hello friends!

Hi all,

I am stopping in to introduce myself, and I'm sorry to have a question right off the bat, but something has been nagging at me a bit.

I am very new to the whole scene, but I come from an Asian country where they still use straight razors for shaves and men's haircuts, so I know what a good shave is :D

Anyway, I had thought that if I were to buy a straight razor that I would try to get something very unique as a keepsake forever, and after looking I found one I liked very much, but it seemed very high priced to me. Unfortunately, someone else has bought while I've been deliberating and it feels agonizing to think perhaps I lost out before even getting started.

It is this razor here:

Wade Butcher Straight Razor Knife Diamond Edge Sheffield Mother of Pearl Look | eBay

I really loved it because of the unique scales, but looking around on here, it seems like scales are not even regarded nearly as much as the blade itself and are often discarded.

Can anyone tell me if is even a fully original piece and if it is even worth what the seller was asking for?

I am hoping to hear it is just a dime a dozen and the seller is crazy :p But I've not seen anything like it before or since.

Thank you all, and thank you for the wealth of knowledge put out here. I look forwarding to learning more.

To say if it was worth it is tough. Wade and butchers are a popular brand and priced higher than others typically. That one did have some serious hone wear as well. Really, a straight just has to shave and you should have enough money after the purchase to eat. They may be original, but I sm not the best to give an opinion. If I were you, I'd make the really nice razor your second or third, after you have experience maintaining the razor and not chipping the edge on a faucet. Keep searching, you'll find a beaut.

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Originally Posted by razorsam

Hi all,

I am stopping in to introduce myself, and I'm sorry to have a question right off the bat, but something has been nagging at me a bit.

I am very new to the whole scene, but I come from an Asian country where they still use straight razors for shaves and men's haircuts, so I know what a good shave is :D

Anyway, I had thought that if I were to buy a straight razor that I would try to get something very unique as a keepsake forever, and after looking I found one I liked very much, but it seemed very high priced to me. Unfortunately, someone else has bought while I've been deliberating and it feels agonizing to think perhaps I lost out before even getting started.

It is this razor here:

Wade Butcher Straight Razor Knife Diamond Edge Sheffield Mother of Pearl Look | eBay

I really loved it because of the unique scales, but looking around on here, it seems like scales are not even regarded nearly as much as the blade itself and are often discarded.

Can anyone tell me if is even a fully original piece and if it is even worth what the seller was asking for?

I am hoping to hear it is just a dime a dozen and the seller is crazy :p But I've not seen anything like it before or since.

Thank you all, and thank you for the wealth of knowledge put out here. I look forwarding to learning more.

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Evaluations are not allowed on the forum, because in the end, it's just a matter of opinion, and we try to avoid needless conflict. One person's junk is anothers treasure. What you'll hear is that it will sell what someone is willing to pay for it.

That W&B is a fantastic blade, as all Sheffield steel is in my opinion, and various sellers look around eBay, and if they don't really know straight razors, they just put a price on it they think is in line with the market they perceive. If you like that particular razor, more will come up, some restored at a higher price maybe, but many more as well at a lower price.

I picked up one of those years ago and restored it, but then again, that was a few years ago, and razors brands decrease and increase in value depending on the current, "trend".

Here's a restored W&B Diamond Edge:

Attachment 234586

Welcome to SRP. I think that the scales on the razor you linked to are not original, but I could be wrong. Take your time looking for the 'right' heirloom razor. Go to our 'Razor Clubs' forum here, and you'll see a great variety of makers and their wares from days of old, and not so old. Condition is the most important thing in buying a vintage razor, so try an develop an eye for condition, and original scales/blade. :gl:

I have seen scales like that on a vintage razor but can't remember what brand was it. Those scales are really nice with that inlaid decorations.

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Originally Posted by mainaman

I have seen scales like that on a vintage razor but can't remember what brand was it. Those scales are really nice with that inlaid decorations.

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Maybe Stefan, what throws me is the pins. On an old diamond edge wedge I usually think of horn with larger collars .......... :shrug:

Attachment 234590

Your first razor should be something shave ready(not what they call ) shave ready, from someone who hones and shaves with them, a good starter razor that you can learn with, and nit gave a lot f money into, our classifieds have those come up all the time. It ain't the scales that shave you.
Until you learn if you will stick with it, I wouldn't spend a lot , just get something good quality and ready to shave with. Besides until you have been doing this for a bit, you don't really know what to avoid on the bay, Good luck. Tc

Hi and welcome. Have seen scales like that before on a French razor I think. For a start I would buy from someone reputable it would be a good way to get a quality razor for a price thats worth it. Scales are easy to change I would be more worried about the blade. The one linked has decent wear and uneven bevels something I would personally avoid

Welcome to the forum.

Thank you all very much for the nice welcome and the excellent insight. I am still a touch letdown, but it sounds like a mixed bag overall, so perhaps it's just as well that I missed out.

Phrank, your Diamond Edge is a real beauty!!! Just out of curiosity... the 'Diamond Edge' marking is totally different on yours than the one I was looking at. Is that because these came from two different periods or is it possible that the one i was looking at had an inscription lasered on after the fact or something?

I hope to have as nice a razor as that one day...

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Maybe Stefan, what throws me is the pins. On an old diamond edge wedge I usually think of horn with larger collars .......... :shrug:

Attachment 234590

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Not that I know anything about it, but I do have to agree.. if the pins on Phrank's razor are the typical pins for Wade and Butcher, then the eBay one is not right at all

welcome to the forum, don't beat your self up over that razor ,more will come. you may be better off starting with something modern such as a Dovo best quality. and I am sure you will find a few keepers to pick up while on your straight shaving journey.
and for what its worth that razor is terribly over priced.

Welcome and don't feel let down as I have learned there is another(or 3) must have razor down the road. I don't think those scales were original and the razor did have some issues. Go to the auction section of the forum there are a couple of threads on what to look for when buying a razor on ebay. Good luck and have fun.

I too have a couple of razors with those scales and I don't think they are Sheffields. I believe those are just one of the many replacement scales available over the years. This is the same concept as all the aftermarket car rims available now.

Welcome to the forum!