Need help ID'ing a Wade & Butcher

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04-30-2010, 04:05 AM
roosclan

Need help ID'ing a Wade & Butcher

A couple weeks ago I managed to score a Wade & Butcher straight razor with some Masonic etching on it for what I think was a fairly low price at an antique store. The problem I'm having is figuring out exactly what I have. I know it's a Wade & Butcher made in Sheffield England, it's a thick blade (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.
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...cherrazor2.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...-Bbackside.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...zordetail2.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...orstamping.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...casedetail.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...-Brazorend.jpg
04-30-2010, 04:28 AM
JimmyHAD

Welcome to SRP. Looks like horn scales in a couple of pics and wood in the close up but I would bet horn. Nice blade. The fact that it is marked Sheffield and not England would date it before 1889 when a treaty was agreed on making country of origin mandatory on the blade. My guess is 1850s. If you want to get it honed by a pro go to member services in the SRP Classifieds here. That would make a fine shaver. :gl:
04-30-2010, 04:46 AM
hi_bud_gl

Welcome srp.
i think it is fake one and as you live very close to me i will meet you and will take that blade from your hand politely .

Very nice razor congratulations. Enjoy using it. gl
04-30-2010, 05:34 AM
AlanII

Like Jimmy, I'm thinking those scales are horn too and that diminutive tang points to relatively early as well. Very nice razor and what looks like the original box to boot. Definitely worth sending out for restoration if you're not sure how to do it yourself.
04-30-2010, 05:46 AM
BKratchmer

GREAT razor! WOW!

Saw your intro thread, too, so I'll include here:

Welcome to SRP! You'll find a wealth of information in the Wiki, and many members who will be eager to answer your questions. And in the process, shaving nirvana...

See you around!
04-30-2010, 05:49 AM
JMS

One side is horn and the other appears to be wood and while I believe the razor is a real Wade & Butcher the etchings dont look right to me for a Masonic blade. I suppose it could be real but the etchings for Masonic blades that I have seen are quite different.
04-30-2010, 05:51 AM
BKratchmer

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMS

One side is horn and the other appears to be wood and while I believe the razor is a real Wade & Butcher the etchings dont look right to me for a Masonic blade. I suppose it could be real but the etchings for Masonic blades that I have seen are quite different.

It's definitely a Masonic etching. The beehive, the trowels, the compass, the moon, sun, seven stars...
04-30-2010, 06:15 AM
Utopian

Quote:

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

It's definitely a Masonic etching. The beehive, the trowels, the compass, the moon, sun, seven stars...

I think you miss his point. Yes, the symbols are Masonic, but they are not the typical symbols seen on Masonic blades.
04-30-2010, 06:18 AM
BKratchmer

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utopian

I think you miss his point. Yes, the symbols are Masonic, but they are not the typical symbols seen on Masonic blades.

Au contraire! Here is the more common pattern, but it's the same symbols:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/attac...c-razor-wb.jpg
04-30-2010, 06:30 AM
JMS

Quote:

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

Au contraire! Here is the more common pattern, but it's the same symbols:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/attac...c-razor-wb.jpg

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
04-30-2010, 06:33 AM
BKratchmer

Quote:

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...
04-30-2010, 06:36 AM
JMS

Quote:

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.
04-30-2010, 05:27 PM
RobertH

I don't think you bought a razor... I think you bought a spatula! That thing is HUGE!
04-30-2010, 06:57 PM
gugi
Quote:

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
04-30-2010, 08:00 PM
Vulcan500rider

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

Try not to lose your nose.
05-01-2010, 01:21 AM
CableDawg

My good man what you have there is a three point shot from the upper deck of the stands! NICE!!!!! :beer1:
05-01-2010, 03:04 AM
roosclan
Quote:

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.
Quote:
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?

Quote:

Originally Posted by CableDawg

My good man what you have there is a three point shot from the upper deck of the stands! NICE!!!!! :beer1:

Thank yew, thank yew... http://www.ar15.com/images/smilies/anim_bow.gif As one of the cardiologists I work with says "sometimes it's better to be lucky than good."
05-01-2010, 03:11 AM
mrbhagwan

Quote:

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... http://www.ar15.com/images/smilies/anim_bow.gif

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 :D
05-01-2010, 03:13 AM
HNSB

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"
05-01-2010, 03:38 PM
manah

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.:)
05-17-2010, 03:25 AM
roosclan

Quote:

Originally Posted by manah

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.:)

Well, from what I'm finding, W&B used a B in a circle, an arrow and a maltese cross as part of their mark on the shank at some point. What I haven't been able to find (my google-fu must be weak) is the dates that said mark was used. The point at which they started/stopped using it is eluding me.
05-12-2017, 05:35 AM
johnscott7544

Quote:

Originally Posted by roosclan

A couple weeks ago I managed to score a Wade & Butcher straight razor with some Masonic etching on it for what I think was a fairly low price at an antique store. The problem I'm having is figuring out exactly what I have. I know it's a Wade & Butcher made in Sheffield England, it's a thick blade (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.
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...cherrazor2.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...-Bbackside.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...zordetail2.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...orstamping.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...casedetail.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...-Brazorend.jpg

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