Wade & Sheffield - For Barber Use

Hi, new guy here so I hope I'm posting in the appropriate forum. I bought this razor many years ago at a garage sale and am thinking about trying to use it. I think it needs to be honed, as there is a small roll at the tip of the rounded corner/end that can be felt with a fingernail. Also, I think I might want to replace the scales with something a but stiffer. There is a part of the horn by the wedge that catches the blade if it's not closed very carefully. Does this razor appear to just need a good honing done to get rid of the rolled bevel at the tip? Thanks for having me here!

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It'll definitely need to be honed, and I would suggest sending it out if you're not comfortable doing it yourself. The chip should be honed out, but I would definitely NOT recommend honing it with the intent of removing the rolled bevel at the tip as you put it. That's something that happens to many razors when the very tip gets worked more than the rest of the blade (could be from lifting the back of the blade when the toe is on the hone or something like that).

I also would suggest not replacing the scales if it can be avoided. Those are the original scales and pins/washers, and IMO add to the value (non-monetary as well as monetary). Tightening the pivot pin could fix the issue (don't recommend you attempt it if you don't know how). But it's your razor to do with as you like.

As it sits, what kind of value does it hold? I've never used a straight razor, so would I be better off selling this one as-is and purchasing a new decent user? This razor holds no sentimental value from me. I've watched a few videos on honing a straight razor, and it doesn't look to complicated. I'm used to sharpening hunting/skinning knives, so the concept isn't terrible far off from those methods, just a bit more refined.

If I try honing it and mess it up, what kind of money would I be out instead of selling as is?

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Originally Posted by lazyMlazyK

As it sits, what kind of value does it hold? I've never used a straight razor, so would I be better off selling this one as-is and purchasing a new decent user? This razor holds no sentimental value from me. I've watched a few videos on honing a straight razor, and it doesn't look to complicated. I'm used to sharpening hunting/skinning knives, so the concept isn't terrible far off from those methods, just a bit more refined.

If I try honing it and mess it up, what kind of money would I be out instead of selling as is?

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Sorry but monetary values aren't allowed here.

Honing isn't for the weak of heart. I would suggest to send it out for honing.

It is a desirable razor and deserves a pro to hone it for you.

Nice razor. The old wedges are a bit tricky to hone so as advised, send it out.
Sharpening a knife is a lot different to honing a razor.

Pm Sent...

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As recommended above, send it out for honing, or sell it.

If Outback is PMing you, take him up on his offer whatever it is. Unless he is trying to talk you out of it. Then just send it to me. LOL.
That razor deserves a proper job done to it and he does good work. It does fall into the category of a well-wanted razor. So it does have value.
But as Roy said, we don't put a money value on razors. It is worth what someone is willing to pay. And that can change week to week and person to person.

A good restore job will bring it back to useable status. Looks like the heal might need a little work too. And keep the original scales. Yes, they are not pretty but in that day horn was what was used.

Get it fixed up and we will be happy to help you to learn to use it. And NO! Razor honing is not like knife sharpening! It takes many many hours of learning to do it right and a lot of practice. Please don't try to hone that one yourself. Buy some vintage American razors from 1920 or 1930 to learn to hone. And be ready to spend months and months and possibly a year or two learning. Depending on how much time you put into it.

Welcome to SRP! We have a great bunch of guys here that are willing to help you learn this way of shaving, collecting, or whatever you want to learn about wet shaving.

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Originally Posted by cudarunner

Sorry but monetary values aren't allowed here.

Honing isn't for the weak of heart. I would suggest to send it out for honing.

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Sorry about that, I still need to go through the forum rules and stickys. Maybe once my boys are in bed for the night I can look them over some.

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Originally Posted by Gasman

If Outback is PMing you, take him up on his offer whatever it is. Unless he is trying to talk you out of it. Then just send it to me. LOL.
That razor deserves a proper job done to it and he does good work. It does fall into the category of a well-wanted razor. So it does have value.
But as Roy said, we don't put a money value on razors. It is worth what someone is willing to pay. And that can change week to week and person to person.

