Wade & Butcher or J.A. Henckels?

I am looking to get my second str8 and I want it to be vintage and shave ready.

I have narrowed the choices down to either a Wade & Butcher or a J.A. Henckels?

Yes I would love to buy both right now but the ol' lady would probably use one of them on me for spending the money. I'm sure I'll get some grief for just buying a second razor. They both seem to be going for around the same price on the Bay from what I've seen (1 to 1.5).

I'm looking for any input before I commit to one or the other. I'm sure I'll eventually have both so maybe an opinion on which one I should get first.

Thanks!

This is a question of personal preference for steel and grind.
I personally like solingen steel better than sheffield steel.

From my admittedly small sample, I love them both. Check out the classifieds and other vintage vendors as well as e-bay though.

what is your current razor and how have you narrowed your choices to those two?

without knowing what went into your consideration it's really impossible to tell what factors are important to you and give you a suggestion.

i'd personally get henckels, but that's irrelevant since you're not me.

Gugi - I have a Dovo Micarta purchased brand new.

I have narrowed it to these two choices solely based on reviews, looks and name. The name of the razor is like picking baby names for me, is it cool sounding? And I really like the look of the spike point razors. The price is a factor too of course.

It's probably not the best way to choose a razor but it's all trial and error anyways, right?

I must add that value/collectability also plays a role in my thought process.

I've seen more shiny Henckels, than I have W&B. If "blade condition" is important to you, that might matter.

I have one of each, and they're each fine shavers. So it comes down to blade shape, scales, etc.

Charles

I think Henckels are usually better to buy (besides the platinums..To light and small)..You can't go wrong with a 410 Henkels or a new grind. WB's seem clunky to me...THat is just my opinion though... huge majority like them..They just don' fit my face very well..I have several henckels in my rotation, and one WB in a drawer...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wintchase

I think Henckels are usually better to buy (besides the platinums..To light and small)..You can't go wrong with a 410 Henkels or a new grind. WB's seem clunky to me...THat is just my opinion though... huge majority like them..They just don' fit my face very well..I have several henckels in my rotation, and one WB in a drawer...

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One of my W&B razors is a pretty thin grind (maybe 3/4 hollow) -- lighter than a Dovo "Best Quality". a little heavier than a Henckels 80.

W&B made _a lot_ of razors, over decades. Some of them might be "clunky", and some will be elegant full-hollow grinds.

You need to see (and feel) the razor to really know.<g>

Charles

They are both great razors. I love them. What size are you looking for. Do you have any antique stores near you?

It doesn't really matter which you buy now, because you'll likely end up buying the other shortly.

In your first post, wheny you said 1 to 1.5, are you talking about hundreds of dollars? There is really no need to spend that much to get a really nice example from either brand.

Well, on name I think Wade & Butcher sounds better than J.A. Henckels. As far as reviews you can add my nod to Henckels, if that helps.
Value/Collectibility is hard to say, it really depends only on whether you hit high, or low of the market, so it's probably a wash between these two.

The W&B will probably have a softer steel and likely thicker grind than your Dovo. The Henckels is most likely going to be a bit harder steel and perhaps hollower grind.

But since you're doing trial and error, I guess just pick whichever comes first in the condition and price point that you like.

Post pictures whichever you get, they're always fun :)

For what you are willing to spend you should be able to get something along the lines of the razors pictured below. The first two pictures may show how similar a Henckels and a W&B can be. The third shows what some may think of as a "clunky" W&B wedge. All three are great shavers. I would say rather than getting hung up on whether it is a Henckels or a W&B just focus on getting a great razor.

As Dylan pointed out, it really doesnt matter, you are going to end up with both of them sooner or later!:D

My Dovo Micarta is a 5/8 and I like the size so I'm looking for another 5/8 or a 6/8.

Now get this, I am now interested in Boker's too and there is a Yankee Cutlery on the Bay that looks really nice too but there isn't a whole lot of info found on Yankee Cutlery.

Unfortunately I do mean hundreds when I say 1 to 1.5. People on the Bay tend to quickly bid up the restored shave ready top name razors. The Boker and Henckels I'm looking at are currently 94 dollars with almost 2 days left. The W&B is currently 77 with 2 days left. The Yankee Cutlery is 120 BIN.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wintchase

I think Henckels are usually better to buy (besides the platinums..To light and small)..You can't go wrong with a 410 Henkels or a new grind. WB's seem clunky to me...THat is just my opinion though... huge majority like them..They just don' fit my face very well..I have several henckels in my rotation, and one WB in a drawer...

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Well, I was looking at it from a noob point of view buying on sleazebay...If you say WB then that is kinda a blanket okie dokie for all WB's..I don't think a WB heavy grind is a good match for a guy starting out, that's all....And it is difficult to tell which ones are the thin grinds if you haven't been doing this for awhile..THe Henckels on the other hand are a little more easy to pick from..:D

I have both. While both are excellent razors, there's something about Sheffield steel that my face likes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bmf2001

My Dovo Micarta is a 5/8 and I like the size so I'm looking for another 5/8 or a 6/8.

Now get this, I am now interested in Boker's too and there is a Yankee Cutlery on the Bay that looks really nice too but there isn't a whole lot of info found on Yankee Cutlery.

Unfortunately I do mean hundreds when I say 1 to 1.5. People on the Bay tend to quickly bid up the restored shave ready top name razors. The Boker and Henckels I'm looking at are currently 94 dollars with almost 2 days left. The W&B is currently 77 with 2 days left. The Yankee Cutlery is 120 BIN.

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That Yankee is a damn fine razor and comes from a well respected guy in the straight razor world, if its the one I just looked at. And if I were you I think I would be having it sent to me asap ! That's a beauty and you can bet its shave ready coming from him.

bottom line is both are good shavers or have the potential to be. Buy the one you like since that is your expressed way of picking them. Personally look for shapes and sizes I like and as long as they were made by a decent company I get it if it is in decent shape and will restore.

I just made my purchase this morning and I did not get either one. I ended up getting a near mint all original Yankee Cuttlery.

Thanks everyone for your input, it really did help with my decision. And like most of you said I will end up with a W&B, Henckels, Boker, etc. somewhere down the line.

Check it out.
http://i.ebayimg.com/13/!CEw6fDQEWk~...!HbGg~~_12.JPG
http://i.ebayimg.com/17/!CEw6iS!BGk~...f5c(!~~_12.JPG

You made a excellent choice, you will be a very happy camper !

I don't own a Henkle (yet) but I love my W&B. A work of caution. Avoid eBay and go to the Classifieds. If a member tells you it's shave ready it probably is. If an eBay seller tells you it's shave ready it probably means this: :shrug:.

I love small things in general, and the small razors are easier to maneouver for me since I''ve got smaller hands. My Platinum is my only shaver and I love it