Wade & Butcher Bow

[Miner123]

I've been wondering for a while where the Bow line fits into the Wade & Butcher history. Did they manufacture them at different times or was it just a line they had for a time and discontinued? Are there any distinguishing characteristics to the bow razors? Hopefully someone has the answers or can point me in the right direction. Thanks again.

Miner

[JimmyHAD]

I don't know much about them but I have seen them in horn and in celluloid. My guess is the horn would be earlier and they had a long production run and that they started in the late 1800s but that is only a guess. I am at work now so I can't check the one that I have but I don't think it says 'England' on the tang stamp which would make it pre-1889 IIRC.

[holli4pirating]

I'm with Jimmy - I think they were made for a long time. Do you have one? Please bring her to the Mini-Meet Sat if so. I love Bow's (don't ask why I don't have one, or I'll have to fess up to one of my bad decisions...)

For characteristics, the ones I've seen are around 6/8, half hollow, with a stylized toe (that taper from the top and sides, with a ridge line down the toe). I've also only seen square points. Most I've seen have the writing etched into the blade, but not all (could have been sanded/worn off, or maybe just never had it).

[Miner123]

No, I don't have one, but I do have one on my wish list. I'm was just wondering about them because the mark is so much different than on other Wade & Butchers. Thought there might be a story behind it.

[Mijbil]

Hmm, well I have one that I truly love - and it's a wedge, maybe a 1/4 hollow. As for the scales - actually I wonder if you could tell me! At first I assumed they were wood, but when I got it that doesnt seem quite right. Yet it also doesnt seem like plastic - and also too early for a plastic this nice. THey do have this odd sort of natural "lines" or "texturing" - or I suppose we call a "grain." I know pretty well how to identify plastics and woods, but know nothing about identifying horns - maybe that's why I'm stumped? Think they are buffalo horn? I included one picture that shows a little chip it has which, to my not-entirely-expert-eye, is not the way that wood or plastic chips, but *does* look like the way bone chips. And bone and horn are similar? Appreciate the help.

[Mijbil]

Oh, I forgot: as to your original question: I'm just as interested int he production history as you, Miner123, but my understanding is that the "Bow" is just a marketing thing to generate "brand loyalty" - just like their use of the "Celebrated" moniker over many years, for various kinds of razors, from wedges to hollows. Maybe this is just freestyling, or because of the particular one I had, but I sort of thought there was some connection between the arc of a "Bow" and the moderate hollowing of the razor profile. And if I'm right that they started this well back in the 19th century, then even a bit of hollowing was still rather new (especially in England) and they would want to play up their particular version of it.

Also, JimmyHAD, what is this 1889 IIRC thing? I'm interested. (And if anyone cares, which I am not assuming, mine has no "England" stamp on the tang.)

but I don't think it says 'England' on the tang stamp which would make it pre-1889 IIRC.

[Miner123]

Mijbil, I think those are horn. Very nice razor by the way. The chip you see if I'm not mistaken is from a worm munching on the scales. I have a W&B with the same type scales and it has a few small holes along the edge too.

[Mijbil]

Hah! A worm? Worms like live horns? Or they find razors in frontier cabinets? Also, if it's horn: does one work on horn (in terms of sanding and polishing) the same way one works on wood? More like plastic? I wanted to clean them (the scales) up a bit but I wanted to make sure I wouldn't regret it. And my Bow - thanks. I love the thing - it's changing all my ideas about what razors I like, which ones I'd like to try, etc.

[mainaman]

scales are horn, and the grind is 1/2- 1/4. I have one of those in the works at the moment. I also have seen a 5/8 full wedge.

[JimmyHAD]

The 'Bow' was an important historical symbol to the British because of the English Longbow that was their mainstay in the 100 year war with France. I imagine that is why W&B chose it as the logo for that model razor. As far as the "England" stamp or the lack of it, The Madrid Trade Accords of 1891 required the country of origin be on imported cutlery and other items. Previous to that trade agreement the name of the maker and perhaps the city were all that were routinely used. Here is a pic of the tip of a Bow razor as described above by holli4 and my particular bow razor which doesn't have 'England' stamped so must be pre- 1891.