Thread: Wade and Butcher Barber's Rattler info please

Hi Everyone, I was given this razor from a friend and I am wondering if anyone can provide any info for me about it. It is a Wade and Butcher Barber's Rattler, which is etched on the blade. If anyone has any info about age, size, etc that would be helpful. I know it is in rough shape, but what are opinions on it being a candidate to be restored?

Thanks in advance, Sean

For starters I would slap a piece of electrical tape on the spine and see if you can hone a bevel to good steel. If that black stuff is devil's spit, as Glen calls it, you're edge will fall apart on you like swiss cheese. If you can get to good steel then maybe a tumbler to remove the lion's share of the surface corrosion, or just get to sanding with wet & dry. That is just IMHO.

Like JimmyHAD said, first hone the razor to see if you can set a good clean bevel. If the edge crumbles because of the devil's spit, then it's not very usefull to restore it.

In the book, "The Postman," there is the question whether the earth is salvageable in its post nuclear war state. The question is not answered in that the oceans, which cover the majority of this planet, have not yet spoken on the matter.

In your case, the state of the edge will determine if this razor can be salvaged. The quality of a shaving razor is found in its edge. It has not yet spoken on this issue. The advise given above is sound. Remove some metal to see if the devil's spit has made this razor toast. Good luck.

Thanks, I will try what you suggest. I am not very experienced with straights, so your advice is helpful.

Sean