Thread: Anyone know about this razor?

I am new to straight razor shaving and I have just ordered a new razor. I was at my parents and told my Dad about my desire to learn. He disappeared for a bit while I talked to my Mom. He returned and handed my this razor. It was his Dad's razor. The box says Wade and Butcher, but the blade is marked only Special USA. It meant a lot that he gave it to me as I never knew it existed. I will decide later if I want to have it polished and sharpened or just keep it the way that I received it. Although it would be cool to shave with the same razor that my Papa did. Thanks for any information.

You will discover that Wade and Butcher is one of the most respected old Sheffield (British) brands. It's hard to tell much from that partial pic on low light, but it could definitely use some cleaning up with 0000 steel wool, a rag and your favorite metal polish (Mother's, MAAS, Flitz, 3M Marine, Wenol and other all work).

As far as honing and using, the edge is pretty clearly corroded by rust (which it would have to be honed past to good steel-you can't shave with that). It has also been honed up into the stabilizer at the rear of the blade, and appears to have what we call a frown approaching the center of the blade, which happens when someone hones too aggressively in the center of the blade.

It might be salvageable in the right hands, though it looks iffy. Either way, it would make a wonderful display piece/keepsake, and you could always get more serviceable razors if that one can't be saved for use and you really want to shave like Papa did. You might even end up with dozens or hundreds like some on here! Keep us posted, and show well-lit pics of the entire razor after it's been cleaned and polished a bit.

I personally would just clean it up some with metal polish maybe 1500-2000 grit sandpaper first and keep it as display piece. Make sure to get a decent strop but probably a cheaper/budget strop (will likely knick your first strop). What new razor did you end up getting?

Yeah, the pictures are not very good. The stamp just says Special and USA. I will probably keep it the way it is. The one I ordered is a Dovo Solingen. Thanks

Does the blade say Wade and Butcher anywhere? Im guessing that the box may be W&B but the razor may not be. But still, a razor made in the USA is a great razor. I think you would be better off just cleaning it up to help cut down on any rust getting worse and keep it as a piece of your history.

I have my father's razor which I think belonged to my grandfather. It is Cool to have but I would not recommend starting with it. If it were me I would get the hang of it with your new Dovo and preserve it. If you get to the point as many of us do where you are collecting them and restore them to at least some degree I would still NOT start with your heirloom. Many or Dare I say most of us who have done so have had those "uh oh" moments. You don't want that to happen to your grandfather's razor.
Aaron I saw that frown too but I have almost decided it is a shadow that made it look like a frown.
Jerry, could that be a Wade and Butcher Special made for US market? If it is that might change it for my opinion's sake. The WB Special I have is a fabulous shaver. If so i might get that thing restored and use it.

Edit: ...restored and use it AFTER you are accustomed to shaving with a SR.

Put a light coat of oil on it...put it away, for now.

Give it to your son, so he can pass it on. Family heirlooms are priceless, and part of your history.

Thanks for the information. I will clean it and put some oil on it for now. It is an heirloom that I will hold on to until I pass it down. I did attach a little better picture of the stamp. Hope everyone has a great day!

Originally Posted by Jwhall

Thanks for the information. I will clean it and put some oil on it for now. It is an heirloom that I will hold on to until I pass it down. I did attach a little better picture of the stamp. Hope everyone has a great day!

Good choice for the time being. After you get the hang of it I think I would clean it up and use it. There's something special about using an heirloom especially if you have fond memories of the person it came from. Also I think it's a tribute to them to revitalize something that came from them...a memorial of sorts. Just do it right so you don't get the OH $#!+ moment.

The word "special" on Wade & Butcher is a fancier type face. This one being plain and with U.S.A. I would say is not W & B.