Thread: The "NEW" Wade & Butcher

Originally Posted by PaulFLUS

it would be a shame not to see this come to fruition.

For some yes, for others not really. I, for one, couldn't care less.

There are many outstanding artisan razor makers that produce high quality products and deliver. I understand marketing, but I also like humble people that let their PRODUCTS do the talking, not their mouths.

The way they are overhyping their own product (by using the benefit and name of a big historical razor maker with whom they have no affiliation to my knowledge) and treating it as a highly exclusive product at an exuberant price without backing any of it up by deeds, turns me off of their company for anything they might ever produce.

They did everything backwards in my book.

Originally Posted by TristanLudlow

For some yes, for others not really. I, for one, couldn't care less.

There are many outstanding artisan razor makers that produce high quality products and deliver. I understand marketing, but I also like humble people that let their PRODUCTS do the talking, not their mouths.

The way they are overhyping their own product (by using the benefit and name of a big historical razor maker with whom they have no affiliation to my knowledge) and treating it as a highly exclusive product at an exuberant price without backing any of it up by deeds, turns me off of their company for anything they might ever produce.

They did everything backwards in my book.

Please don't misunderstand. I am not trying to be adversarial but it seems like this has turned into a bash-fest. Wade & Butcher was iconic for good reason. I have 4 of them. My Special is my most prized razor. I too would hate to see things turn out any way except as a worthy continuance of the heritage they left. The fact is, whether we like it or not they have begun the process. It seems like a lot of what I am reading is pre-conceived negativity. Why judge them before they have released a single blade? Perhaps they are reading this and saying, "Man! We had better get this right!" Perhaps that is why they haven't launched yet. They obviously respect the name in the way that we do or else they wouldn't have chosen it. perhaps I see the world through rose-colored glasses but I'm just more optimistic than that. I say we give them a chance to do something right and not judge them before they've made a single razor. I don't claim to know everything there is to know about this but I have not seen anything yet that makes me prejudge them as a company before I see a product. I for one am going to "stay calm and carry on" until I see reason to do otherwise.
And by the way, I do agree with you that actions speak louder than words but the words are out there. It would be a shame if the actions don't match.

I might have come off a bit strong.

the brand should be looked at like a new company rather than a "reboot" of the old. Nothing about the steel is the same, it's being made outside of the UK, and the proprietor has no ties that I am aware of to W&B. I don't see it as stealing the welfare of an old brand but a commitment to continue such quality and honor the quality of old.

Can't recall which member mentioned this, but I don't fully agree with the last sentence, I think that's what's rubbing me the wrong way about this whole thing. Take away the "W&B" branding and it's a totally different story imo.

Also, there were some things I read that the owner of the 'new' company said and some answers he gave that has put a negative spin on the whole "W&B reboot" for me, but that's a purely subjective perception, others might agree or disagree.

In fairness, I have to plead some ignorance here. Others may know or have seen and heard thing I haven't. If I'm not mistaken Indian motorcycle's relaunch was less than perfect but now they are something to behold. It takes a lot of chutzpah to revisit an icon like one of these. You'll always be judged by the standard of your namesake...maybe unfairly so. I think about the movie Christmas Vacation when Clark finally gets the house lit and his father-in-law says "the little lights aren't twinkling Clark." How high the bar they've set for themselves. Some people will never be on board no matter how good they are IF they ever are. Wouldn't we all love it if it (a relaunch) were as if they never went away? THAT is what I personally am hoping for.

Indian motorcycles have been relaunched many times over the years and all have been failures up to maybe the present version.

It took a large company with enough resources to accomplish that.

They probably could have launched their own version and got a good market share.

Originally Posted by 32t

Indian motorcycles have been relaunched many times over the years and all have been failures up to maybe the present version.

It took a large company with enough resources to accomplish that.

They probably could have launched their own version and got a good market share.

Again, I am not an expert on this topic either but I know that one recent version was not so hot but the current one is good. Maybe what is made now is not the same company but it seems to me that this is illustrative of a couple of points. 1) a relaunch of an icon is a recicpe for failure, at least potentially. 2) it CAN be done right with the right level of care and expertise.

Call it childish naivety but I for one am hoping for the second illustation. I guess my sentiments most properly put is, since they have set out on this venture it would be a shame to see it a) Peter out and never come to pass or worse, b) come out as something unrecognizable as or a disgrace to the name. I just want to see it done right since they have whet my appetite.

Wade's were made well for the time period. Their wedges are 30-40% warped. Not knocking them either. I've had several dozen over the years. And sold every one. I don't think they shave any better than anything else. JMO.

I am in the "I support anyone who has anything to do with straight razors" camp.

I hope they keep moving towards the re-launch.

What is in the past is in the past.

There is an Indian dealer close to me With a full line of bikes. I have to say the look great & they sell a lot of them. I had an uncle who before WW-2 raced & hill climbed Indians & loved them because they had an oil pump where Harley did not. During the war before he went to Europe he was involved in Motor cycle testing & to him the Indian won on all tests.Losing so many contracts to Harley started their demise & with the start on the import bike craze after the war there just was not enough market share for two US motorcycle Companies. I have to say if I was in the market for a motorcycle & had the money to spend I would get the new Indian over the H.D..

Slawman