Finds: Wade & Butcher and James Barlow & Sons

[MrDarrenMo]

Hey all!

I visited a few antique stores today with the wife and came across these babies (hopefully attached).

I'd still consider myself a newbie (shaving for over a year), and I've been looking for more razors to add to my collection. I really liked the feel of my Great Grandfather's Wade & Butcher, and have been looking for one to either fix up or just start shaving with. I'm not very knowledgable, so if anyone would like to comment on these, I'd be super appreciative.

1) Wade & Butcher Sheffield 6/8" (with Arrow) - and maybe black horn or bone? Not sure. Bought for $60

2) I think this is a 5/8" "James Barlow & Sons | Manufactures Sheffield | Corporate Mark" The scales also say "The Old English Razor." Bought for $25.

I could actually take hair off my arm with both of them. Both are in great condition, and have straight to slight smile. I think I did well?? Any info would be awesome. Thanks so much!

Darren

[MrDarrenMo]

I just want to make sure these are legit. I'll probably send to LarryAndro or Gssixgun for honing and advice. The James Barlow stamp seems a bit off, but maybe that is common? If anyone has experience with these razors, I'd love some info. Thanks again!

Darren

[engine46]

I have one of each of those razors. I actually have quite a few Wade & Butcher's & I have two James Barlow & Sons, one just like yours.

James Barlow specialized in scissor & razors though he dealt in pen & pocket knives. He was apparently the son of James Barlow who operated James Barlow & Co. & his wife Mary. By the early 1820's, James Barlow was directing his own business in Broad Street. Between 1825 & the 1850's, he was based in Allen Street, where he built up a substantial operation. In 1852, he told the Census that he employed 61 workers. Barlow, who lived in Brookhill, was a traveller for the firm.
James Barlow & Sons was located in Rockingham Street 1856 & then Garden Street 1859. The corporate mark was the word "ECHO", which had been used by Peter Spurr. James Barlow died in Broomhall Street on 15 June 1869 aged 78. He was succeeded by his sons John 1815-1904 & James 1823-1900. By the 1870's the works was located Norfolk Street. In 1881 the firm employed 54 workers. By the end of the 1880's, James, a bachelor shared a house with John in Western Bank. In old age James suffered from depression &physical ailments. He became averse to travelling w/o a companion & used Laudanum to dull his pain. He died 20 June 1900 at 77, having been found by his housekeeper on the floor of his bedroom the previous morning. The inquest found he had overdosed on Laudanum, but the jury was unable to determine this was a suicide. His brother seemed to have continued the business briefly. John Barlow died on 31 October 1904 at 89. Until 1918 the company continued to be listed at Era Works, Wheeldon Street but then disappeared. By 1919 This. Ellin owned the name J. Barlow & Sons, Sheffield. The "ECHO" mark was later used by Thomas Shemeld & then by George Hides.

I could say some about Wade & Butcher but not now, it is late & it covers 6 pages in my book!

[rolodave]

The WB is horn and needs an application of Neat's Foot Oil.
The Barlow, I think, is blond horn and should also be oiled. I don't think the oil will bother the gold as it appears well worn.

Both are great looking blades. Congrats on a good find.

[Wullie]

They're both legit. It's not uncommon to see tang stamps that are crooked and incomplete.

Counterfeiting razor tang stamps isn't particularly lucrative like it can be with regards to knives and pocket knives.

Nice razors. ENJOY!

[sharptonn]

They look to be old regrinds, possibly. Should be awesome shavers!

[Phrank]

I have one of each of those razors. I actually have quite a few Wade & Butcher's & I have two James Barlow & Sons, one just like yours.

James Barlow specialized in scissor & razors though he dealt in pen & pocket knives. He was apparently the son of James Barlow who operated James Barlow & Co. & his wife Mary. By the early 1820's, James Barlow was directing his own business in Broad Street. Between 1825 & the 1850's, he was based in Allen Street, where he built up a substantial operation. In 1852, he told the Census that he employed 61 workers. Barlow, who lived in Brookhill, was a traveller for the firm.
James Barlow & Sons was located in Rockingham Street 1856 & then Garden Street 1859. The corporate mark was the word "ECHO", which had been used by Peter Spurr. James Barlow died in Broomhall Street on 15 June 1869 aged 78. He was succeeded by his sons John 1815-1904 & James 1823-1900. By the 1870's the works was located Norfolk Street. In 1881 the firm employed 54 workers. By the end of the 1880's, James, a bachelor shared a house with John in Western Bank. In old age James suffered from depression &physical ailments. He became averse to travelling w/o a companion & used Laudanum to dull his pain. He died 20 June 1900 at 77, having been found by his housekeeper on the floor of his bedroom the previous morning. The inquest found he had overdosed on Laudanum, but the jury was unable to determine this was a suicide. His brother seemed to have continued the business briefly. John Barlow died on 31 October 1904 at 89. Until 1918 the company continued to be listed at Era Works, Wheeldon Street but then disappeared. By 1919 This. Ellin owned the name J. Barlow & Sons, Sheffield. The "ECHO" mark was later used by Thomas Shemeld & then by George Hides.

I could say some about Wade & Butcher but not now, it is late & it covers 6 pages in my book!

Excellent information - here is one that was restored with the ECHO mark you mention.

Both nice razors Darren!

[MrDarrenMo]

They look to be old regrinds, possibly. Should be awesome shavers!

Thanks, Sharptonn

Forgive me for not knowing, but what is a regrind? And do you think I paid an okay amount? $60 for WB and $25 for the James Barlow & Sons. It seemed like a pretty good deal because I felt the blades looked in great shape - and I've seen WB go for much much more when all fixed up. I guess there are scrapes/scuffs that I can one day learn to take out after more research and meet-ups with straight razor vets.

Thanks to everyone for your helpful comments.

[sharptonn]

As to a regrind, Look at where the blade meets tang. The double-stabilizer on the W&B is way too narrow for a factory job. Also the hefty tang tells the rest of the story. On the other, the Barlow, same applies, except the grinder went almost up to the tang.
Both look to me to have been reground from old wedges. A good thing, IMO. The factories and grinders reground these beasts on a regular basis. Made for much better shavers, IMO. They knew what they were doing! As to money? Don't get me started. Against forum rules.

[MrDarrenMo]

Oops, sorry about brining up money! I wasn't aware. Now I am.

Thanks for the great info. I guess I got excited seeing the Wade & Butcher and Sheffield stamps. Do they still hold value being regrinds? I only have one Dovo that I use on a regular basis, so I can put these in my shaving rotation. I was just hoping that if I had to re-sell I didn't get burned.