Thread: newb - wade & butcher basics

hi all
new to forum
i am interested in the differences between the various WB razor models
ive seen "for barbers use", "the celebrated razor", chopper, wedge and other references
is there a good reference for orignal sizes, lengths, etc?
thanks much

GREAT QUESTION!!! Wished I had the answer! Somebody is bound to know, just be patient.

Welcome to SRP. You sound to me like a potential RAD sufferer like me. That is razor acquisition disorder. Wade & Butcher was one of the longest lived razor and cutlery makers in Sheffield from the early 1800s up until something like the 1940s or '50s. Having been in business that long their production ran the gamut of all of the styles of straight razors produced from the early wedges to the hollow grounds. I actually have a W&B double edge razor made in the 1950s.

The 'For Barber's Use' meat choppers were made from about 1850 to 1870 according to Robert Doyle's "Collecting Straight Razors". They are sought after and bring a high price if they are in excellent or better condition. The best reference is probably watching the straight razor category on ebay. You'll see all the variations come up at one time or another. Also check out the 'razor clubs' and 'show and tell' in the forum index here on SRP.

Originally Posted by wilbanba

hi all
new to forum
i am interested in the differences between the various WB razor models
ive seen "for barbers use", "the celebrated razor", chopper, wedge and other references
is there a good reference for orignal sizes, lengths, etc?
thanks much

"Chopper" or "meat chopper" are terms that have been adopted to refer to large, heavy razors; since they may resemble cleavers or the like.

A wedge is the opposite of a full hollow blade; if you looked at the blade end-on it would appear triangular.

"For barber's use" razors tend to be quite wide, but that is not always the case. One theory I heard as to why barber's razors are so wide is that they can hold more lather without the need to wipe them off, which would allow the barber to shave a larger area without cleaning the blade. I don't know if this is really the origin of the marking, but it does make sense.

Many Sheffield blades have "Celebrated" on them somewhere. I think it was just the razor makers giving themselves a little pat on the back, or perhaps a marketing trick.

I've had a few Wade & Butchers pass through my hands, and all have been great shavers. They range from full hollow all the way up to wedges, and I've seen some as small as 5/8 (though I'm sure there are smaller) to over 8/8. Sometimes the stampings reflect the size and grind, but not always. For example, the Bow's tend to be 5/8 to 6/8, half hollows. Specials that I have seen are full hollow and 5/8 to 6/8. The "For Barber's Use" blades tend to be 7/8 and 8/8. "Hollow Ground" often refers to a half hollow or quarter hollow, whereas the "Extra Hollow" blades are usually full hollows.

This is chopper but not a W&B




This is a W&B Chopper.

Ken, I love the Ashton & Jackson with the Masonic symbols. Where did you pick it up?

Welcome to the forum. Wade&Butcher's are, at least IMO, some of the finest vintage razors to acquire. Here is an example of a "meat chopper" as well as a "Celebrated Extra Hollow Ground Razor". Both are outstanding shavers with the smaller of the two in my current rotation.


If you are lucky they can be found in near NEW condition-such was the case with the razor pictured on the right. Although the scales have faded-the blade is absolutely one of the finest razors I have ever owned. The "meat chopper" is indeed HUGE and quite intimidating yet is a pleasure to use. It measures over 1 inch wide with the spine being over 1/4"and is a true wedge. The "celebrated" on the right is 7/8" and a full "hollow" grind. In my experience, the W&B's hone easily, hold a wicked sharp edge and are , in fact, a part of wet shaving history.


Blade sizes will vary as well as the particular grinds. Fortunately, they are still available.-At least for know.

I did the restoration on this for another member. I don't own it. The original scales were to mangled by bugs to restore and I had some NOS original horn scales at the time. It is an awesome blade.

Originally Posted by ChrisMeyer

Ken, I love the Ashton & Jackson with the Masonic symbols. Where did you pick it up?

The terms you refer to are mostly marketing ploys - 'for barber's use', 'for gentlemen's use' ' diamond steel' 'finest indai steel' etc etc etc. - it was a way of selling a wider range of products when all you were selling was in fact the same thing! Wade blades vary from 4/8 (narrowest I've seen anyway) usually up to 8/8 though there are many around far bigger - the 'meat choppers' mentined previously. In my opinion the best W&B for general use is a 7/8 full wedge with a fully swept blade (sometimes called a 'smiling' blade) and a 'dreadnought' point. The overslung tip allows you to get to the fiddly bits and the blade is - oddly enough, given its format - quite easy to keep in order.

Get one, get it honed by someone proficient and enjoy it!

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

... Wade & Butcher was one of the longest lived razor and cutlery makers in Sheffield from the early 1800s up until something like the 1940s or '50s. Having been in business that long their production ran the gamut of all of the styles of straight razors produced from the early wedges to the hollow grounds. I actually have a W&B double edge razor made in the 1950s....

WHAT? I thought they went insolvent in 1890? You got a source on that? YOU ARE BLOWING MY MIND.