Thread: 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!

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?

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?

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.

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.

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.