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The point reminds me of one of the vintage W&B i have.
I'm not saying it's the same but similar.
There was a chip at the point but i think it would have looked similar if it was intact. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...83a1ff25a8.jpg
So i do think it's a vintage style of point with the new razor, i do like it very much.
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Now that is an interesting W&B. Haven't noted one like that before, but then I don't see many W&B's.
Great looking razor, and nice to see it is "universally approved"
Well now that is just lovely. I do like something that looks a littler different from the norm. Great find.
It will not be made in the US.Quote:
Originally Posted by Glock27
Quote:
Originally Posted by GabrielMartin
Indeed very similar, here one showing the original point.
Attachment 257707
Thanks! I always have wondered what it looked like intact.Quote:
Originally Posted by Martin103
I ended up modifying the point on mine. Here's what it looks like today.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...0fb2ec5d79.jpg
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Great save right there
Hi Guys, (I posted this in the Butcher Shop thread, so just re-posting it here).
... It would be nice I won't lie, if there was just some more kind/optimistic support and less unfounded bitterness - having been part of this community for around a decade, it's a bit disappointing being cast as some nameless/anonymous 'foreign' entity rather than as a passionate fellow enthusiast who's just trying to make something extraordinary happen.. Life is just too short guys..
Anyway, I just wanted to lay down some points:
- We’re starting with the ‘Irontusk’ razor as a ‘new’ model simply because the company/brand is being revived and the inaugural product needs to stand on its own merits, not rely wholly on past success. Had we chosen to first create a re-issue of the FBU, folks would be crying that we’re just creating what already exists, and that we have no forward-moving creativity – so we just can’t win whatever we do…
- Can you imagine any Heritage Brand today that doesn’t create new products along with their ‘classics’ ? That would be ridiculous to only live in your company’s past.
- The Irontusk razor – every aspect of it – is critically being aligned to Wade & Butcher precedents. We aren’t making a random gaudy ‘custom’ razor. Its intention is to be quintessentially ‘Wade & Butcher’, so as to inaugurate this restart of the brand.
- So, we have a notched point, a deep jimped thumb-notch, a shoulderless ½ hollow grind, a smiling edge, flowing/Victorian lines, a ‘black-polish’ mirror finish throughout, a rounded spine, an extended tang/tail that is reminiscent of an African elephant tusk (this is an iteration of W&B’s ‘improved tang’, and of course ties in with the new production locale of South Africa). In fact, the city I’m in is called ‘Place of the Elephants’ in Zulu. Also, 'uncharted Africa', and especially the elephant and their tusks/Ivory are prominent elements in the Victorian era/age of exploration – the real heyday of our brand and an aesthetic that really appeals to me most. So every aspect of our ‘new’ razor is actually painstakingly being thought out to represent the very best of W&B and the era of the brand’s greatest successes. Even the markings on the tang are being deep-engraved (as you would see on the movement of a fine Swiss watch) and their placement and even the kerning of the letters is being carefully thought out. We aren’t using this electro-etch method that most custom makers use (it’s frankly just a terrible marking method in my opinion). And stamped marks leave inconsistent depths and a mushroom effect on the edges, that just signals ‘mass-production’.
- OF COURSE we will bring back all the classics – in due course. Why would folks assume that we wouldn’t, even after I have said repeatedly that it is in our roadmap... We’ll be slowly rebuilding our catalogue with: FBU, Anchor, Diamond Edge, Arrow Razor, Bow Razor, Special, Double Swaged, Frameback. Etc. You can either have it done slowly with extreme care, or rushed and sloppy – you can’t have it all, all at once guys...
- The different models will have different pricing, as indeed the makeup of each model will require different processes/materials. Not all will have custom presentation cases for example, some models will have aluminium cases, some will have embossed cardboard coffins.
- As for the pricing on the Irontusk razor, it's likely going to be around the $1800 mark (which includes intl. courier). This is an inaugural/showpiece model, with incredibly costly materials and processes. The razors will ship with a handcrafted custom wooden presentation case (lined interior), foiled and embossed certificate/art cards, and a fit and finish that is obsessively precise - far in excess of most custom makers work, yet at a comparable price point to some of them. This point we've intensely deliberated upon, and proudly I believe that we will offer more objective value, than any other razor in this bracket.
- Irontusk pre-orders will open closer to end of this year.
So I implore you to please have patience, faith, and hopeful expectations. I know we won’t please everyone (some folks just love to hate), but I’m optimistic that many of you will be very pleased indeed.
Thanks friends,
Sincerely,
- Mike
Good luck Mike and looking forward to seeing a finished example of the Irontusk.
Bob
Wishing you the best and looking forward to seeing the fruits of your labor
Good luck sir.
I look forward to seeing W&B come back and hope to obtain one once they are out.
