Thread: 3 W&Bs

I mentioned on another thread I was working on larger (7/8) W&Bs. Two wedges and a near wedge. I was asked to post them so here they are.
I foolishly jumped right in and only have the spine shots, but the blades were for lack of a better word, rough.

I found the one interesting where the stamp reads P.R Smith under the Wade and Butcher script.
First up I did this wedge in the typical fashion. Cleaned up the blade ( no, none of these were reground) and concentrated more on the scales , which is true of all three.
I book matched the scales as best I could sacrificing two slabs of horn. Should have made 4 scales, but alas, I got two. But nice scales.

I also didn't use a wedge on this razor. Instead I cut the insides of the scales to relive the area for the blade and the wedge is actually part of each scale. When fitted together it appears ( with the bookmatching) to be a single piece set of scales.
Double stack /single washer in brass put it together again.

The second in the lineup is twin blade to the first but I didn't want do dress them the same. So I had a piece of horn that had a definite wood grain look to it. Not too obvious in the pics but in person it's readily seen. I used a white wedge as it's clean looking. Made up some Bullseye style washers to differentiate it from the first.

And besides the smudges and fingerprints on the blade you can see the reflection of part of me, my shirt collar and of course the camera lens while I tried to capture the wood grain effect on the scales.

beautiful. love those wade and butchers. after seeing this I now know that on the razor I just put scales on I will have take the blade out and do some more sanding. work of love.

Third is the near wedge. Since I didn't want to do the same old, same old I wanted to try something different. Hey, they're just scales and I can change them as easily as my own shoes.
I started with a base of black horn. I cut away sections of the scales to add inlays, or more accurately a marquetry style insert of swirl pearl acrylic. Since I had the black Horn center section and I had fun doing up the carved horn scales for the other razor I just did I figured why not. So I carved ribs in this section. I tried to get the lines to match the bottom edge of the razor when partially opened. I also like to have the spine parallel the top of the scales when closed. In this case I had to adjust the wedge quite a bit to get this to happen. The wedge is the same material as the inserts.
I tend to think the shape and design of the scales keeps your eye moving along , if not up when you look at the side profile.
For the washers I made some funky Nickel Silver pieces I made out of .40 plate with contrasting brass pins.

Not everyone's cup of tea but I got another 3 of my W&Bs done which brings me to 18 completed with only 17 more to restore.
One of these days I'll get them done.

Sigh, beautiful work. You're giving me an inferiority complex.
And so many, even Phrank might be jealous.

Sir, you have done a marvelous job. I really like the scales on the third one. Hell I love them all !!!!!

I am stunned silent, speechless, dumb (but never blind). That last set of scales! No more to say, words are superfluous.

nice shirt..... oh, and the razors too! seriously, i really like the grain in that horn, you captured it well in the pics

Those look fantastic. I am also partial to the last one. Fine work!

Mark my friend; I really don't know whether to admire your work or hate you for it I do hope that you know that I mean that in a Very, Very Appreciative Way as I am nowhere near your level of talent and expertise and I probably never will be

What I wouldn't give to have your talent!

With that said, you really are an inspiration for all of us who hope to reach the level that you are at! :

Even if we are never able to meet, you will always be welcome here at my very humble abode anytime