Thread: Got this from my dad's/grandfather's estate......

Hello all! I'm a newbie (obviously) so please forgive me if I dont know all the lingo LOL!

My folks both recently passed away, and I received the items in their estate, and as a result, everything from my grandparents as well. Two items in particular are stumping me as to what they are, if they're worth anything and what to do with them. I've been doing some online research with not much success, and thought you all may be able to help me!

Thank you in advance for any info you can give me on these.

In the attic, we found a box with what must have been my grandfather or even great-grandfathers stuff. Reading glasses from the late 1800's, his bible, and other goodies. Included in that stuff, were two straight razors and a razor box that one was in - tho what the box is labeled doesn't seem to match the razor.

The box says J.R.Torrey Worchester, Mass and has a two colored razor strop attached to the box, with instructions to "use dark side first - finish on the plain side".

The razor inside has only partial markings, but I believe its a Wade & Butcher Sheffield bone razor. The other razor is a tiny little thing, only 3 1/2 inches closed with no markings at all.

I"m going to try to post pictures, and I hope someone can give me some info on these! Thank you!!

That's definitely a Wade & Butcher, but in horn scales rather than bone. It would have been made previous to 1891. The little razor appears to be a corn razor, used for cutting corns and calluses off of the feet.

Welcome to SRP. Sorry but valuations are not allowed on this site. The value of razors varies greatly depending on who you ask so we avoid it on SRP. Searching EBay's completed auctions can give you a range of W&B razors that sold recently. The Wade and Butcher is a popular brand and a good shaver. Your's was made prior to 1891 because it doesn't say England on the stamp. The W&B looks to be in good shape it the blade isn't cracked. Rubbing some Neetsfoot Oil on the scales will bring them back to life. If you would like to learn to shave with a straight razor you should get the W&B professionally honed. People providing this service can be found in the Classifieds forum under Member's services. The other razor is as Theseus states, a corn razor.

Many people here would give Eye teeth to have an Heirloom razor, me included, so to you it should be priceless, and as Joe said have it honed and use it... Or perhaps have it fixed up and placed in a shadow box display for the bathroom...

Originally Posted by Theseus

That's definitely a Wade & Butcher, but in horn scales rather than bone. It would have been made previous to 1891. The little razor appears to be a corn razor, used for cutting corns and calluses off of the feet.

A CORN razor? Dang, I can't imagine taking that thing to my feet. LOL The little bugger is SHARP! I thought it might be for sideburns or something. Horn scales? Like from deer horn? Sorry for the silly questions, I'm a collector of antique walking sticks and canes, so I'm familiar with horn, but have never seen something like this. Thanks for your kindness in answering!

Originally Posted by Joed

Welcome to SRP. Sorry but valuations are not allowed on this site. The value of razors varies greatly depending on who you ask so we avoid it on SRP. Searching EBay's completed auctions can give you a range of W&B razors that sold recently.

I'm sorry if I was misunderstood, I meant more like was it worth saving - as opposed to tossing it or Ebaying it. Not so much its dollar value as I know values on things like this are subjective.

The Wade and Butcher is a popular brand and a good shaver. Your's was made prior to 1891 because it doesn't say England on the stamp. The W&B looks to be in good shape it the blade isn't cracked. Rubbing some Neetsfoot Oil on the scales will bring them back to life. If you would like to learn to shave with a straight razor you should get the W&B professionally honed. People providing this service can be found in the Classifieds forum under Member's services. The other razor is as Theseus states, a corn razor.

Again, thank you for the information. I'm female, so using it isn't an issue - and sadly there's no young men in our family that have expressed any interest in it. But its nice to know it may be worth something to someone!

You don't have legs?

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Many people here would give Eye teeth to have an Heirloom razor, me included, so to you it should be priceless, and as Joe said have it honed and use it... Or perhaps have it fixed up and placed in a shadow box display for the bathroom...

Given its date, I have to suspect it was my great grandfathers, as we did find a few things that belonged to him and to my great grandmother as well. One of the things I have is a beautiful ebony cane with a horn and ivory handle which IS priceless to me. This? Not so much as I dont collect and really dont have a use for it, tho your idea of shadow-boxing it is a really cool idea!

I thought the box it was in was great too. I've seen boxes for these kinds of knives, but never one with a built in strop. The two together would look great in a shadow box, I really appreciate you for the idea!

Originally Posted by KenWeir

You don't have legs?

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Oh my!! That's one of the scariest visuals I've had in a LONG time! I've been doing some looking at these razors online, and some of them are really georgeous! If I didn't have an expenisve hobby already, this could easily become a new one.....