Thread: 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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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...

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.

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:

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

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

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