Thread: Wade Wingfield and Rowbotham

g'day all,
I picked up this razor from a swap meet a couple of months ago. I have started to take a little of the rust and staining off with a bit of sandpaper.
I was wondering if anyone could help me identify some more about it. I have a fair bit of history on Wade Wingfield and Rowbotham but the "ward bros federal" on the face of the blade is a mystery to me. Also any tips for how to get rid of some more of the staining with out removing the detail?

Welcome to SRD. No idea on the blade marking, sorry. As far as cleaning up the blade, if all you want/need is a light polish and cleaning then some high grit wet/dry sandpaper (600 grit and higher). A non abrasive metal polish is a great way to go as well. Two common ones used are MASS and Blue Magic.

There is a good chance that the coloration near the tip is actual rust micro pitting. If that's the case, then you may not be able to remove it entirely.

Category:Repair & Restoration - Straight Razor Place Library is a great place to start. Lots of great articles on cleaning and restoring a straight razor.

Cheers mate,

i think i need to do some shopping for more sandpaper than what is lying around in the garage.
fingers crossed someone knows about the blade marking.

Nice razor! Seems that this razor was made by Wade Wingfield and Rowbotham for Ward Brothers from Australia.
Originally from England and moved to Australia in the middle 1800's. Federal was their trademark as you can see in their advertisement.

that's fantastic!
So even though it is marked with Sheffield on the tang, would this razor have been made in Australia? and if so could you have a rough guess at its age?
also i think i may have the top half of the box, from what i can make out from your picture/ad and the very faint marking on the box. i think the bottom half has been changed at some point.

Pretty sure this razor was made in Sheffield England, "WADE, WINGFIELD AND ROWBOTHAM. c.1825-1852. This firm became Wingfield & Rowbotham in 1852.

wow 150 odd years, that is quite a lot older than i was expecting.

ok i am kitted up with sandpaper and polish, lets see what i can do.

Thanks again for all your help.

Originally Posted by Martin103

Pretty sure this razor was made in Sheffield England, "WADE, WINGFIELD AND ROWBOTHAM.

By far the majority of razors in Australia were manufactured in Sheffield... when stamped on the tang like the one you have you definitely know which company supplied them, and if razor manufacturers, in all probability the manufacturer. The 'logo' on the blade indicates the company/firm or barbershop they were made for.....
You have a nice English-Australian historic razor there.
Well done
Joan

this is where the razor is at now after a little elbow grease.

Well done! I like that balde etch. Have you gotten to shave with it yet?