Thread: Just won - Wade & Butcher Bow

Well, I guess RAD strikes quickly considering I started straight shaving a week ago.

Vintage Wade Butcher Original Only Genuine Keen Shaving Bow Razor and Case | eBay

Not sure if I overpaid or what, but I am fairly excited. I'm not too keen on the heel, so I'm hoping that it could be honed appropriately. Any thoughts? I know some brief historical details, particularly that the lack of an "England" stamp puts it pre-1890's (1891?).

EDIT:

So RAD really strikes. Like quickly? That's enough for me .

Wade and Butcher 6 8" Sheffield Straight Razor | eBay

Any thoughts/comments regarding this one?

Glad I didn't bid on it now to have made you pay more...

Originally Posted by Chevhead

Glad I didn't bid on it now to have made you pay more...

LOL, that was probably my limit anyway, if only because I didn't want to sink serious $$ if it was going to be a project. But I do appreciate that .

I've never seen a Bow razor with any stamping other than the long bow on the tang. I don't know if all of those are pre 1891 or not. I've got one 6/8 and it was a tough job to get the edge to the level I wanted it at. If you keep that one I would suggest you send it out for honing rather than try to get it yourself.

That heel makes me wonder how whoever worked on it got it down to where it is. Note the dark area around the edge toward the heel on the back side ..... wonder if that wasn't caused by heat from a belt sander or a grinding wheel ? The spine parallel to that area on either side doesn't show the corresponding wear you'd expect if it had been honed down normally.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I've never seen a Bow razor with any stamping other than the long bow on the tang. I don't know if all of those are pre 1891 or not. I've got one 6/8 and it was a tough job to get the edge to the level I wanted it at. If you keep that one I would suggest you send it out for honing rather than try to get it yourself.

That heel makes me wonder how whoever worked on it got it down to where it is. Note the dark area around the edge toward the heel on the back side ..... wonder if that wasn't caused by heat from a belt sander or a grinding wheel ? The spine parallel to that area on either side doesn't show the corresponding wear you'd expect if it had been honed down normally.

Appreciate the reply. I plan on sending it out, if only because honing it myself is just not an option ATM.

Regarding your heel comments, I presume that that type of wear is not normal?

Originally Posted by dmmarck

Appreciate the reply. I plan on sending it out, if only because honing it myself is just not an option ATM.

Regarding your heel comments, I presume that that type of wear is not normal?

Well no, the blade was a lot fuller at one time. The heavy vertical portion at the heel is the stabilizer and the edge would have been below that originally. It will take me a few minutes but I'll post a pic of mine.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Well no, the blade was a lot fuller at one time. The heavy vertical portion at the heel is the stabilizer and the edge would have been below that originally. It will take me a few minutes but I'll post a pic of mine.

Thank you. Based on the ad, it was used by a barber, so I'd presume it endured some rougher times.

Edit: thanks for the pictures! I hope mine can at least take and keep an edge, and I'll chalk the heel up to beginner's luck .

Ahhh, so you're the one who got that. I had it on my watch list, but ended up getting a 6/8 barber's notch W&B on Craigslist along with a 6/8 barber's notch Greaves Sheaf Works and 6/8 barber's notch Frederick Reynolds. 3 Sheffield razors for a great price, and all barber's notches while being 6/8?? Couldn't pass up that deal...

Congrats on winning the razor. I'm sure it'll treat you well once honed. Sandpaper the blade if you think it needs it, and then take some Mothers Mag and Aluminum polish to it and really make it shine (preferable to do this prior to honing, as to not mess up the brand new edge).

EDIT: Did you end up winning the 6/8 W&B too?

EDIT AGAIN: Checked the bids and see that you did... Congrats man!!! You will certainly love that one. It looks really nice. Let us know how you like shaving with both when you get a chance.

Originally Posted by Chreees

Ahhh, so you're the one who got that. I had it on my watch list, but ended up getting a 6/8 barber's notch W&B on Craigslist along with a 6/8 barber's notch Greaves Sheaf Works and 6/8 barber's notch Frederick Reynolds. 3 Sheffield razors for a great price, and all barber's notches while being 6/8?? Couldn't pass up that deal...

Congrats on winning the razor. I'm sure it'll treat you well once honed. Sandpaper the blade if you think it needs it, and then take some Mothers Mag and Aluminum polish to it and really make it shine (preferable to do this prior to honing, as to not mess up the brand new edge).

EDIT: Did you end up winning the 6/8 W&B too?

EDIT AGAIN: Checked the bids and see that you did... Congrats man!!! You will certainly love that one. It looks really nice. Let us know how you like shaving with both when you get a chance.

Well I've only shaved with that 6/8. Was somewhat fantastic...I believe it's a full hollow, so that's a new thing for me (I have an unidentifiable Enrico Brinkmann & Co. ... I believe it is half hollow at best), and the feedback and general "physics" of the shave were different. I have fairly small hands, so the additional 1/8 of width was a new thing for me. So far, I have 3 shaves with it and all are fantastic. I'm sending it out to get properly honed, and after that I expect it to be the workhorse in my rotation (well, next to a J. Rodgers I just won ).

As far as the other one - the Bow - I plan on taking my sweet time to restore it myself. It may never be an all star shaver, especially after meditating on the defects of that heel, however, it looks fantastic and would be a great talking piece in my office.