Thread: Wade and Butcher 17/16 Anchor

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Congratulations on a rare razor in surprising and beautiful condition.

My only lament is that, having survived in original condition for 150 + years, the new owner is going to take this museum piece and put a different set of scales on it.

OTOH, it is yours to do with as you will. Enjoy it.

Actually, you read my mind a bit on this...perhaps you can give me some advice.

The scales are in perfect shape...now I want to use this blade, I know the steel will be fine, but the scales, especially in that fine shape, I am worried about. So, what I'm pondering is should I rescale and store the original scales in order to protect them, or use the blade as is.

I'll admit I like the scales with the curved grip, just works better for me, but in the same sense, there is no real reason to rescale this but am worried about damaging obviously scales in great condition???

Apropos your reply to JimmyHAD's post, and your query:

So don't damage them! From what I've seen, you have a history of respecting and taking-care-of your razors; why worry about that changing?

Don't worry, be happy!

Smooth shaving!

I would think that if they've lasted this long, knowing you'll treat the razor with the respect it deserves, I am thinking the scales will be fine.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I would think that if they've lasted this long, knowing you'll treat the razor with the respect it deserves, I am thinking the scales will be fine.

Ok - thanks for the advice JB and JH - going to keep the scales!

However, I will have it polished up nice....

So, any tips on what I should do in regards to maintaining the scales? Have read that scales are sometimes soaked in neatsfoot? Sheesh...I don't even know what these scales are made of!!

I'd bet they are horn. Ask Zak, Voidmonster. He is real good with the oldies.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I'd bet they are bone. Ask Zak, voidmonster. He is real good with the oldies.

Thanks!

Going to send it to Val for a hone and cleaning, figure he'll know what to do to ensure the scales are properly cared for.

Just trying to zero in on a date for this blade...

Thanks again for your advice!

So dang cool! Congrats!

NICE ! Anchor denotes Birmingham production. Earlier? Don't cut your eye out! We all bid!

You do know that it was reground, probably at least a century ago. It probably lost half it's weight as it was done!
Nice blade! Should shave the dickens!

The scales are pressed horn¹, so a good soak in neatsfoot won't do anything but good. Chances are excellent they don't even need it, but soaking them will help get out any stuff that's been lodged in there (you can use a pipe cleaner while they're still wet with the oil to really clean between them).

If you soak them, the way I go about it is to put the razor into a sealable bag and pour in enough neatsfoot to cover it with a little extra, then put that bag inside another bag.

Double-bagging helps prevent the oil from making the whole room smell like neat feet (which, depending on your tastes, may not be the most awesome thing that ever was). It is aromatic stuff, and the smell goes right through a single bag.

I'd guess that's from 1830-1840, and I'm 90% certain the blade has been reground quite a long time ago. That stabilizer is not original.

The idea that the anchor means its from Birmingham is a misconception. The anchor was a part of the hallmarks for Birmingham silver. Since the razor isn't silver, it just means 'an anchor'. Maybe they were sold in port towns to sailors?

1. Fun fact, almost all old Sheffield scales that are made from horn were pressed rather than cut. It saved significant labor and meant scales were uniform sizes, since every set that came from that mold would be the same (minus natural variations in the material). Making scales was its own micro-industry, and only the biggest firms made their own scales.

Originally Posted by Voidmonster

The scales are pressed horn¹, so a good soak in neatsfoot won't do anything but good. Chances are excellent they don't even need it, but soaking them will help get out any stuff that's been lodged in there (you can use a pipe cleaner while they're still wet with the oil to really clean between them).

If you soak them, the way I go about it is to put the razor into a sealable bag and pour in enough neatsfoot to cover it with a little extra, then put that bag inside another bag.

Double-bagging helps prevent the oil from making the whole room smell like neat feet (which, depending on your tastes, may not be the most awesome thing that ever was). It is aromatic stuff, and the smell goes right through a single bag.

I'd guess that's from 1830-1840, and I'm 90% certain the blade has been reground quite a long time ago. That stabilizer is not original.

The idea that the anchor means its from Birmingham is a misconception. The anchor was a part of the hallmarks for Birmingham silver. Since the razor isn't silver, it just means 'an anchor'. Maybe they were sold in port towns to sailors?

1. Fun fact, almost all old Sheffield scales that are made from horn were pressed rather than cut. It saved significant labor and meant scales were uniform sizes, since every set that came from that mold would be the same (minus natural variations in the material). Making scales was its own micro-industry, and only the biggest firms made their own scales.

Thanks Voidmaster!!

Could you explain, "reground", I've heard the term before, and have a concept of what it means, but could you elaborate in terms of this razor and in general?