Thread: "GR" Marked Wade & Butcher

Hello, Gents,

I've just scored a Wade & Butcher razor with a mark of King George, which appears to be in acceptable shape for its age:



The price was right, at less than 100 bucks. It is marked "GR" above a crown, which suggests to me that it must have been made during the kingdom of King George IV (1820-1830). Also, I wanted a wedge *and* a pre-1850 razor, and I seem to have gotten both with this lucky purchase.

I bought it to have it professionally honed so I can shave with it... I really love to give these old artifacts their "soul" back. Can the older carbon steel of a pre-1850 blade be too much of a pain to bother with, or should I follow my inclinations? Naturally, this would become part of a rotating number of razors, so I wouldn't put undue strain on it (although I must confess that this may become my go-to shaving tool!).

Thoughts?

I shave with razors that old and older on a fairly regular basis. I've come to prefer the wedge and near wedge grinds over the vintage and current full hollows. YMMV. By all means have that baby honed up. Long Live The King !

Hi, Jimmy--that suspicion (that I too would prefer the heft of a wedge) is what drove me to want one.

I learned to shave with a straight razor by using a Feather, which by its design gives you a lot more weight behind the protruding blade than a hollow would. I can't wait to try this--I'll post results in a few weeks once I get it and have it honed.

nice !!! love me some heavy blade action !!!