W & B questions

I really want to find a Wade & Butcher wedge project razor. I would like to make my own scales and find a blade that is functionally sound, but doesn't have to be pretty. I've bid on a couple of promising razors on the auction site, but am somewhat confused about descriptions and prices. I bought what turned out to be a very nice mostly hollow older 8/8 with decent original scales for a modest price.

I got carried away with an auction that ended today for what appeared to be a wedge or near wedge with the "For Barbers Use" on the tang. The description clearly stated that the scales were in poor shape. I was embarrassed by my max. bid, but was beaten in the final seconds. This razor went for almost 3 times my last purchase. Recognizing that this does not mean much, value and winning bid do not always match, but am curious for future attempts, is the For Barbers Use designation meaningful? I've seen a few of these go for quite a bit, and other similar looking W&Bs sell for a lot less?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

The For Barbers Use 8/8 or 7/8 razors are very desirable. I have seen some post restoration going for $500-$600 retail.

The value of a razor is very subjective and a given razor is worth what someone is willing to pay. But the bigger "Chopper" type razors do command a premium.

But They're worth it!
:)
Mike

You guys are not helping my addiction! Does the For Barber's Use only apply to the wedge, or might it still be a hollow grind? Some of the listings don't specify and don't show the profile.

Here is a Hollow ground For Barbers use I found in a local Antique store. Paid 15.00 for it.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...59-d2x0009.jpg

Much more important then any name stamped on the face of the blade is the condition of the spine...

These older Sheffields are very prone to abnormal spine wear, that is not always reflected in the edge

g

Attachment 94077
!/4 hollow ? ... not full wedge at least.
:)
Mike

Wade and Butchers come in all kinds of grinds, and the "Barbers Use" can be found in any grind from hollow to near wedge. They're all great razors. I prefer the near wedges, but that's just me.

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

Much more important then any name stamped on the face of the blade is the condition of the spine...

These older Sheffields are very prone to abnormal spine wear, that is not always reflected in the edge

g

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I try to look for that, but in most of the photos, it's hard to tell. That's one of the reasons I don't want to go too high on an auction item. I'd rather find one on one of the forums from a trusted source, but most of the ones I see here are already restored.

I totally understand where you're comming from. I'm getting bit by the big razor obsession as well. I only hope the two 6/8 that Nate has done for me will hold it out longer, but it seems to be getting worse not better. Lol

How 'bout a 9/8.??

Just for reference....that's a 4/8 in purpleheart next to her.

Attachment 94079Attachment 94080Attachment 94081

Lucky you to desire one of the most hyped razors ever :) the FBU's command a pretty ungodly amount...but every once in awhile you can find a 8/8+ that DOESN'T say FBU and save $100-150 bucks. I'll cross my fingers that your next wish razor isn't an 8/8 filly ;)

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Originally Posted by dyimages

Here is a Hollow ground For Barbers use I found in a local Antique store. Paid 15.00 for it.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...59-d2x0009.jpg

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I love wedges. However, I have a 7/8 "Celebrated" Hollow Ground Razor very similar to yours.
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/u.../razors095.jpg
It is one of the best shavers I own. It has a lot of hone wear, but that can be worked around by a competent honemeister. There are several very qualified men here who can help you with that issue if needed.

I'd LOVE to find one like you did for that money. That old razor will probably clean up and outlast your grand kids if you take care of it.

If you don't like it, I'll give it a good home. ;)

I have a Wostenholm IXL 7/8, Celebrated Hollow Ground For Barbers' Use. It is an outstanding razor. It shaves comparable to my Hart 7/8. One of the features I like about it is the slight smile it has. It has never bit me (not yet anyway).

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Originally Posted by Maxi

How 'bout a 9/8.??

Just for reference....that's a 4/8 in purpleheart next to her.

Attachment 94079Attachment 94080Attachment 94081

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You're just a tease!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ryanjewell

Lucky you to desire one of the most hyped razors ever :) the FBU's command a pretty ungodly amount...but every once in awhile you can find a 8/8+ that DOESN'T say FBU and save $100-150 bucks. I'll cross my fingers that your next wish razor isn't an 8/8 filly ;)

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Been there, done that. I picked up a #14 8/8 very reasonably. It shaves so well, I feel like I'm cheating when I shave with it. I guess I'll keep looking.

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Originally Posted by Wullie

I love wedges. However, I have a 7/8 "Celebrated" Hollow Ground Razor very similar to yours.
I'd LOVE to find one like you did for that money. That old razor will probably clean up and outlast your grand kids if you take care of it.

If you don't like it, I'll give it a good home. ;)

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Here it is post clean up. The scales were redone after this photo and looked far better. It did find a new home :-( But it all honesty I do not enjoy the bigger blades. I had a few larger blades and discovered I am one of the odd balls that prefer 4/8 to 6/8
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...9-dsc09828.JPG

dyimages...what exactly benefit does the additional pin in the middle accomplish? Just curious as I've never owned one of those three pin models. Would you recommend it? I mean, I do my own scales and I don't think it would be too difficult to do if there is in fact any real benefit.

As I understand it the third pin provides a stop to prevent the blade from swinging through the scales. With the Larger razors the tang can be fairly thick and the razor pass beyond the normal closed position with the spine resting on the scales. In some cases this closed position will allow the blade to protrude out the bottom of the scales depending on thickness.

I am sure there are others here far more qualified than me on this subject and hope they chime in and correct me if I am wrong

Don't know if I'm any more qualified than you but I have slept in a Holiday Inn a time or 900..

That's what I figure too. Got a few with three pins and the third pin works as a blade stop.

The tang of the blade should not hit the 3rd pin post, if it does that normally means a problem with original scales...

Please do not take my word for this stuff I spout off, I learned it all by Looking at, and Measuring Vintage razors, so much so that I used scopes, and calipers to figure out WHY things were done certain ways...

Third pins add a different angle to the scales to accomodate tangs.. Sometimes I have thought it was for Etched and Decorated tangs other times perhaps an oversized or different taper to the tang... I have also thought at times they were simply decoration, it also adds strengh to the build,,, You want to really understand 3rd pins before they are added to builds because a missed sized one will do way more harm then good :(

But unless there was a problem with the scales (warped, damaged or bad pins) I never saw one used as a blade stop


edit: I just realized after writing this, inevitably someone will have a 3rd pin razor that rests on the 3rd pin post, please go look at a few more and see what you find :)

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

But unless there was a problem with the scales (warped, damaged or bad pins) I never saw one used as a blade stop

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So much for if it is on the internet it is true..:rofl2:

A beautiful Dorko #14 that I finished a minor clean up on, and I am getting ready to hone this morning and send back to her proud papa :p

I tried to capture the inside, the tang is sitting off the post by about 3/32" in the fully closed postion, I think you can see it in there. but if you hold them up to a light or a window it becomes pretty clear :)


Attachment 94111

Attachment 94112

Attachment 94113

Attachment 94114

Big blades are nice, but if it doesn't have a big smile I have no use for it.
Big smiles shave better.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

edit: I just realized after writing this, inevitably someone will have a 3rd pin razor that rests on the 3rd pin post, please go look at a few more and see what you find :)

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LOL, here ya go. Taylor's EASY SHAVER, Lister's Patent razor. Has no wedge and the "third" pin stops the blade short of the blade hitting the scales.
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/u...nTaylor001.jpg
Looks a bit sideways in the handles because I was holding it all the way against the third pin just to make sure it wasn't stopping at the scales.

http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/u.../razors010.jpg