Thread: Bought a Straight Razor

OK guys, I purchased my first straight razor yesterday at one of my local antique shops. I took the advice from the forum replys I received from my earlier post. I looked at the Dovo, Boker, and some others, but I just couldn't see putting $120.00+ into something I wasn't too sure about, however; I didn't want to go the cheap chinese route from e-Bay either. Well, I found one for $25.00 which looks to be in excellent condition. The blade is straight and very sharp and has no rust, nicks, or dings. It's a "Wade & Butcher" and is inscribed "Gentleman's Razor" on it. Now, of course it needs to be sharpened plus anything else that accompanies dressing the cutting edge before I can use it, although, as I said, it's pretty sharp right now. If you look at my album, I've got a couple of pictures of it (haven't learned how to post pictures yet). Can you guys suggest what kind of stone (grit, natural vs made by God, brands) and strop I need? I'd like to have a little knowledge of what to look for before Asheville.
Thanks

Nice buy. Looks in pretty good shape. May just need a little cleaning and bonding. Should be a nice razor

sounds like a nice razor. definitely send it to one of the honemeisters listed in the classifieds ie. Glen or Lynn. a strop is also a must have. it's too early to worry about stones unless you are referring to a barbers hone to maintain the edge. some chromium oxide on a felt or balsa pad would maybe be a good place to start IMHO.

Glen had some nice beginner paddle/table top strops which will take the learning curve out of that part. I wouldn't/didn't spend a lot on my first strop because you will nick it. Okay 80 percent chance. You don't want to cry over that. Lynn has some nice paddles too with replaceable leather parts. You can go nuts later spending money once your sure about what your doing. Get that edge sharpened by a pro no matter what. Even if you decide to pop for your own stones you have to know what the end goal is. Believe me it's not something you can imagine :<0)

You really found a bargain with that razor! So many design cues that appeal to me in one blade!

I agree, you should send it to a honemeister this first time and purchase a decent strop while you wait for it to come back from sharpening. To maintain the edge beyond a good stropping you have a couple options:

A high grit hone (e.g. barbers hone, 10K+ manmade or natural).
Pasted strop (separate from your clean fabric and leather used daily, this will also keen up an edge).

The W&B Gentleman's Razor is an awesome blade...last one I saw was 7/8, square point, and was awesome - if you got that for $25.00, you should go buy a lottery ticket...great score!

That Wade & Butcher is a beauty, love the scales.
While your waiting to get it honed, all your questions can be answered in the "Library" section. Read as much as you can, so your journey will be an easier one.