Thread: Wade & Butcher Masonic - Info Please

Originally Posted by manah

Such razors have date about 1840-1850.

Thanks a lot for the information Alex, as always, your knowledge is of great benefit to us all.

My my...that is one beautiful blade. Love the patterns and the etching. Quite a work of art. Great score

Originally Posted by manah

Such razors have date about 1840-1850.

I second Manah, Somewhere in the Lummus literature it says the Masonic etching thing was in vogue circa 1845.

Originally Posted by Bayamontate

I second Manah, Somewhere in the Lummus literature it says the Masonic etching thing was in vogue circa 1845.

That sounds about right, taking into account that the "England" on the Sheffield blades was only added in the second half of the 1800's.

I was going to bid on that, but I thought for sure an actual Mason would want it, and it belongs more in their hands than in mine.

I do collect some mason items, but I treat them with respect, and often find homes for them with other masons later on.

Originally Posted by Magpie

I was going to bid on that, but I thought for sure an actual Mason would want it, and it belongs more in their hands than in mine.

I do collect some mason items, but I treat them with respect, and often find homes for them with other masons later on.

True Magpie, I'm kind of thinking along the same lines.

I will hold on to this one for quite a while, and hopefully I can pass it on to someone who deserves it in the future. Better one of us have it for now than someone who will neglect it.

Originally Posted by leadingedge

That sounds about right, taking into account that the "England" on the Sheffield blades was only added in the second half of the 1800's.

The "England" thing was added sometime in 1891.

Lummus gets into it in page 265 in his December, 1922 article and again in the More Old Razors May, 1927 article pages 372-373.

Originally Posted by Bayamontate

The "England" thing was added sometime in 1891.

Lummus gets into it in page 265 in his December, 1922 article and again in the More Old Razors May, 1927 article pages 372-373.

Great info, thanks a lot!

I just acquired this particular straightrazor. My handle has some chips out of edges and I cannot tell if the handle is really old wood or bakelite. The blade is in good condition with just a few tiny rust spots. The acid etching is beautiful. Thank you to Wintchase for the historical review of what the symbols stand for. As of today I have been unable to establish a value. Will post picutres of my new baby when I can figure out how to do so.

Stay Sharp

Originally Posted by Wintchase

If I remember correctly the trowel, angle, and compass are the tools of a Master Mason...3rd degree. There is a long and tedious process in becoming a Maste Mason. there are three degrees, and all of the initiation is memorization handed down from mentor to craftsman until the aspiring mason can go through the ceremony on his own accord. Now saying that, it is a wonderful thing to become a mason and be part of a brotherhood whose intent is to do nothing more than make the community in which they live, a better one. They do this with no expectations of gratitiude, in fact it is quite the opposite in some communities.....But still they trudge ahead and go out and make differences to people around the world..If you would like to see an example, take a look at the Shriners.....They fund the Shriner Hositals for children all over the US and specialize in burn victums...Those Shriners are Masons (33nd degree)......Guys who want to make a difference, but do not want to blow their own horn or bring attention to themselves when the attention should be on the children....Real honorable if you ask me..

Pretty much spot on, except that Shriners aren't necessarily 33rd Degree mason. The 33rd Degree is an honorary degree given to Scottish Rite Masons. The Shrine is another "branch" of Masonic endeavor separate from the Scottish Rite. ALL Scottish Rite Masons and Shriners must be a Master Mason in a Blue Lodge which is the foundation of the organization.

Both the Scottish Rite and The Shriners sponsor hospitals for children. Children in need are treated at no charge. The parents do not need to be Masons. All that is required is that a child needs to be treated and if the hospitals have the capability to treat the child, they will.

The round looking thing with a handle is known as a setting maul. It is a tool used in operative masonry.
Setting Maul