A good restore job will bring it back to useable status. Looks like the heal might need a little work too. And keep the original scales. Yes, they are not pretty but in that day horn was what was used.

Get it fixed up and we will be happy to help you to learn to use it. And NO! Razor honing is not like knife sharpening! It takes many many hours of learning to do it right and a lot of practice. Please don't try to hone that one yourself. Buy some vintage American razors from 1920 or 1930 to learn to hone. And be ready to spend months and months and possibly a year or two learning. Depending on how much time you put into it.

Welcome to SRP! We have a great bunch of guys here that are willing to help you learn this way of shaving, collecting, or whatever you want to learn about wet shaving.

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Thanks!! Outback and I have been in touch - he seems like a real stand-up fella! Sorry about asking about monetary value, just trying to weigh my options and my best path forward. My old electric razor is getting dull and weak, and the disposable razors I have give me a bad razor burn, so I'm wanting to try something different - and I appreciate the nostalgia around straight razors and their use. Thanks for being so helpful guys, I really appreciate it!! Now to learn more about brushes and all the other gear!

Be sure to take a little time and check out our library. Great info for beginners. Glad Mike is getting going in the right direction.

It might be a good idea to try to buy another razor or two from him. He has plenty. :rofl2: As when learning to shave its best to have more than one. He can help get you something more the right size and shape for learning with as that W&B is great but a bit large for learning with. JMO.

Totally agree with Gasman. Gotta have a few straights in rotation. Learning with an FBU isn't the norm, so I'll get em fixed up.

But wow.!! What a first razor, to have. As most would consider it as part of the holy grail, of razors.

Not that its rare, just in good condition for its age.


LMK....You asked for some before n after pics of my work

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All my work is done by hand, no buffers or grinders. Just me n ol' elbo grease to get r done.

Wow Mike, maybe you could shave some weight off me, shine me up and make me look young and pretty too :D

I'm busy with my own transformation, Steve. Since this time last year, I weighed 268 lbs.

This morning I'm at 215.6 and still dropping. This is the least I've weighed since 1984, my junior highschool days.

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Originally Posted by outback

I'm busy with my own transformation, Steve. Since this time last year, I weighed 268 lbs.

This morning I'm at 215.6 and still dropping. This is the least I've weighed since 1984, my junior highschool days.

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Super impressed, in the past I have gone from 270 to 210 by eating nothing but chicken or salmon and salad for months. My sugar went very low (I have to be careful because I am diabetic on insulin) and I only went to the loo twice a week but as soon as I stopped the chicken and salad the weight immediately started coming back at the rate of 3lbs a day. I am back to 270 again, just don't know what to do, when I lose weight I like to see a lb a day coming off or I don't feel it's working.

Awesome find. Those are definitely sought after so I wouldn't sell it to get something else. Even a new razor would likely need more honing to get it shave ready. Outback can definitely help you get it shaving.

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Originally Posted by outback

I'm busy with my own transformation, Steve. Since this time last year, I weighed 268 lbs.

This morning I'm at 215.6 and still dropping. This is the least I've weighed since 1984, my junior highschool days.

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Great! I really need to lose some weight too so I'm changing my diet and working on changing bad habits.

I would love to have a old wedge like what the OP posted but all the ones I’ve seen are way past my skills for restoration.

Just a note, that one is not a wedge. The wedge models have FBU on the tang. No blade etch. No stabilizer.

Surprising amount of 'personality' in the hollow ground ones. If someone has not attacked it, a great shaver.

I recommend to go lightly on it....

Wedge...

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Hollow...


