Restored/Mildly Customized Wade & Butcher "Meat Cleaver"

Hello Gent's!

My wife bought me a W&B from the 1800's a few years back to get me started in Straight Razors. I FINALLY got the chance, funds, and located a great Metal Smith for the job! Initially, the Meat Cleaver was in rough shape to say the least. The good thing about this project is that the original scales, pivot pins, lead/metal wedge, and razor were all intact! There is minor but noticeable pitting on the blade's surface and I had to clean the rust from around the tang, spine, and blade faces, common. A gentleman, Dylan Fordham, took time away from his custom projects to commission this one for me. I wanted to have subtle modifications, and have it shave-ready as my "Sunday Shaver". Dylan came through for me in a great way! He deepened the Barber Notch in the front, accentuated and softened the lower tip of the blade, hand-engraved a "Tree Bark" pattern on the spine and Barber's Notch, applied Gunkote to the whole blade, re-set the pivot pins, and restored the original buffalo horn scales. My razor looks and is Purpose-built, restored but not brought to "new" status; and all of the aging, patina, and imperfections make this Sunday Driver a Killer! Out of all my SRs, this is by far my BEST shaver! The weight and balance of this one is so much that the blade glides effortlessly across my face without a hitch! I'm happy to share this with you all and please feel free to share your honest opinions and comments with me, Thank you!Attachment 162283Attachment 162280Attachment 162288Attachment 162289Attachment 162291Attachment 162292Attachment 162293

That's a very interesting piece. I like it.

Thank you meleii! I thought it was a pretty cool find/surprise from my wife! In comparison to my other SRs, it's truly a Goliath among Davids :)

That's pretty neat. Don't see that approach too often

That's nice. Had to look at it for a few minutes to finally get it, but it grows on you. I would have been happy cleaning up the scales and maybe a little metal polish on the blade to let it keep its natural beauty. What you have done has enhanced the aged look while bringing out the machismo of the big blade.

What was the process that colored the blade?

Wow-Now that is an approach to one of the old WB choppers we've never seen on here before. Awesome wife, and awesome blade.

I have to say, it is unique. Personally, I would cry if it was mine and came back to me like that (you asked for honest opinions) BUT, I can understand and appreciate that you like it, and honestly - THAT is what matters. Happy for you that you have such a unique razor that shaves amazingly! Congrats!

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Originally Posted by JoelLewicki

I have to say, it is unique. Personally, I would cry if it was mine and came back to me like that (you asked for honest opinions) BUT, I can understand and appreciate that you like it, and honestly - THAT is what matters. Happy for you that you have such a unique razor that shaves amazingly! Congrats!

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Thanks Joel! My wife feels the same way you do :) and I appreciate your opinion too. I value honesty and I don't think that having everyone share the same opinion allows room for creative differences. I was going for a look that was imperfect, but within that state of imperfection, its flaws make it perfect for me. Everything from the way the blued process bleeds onto the shine of the honed blade. I asked for the patina on the tang and pitted sides of the blade to remain because I like that about it. I figured if the old horn scales have held up this long, they can remain but get treated so they will last longer maybe over 100 more years. It was a lo-tech resto-mod! VA beach, eh? I miss home; and we were just there this past weekend!

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Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

Wow-Now that is an approach to one of the old WB choppers we've never seen on here before. Awesome wife, and awesome blade.

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I appreciate the compliments Scout!

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Originally Posted by Hart

That's nice. Had to look at it for a few minutes to finally get it, but it grows on you. I would have been happy cleaning up the scales and maybe a little metal polish on the blade to let it keep its natural beauty. What you have done has enhanced the aged look while bringing out the machismo of the big blade.

What was the process that colored the blade?

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Thanks Hart, I'm stoked 'cause you understand the concept of what my objective was with this restoration!:beer1: I wanted this SR to look aged and have an old world/earthy look, but have the mod's tie into each other. The tree bark design on the steel is suppose to blend with the dark buffalo horn scales but I feel it wouldn't have flowed as well if the blade was left shiny silver/natural metal or highly polished. As well, since all the pieces are original, I wanted to keep the pitting in the metal because IMO, it wouldn't look right with a restored blade and old scales. Also, the way Dylan honed the blade brought my bevel so high the shape of the smile looks exaggerated, and looks meaner than if it had the smaller bevel. The blade was darkened with this stuff called "Gunkote". It's a baked on coating and super durable, I know a few of my Marine buddies that use it for their personal weapons. It's cool that you understand my concept, to me that means a lot.