My New Acquisitions

Did a little bit of searching locally, and just picked up all these razors for a pretty good price. I finally got my dream razor, a wedge 7/8 Wade and Butcher. There's a Dubl Duck Special. There's one that has I think ivory scales? I'm not sure, as I don't think I've ever seen/handled the material before. The small one with dark reddish scales says John Weis Nashville TN on it. Other is a Swift, which I see are quite common on the bay. I plan on restoring these. Definitely keeping the W&B, and maybe one or two others. Can't decide! Might just keep them all! Anyway, time to learn honing once my Norton 4k/8k arrives.

Attachment 136331

Better and closer up pics to come.

I cleaned up that same Dubl Duck last month. I got rid of the rust, Dremel buffed it till it was shiny, and it honed up beautifully. I was actually shaving with it while you posted this. As to the rest, good luck getting rid of them after you restore them. I have a hard time parting with razors after I put so much love into them.

I know, right? I can't justify keeping them all, but at the same time, each one is so awesome looking I know it's gonna be hard... I'm thinking ivory rescale on the Wade and Butcher, for sure.

Sounds awesome. Now I want ivory. Time to go yard sailing again.

Great finds!

Okay, more info and better pics:

Size: 7/8
Front of tang: Manufactured by, Wade and Butcher, Sheffield

http://i1261.photobucket.com/albums/...ps591e9719.jpg

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Size: 5/8
Front of tang: C.S.P.K., Trademark
Back of tang: John Weis, Nashville, Tenn., Distributor

http://i1261.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1144c953.jpg

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Size: 5/8
Front of tang: Dubl Duck, Special No. 1
Back of tang: Pearlduck, Dubl Duck, Solingen Germany

http://i1261.photobucket.com/albums/...ps67f38bb9.jpg

http://i1261.photobucket.com/albums/...ps31de87ae.jpg

Size: 5/8
Front of tang: F.W.E. Special
Back of tang: F.W. Engels, Solingen GR, Germany

http://i1261.photobucket.com/albums/...ps85b7ff19.jpg

http://i1261.photobucket.com/albums/...ps47ca5d88.jpg

Size: Between 4 and 5/8
Front of tang: Spike
Back of tang: Union Cutlery Co., Olean NY

http://i1261.photobucket.com/albums/...ps289ae683.jpg

http://i1261.photobucket.com/albums/...psc7224efd.jpg

If anyone could identify the approximate date these were all made, and the scale materials, I'd greatly appreciate it. Also, if anyone could tell me what C.S.P.K. stands for. Can't find much on it.

Oh! I forgot to mention the strop I picked up. It's a Purtle, and has some sort of cool brass insignia on the top of the leather. The guy I purchased it from said it has something to do with the Marines? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

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Nice finds!! Congratulations!
Especially the Weis looks fine, i have the same just a bit smaller.

That W&B wedge is going to shave like a dream!!!! I have a Joseph Rodgers thats very similar that shaves just awesome!! Make sure you post it again when yer all done fixing it up!:tu

Can't wait to see the after pics. Very nice group of razors!

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Originally Posted by GAP

Can't wait to see the after pics. Very nice group of razors!

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Thank you, good sir! I am working on them... I need to head to the store and pick up varying grades of sandpaper to really get them in shape!

The little brass emblem resembles the US Marine Corps logo.

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Originally Posted by Chalito

The little brass emblem resembles the US Marine Corps logo.

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Awesome, thanks for your confirmation!

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Originally Posted by Chreees

Size: 5/8
If anyone could identify the approximate date these were all made, and the scale materials, I'd greatly appreciate it. Also, if anyone could tell me what C.S.P.K. stands for. Can't find much on it.

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I can help with that.

The Wade & Butcher is scaled in "clear" horn. It's tough to pin down an exact date of manufacture, but you're probably looking at something in the neighborhood of 1830-1850.

The C.S.P.K. piece looks to have been scaled in some variety of plastic. Possibly celluloid, possibly something that was developed a little later. I don't know anything about this maker, but my guess for a date would be the first half of the 20th century.

The Dubl Duck also has some variety of plastic scales. Date-wise you're probably looking somewhere in the middle-ish 20th century.

The F.W. Engels razor appears to have faux ivory celluloid scales, and probably dates around 1900-1930.

The Union Cutlery Spike has faux ivory celluloid scales dates somewhere around 1930-1940.

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Originally Posted by Hanlon

I can help with that.

The Wade & Butcher is scaled in "clear" horn. It's tough to pin down an exact date of manufacture, but you're probably looking at something in the neighborhood of 1830-1850.

The C.S.P.K. piece looks to have been scaled in some variety of plastic. Possibly celluloid, possibly something that was developed a little later. I don't know anything about this maker, but my guess for a date would be the first half of the 20th century.

The Dubl Duck also has some variety of plastic scales. Date-wise you're probably looking somewhere in the middle-ish 20th century.

The F.W. Engels razor appears to have faux ivory celluloid scales, and probably dates around 1900-1930.

The Union Cutlery Spike has faux ivory celluloid scales dates somewhere around 1930-1940.

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Thanks a ton! This helps me greatly! I wish these razors could talk- it'd be very interesting to hear where they've been in history.

Love the W&B, very nice...

I'm so torn on whether I should replace the scales on the W&B or not. They're not in the best of shape, but they are still solid. I can get a pair of ivory scales done for $120. But I also really don't want to spend the money, lol. Mainly because SWMBO will kill me once she finds out how much just a PART of a straight razor cost me... Decisions, decisions.

That would be a hard decision, especially since they do look nice and old. I love the fact that you consider that; a lot of people would have had the poor thing all shiny looking and dressed in plastic by now.

