New guy from Il.

Hello all from (Don't judge me, please)...Illinois. Here are a few of my late Father's tools of the trade, from when he barbered. I remember being in awe watching Dad use a straight, on customers as well as himself. I remember him showing me how to use one. And while I have shaved in the past with a straight, I currently use one of his 'vintage' Schick safety razors. However, after re-discovering his straights, I believe I'm going to go 'back to the basics' and start using one again.

I know these are in poor condition and need restoration. Although, I'm not sure if I want to restore them or leave them as is and throw a light oil across them to prevent further degradation.

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Welcome to Straight Razor Place, AcesandEights! Is your given name Bill?

I would look into having the Wade & Butchers cleaned up and honed. There are multiple restorers in the classifieds section under Members Services.

Nope, Richard (although most called me Dick....some even put another word after it, too. :thinking: )

Now I'm curious. Why would you think "Bill?" Just curious. lol

I'll try not to judge you toooo much

Welcome to the forum!

Your father had very good taste in razors!

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Originally Posted by AcesandEights

Nope, Richard (although most called me Dick....some even put another word after it, too. :thinking: )

Now I'm curious. Why would you think "Bill?" Just curious. lol

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Because aces and eights is the dead man's hand named after Wild Bill Hickok, who was from Illinois. It was a jest.

Pretty early on a Monday, ya know!

Actually, Aces and Eights is the name of my Gunsmith and Firearms business. And yes, I choose it as a namesake to Wild Bill.

Hi And Welcome,,Nice Razors!!!!!!!!!!!!!Ty

Hello and welcome. Very cool to have heirloom razors.

Welcome to SRP!
You're a very lucky guy to still have your dad's razors.
Boy, I wish I had just one of my dad's.
They all look like they have potential.
The Wade & Butcher FBU is the diamond in the rough. A nicely restored one of these is close to being worth its weight in gold.
Good luck!

Pete <:-}

Hi and welcome. All can easily be cleaned up and brought back to life again. I would have them restored to thier former glory and start putting them to use. If relearning I would start with a less sentimental one to make any mistakes before using heirloom razors. Good luck and any questions feel free to ask

Thanks for the props and comments. I decided to refinish the Laymann & Carey 'Eclipse', myself. It cleaned up very well. And have used it the past 2 mornings.

I believe I'll have the 2 Wade and Butcher restored by someone who can do them justice, without hurting them, since they appear to be the most valued of any of them.

Since, I'm getting back into straight razoring, I think I'll buy one and use it. At least until I'm more comfortable. While the Eclipse is OK, I have, of course, nicked myself a couple times around my off-side ear lobe area, due to the toe being 'not beginner friendly.' And it's a little on the thin side.
I have read, and read and read some more, regarding moderate priced beginner razors. Although, I believe I have read too much, because not I'm really undecided on what to get.

Any suggestions for a, say, $100 beginner? I have everything else, strop, brush, scuttle, etc. Just need a good blade. Something, that after I get the hang of it again, I can hand off to my oldest son (who is 24yrs old) for him to learn on. Then for him to hand off to my youngest son (who is 22yrs old) for him to learn on. THEN and only then will I pass down one of Dad's razors to them.

For around $100 you can purchase a Ralf Aust or Dovo from Straight Razor Designs. The razor will be shave ready and a good reference point for when you hone your own razor. The classifieds here are also a good place to look.

Here, by the way, is the Eclipse I redone.
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What size would you recommend?

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Originally Posted by Leatherstockiings

For around $100 you can purchase a Ralf Aust or Dovo from Straight Razor Designs. The razor will be shave ready and a good reference point for when you hone your own razor. The classifieds here are also a good place to look.

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Originally Posted by AcesandEights

What size would you recommend?

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A 5/8 or 6/8.

That is a nice looking blade, should treat you very well. Do you have a strop for it yet?

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Originally Posted by dinnermint

That is a nice looking blade, should treat you very well. Do you have a strop for it yet?

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I have my Fathers original strop. However, I want to preserve it, so I'll make another for daily use (I am a custom holster maker, so I have a herd worth of leather in the shop).

The Wade & Butchers aren't worth so much money but are just great shavers. I have them from the 1860's thru the 1950's & they are just well made & take an edge well. I have found no need for a new razor yet. I have collected around 60 vintage straight's & paid less than $30.00 for each one. I just got a later 6/8"heavy grind Wade & Butcher in good shape for $10.00 & it would shave when I got it at a local flea market.
I also am from Illinois. I live in St. Joseph just east of Urbana on I-74. Is Cowden near Carbondale?We should get together. I am looking for a concealed carry pistol & you might be able to help me.
Best to you!

Dave"Slawman"Huffman

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Originally Posted by Slawman

The Wade & Butchers aren't worth so much money but are just great shavers. I have them from the 1860's thru the 1950's & they are just well made & take an edge well. I have found no need for a new razor yet. I have collected around 60 vintage straight's & paid less than $30.00 for each one. I just got a later 6/8"heavy grind Wade & Butcher in good shape for $10.00 & it would shave when I got it at a local flea market.
I also am from Illinois. I live in St. Joseph just east of Urbana on I-74. Is Cowden near Carbondale?We should get together. I am looking for a concealed carry pistol & you might be able to help me.
Best to you!

Dave"Slawman"Huffman

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I have no intention of selling of them, as they are my late Father's, so re-sale price is a moot point. At least for the W&B's, I don't plan on using them, either. The others, yeah, probably will use, just not as daily's. That's the main reason for purchasing the new Dovo 6/8.


I am, actually, a lot closer to you than Carbondale. Cowden is about 45 mins west/south-west of Mattoon. I can fix you up on a CC pistol. I'm open 5pm-9pm Mon-Fri and Sat/Sun by appointment. Do you have anything in mind?

Not sure yet. Between a 380 or a 9mm.
Don't be afraid to use the W&B straights. You won't wear that big blade enough to make a difference in your lifetime or your kids either. Once you shave with a big vintage W&B you will know what I mean. My main shave is a 6/8 pre 1881 W&B that I love. I have found that German razor will get sharper in many cases but not be as comfortable as a English blade. That is just what I find & the next guy might have a different experience.

Dave

Welcome, nice stash you have there. Everyone is right about the Wade & Butcher, get it restored.

Welcome. Nice little collection you've got started.