Thread: Wade, Butcher, Max and I

Ladies and gentlemen:

I would not have paid $12.50 for a straight razor that looked as if dragged out of a swamp. Well, maybe for a Joseph Rodgers, Puma, or some other noble name. What's more, I had driven 45 minutes to explore this particular flea market, on the invitation from the seller whom I had met at another flea market and asked to call me if he came across some straight and double edge razors.

The moment I dug out the closed razor from the box cluttered with straight and double edge razors I knew I had met royalty. The scales were shot, but the spine's sweeping curve, like a cavalry sabre, gave the razor away before I even opened it.

Yes, it was a Wade & Butcher. I had wanted one for a long time.

I sent it to the great Maximillian and asked him to give it a new life. I left the scales up to his judgment. He was free to do with the razor as he pleased. I received his creation last Thursday. What he had sent me was a razor ablaze in breathtaking majesty. I had a hard time believing it was my razor. In honor of my friend Max, I have named it The Max. Well, here, judge for yourself:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...zed-wedge.html

Today, Saturday, I shaved with it, and when finished, I wished I could have lathered up again and started all over. The pre-shave was Castle Forbes, the soap Martin de Candre, and the brush a 24 mm. Thater. For music I chose the Brahms 4th Symphony. I must say, such mornings are as sweet life's every breath.

Never having shaved with a razor with such sweeping curves in the blade, such sparkling smile both on the spine and cutting edge, I spent the first pass getting used to it. Not only that, but the razor's tang is short, unlike that of any other razor I have, modern or vintage. I don't know how old my Wade & Butcher is. I am no expert. Max might know, or SRP's historian Manah.

Because of my relatively small hands, I have problems holding big razors. For instance, I have gorgeous Thiers-Issard "Dos Festonne" in bone scales and I seldom shave with it, because it just devours my hands. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it: sell it to someone who might be more suited to it, or just keep it to use occasionally. All the Wackers, including the two wedge models, fit perfectly in my hands. So does the Filarmonica 13. And the three Thiers-Issard Le Grelot razors. There are others. Some of the 5/8" razors are a good fit, too, though not all. Almost all the 4/8" razor are off-balance for me, including my Hess 44 — although I keep it as the match for my 5/8" Hess 44.

Max remade the Wade & Butcher just for me. I know that, because the razor is perfect for me. The black scales, complemented with the spacer in the light cherry color, are the perfect size for my hand. The blade is perfectly balanced against the scales. Everything is perfect. The razor is everything I have wanted my razor to be. It is me. So thank you, my dear Max, for creating a work of art that expresses all of me. I could not be happier.

If asked what razor I would take to that quaint little English village where I would write my bestseller, my answer would be . . . Well, of course . . .

Regards,

Obie