Thread: Help dating W & B razor

I got a Wade and Butcher from Larry at Whipped Dog (who I highly recommend) and I'm having trouble finding anything that can help date it, roughly of course. It is about 5/8, half or quarter hollow, straight point. The scales seem to be made out of wood and the stamp on the tang is Wade & Butcher Sheffield with the "B" in a circle, the arrow, and the cross on the bottom. This is the first example of stamps under W & B in the wiki but it doesn't say anything about a possible date range.

Anyone have any ideas?

Without pictures, it doesn't exist.

They made probably hundreds of thousands of razors over more than 60 year period, and with just a description of what seems to be the most popular elements from the late 19th century, I'd say it's unlikely to find anything more specific.
It's much easier to date smaller producers or vendors who changed things like ownership and location and stamped those on the razors. I have razors that are dateable to within 2-3 years, but that's the exception.
Also I haven't seen any old wood scales that appear to be original, they all have had a very primitive home-made quality.

Pictures would probably help, and there isn't much to say really without any. There is one thing tho, which I'm sure you already know.
If the tang is stamped Sheffield England it was made after 1890. Prior to that imported goods only had to have the city they were produced in so the older blades just show Sheffield, after that they included the England stamp.

I'm no expert, but without pictures and based on your description I'd venture a guess and say that your razor is old.

Probably I couldn't give you a better or more accurate date with a picture, but some folks who actually know may be able to.

Good luck,

Finally had a chance to get some pictures. Please forgive the quality, I have a point and shoot and don't take many pictures.

Maybe I'm a bit late to be useful, but I ran across this thread while looking for info on how to date Wade & Butchers myself.

Based on what I've been reading the fact the tang says "Sheffield" instead of "Sheffield, England" means it was made before 1891.

I don't have any idea how near to 1890 it might be made though. It's definitely old though.

That is an interesting grind pattern you've got there.


Redundant, I know, but from the looks of it, definitely pre-1890.