Thread: Meaning of Wade & Butcher logo

It's just idle curiosity but does anybody know what the logo on Wade and Butcher razors is all about. It's a very strange trademark for a number of reasons. I guess the B stands for Butcher (only a vague guess) but the Maltese Cross isn't a symbol that's often used casually - it seems unlikely for a Sheffield razor manufacturer to be linked to the Hospitallers although I suppose it's possible. And what's with the arrow?

You are right! the maltese cross has no real meaning on the razor but the arrow symbolizes cupids arrow, or true love if you will. The symbol mistakenly thought of as a sideways B in a circle actually symbolizes a target for the arrow of love...yes you guessed it, a womans bosoms! The meaning of the symbol in it's entirety is "a clean shaven man will always get the women!"
I guess they've always used sex in advertising huh?

I believe the Maltese cross is some type of proof mark, as it appears on other Schefield razors as well.

Some one correct me if i am wrong but i am sure its not the Maltese Cross...

It is the Iron Cross.

I don't think that too much meaning should be read into W & S Butcher Ltd.'s trademark. In Sheffield, trademarks were registered with the Cutlers' Company of Hallamshire, whose Great Mark Book, with a full record of marks dating back to 1614, is still on display at Cutlers' Hall. The Maltese Cross was not any form of proof mark, but it was a popular motif in Sheffield trademarks, being used by Joseph Elliot & Sons, Joseph Fenton & Sons, John Greenough, Maleham & Yeomans, Marsh Bros. and, most famously, Joseph Rodgers & Sons. The arrow was used by Bingham & Ogden and Deakin, Sons & Co. Arrows also form part of the coat of arms of the City of Sheffield and this may have inspired their use in trademarks. I suspect that this repetition of symbols in trademarks can be accounted for by the first user of a mark making it famous and others coming after registering a mark of similar appearance in order to gain some reflected glory. I do not think that the Maltese Cross was used initially because of any esoteric meaning but because it is easy to make a punch of that form by filing.

I prefer Mr. JMS's explanation, though......

Duncan.

Thanks, I wan't sure but since they all looked similar and Shefield itself had a reputation to protect I assumed........and we all know where assuming gets us.