Thread: The newest Oldest razor I now Own my W&B

I shaved with it this morning and I am very happy. My ATG was the smoothest I have ever had. It could be the edge, weight, or just the ergonomics I don't know.
I really like the smile and the edge on the toe that is sharp all the way around to the front; I find I can really get under my nose with ease.

I have been reading on stropping methods for smiling blades and some suggestions are to put some slack in the strop. Another mentioned doing a modified type of x stroke where you strop with a full stroke focusing on the the heal then the middle, then toe and so on. I'll have to experiment with these to find which works best.
I can definitely see that the toe and heel do not contact the strop like a straight edge does. I've done my pre-shave passes before my first shave but feel like Im going to slow to be effective. I'm reluctant to go faster until I get a feel for things.

So I purchased this based on the edge shape from heel to toe. I find that this blade shape is very easy to work with along my neck and even under the chin. I get good feedback.

My goal was to use this for a while and then replace the scales. The scales have a slight bow which I knew when I purchased it so its no surprise. I'm not going to change the edge profile at all; I simply love that about this razor. this would be my first razor project and I want to keep it simple. So any suggestions for scale material that would be a good price, forgiving to work with, and compliment this blade as a daily workhorse. Any links for some pre-made scales for W&B blades?

Finally, visible in the images the blade has some staining. Again I knew this going in. Under the microscope its only a discoloration and not pitted. This staining does not bother me, and since I want this to be a daily working shaver and not a show piece should I worry about it?

That is a GOOD looking blade!

Horn is ALWAYS a good choice for new scales. I can't comment on the workability as I have yet to make any from this.

Make your own scales... MUCH better not just for fit, but for a feeling of self accomplishment!

Stains or pitting that do not effect the edge 99% of the time are NO big deal....

Ed

Nice blade. I'm also in the horn scales camp. There are a variety of source. Horn is inexpensive and as far as I'm concerned easy to work with.

Rescaling can be a lot of fun, and it's a neat thing to learn how to do. But those scales are in fantastic shape -- they're rare to find in that condition, really -- and they look great. I'd suggest picking up a later model hardware store razor in vulcanized rubber or unornamented celluloid scales and rescaling that instead.

If the bowing really bugs you, I'd be happy to fix them for free.

Originally Posted by Voidmonster

Rescaling can be a lot of fun, and it's a neat thing to learn how to do. But those scales are in fantastic shape -- they're rare to find in that condition, really -- and they look great. I'd suggest picking up a later model hardware store razor in vulcanized rubber or unornamented celluloid scales and rescaling that instead.

If the bowing really bugs you, I'd be happy to fix them for free.

No the bowing doesn't bother me and true they are in fantastic shape. Thanks for the offer but I'll just keep them as is.

The sheffields with the smiling blades are always some of the best shavers out there.