Thread: Wade & Butcher Beginner Restoration

I recently purchased this Wade & Butcher for dirt cheap and decided it would be my first restoration project. The scales appear to be bone. I have no idea, I'm guessing. I sanded one side down and it appears to have a translucent quality. Perhaps tortoise shell that has be aged or abused? Again, I have no idea.




The blade had heavy patina and some pitting but nothing too serious that I could see. I want to bring it back to a mirror like finish and then I will hone this myself on my Norton 1k, 4K, 8K and finish with a Naniwa 12K. As far as pasted or sprays, I don't know much about them. Hopefully I will learn how to use them here on SRP.




I am seeking advice about buffing. I may try using a buffing wheel to try and achieve a nice shiny finish. Although the blade is very shiny, I can see the scratches. (You can't really see the scratches with this photo. I will take a photo in my lightbox to highlight the small scratches.)

My progression was: 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000 wet/dry 3M. I used it wet.

It looks great but I was wondering if using a buffing wheel with the proper compound will get the scratches out? Also, can I buff out the scales once they have been sanded down and smooth?

PS- The pin holding the blade appears to have been a nail?

I believe that this razor is still capable of being a good shaver once it has been cleaned up a bit. I see no pitting or "swiss cheese" holes as one member called them on the razor's edge. This is actually a very fun project and I am getting a lot of satisfaction from bringing an old classic back to work.

looking good so far. keep it up!

Originally Posted by hcintineo

looking good so far. keep it up!

Hello Montvale! Nice to see some locals on SRP.

I've used white rouge with a dremel...just watch the heat. Nice restore by the way. I've received several razors with nails in them, some steel & some brass.

Originally Posted by PaulCam

I recently purchased this Wade & Butcher for dirt cheap
....snip...

The blade had heavy patina and some pitting bt
....snip...

I believe that this razor is still capable of being a good shaver once it has been cleaned up a bit.
I see no pitting or "swiss cheese" holes as one member called them on the razor's edge. This is
actually a very fun project and I am getting a lot of satisfaction from bringing an old classic back to work.

Nice....
It cleaned up very well! The only thing it needs to be
a good shaver is honing, stropping and shave testing.

How tight are the scales? From what I can see
they are original, authentic and in better than average
shape.

If it turns out to be as fine a shaver as one of my W&B razors
is consider upgrading the scales. I have an eight razor W&B
rotation and one blade is an absolute stand out shaver. One
day I might go for some fine honey horn scales if I can part
with it that long.

Those scales look very similar to the horn scales on my wade and butcher and I can tell you they can take a bit of abuse, try sanding them smooth on a progression, I started mine out at 600grit and worked up and eventually cot some gorgeous horn scales little buffing and as good as new, there are a few little but bites round the edges as with yours but I think it adds character, If i find my picture ill show you lol

geek

Tada

My First Restore W&B

Originally Posted by TheGeek

Those scales look very similar to the horn scales on my wade and butcher and I can tell you they can take a bit of abuse, try sanding them smooth on a progression, I started mine out at 600grit and worked up and eventually cot some gorgeous horn scales little buffing and as good as new, there are a few little but bites round the edges as with yours but I think it adds character, If i find my picture ill show you lol

geek

Tada

My First Restore W&B

I took a look at your restoration and from what I can see the razor looks beautiful.
Question. What did you do to the scales? They look nice.

The blade looks great. Did you hone it yourself?

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

Nice....
It cleaned up very well! The only thing it needs to be
a good shaver is honing, stropping and shave testing.

How tight are the scales? From what I can see
they are original, authentic and in better than average
shape.

The scales are somewhat tight but the blade does not stay up. It'll flop down.

If it turns out to be as fine a shaver as one of my W&B razors
is consider upgrading the scales. I have an eight razor W&B
rotation and one blade is an absolute stand out shaver. One
day I might go for some fine honey horn scales if I can part
with it that long.

Wow, eight W&B razors! I have some catching up to do.

Thanks for the advice.

Those scales are buffalo horn. You can wet sand them with some 800-2000 paper then use white rogue and chromium oxide to buff them to a like new shine but be careful. Buffing scales on blade (or burring blade on scales) can be dangerous. You will also need one buff per compound.

Originally Posted by cannonfodder

Those scales are buffalo horn. You can wet sand them with some 800-2000 paper then use white rogue and chromium oxide to buff them to a like new shine but be careful. Buffing scales on blade (or burring blade on scales) can be dangerous. You will also need one buff per compound.

Dangerous how? As in the razor may go flying dangerous?
By the way, thank you. That was exactly what I was trying to find out. What to use and how to do it for the scales. I can't wait to try what you've suggested. I will definitely post updates.