Thread: What was the largest Wade & Butcher wedge?

Im looking to get a large wedge to try... I have seen large Greaves and other brands, but can anybody advise what were the larger W&B wedges produced? I'm chasing something 7/8+, prefer 8/8+

Also, are there names for the different W&B models? Some have an obvious common names such as Anchor, celebrated barbers use, FBU, diamond edge, ottoman, adamantine etc - as one can know what model one is referring to due to its descriptive name, but what about others such as pictured below? Thanks

I know there are 9/8" W&B but not sure on the largest true wedges?
So I eagerly await the response to this also.

I have lots of 9/8s and a 19/16. I'm sure there were larger ones as well. Joseph Rodgers and Anchor GB made even larger blades, but few of them were wedges or even quarter hollows.

That razor pictured with the red background was not 'named' as in FBU or Lather Well I'll Shave Well. It is the pearl scaled model and a beauty in that condition. This may seem like a "fish story" since I haven't got a photo, and it was 30 years ago, but my friend and fellow straight razor collector, Joe the barber, had a W&B that was larger than 10/8 and a wedge with a barber's notch. The blade was so large and heavy that the original scales were long gone and it was housed in some hardwood scales that were obviously handmade but well done.

The reason I remember it so well is that I coveted that razor for years but never was able to come up with the 'right' thing to trade him out of it. IME 8/8 W&Bs are common, 9 & 10/8 not so much but they are out there. Here are three that I do have a photo of, top an FBU 8/8, center an FBO 9/8, and bottom a Celebrated FBU 10/8 ;

+1 JimmyHAD

Thanks Jimmy - learn something new everyday, never knew there was an FBO, some nice blades there, thanks for the info.

Originally Posted by Phrank

+1 JimmyHAD

Thanks Jimmy - learn something new everyday, never knew there was an FBO, some nice blades there, thanks for the info.

Tell you a story, not a fish story ....... I chased an FBO for years. The only one I had found was a big 'un but had a crack just ahead of the heel. In '06 when I sold all but two of the 25 or so that remained of my then straight razor collection (that's another story) I ebayed it and noted the crack and it still brought about $100 bucks.

A couple of years ago I nailed the one shown in the photo in near mint condition and the price was not bad. Anyway ....... my theory was that FBO came first but W&B figured out that the 'Only' discouraged non barbers from buying one, so the went the more commonly seen FBU. When I got the one in the photo it really appears to be later than the FBU at the top so I don't know if my theory holds water ....... no pun ....

Now don't go and insinuate that there is some "Moby Dick" W&B out there..Capt. Ahab errrr... Phrank will have fits!

Jimmy....I remember that you sold off that collection...got hooked again with SLANTS...I recall a thread where you said you would NEVER start straight razor shaving...those were the "old days" of the forums before they really blew up...We all know now how things turned out. There is a thread on another forum where I said pretty much the same thing.... The largest W&B I ever owned was a couple FBU 8/8

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Tell you a story, not a fish story ....... I chased an FBO for years. The only one I had found was a big 'un but had a crack just ahead of the heel. In '06 when I sold all but two of the 25 or so that remained of my then straight razor collection (that's another story) I ebayed it and noted the crack and it still brought about $100 bucks.

A couple of years ago I nailed the one shown in the photo in near mint condition and the price was not bad. Anyway ....... my theory was that FBO came first but W&B figured out that the 'Only' discouraged non barbers from buying one, so the went the more commonly seen FBU. When I got the one in the photo it really appears to be later than the FBU at the top so I don't know if my theory holds water ....... no pun ....

Originally Posted by AntiqueHoosier

Jimmy....I remember that you sold off that collection...got hooked again with SLANTS...I recall a thread where you said you would NEVER start straight razor shaving...those were the "old days" of the forums before they really blew up...We all know now how things turned out. There is a thread on another forum where I said pretty much the same thing.... The largest W&B I ever owned was a couple FBU 8/8

You have a good memory Mike. I did say that and meant it ..... at the time. I was selling my stuff on ebay and asked my buddy JB Horen to check out the descriptions and photos. That got him interested in wet shaving and he began perusing the forums. He told me he was going to get a straight razor and begin shaving with it. I told him that it was an inferior way to shave and not to waste his time.

Next thing I knew he was getting old straights and some old Gillettes and that got me interested all over again. So I began looking at the forums and shaving with old 3 piece DEs. Then I discoverd the slant and was off to the races so to speak. Been a helluva ride.

Not sure if it is a Wade?