I wonder how much of that beautiful patina you could retain; all of it? Or is it already gone? Have you taken the scales off? I wonder how they'd clean up? If they look too tacky, BONE scales would look nice, I'd like to do my Bengall wedge in bone scales one day...

PS, there seems to be some little niggles in the edge, so I guess you'll have to remove a fair bit of steel. I'm no expert, but I'd tape the spine. And that looks like actual rust on the tail (i.e. orange), but I'd try and keep ALL that patina.

It's be fun to hone that toe, too, and try and get an edge all the way around the toe as good as the rest...

Have fun! That W&B looks like a great project, the pick of the lot I think...

+1 to what Carl said (patina lovers of the world unite!)

Before you decide *anything* about that W&B I would suggest getting yourself some 100% neatsfoot oil, cleaning all the accumulated gunk from those scales, and then giving them a nice long soak in the oil. You may be surprised how good they look after that.

Nice finds :tu

In my opinion I would not rescale a vintage razor just for the sake of rescaling it, they will have character, though at least you were considering something pretty, as long as you are sure of the ivorys source. If you had said acrylic I would definately have said not to, in my opinion a fast way to make a razor look poo.
I guess they would be fine as a cheap way to make a cheap blade useable again, but a definate shameon something really old.
I should point out that I do have a razor (50%) of my collection that has plastic scales, that are probably new, it was a cheappie second razor, my cheappie first razor has bone or ivory scales, I enjoy using the bone scaled one much more from a tactile perspective, despite the fact the scales are quite badly cracked aaround the pivot I won't change them until they actually break, then I will be sad.

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Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

That would be a hard decision, especially since they do look nice and old. I love the fact that you consider that; a lot of people would have had the poor thing all shiny looking and dressed in plastic by now.

I wonder how much of that beautiful patina you could retain; all of it? Or is it already gone? Have you taken the scales off? I wonder how they'd clean up? If they look too tacky, BONE scales would look nice, I'd like to do my Bengall wedge in bone scales one day...

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I have cleaned it up quite a bit, using sandpaper to remove a lot of it. Then hit it with some Mothers polish. Polished the scales as well. It looks a lot better now, IMO. Some pitting, though, and other marks that give it character (I think) are remaining. I don't really want to do much more to it, as I'd hate to take off too much steel and ruin the wedge. Plus, if I keep the scales, I don't want the blade to not match them by looking too new and shiny, haha. I am a man who likes things to be original, so I'm sort of leaning towards keeping them. They are just full of chips and whatnot, but they are very tight and it feels good to hold. My main issue right now is I'd like to remove the rust at the pivot point, but don't want to ruin the scales by removing them...

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Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

PS, there seems to be some little niggles in the edge, so I guess you'll have to remove a fair bit of steel. I'm no expert, but I'd tape the spine. And that looks like actual rust on the tail (i.e. orange), but I'd try and keep ALL that patina.

It's be fun to hone that toe, too, and try and get an edge all the way around the toe as good as the rest...

Have fun! That W&B looks like a great project, the pick of the lot I think...

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Thanks, it's definitely my pick of the lot. I was extremely surprised when the lady showed it to me. My dream razor for almost a steal of a price? Couldn't believe it... As for honing, I'm definitely going to tape the spine. I've never honed a wedge, so this will definitely be a challenge. Any tips would be appreciated.

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Originally Posted by Cangooner

+1 to what Carl said (patina lovers of the world unite!)

Before you decide *anything* about that W&B I would suggest getting yourself some 100% neatsfoot oil, cleaning all the accumulated gunk from those scales, and then giving them a nice long soak in the oil. You may be surprised how good they look after that.

Nice finds :tu

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I actually have some neatsfoot oil! Bought a big bottle of it off of Amazon to use on another Wade and Butcher's horn scales I had previously. I will be sure to do this within the next day or so. Thanks for the suggestion. Should bring some life back into them.

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Originally Posted by edhewitt

In my opinion I would not rescale a vintage razor just for the sake of rescaling it, they will have character, though at least you were considering something pretty, as long as you are sure of the ivorys source. If you had said acrylic I would definately have said not to, in my opinion a fast way to make a razor look poo.
I guess they would be fine as a cheap way to make a cheap blade useable again, but a definate shame.o. something really old.

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Haha, I would never disgrace a razor of this magnitude with cheap scales! I feel like the only two ways to give it justice are nice ivory scales, or just keep it OG. After seeing these last few posts, I'm leaning towards keeping it as is, just cleaning it up a bit more. ;)

Thanks guys!!!

Well it is your razor, if you wanted to turn it into an abomination who could stop you, but glad you are going classy or original, all those little chips and scratches would just seem right to me. Of course if the scales were beyond repair then so be it.

Yeah, screw it... I'm keeping it OG and going to use some of the money that it would have taken me to order the scales to instead purchase a Naniwa 12k to compliment my new Norton 4k/8k. :D

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Originally Posted by edhewitt

Well it is your razor, if you wanted to turn it into an abomination who could stop you...

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So, no solid opinion, then? ;)

+1 It's a find that ought to be honored as the historic piece it is.

Yeah, so long as no issues arise during restoration, why change it. It's still going to look very good for it's age.

I agree. I will take some more pics after I soak the scales in neatsfoot oil. Not only have you gentlemen saved me money, but you have also helped preserve a piece of history. Thanks again.

I will set the money aside for the Naniwa 12k after I learn a bit more on honing with the Norton 4k/8k.

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Originally Posted by Chreees

I agree. I will take some more pics after I soak the scales in neatsfoot oil. Not only have you gentlemen saved me money, but you have also helped preserve a piece of history. Thanks again.

I will set the money aside for the Naniwa 12k after I learn a bit more on honing with the Norton 4k/8k.

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Excellent.