Thread: Wade & Butcher recommendation

...or this one.



Not as fancy but it's a commemorative razor of the "Know Nothing Movement" and possibly the only one in existence.

@PaulFLUS & @outback OK you two, seeing as how you are both heavily into the restoration of SR's and have a good selection and knowledge of Wade & Butcher SR's! Can you give me some idea of what I can or should expect to pay for a NICE example of a known blade that could be seen as a bit of a prize or special!?! Not looking for anything over 8/8" as I don't think I could handle that size on my face plus I know BIGGER blades come with a BIGGER price!?!
Again I appreciate price will be a rough guide but it will give me something to work with ie how long I have to be nice to the wife for!?!

That's a loaded question.

Myself, I buy as cheap as possible. Why I took up restoration. The cost of vintage razors can get crazy, when their NOS or very pristine. So restored razors cost less, and those that can be restored and in need of, cost even less.

Typically we say....see what that type of razor has been going for, online. "Strazors"
is a good place to check certain razors by brand.

Forum rules dictate talking prices and evaluation, here. But gems can be found, on the cheap. I was lucky enough to come across a bunch of real old collectables, once. Took a gamble and offered him &150 for all, and he accepted. Most will fetch way more than 150$ each, after restoration.
Actually got a PM offer for $250 for one of them, not restored. So don't be hastey on your decision. Shop a bit, there's one, or a few, with your name on them. Ask the guys that restore professionally, what they charge, and calculate it into your cost for the razor. Mind that u stay with a wedge grind. They offer enough steel to make it all happen, properly.

@outback Damn right it was a loaded question!
Due to my lack of knowledge and experience in what to look for in a SR that would need restoration work I think I will be looking for a FINISHED RESTORED blade, which obviously means the extra Bucks being spent. But the safer option for me anyway!?!....
Still working on my upper body strength so I can get PaulFLUS in a decent arm lock and press him for submission, the guy's got way too many SR's!?!

You can look at sold items on ebay. That will tell you what they actually sell for, not what some crazy person is asking. Here's a good example:


That's an actual sale. Now, it also looks to be 9/8 which, as you noted, means more money. A similar one (not as.nice) that was 7/8 sold for $51. I was really surprised that one didn't go for more but...... that's the market.

This is what I tell people about cars and guitars but it also applies to razors among other things: Wait for what you want and be ready to buy when it becomes available but be ready to let it go of it is too much or not what you want. There will always be others. There are also some other important considerations.
Know what you want. Know what is good and what is bad. Know what it's worth. Know how much you want to spend and have the money ready.

Originally Posted by Muttley

@outback Damn right it was a loaded question!
Due to my lack of knowledge and experience in what to look for in a SR that would need restoration work I think I will be looking for a FINISHED RESTORED blade, which obviously means the extra Bucks being spent. But the safer option for me anyway!?!....
Still working on my upper body strength so I can get PaulFLUS in a decent arm lock and press him for submission, the guy's got way too many SR's!?!

It can become a sickness. I'd say both of us have a runny nose, compared to some guys, here. Sharpton, practically has a museum worth of goodies, from lather machines, barber chairs, razors, brushes, strops, u name it. It's incredibly awesome.

Here's a updated pic of just my shave ready, rotation of whisker wipers.





Just the sniffles, really. There's still a drawer full to do, yet.

I think mine qualifies as a runny nose.


Stones and restoration stuff in the large drawers (I must have rocks in my head as many stones as I have and it is still nothing compared to some guys). Razors in the small drawers.


That's just the rotation stuff...most of it anyway... The in progress stuff is further down in the small drawers.

Edit: oh yeah, and the newly acquired H Böker & Co Extra Hollow Ground 7 day set in ivory on the top.

A word about collectors. Actually, most of us aren't "collectors" in the strictest sense since, most of us if not all, actually use our razors. Most textbook "collectors," don't use them, they display and try to preserve them.

But, that aside, speaking of us who buy and use straight razors in mass quantities. The reason why we can do this is that straights were in mass production for hundreds of years. Also, each individual razor, if cared for properly will last hundreds of years. I mentioned guitars earlier. How many guitars from the 1700s do you think are still around in usable condition? Few if any would be the answer. Concerning cars, there are none. How many strights from the 1700s do you think are still around in usable condition? Hundreds if not more.
That is why I say not to jump too quickly. You have time (they last centuries and there's literally millions of them) and to many folks they're old junk or they just don't know what they are worth to people like us.

@outback & @PaulFLUS WOW!!! You BOTH have VERY impressive collections! My jaw literally hit the floor and bounced when I saw your photos!!! I would be happy for with just ONE Draw full! How the hell do you two decide which razor to use on the day!?! I doubt I would have enough whisker growing life left in me to work my way through your collections!?!....Well done guys and I take my hat off to you both not only for your dedication but also you restoration skills, I am in awe!!!

Your just new to the game mt friend. Most of us have a few razors...



And rotate through them. But with some of us it can take a few years to rotate through them. I've finally worked my way through my list so that no razor was shaved with no latter than 2019. And if I was to guess I'd say most of us use Spreadsheets and or computer lists to keep track. See, its just a little sickness that may come upon you in the near future if you hang around these parts.