Thread: W&B Suitable For Restoration?

Hello,

I am looking at purchasing this Wade and Butcher and just wanted some thoughts on if it would clean and hone up well. I don't have much experience buying vintage razors online so I was hoping I could get some advice as to what to watch out for. I know to look for the obvious stuff such as rust, pitting, and chips. Although is there anything else that should be taken into consideration? Any help would be much appreciated.


It looks pretty good to me, it seems like there is some flattening of the spine but that isn't a huge deal correct?

Buuying a razor to resotre can cost more than buying a razor that doesn't need restoring. Also, if you don't know what to look for in buying a vintage razor online maybe you should wait until you know more. Either way, good luck.

As stated above this can be a risky move without knowing what your looking at.

From just that photo, and depencing on cost of the razor (as well as what you want to do to it) would depend on whether this is a good move or not. From just the pic and if the price was under $20 I would take a chance on it. How many times I have gotten burned on this I could not say as I just can't remember that many lol But I have also gotten some real jewels. That said I don't go for the big polished bring it back or WOW kinds of restorations. I try to keep it's age and battle scars intact while halting the damageing effects of time on it, and getting it back on the shaving rotation. Not that the big restorations are bad, just not what I like to see, I likes em rustic Not rusty or full of Bling...

If the price is right I would say go for it and learn from the experience, it will cost more than buying one already done by someone that knows what they are doing, but you don't learn much having someone else do the work

Originally Posted by Joed

Buuying a razor to resotre can cost more than buying a razor that doesn't need restoring. Also, if you don't know what to look for in buying a vintage razor online maybe you should wait until you know more. Either way, good luck.

I guess my title is misleading. I am not looking for a full blown restore. I would just like to clean up the blade and have it honed. It seems as if the scales are in decent enough shape to shave with.

Inasmuch, the reason for my post is so I can learn more.

Thank you for your helpful post Mr. Chef.

I agree, I wasn't thinking about a full blown restore. Just a clean up and hone.

Originally Posted by DwarvenChef

As stated above this can be a risky move without knowing what your looking at.

From just that photo, and depencing on cost of the razor (as well as what you want to do to it) would depend on whether this is a good move or not. From just the pic and if the price was under $20 I would take a chance on it. How many times I have gotten burned on this I could not say as I just can't remember that many lol But I have also gotten some real jewels. That said I don't go for the big polished bring it back or WOW kinds of restorations. I try to keep it's age and battle scars intact while halting the damageing effects of time on it, and getting it back on the shaving rotation. Not that the big restorations are bad, just not what I like to see, I likes em rustic Not rusty or full of Bling...

If the price is right I would say go for it and learn from the experience, it will cost more than buying one already done by someone that knows what they are doing, but you don't learn much having someone else do the work

How to put this right ????

A worn, Sheffield razor can be a major PITA to hone out, one that has a smile is harder, one that has a geometry issue, is even harder...

On the bright side if what you want is a lesson, that razor might well give you one ...


(Looking at one pic on the internet is the worst way for any of us to get to know a razor, but we try )

Originally Posted by gssixgun

How to put this right ????

A worn, Sheffield razor can be a major PITA to hone out, one that has a smile is harder, one that has a geometry issue, is even harder...

On the bright side if what you want is a lesson, that razor might well give you one ...


(Looking at one pic on the internet is the worst way for any of us to get to know a razor, but we try )

LO so true I remember my first chopper, I was so excited to win the bid and it did look really good... Till i hit the stones LOL oh wow was that thing abused in it's former life. I worked on that blade for darn near a year (off and on) trying to get it where I wanted it, and that was after restoring it. It wasn't till I got my first Japanese natural, just shy of 2" wide and 7 inches long. With the help of everyone here and that stone I was able to get my act with it to a shaveable razor



Not to scare anyone off from doing this, I learned SO much from my work with this razor. That I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

Reminds me of Richard Bach
“There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in its hands. You seek problems because you need their gifts.”