W&B Razor *NEWBIE*

I recently decided I was going to jump into my dream of having a straight razor when I found this razor at a local antique shop.
I read that W&B were good razors, and since It was quality, I thought I could restore it!
I don't know much about the blade, what kind of blade it is, how old it is and such, but it looks to be in extremely good condition considering I bought it for 5 dollars! I have to make new scales, since the old ones were cracked and done for, but I think that's part of the fun.

Here is the blade
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-E...002_164450.jpg

There are two interesting parts about this blade, and I was wondering if someone could help me understand them. First the logo.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-u...002_164438.jpg
This is different than most W&B logo's I see...why is that?

Secondly, the blade has some text on the blade that looks like it will be gone after I sand it, does anyone know if keeping the text would be significant for any reason, or what I should do with it?
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o...002_164456.jpg


Thanks for your help! I look forward to fixing this baby up and learning to shave with it!

Great score for a 5 spot!

I would try to keep the text, just for aesthetic value. You should be able to sand around it or possibly just use polish to try to clean it up. It looks like there is no damage to the edge, so the pitting would be just cosmetic. Unless you really want a mirror finish (which it looks like this blade was a satin finish) I would just let her age show and put some horn, or micarta scales on.

as for the crown and VR initials, I am not schooled enough to know about that mark...yet. I am sure someone will provide you the answer shortly :)

again great blade :)

no need to get into that with wet and dry if that's the condition you found it in. Hit it with some autosol/maas and it should come up nicely.

As I understand the stamps the VR is Victoria's Reign ie: 1837-1901
It is a Faux Frameback, and India steel I can't see the tail or the other side which really helps in putting a date on them, but from the info in the pic I would guess late 1880's or newer
Manah/AlexT has some of the best data for this maybe he can put a more exact date on it for you...

Amazingly, the Pitting and Black Rust is a personal thing just as sterilizing razors is also. personally I don't shave with rusted razors others find no problems with it, so like many things in this hobby YMMV :)

I would like it to have a nice mirror or satin finish when done. I want it to look new again, its not imperitive to keep the blades etching, but is there any way for me to get it to look new without getting rid of that?

Also...1880?!!? That is awesome...i'm holding a piece of history. This is amazing.

on another note, GSSIXGUN how are those buffalo bone scales comming??? I cant wait to see the finished product!

DVORAK a pair of those may look good on this W&B

I'm thinking black buffalo bone for the scales, so you might get to see that eventually =D

Ya know, I have to say, I've been combing antique store, flea markets, garage sales, and the internet for a year and a half and have yet to find a deal like this.. ..and you stumble on it as your first razor. congrats. I'll give you 6 for it like it sits. :) good luck with the restore. Come here often. There is a wealth of info here that will make your journey alot easier..

I restore my own razors but if i had a beauty like that i think it would be worth the investment to have one of the many awesome restorers here do it up for you, and have them make you some awesome Horn scales to boot. Razors like that dont come around very offen and i think it deserves to be done up right. With that said, Its not mine. Grats on that awesome fined.

Colin

The crown over the VR means that W&B had received a royal warrant, which usually meant that the manufacturer had supplied wares to the royal household or the royal court for 5 years (at least, that's what it means in the UK). The initials "VR" stand for "Victoria Regina"--Queen Victoria. Congrats--you've scored an old blade in very good shape. That's the only W&B that I've seen with a royal warrant stamp--I'd hang on to it, if I were you.

Oh my... I wont lie, I'm confused as to what to do with this razor now. it seems it's a lot more valuable than I expected. I was going to try and fix it up myself, but I don't want to ruin it. What do you think I should do? If I restore it myself, would people here help me with the process so that I can make sure I do it right for this razor?(I've read many guides on how to restore razors, so I don't have any problem with the actual idea, but since this razor is in good shape I'm not sure what to do)

Do you think if I just hit this razor with some metal polish that it would come out nicely? I'm still considering getting a proffessional to restore it, but if theres an option of just slamming it with some metal polish to get rid of the rust and to shine it up and keep it original, then I would definitely want to just do it myself.

Keep in mind I plan on keeping this razor forever.

There is so much to restoration that is not just technique but a sense of "feel", like knowing where to start, when to stop, how much is too much. It is hard to imagine doing really well on the first try. What you have is an interesting razor. If it were mine, I'd send it off instead of learning with it. What you learn may disappoint you.

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Originally Posted by ace

There is so much to restoration that is not just technique but a sense of "feel", like knowing where to start, when to stop, how much is too much. It is hard to imagine doing really well on the first try. What you have is an interesting razor. If it were mine, I'd send it off instead of learning with it. What you learn may disappoint you.

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BIG +1 to that. You've got a nice-looking antique razor that could turn out to look really beautiful in the right hands. If it were me, I'd send it out. You can PM me if you want and I can tell you who I've worked with before.

That's a great great find indeed. The spine seems to have been several times on a sharpening stone, yet the job was done wonderfully! The wear is even and smooth, and the smile beautiful.

I'm quite jealous.

Don't go for a mirror finish. You'll screw the engraving over, which accounts for much in that blade's personality. Work locally and softly on the heavy black pitting. I mean, that's just my point of view, of course.

The stamp on the tang is wonderful too. That's an old blade indeed.

I have a W&B VR that I just love. They made a great razor, and I think you will be pleased with that one. Post pics when you are done with the resto.

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Originally Posted by Durhampiper

BIG +1 to that. You've got a nice-looking antique razor that could turn out to look really beautiful in the right hands. If it were me, I'd send it out. You can PM me if you want and I can tell you who I've worked with before.

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Add me to the list of votes to send it out. That is a truly special razor.

To add to another's comment on the age range, I would agree with 1880's, but not newer. Export laws for British razors made 1891-onward required that "England" be stamped on the tang under the maker name. No country stamp = 1890 or older.