Thread: New/old razor - Wade & Butcher - dating?

My first straight razor arrived today.





Ideas for approx. date? 1880s? It only says "Sheffield" (no "England"). It's 1/4 hollow.

Not sure on dates but in the wiki for razors there is the date ranges to each stamp type etc
Nice looking smiling blade blade with nice bone scales
Is it shave ready or going for honing?

Originally Posted by Substance

Not sure on dates but in the wiki for razors there is the date ranges to each stamp type etc
Nice looking smiling blade blade with nice bone scales
Is it shave ready or going for honing?

Can you point me to the relevant bit of the wiki? I haven't been able to find a section with date ranges for stamp types.

It's shave ready (not sure if I am though - still practising).

There was a treaty in 1891, IIRC, in which all of the signatory nations agreed to stamp the country of origin on their cutlery. So if it doesn't have 'Made In England' it is before 1891. Beyond that I don't know. Nice looking razor. Good luck with it.

First straight razor shave - Straight Razor Place Library

I recall reading somewhere around here that WB etched stamps (like yours has) were produced in the 1880's. The absence of the word ENGLAND signifies that it was most likely made prior to 1891/1892 as Jimmy stated above.

Nice little razor. Get busy and give it a work out.

Originally Posted by Wullie

I recall reading somewhere around here that WB etched stamps (like yours has) were produced in the 1880's. The absence of the word ENGLAND signifies that it was most likely made prior to 1891/1892 as Jimmy stated above.

Nice little razor. Get busy and give it a work out.

It doesn't seem to actually be etched, but rather stamped, with wear.

1880s still sounds about right, I would guess - based on what I understand about evolution of tang shapes.

But @Substance's post suggests that there is a list of Wade & Butcher stamps correlated with date ranges somewhere.....

If I'm correct (a rarity) this lovely razor was made somewhere between 1870 (a hollow grind ?)
and 1891 (The Madrid agreement, McKinley Tariff act).
I'm making a bit of a leap here, but whatever, you have a handsome blade

Wade & Butcher - Straight Razor Place Library
Try this if different to above

Originally Posted by Substance

Wade & Butcher - Straight Razor Place Library
Try this if different to above

Has anyone figured out which stamps correlate with which date ranges?

That is an etched stamp.

Those that were stamped have a different look.
Stamped




Etched;


I used the Challenge to illustrate the difference in the look of a stamp versus an etch. If you'll notice on the etched stamp, the bottoms of the letters are flat looking. Stamps on the other hand usually have a "v" profile into the metal. Also the edges of the characters will be sharper with a stamp than an etch. This shows better under high magnification.

W&B etched stamp that is very light from wear.


blade etching of W&B above.


Hope that helps.
W