Thread: Need help ID'ing a Wade & Butcher

Originally Posted by JMS

Yes but the etchings on that blade look considerably different from the O P's razor and more in line with what I normally see

So they made a different model... in the middle of the 19th century Freemasonry was emblazoned on everything from chandaliers to stained-glass windows in hotels...

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

So they made a different model... in the middle of the 19th century Freemasonry was emblazoned on everything from chandaliers to stained-glass windows in hotels...

That is one possibility that I already acknowledged.

I don't think you bought a razor... I think you bought a spatula! That thing is HUGE!

Originally Posted by roosclan

(9/8 or 8/8 -- I'm not certain), and it's really old with Masonic etching on it. One scale is brown, the other is black, both appear to be wood. Pins look like brass, from the green gunk on them. Other than that, I'm at a loss. Can anyone help identify what exactly this is, when it was made, what the scales are made of, etc.? I have a multitude of pics, so if this isn't enough, I can post more.

• Measure the width and you will know what it is
• back scale is horn, rub them a bit and smell them and you'll be able to tell if the front scale is horn too
• it's a razor made by w&b, looks like from the second half of 19th century

That thing is a bloody monster! Nice looking, but wow, what a size...

Try not to lose your nose.

My good man what you have there is a three point shot from the upper deck of the stands! NICE!!!!!

Originally Posted by RobertH

I don't think you bought a razor... I think you bought a spatula! That thing is HUGE!

Well, if it doesn't work as a razor, I can use it to either flip flapjacks or chop down the 1" saplings growing next to our fence.

Originally Posted by gugi

• back scale is horn, rub them a bit and smell them and you'll be able to tell if the front scale is horn too

Is this the age-old prank pulled on newbies, like taking the high school freshman out snipe hunting?

What are horn scales supposed to smell like?

Originally Posted by CableDawg

My good man what you have there is a three point shot from the upper deck of the stands! NICE!!!!!

Thank yew, thank yew... As one of the cardiologists I work with says "sometimes it's better to be lucky than good."

Originally Posted by roosclan

Well, if it doesn't work as a razor, I can use it to either flip flapjacks or chop down the 1" saplings growing next to our fence.


Is this the age-old prank pulled on newbies, like taking the high school freshman out snipe hunting?

What are horn scales supposed to smell like?


Thank yew, thank yew...

These guys are good! You're getting straight stuff. Gugi is quite serious my friend; when heat is applied to horn, it smells like burnt hair. Think of a hot curling iron on hair in a beauty shop.

Rubbing the back scale (because it really looks like horn in the photos) and comparing the smell to when you rub the front one will let you know. Be careful not to press too hard when rubbing, but rub fast enough to warm it up.

PS: we're all drooling over that razor. Nice pick-up

I can't get into how the symbols are interpreted, but I can tell you the end result of interpretation:

"If found, please send to HNSB"

Many beautifully etched blades were made in 1850's-60's.
There were some different Masonic etchings. This one was used by George Savage, Sheffield from about 1840... and W&B, as we can see.