Thread: Please help identifying this Wade & Butcher

Far from decreasing the value original scales enhance it. It they are not cracked at the pivot, broken between pivot and wedge, replacing them would be a mistake IMHO. We've all seen the Antiques Roadshow episodes where the expert in the field tells the owner that the table, or whatever, would have been worth $100,000 if it hadn't been refinished, but now it is worth $100.00 ....... So if they are all of a piece give them the neatsfoot treatment recommended and you'll have a lovely antique razor to use and hand down to your grandchildren.

Originally Posted by UKRob

Try searching 'Rattler Grind' and see if this throws up anything of interest. There really doesn't appear to be a great deal that needs doing with the razor - I assume the pivot area is clean, in which case you may not even need to remove the scales. I'd try the neatsfoot oil recommendation followed by light sanding if you still feel it necessary. As for the blade - does it even need any cleaning?

+1 that's right UKRob!

Think it was you who mentioned that before. Although I have a spike point 7/8 chopper, in cigar scales, that has a barely visible etching saying, "Rattler"????

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Far from decreasing the value original scales enhance it. It they are not cracked at the pivot, broken between pivot and wedge, replacing them would be a mistake IMHO. We've all seen the Antiques Roadshow episodes where the expert in the field tells the owner that the table, or whatever, would have been worth $100,000 if it hadn't been refinished, but now it is worth $100.00 ....... So if they are all of a piece give them the neatsfoot treatment recommended and you'll have a lovely antique razor to use and hand down to your grandchildren.

Jimmy is SOOO right!!Once you have used the Neatsfoot oil they should really look nice!!

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Far from decreasing the value original scales enhance it. It they are not cracked at the pivot, broken between pivot and wedge, replacing them would be a mistake IMHO. We've all seen the Antiques Roadshow episodes where the expert in the field tells the owner that the table, or whatever, would have been worth $100,000 if it hadn't been refinished, but now it is worth $100.00 ....... So if they are all of a piece give them the neatsfoot treatment recommended and you'll have a lovely antique razor to use and hand down to your grandchildren.

+1 to JimmyHAD.

The W&B's that I've had most have had bug bitten scales(still OK, but fragile), small cracks where JimmyHAD mentions (still OK but fragile again), or simply crumbling scales. Nonetheless, aside from the crumbling scales on two blades, I have kept all of them after a good soak in Neatsfoot oil, and if I ever sell a blade, I at least have the original scales and pins.

I know that appraisals are not done on SRP, but do you think it was worth the $100 approx? I like the look of it, so Im happy even if I overpaid.

Here's the thread I was thinking of - one of the designs is very similar.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...n-rattler.html

And a couple of pictures of an un-named one of mine. It's kind of like the SRP razor.

Originally Posted by AndrewJM

I know that appraisals are not done on SRP, but do you think it was worth the $100 approx? I like the look of it, so Im happy even if I overpaid.

Sorry but you are correct about appraisals being a big No No here!

With that said, beauty is in the eye of the beholder! One man's eyesore is another mans prized possession!

Now I highly recommend that you send that blade to OZ! He's in Sydney and he does wonderful work and his edges are legendary! If you need the link to PM him let me know!

I think you did fine on that deal, its in good shape, by a great manufacturer and cheaper than the razors you can currently buy new. Just my opinion though. Nice sr!

Hi All,

Razor arrived and is in very good condition apart from the scales, which are warped, cannot close the blade without the razor scraping. I have read threads about straightening the scales, but many people dont have much success, and I dont have many tools to do much with it. Should I just replace the scales?

I am looking into buying a vacuum canister for hardening wood, I was wondering if anyone has experience using this with neatsfoot oil, leaving it for a few days under vacuum to get the horn really soft and saturated throughout with oil, then clamping it straight or similar and baking wrapped in foil or leaving at room temperature for a a week or two until they harden up again? Or is heat treatment the only option?

I think they would look great with a modern style of scales, but don't want to ruin it for others if I decide to resell in the future.

I know nothing of vacuum systems. scales will draw neatsfoot in easily with exposure. If you put your razor in a ziploc bag with a few ounces of oil and stick it off to the side and leave it for a few days it is a good start. Geezer had a thread here recently about using hot water. Have a look around and see what some others have done and give it a go.