the box. Rust and even pitting are not the most horrible things a vintage razor could have (most do). The problem is when it interferes with the shaving operation (the problem is on the edge). If it isn't, you jsut need to make sure it doesn't get any worse. Also, watch out for the dreaded "foil edge", which is an edge that is too thin. I've gotten burned by those a few times. Fortunately, I have never paid too much for them and justify my mistake by using them as practice razors or for parts. I buy a lot of razors on ebay and I just accept the fact that some of the time I'm not going to get what I expect. I have gotten some real beauties though. Good luck with yours! Once it's fixed up shave ready, you aren't going to remember what you paid for it.
What I paid for it is a distant memory already. I plan on sending it out for honing and restoration, as I haven't tried my hand in these areas, and I don't want to be practicing on this beautiful blade.Quote:
Originally Posted by jtischler
Although I've spent a little bit more for the blades I've gotten on ebay, I've done alright so far. I've yet to receive a razor which made me cringe once it came out of the packaging.