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First of all welcome to SRP. Hope you enjoy your time here. Talk about walking through a cow pasture and stepping in a pile of gold!!! If you didn't know by now, that is one of the most sought after razors there is and you found it at a garage sale??? WTH?!?! Where am I when these garage sales are happening???:shrug: I had to spend stupid money to get my first FBU. Speaking of which... Although we don't do valuations here you can easily see what they go for by doing a search on fleaBay. I would agree that you are best advised NOT to start off with that razor. That said, once you get a handle on straight shaving that razor (with proper treatment ahead of it of course) will be a real treat to shave with. I have spent a small fortune amassing a modest collection of FBUs and I love them more than is healthy for a normal human being.... actually I might need a little therapy for it.

Congratulations to you for your find and please keep us appraised of your progress with it and your other razor pursuits.

By the way I'm going to send you a PM... to the rest of you, PMing with something helpful, NOT trying to separate him from his FBU...see? I know how you think!:nono:

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Originally Posted by outback

I'm busy with my own transformation, Steve. Since this time last year, I weighed 268 lbs.

This morning I'm at 215.6 and still dropping. This is the least I've weighed since 1984, my junior highschool days.

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Don't overdo it Mike! Sometimes a transformation such as this can have really bad side effects. Careful my friend!

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Originally Posted by outback

I'm busy with my own transformation, Steve. Since this time last year, I weighed 268 lbs.

This morning I'm at 215.6 and still dropping. This is the least I've weighed since 1984, my junior highschool days.

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I know you're on insulin, like me.

When i go on one of my famous yoyo diets and eat really low carb, my bedtime sugar is so low that i don't take the insulin. Keep an eye on yer sugar Mike, low sugar on insulin can affect you driving license - can in Ontario Drivers License anyway, low sugar is one of the renewal questions. They actually ask about insulin but the lady behind the counter told me that I don't have to mention insulin unless i get sugar lows.

Mines usually 115 in the morning, mid 90s in the afternoon, and higher in the evening.

My biggest problem is the time i eat dinner.

I don't get home till 6-7:30, so I don't get much time to burn much off during winter. Warmer times I'll be outside doing more, so should change.

Its all new to me, Steve. But I'm gettin the hang of things real quick.

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Originally Posted by outback

Mines usually 115 in the morning, mid 90s in the afternoon, and higher in the evening.

My biggest problem is the time i eat dinner.

I don't get home till 6-7:30, so I don't get much time to burn much off during winter. Warmer times I'll be outside doing more, so should change.

Its all new to me, Steve. But I'm gettin the hang of things real quick.

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I'm having problems with mine, I'm increasing it every few days until it sorts itself out, I don't know what's gone wrong.

I had a sugar of 17.3 last night. I took 20 units of Lantus and my fasting was 11.1

I know Canada is different but my fasting should be below 7.

Where do you put the needle Mike, mine is in my stomach and I have to admit that the first time I did it, I spent about 30 minutes with the needle a few inches from my stomach before i plucked up the courage to stick it in.

Yep...stomach. It doesn't phase me, to do the injections.

A mosquito hurts way more than the needle. And way less than an amputation. Look at it that way , buddy.

Anyhoo.....way off course here, fellas. Maybe a separate thread for us diabetic guys is in order.

Nice razor. The old wedges are a bit tricky to hone so as advised, send it out.
Sharpening a knife is a lot different to honing a razor.




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Good thing its a hollow ground razor, then. :rofl2:

If you decide you don't want it anymore and want to chuck it out I can dispose of it for you...:nj..just sayin'

Just an example of the transformation that thing can undergo.
Here's one I restored.
Before:

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I wish I had more of the scales before. They were really rough... anyway

After:

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And if you have Mike working on it you can't lose. His work makes mine look like amateur hour stuff...no pressure Mike.

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Originally Posted by cudarunner

Sorry but monetary values aren't allowed here.

Honing isn't for the weak of heart. I would suggest to send it out for honing.

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While your razor is out getting honed, get a strop and learn to use it with a butter knife. Then you won't wreck the razor and your strop when you get it back.