Thread: Wade & Butcher Antique store find...from the 1830's?

They look it, but they are cracked, in several spots. I was very surprised at the price. this shop wanted 25 for a cheap Pakistan made blade, that couldnt cut butter, and then a German made razor for 40 with a huge chunk missing. Those were in the typical glass case, and I found the W&B just out on a shelf, in a generic razor box. It was like it was meant to be lol.

Originally Posted by jzwatkins

They look it, but they are cracked, in several spots. I was very surprised at the price. this shop wanted 25 for a cheap Pakistan made blade, that couldnt cut butter, and then a German made razor for 40 with a huge chunk missing. Those were in the typical glass case, and I found the W&B just out on a shelf, in a generic razor box. It was like it was meant to be lol.

Clean and treat them first and see how they respond. Don't be too quick to replace them, I agree, they could be stunning, cracks'n'all.

I agree some small cracks and chips on the scales just adds character. Save them if you can. Nice find BTW.

That razor has been reground during a later period.

Just throwing in my my .002 but I think you should soak it in Neatfoot oil for a a few days, and then sand with MicroMesh or equivalent, and don't replace the scales, It looks great the way it is.

Originally Posted by gugi

That razor has been reground during a later period.

It probably has, no harm there. Some of those regrounds are excellent.

Well, I personally would stay away from something like this - it's not original, the regrind job looks bad, and the giant frown with corresponding heavy and uneven hone wear means a lot of work to make it to shave. And if it does it's still ugly.
My experience is that if somebody had to put such uneven honing on a blade they were trying for a long time to make it shave better, i.e. not a good gamble.
In any case, I think this is an example of what people ought to stay away from. I simply don't see a single positive thing on this razor (an early W&B stamp for me is a negative, unlike say john barber, or marshes&shepherd).

But YMMV, it's your money and your elbow grease.

Originally Posted by gugi

I simply don't see a single positive thing on (fill in the blank)

You should be more of a glass is half full kind of guy! The razor above does look well-loved, but it is... well, it has such a nice- er, well it's very old and charming! Like grandma, and sharp as a tack!

No wai, I likes when my glass runneth over.

great find. im jealous.