Thread: A fake Wade & Butcher?

Originally Posted by JimR

Where is the crooked line? I can't see it from here...

One thing, though, I have to ask: Why do people keep thinking they have counterfeit razors? Who is the big mastermind making all of these fake razors (of all things...)? And how do you PROVE that a razor was faked, rather than just made by the guy at the factory having a bad day?

The etching is crooked in several places. I agree it's hard to tell from the pics. I have many razors and this is the first time I've ever questioned one's authenticity. Of course we know there's no mastermind out there. That said, if someone can have one made for $20 or less and sell it for 10X that amount, there's reason to do it. If that were the case, I guess there'd be more complaints like mine, as eBay would likely be flooded with fakes. Proving something is a fake is not always easy, but there could be tell-tale signs to the trained eye (which I am not, and which is why I sought input from SRP members on this topic). It could have been, as you point out, a bad day for the gal at the factory. Or it could be a shoddy restoration. Or it could be one huge conspiracy to bilk me out of my razor money! Or it could just be my imagination running wild. ;-)

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

… but if they were going to go to all that trouble it seems to me they would've went with a "For Barber's Use" to get the top dollar.

I think Jimmy's hit the nail on the head here. How does it shave? When you look at the kind of prices custom makers can command for producing fine shavers, why would someone of no mean talent fake a vintage (assuming it shaves as well as it looks etc)?

Originally Posted by AlanII

I think Jimmy's hit the nail on the head here. How does it shave? When you look at the kind of prices custom makers can command for producing fine shavers, why would someone of no mean talent fake a vintage (assuming it shaves as well as it looks etc)?

I haven't shaved with it yet. I'm sending it out to get honed and rescaled. I'll be curious what this experienced honemeister/restorer's observations are once he gets the razor in hand.

One thing that stands out in the photos, anyway, is the amount of black in the etching, which does make for a very nice contrast against the silver of the blade. All of the W&B's I have seen or purchased have etching that is the same color (that is, silver) as the surrounding blade.

My question for the blade restorers here is this -- would it make sense for someone to use some nice black enamel or lacquer to "fill in" or color the engraved/etched words on the blade to make them stand out? Again, I don't believe for even a second that this blade is a fake or counterfeit in any way (and actually I bid on it myself when it was being sold on ebay). But it does look like whoever did the restoration also enhanced the etching on the blade, which might be causing any doubts here.

Wouldn't the lacquer or enamel also chip off over time? I've never seen it done but it looks like this is what happened here.

i'll exchange it for one,may be two with rust and all. i'll even cover your shipping to me...

Its a real W&B.

It may be a regrind that has been subjected to lazer etching. Bob at OCD has a lazer etcher that is detailed enough for that mark, so I don't see why some one else couldn't do so.

Why it was for sale? I can't tell you.

One thing, though, I have to ask: Why do people keep thinking they have counterfeit razors? Who is the big mastermind making all of these fake razors (of all things...)? And how do you PROVE that a razor was faked, rather than just made by the guy at the factory having a bad day?

Read Pynchons "The Crying of Lot 49" it is in my "Books I cant live without thread" people love conspiracy theories, for some it's as good if not better then believing in God.

BTW I have this razor in full size 1+ inch and it is "For Barbers use" In Cocobolo scales.

Cheers
David

Originally Posted by Scipio

Its a real W&B.

It may be a regrind that has been subjected to lazer etching. Bob at OCD has a lazer etcher that is detailed enough for that mark, so I don't see why some one else couldn't do so.

Why it was for sale? I can't tell you.

This is an original razor with an original colored etching. I had two or three similar razor in my hand. I think that originally many W&B had an black colored etching, but the paint went away over the years. Today the etching without any color is usual. But on very few pieces you will have it, like it was.

If the etching is still deep an clean it is not a problem to "recolor" it. But it is difficult to find razors in such perfect conditions.

Ya it is definately a fake but I will give you $25 for it so it doesn't sting so bad having been had like that.

Are you sure the scales are plastic? If they have any grain patter where they're broken they might be polished horn, and you've got a genuinely minty W&B there.