The Phoenix, by Philadelph
Gentlemen, this is the story of a poor, sad eBay special that turned out right.
Here was the ONLY pic in the auction, listed by the seller as a "Wade and Butcher" (the box said Wade and Butcher, so it was an honest mistake):
http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/w...on/ebaypic.jpg
What the heck is that?! Hard telling. I took a risk, and won it for $12.50.
Here is a photo of what I actually received, an abused, rusted, pitted Greaves 8/8 Fencing Foils wedge:
http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/w...680FLIPPED.jpg
Alex was kind enough to take on the project of bringing this giant blade back to life. Little did he know at the time that I am a fussy, fussy man.
The grooved handle is my design. The blade is so thick and heavy that I asked Alex to create notches in the G10 where one's fingers might rest during shaving. I also asked him to make a thumbnotch, then grind the heel and toe of the razor to get rid of all the pointy bits.
I know, it looks nothing like the original. Sorry, Mr. Greaves, I think you should have made it like this in the first place.
TWO regrinds and TWO sets of scales later, we now have this fine specimen, dressed in Black and Tan G10:
http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/w...n/DSCN1111.jpg
http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/w...n/DSCN1116.jpg
http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/w...n/DSCN1117.jpg
http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/w...n/DSCN1135.jpg
http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/w...n/DSCN1132.jpg
With the new grippy-notched G10 scales, this heavy blade drives like a race car.
Of course, Alex honed it (without tape, at my request) to such precision that my beard pretty much jumps off my face in fear rather than let itself be cut...
Alex, you're a patient man and I appreciate you.
