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Thread: Wade & Butcher Pyramid Point
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03-27-2010, 12:36 AM #1
Wade & Butcher Pyramid Point
Hello my favouritest forum,
I just picked up an old W&B blade from a vintage tool shop for next to nothing.
I was quite taken by its distinctive pyramid-esque point. I couldn't see one like that in the Wiki, and it seems to be quite well done so im reasonably sure its original and not a regrind as a result of a damage or anything.
The stamp also doesn't have "England" after the "manufactured by wade & butcher sheffield" so im guessing its quite old (still a noob at all this)
There was quite a bit of hone wear but the fact there was pleanty of meat left and its other features sold me.
BUT - when I lightly sanded some tarnish away, I noticed a fine fine line extending up from the small chip right at the shoulder of the blade, sadly I think its a crack.
Is this a death sentence for my blade? or is there a way to stabilise tiny cracks? Im not worried if its visible once the blade is cleaned. I was thinking about tying to squeeze some glue into it, but it isn't 'open' so I cant imagine anything would get into it.
I couldn't capture the line with my camera, may try again once the blades a bit cleaner. Here's some pics to show it off in the mean time.
Thanks all!
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03-27-2010, 02:46 AM #2
The point is factory original IMO. At least I have an identical point on my W&B Bow razor. As for the possible crack, since it is so close to the heel you might get away with honing it and shaving with it. If it is indeed a crack be careful of applying too much pressure when you're sanding the blade. If you flex the blade the crack will probably travel. Just IMO.
Be careful how you treat people on your way up, you may meet them again on your way back down.
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03-27-2010, 03:02 AM #3
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Thanked: 2591yes this is factory I have seen it on a few Bow W&Bs, I even thought this one was a bow as soon as I saw the toe.
Stefan
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03-27-2010, 03:25 AM #4
Yep, I had a Bow with a diamond point like that.
Maybe once you clean it up you can assess the crack. With luck it may only be superficial & not extending to the opposite side. Have a look under magnification. Sometimes what looks like a hairline is a series of small pits.“The white gleam of swords, not the black ink of books, clears doubts and uncertainties and bleak outlooks.”
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03-27-2010, 03:47 AM #5
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Thanked: 2591if the crack is at the dashed line it can be reground and you will end up with usable blade.
Example of reground W&B :
http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...ody-death.html
I am not talking about doing something that extreme, but you get the idea of how to fix the heel if needed.Stefan
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03-27-2010, 04:44 AM #6
hmm..
I hate the idea of destroying something original, but a 5 second photoshop play has me thinking otherwise... thoughts?
- Its definately a crack too btw, I very gently moved it and saw the flex - and it goes from one side to the other. Damn!
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03-27-2010, 04:51 AM #7
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Thanked: 1371I like the sweeping curve on the bottom one. That would look pretty good IMO.
Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government.
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03-27-2010, 04:51 AM #8
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Thanked: 2591I like the first one, it has the best symmetry between toe and heel imo.
Stefan
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03-27-2010, 05:40 AM #9
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Thanked: 522I also believe the point is original. I bought this Wade & Butcher within the last two years or so and the tang reads,
"Manufactured by Wade & Butcher Sheffield" and the word "England" is not on the razor anywhere.
By the way, this razor was honed by Utopian and a fine job he did.JERRY
OOOPS! Pass the styptic please.
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03-27-2010, 06:14 AM #10
Thanks for all the input and advice. I'm 95% convinced about a regrind now, theres no museum in this blades future so I might as well remove the offending crack with some customization. Prob. going to go for the 3rd version from above, I quite like the idea of another curve to follow the curve of the text, looks like it would be quite comfortable to hold and still leaves me with 7+ cm of edge to use too. A straight regrind like my 1st mockup would have to go in quite far to catch the top of the crack so may not be that good.