I'm sure it will look amazing I look forward to the unveiling only wish I could afford that first edition model.
Nicely written Michael.
As someone sang, haters gonna hate. But shavers gonna shave IMO.
A good razor makes it's own friends and legend..
I look forward to your roll out and hope to have one of your new WB's to finish on my ZG. The irontusk looks like a fine first market entry to me. I have never been one to buy brand new, but with what I've seen thus far, your iteration is tempting me to revisit that stance..
Best of luck and make sure you reach out to those of us that already registered on your site..
:beer1:
Thanks for the update. It sounds like it's going to be a beauty.
Thank you for the update on price and timeline.
It is more expensive than I had hoped for, but I understand cost recovery. At least now I know how much money to set aside for a Christmas present to myself.
Ignore the haters, you have a lot of supporters.
Well Mike. Ornately stated. My perspective is why sweat the small stuff. You are doing which is usually more than critics do. I recall movies which critics call a catastrophic failure but ticket sales soar into the wild blue yonder. One need only see what the audiance's response is going to be. If you sell out then all the sweat was for nothing. Let the product prove its point words will never accomplish what the final product can.
Now, this is nothing more than an old mans opinion and that is exactly what it is, an opinion, just like so many others on the site.
Chin up and stick it out there.
Micheal
As Ive said before, opinions are like arseholes, everyones got one. I admire your commitment and wish you well in your endeavour.
Mark Watterson turned around the Simpsons brand, I hope you can do the same.
I might have to result in robbing banks or selling body parts to afford one though. Dont need a kidney by any chance?...
Best of luck with the project. Out of my league, but if you need a test pilot...
Sent from a moto x far far away
People around here do the same with a new business, they knock it down before it starts and then it's closed before ya know. I for one applaud you and wish you success! I will gladly add a new w&b to my collection if it costs me a kidney. Best of luck sir
Hey Michael,
Looks like you're getting good, positive support. I too am looking forward to your new line.
BTW, love that Zulu Grey stone.
Good luck. Wish I could afford one. I'll just have to settle for looking at pics and maybe buy one for ten bucks on eBay in about 100-150 years.
Thanks for the update! The estimated price point now puts me in the camp of persons who will look forward to seeing it, and waiting for the other lines that you mentioned to roll out. The description sounds awesome though!
Thank you for the update, I will definitely be looking forward to your razors. Best of luck!
Any news/ updates on the Wade & Butcher reboot? Those guys would be smart to keep feeding us crumbs to keep our appetites hungry.
Ive lost interest to be honest, I was really looking forward to seeing progress but nada. The Facebook doesnt give much away either. :(
I think I am in this boat as well. I was really excited about this, but there is no way in hell Im even thinking about an $1800 razor. As a knife maker , this blows my mind.Quote:
Originally Posted by markbignosekelly
I wish you luck.
1800 bucks? you gotta be kidding! what are they smoking?Quote:
Originally Posted by AKmik
Personally, buy a resurrected one for the price of a used car, or 4 or 5 of the real deal in spiffy condition?
Personally, I know here my cash would go...back in time thank-you very much....now at $500 USD...you'd probably sink me for one no problemo.;)
$500 would still be a little steep for me, but at $1800 bucks! what kind of market do they think exists?
Stay Sharp
I have followed Mike from way back and have been patient but at $1800 that is way out of most shaver's range so by it costing almost 3X's what a Damascus cost and 6X's what a normal high quality straight cost they are really cutting out a huge market base but I do wish them the best is there endeavor and sadly I won't be involved in any first issue.
I was all excited too and had been saving up in my acquisition fund, but when I heard the price, I decided that I'd use my funds to set up and try my hand at restoring my own razors, starting with some W&Bs which was very gratifying. I wish the endeavor well though and look forward to some other resurrected blades that come in at a lower price point.
Meh. No matter what they call it, it's not a Wade & Butcher and never will be. I hate to see them exploit the name like that. Just my opinion.
At $1800 I could buy 60+ vintage ones in the wild at the price I usually pay. I know it's very cool and brand new but I personally couldn't/wouldn't pay half that much for a new one
Call me a hater but this is not the direction I want to see the WB name go.
..for the 1800$...you can get a used car...the new iphone and a handgun:)...@4 custom Ali's blades...or any other custom made razors for that matter...
The most important thing is the market always has and always will self regulate...
I remember people used to pay high $$$ for Hinderer knives and Strider knives once they made it to the market...but the competition offered similar or better quality for a smaller price so they eventualy had to drop prices to keep business going...
I predict this is going to happen eventualy if they somehow manage to survive and deliver quality products...
Buying a 1800$ limited edition/first production is a gamble...if they manage the pressure and keep the lineage going maybe the razors will keep the value in time and they will be remembered as the ones that resurected a legendary brand...
