Thread: 'Real Old' Wade & Butcher Stub-Tail ca. 1818-?

Here's one I've been working on. A vintage restore of an old Wade & Butcher stub-tail, with original scales and bulls-eye washers, and a buffed satin finish. I don't have any 'Before' pics, but this one was in pretty sorry shape when I got it. It's really a great shaver now!

Not quite finished with it but I thought I would show some progress pics and then post up when it's completely finished. As near as I can tell it's probably sometime around 1818-1820's vintage. Robert Wade (ca. 1810-1818) became Wade & Butcher in 1818 and shortly thereafter started using the two trademarks: the "Anchor" and the "Arrow & Cross". In my mind this places this particular razor right at the beginning before any razors were stamped with either of those two trademarks.

Any other guesses from the experts would be appreciated...

WP34

Wow - that's a unusual blade, fantastic looking!

That's funny, was just browsing the stub-tail razor section earlier, great looking blades, as is that one!!

So that's a very early W&B then?

Actually, as near as I can tell, Wade & Butcher didn't begin using the arrow & cross until sometime between 1855-1865. The anchor is an outlier and I really can't say for sure when it came into play, but I know they produced razors with just the name into the 1830's at least.

It's really hard to say with yours since it's been so heavily modified over time. I suspect there used to be a stamp of some sort on the blade or spine.

I don't normally associate the large bullseye collars with razors made before 1830, but who knows. The stamp is definitely primitive.

Technically, the firm of Wade & Butcher ceased in 1825 when Robert Wade died, but in practice the Butcher brothers (William and Samuel) continued producing goods under that name, while Wade's wife, Jane, continued making razors presumably with his name on them (that is, stamped R. Wade) until she died sometime between 1827 and 1829 (records are spotty). Wade's son, also Robert Wade, went to work for Wade & Butcher and moved to Philadelphia in 1840 at the tender age of 21.

I've got nothing but conjecture to go on, but it looks like William and Samuel Butcher were taken in or taken care of by Robert Wade when their father died (I think William was 12 at the time), so they in turn took in Wade's son when he died.

In any event, Robert Wade (jr) made the transatlantic voyage (a very pricey proposition at the time, to get on one of the boats that could make the trip in 4 days) to attend William Butcher's funeral and he rode in the coach with George Wostenholm, so it was definitely more than business that brought him.

Thanks Zak! I was hoping you would chime in with some more detailed background information. Goin's ( I know NOT the best source!) has the trademarks starting about 1818...your info sounds much better to me.

The blade was definitely re-ground but by the look of it and the condition of the scales when it came into my hands it was done at least 150+ years ago...IMHO. There was definitely not a stamped trademark on the tang...at least I don't think so... so perhaps you are right in your guess about a prior stamp on the blade face or spine.

Thanks Zak...

Wp34

Another nice old blade Wolf. I think Void is a reincarnated reporter from the 1800's :<0)

Originally Posted by 10Pups

Another nice old blade Wolf. I think Void is a reincarnated reporter from the 1800's :<0)

Thanks Pups! I think you're right...

WP34

Hey Zak! Here's a shot of the tang and the stamp. I think you can see that most likely there was never a 'trademark stamp' on the tang....

And you are right about the 'primitiveness' of the 'W&B' stamping.

WP34

Very cool razor WP34, definately an early Wade & Butcher, and you did a wonderful job restoring it, im really hoping to see some real pins when your done, you know the ones without threads.

Difficult to give this razor a date of manufacturing, personally i feel the beginning of W&B very confusing, lots of "around" this date and "Perhaps" , a firm or a trademark? the company W & S Butcher, anyway Zak's interpretation seems on the money! Enjoy!

A very old Wade & Butcher that been reground beautifully and i be willing to bet that it will shave like the devil!

Originally Posted by Martin103

Very cool razor WP34, definately an early Wade & Butcher, and you did a wonderful job restoring it, im really hoping to see some real pins when your done, you know the ones without threads.............A very old Wade & Butcher that been reground beautifully and i be willing to bet that it will shave like the devil!

Thanks Martin! Yeah, I know about the pins...just about every time I get ready to start pinning up razors, I start another restore instead! Go figure? I have about 100 (plus or minus) old Sheffield razors that have been restored but still need to be pinned up.

I am currently working on about a dozen restores, including several 9/8 to 11/8 big axes, I have promised my self that as soon as these are done I will start pinning seriously and get all these razors completely finished.

Here is a pic of just one of two boxes full of finished razors (except for the pins!)...there is at least 60 or so razors in this box. All vintage Sheffields.



What can I say...my RAD makes a Heroin addiction seem like a common cold!

WP34

Originally Posted by Wolfpack34

Thanks Martin! Yeah, I know about the pins...just about every time I get ready to start pinning up razors, I start another restore instead! Go figure? I have about 100 (plus or minus) old Sheffield razors that have been restored but still need to be pinned up.

I am currently working on about a dozen restores, including several 9/8 to 11/8 big axes, I have promised my self that as soon as these are done I will start pinning seriously and get all these razors completely finished.

Sounds like a New Year resolution to me! Great collection by the way!