If they fail to seduce the market...and survive...you're stuck wuth an overpriced piece of steel that you wont ever get your money back on.
For this maney I belive you can have any custom maker make a design of your choise in any steel and material no matter how valuable...
get a proffesional engraver to decorate it...have it gold plated and scaled in mamuth ivory.
Heck at 42$/gr of gold you can have a solid 24 k gold scaled one and still have $$$ for a high end custom blade to put it in...
The options are endless ... what they come up with has to be mind botling to be worth it.
But what do I know ... i'm just a hater with a few choppers in my collection.
Maybe a little perspective is in order.
$1800 in today's money would have been about $65 in say 1890, when you could have bought an original W&B. That was astronomical, a good razor would have been around a dollar, and we've all seen those early 20th century boxes marked with prices from $1-3. And Thuringians and coticules also for around a dollar. The only razor that would have been worth that much would have been one with jeweled scales or perhaps that belonged to a famous person, but none on their merits as a razor.
But it isn't unheard of. A NOS Iwasaki Western tamehagane will routinely fetch considerably more, $2800-3200. I don't have one of those either, and don't plan on buying one unless one shows up at the flea market, lol. The most expensive non-collector, non-custom (IOW production) razor I've seen other than the Iwasaki has been a NOS Le Grelot 14 in original ivory with box and papers that sold for around $900. Would either be a good investment? In a word, no, because you can't hone them, the collectors value would plummet.
If we limit our field to razors that can be honed without losing value, we're likely talking about a boxed pair of antique used decorated scale razors made for the upper crust of society, but still they're not a lot more than say a pair of new high-end Thiers-Issard razors. A year ago I saw a new TI in ivory at Planete Rasoir in Paris with papers, 900€ I believe, and a TI damascus is also in that range.
So if he gets the price down to $900, he's at least competing with the high end of 'normal' razors.
Cheers, Steve
If e.g. Joe Edson can do what he does for under $1000 (his range varies but he produces some FINE pieces for that or much less), I can't imagine what can really drive the price of these up to $1800 standard. And I think the best tribute to the WB brand (production pieces) would be to make modern production pieces, which can be done in interesting original-inspired blade shapes. But that's just my two cents...
Yeah, no way a modern "Wade and Butcher" will sell for even half that price. I think the market will speak on this idea...
Hi Guys,
So as to keep this thread updated on our progress I just wanted to point out a quick video we just added to our FB page showing the deep engraving for the makers mark on the Irontusk razor (some adjustment still ongoing with some of the letterforms, leading, kerning etc.) but it shows off the general quality of the engraving that one can expect on the final razor. I know many may not care much about a makers mark, but I really believe it needs to be done properly.
https://www.facebook.com/wadeandbutc...6203903520830/
Then in terms of pricing, it really is a bit premature to discuss as we haven't yet launched the actual razor - but I do understand the need to chat about cost etc. I think though that this will always be quite a subjective thing.. For our part though, the suggested pricing for the Irontusk razor at around $1800 is for the complete package as we envision it right now, and we believe that it is quite commensurate to what is actually being offered.
Let me do some points as I find it easier:
1. The razor will come standard with a handcrafted hardwood presentation case, brass-inlayed, with premium Alcantara fitted interior. It's a premium product in and of itself, and it is pricey to create..
2. The materials used for each razor are expensive right off the shelf just as unworked raw materials. We have Zirconium for the wedges for example..
3. The number of hours of labour going in to each razor to ensure the absolute highest level of fit-and-finish are far in excess of what is needed to just 'make a working razor', even in excess of a good few current custom makers to be honest.
4. The packaging and accompanying paperwork, as simple a thing as it may seem to highlight, is again in itself quite costly (hand letterpressed and foiled certificates, done one at a time for example).
5. The pivot system is a custom designed and micro-machined titanium bullseye pivot, with custom Maltese cross interface and custom accompanying driver tool. (you see the pricing might make more sense once viewed against the complete package..)
That is just some of what is going into each product.
But can everyone swing close on $2K for a razor, no matter what they are getting in return? No, and again the 'value' of any item is always going to be subjective.
But I want everyone to know that I do hear you, and I do appreciate that the suggested pricing for this first razor is 'expensive'. So this has given me quite a bit to think about. As I said, the vision was for the complete package, and for the output to always be highly limited especially for this first razor... But perhaps by separating out the presentation case as an optional extra and also making some clever concessions in material choice and even packaging, we can likely bring the cost down quite a bit and thus open up the market.
Remember also, that in due course we are bringing out various other models, all at differing price points, as well as various other shaving goods.
Bottom line: We are trying to make the very best razors possible, bearing a legendary name, but it means nothing if they aren't in the hands of the people that matter the most. So please hang in there, and know that we are listening.
Cheers,
- Mike
