Thread: Please help identifying this Wade & Butcher

Hi, Bought this razor as I liked its unusual shape, but after searching SRP wiki, the net and other WB faux frameback posts I can't find the same one. If anyone knows anything about it, I would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks.

Oh, forgot to add... I will need to replace the scales. What is the nicest material / style that also suits its vintage? Cheers.

Please don't quote me on this but i believe that the absence of "England" below the "W&B Sheffield" stamp makes it pretty old, pre 20th century.

As for the scales, it might be worth soaking them in oil and fine sanding - should bring them back nicely and horn can be polished up very well.

Alternative scales - I'm considering Micarta for my next scales, you can use *almost* anything porous so gives plenty of scope. Perhaps an idea?

Thanks, I figured it is likely an older model... I would like to know if this is a common razor or one worth restoring to pristine condition. Im looking forward to having it honed and giving it a shave. This is my 2nd W&B.

She is looking pretty good right now. I'm not sure exactly what you have in mind for a restore, but it looks pretty nice. In the absence of either red or black corrosion I'd just leave it. As for the scales, if you are unhappy with those ones, I'd be happy to have them. It is hard to find an old set in relatively good shape that will pass for 100 years old. I can force patina on a blade easily enough, getting my scales to look like that I am yet to accomplish. It is a very nice example of a well kept antique, that is completely functional.

Nice looking razor. Shouldn't take much to make it shave for another 100 years. The scales are actually in good shape and wouldn't need much to make them shine like new. A good soak in neatsfoot oil, maybe a light sanding and a good polishing is all they need from the looks of them. Unless they are broken or have alot of bug bites they can usually be saved.

interesting... I got the razor for around $100 so I assumed it was a relatively common model or not so desirable. I'm reasonably new to this and I see so many nice razors re-scaled so I thought that scales like this brought an item down in value / collectability / desirability, so I assumed that a rescale was in order. Plus a polishing of the steel.

Originally Posted by Christel

Please don't quote me on this but i believe that the absence of "England" below the "W&B Sheffield" stamp makes it pretty old, pre 20th century.

As for the scales, it might be worth soaking them in oil and fine sanding - should bring them back nicely and horn can be polished up very well.

Alternative scales - I'm considering Micarta for my next scales, you can use *almost* anything porous so gives plenty of scope. Perhaps an idea?

Think I was looking at that as well - nice blade! I know you'll be happy with that one. If you decide to rescale it, keep the old ones. I do my W&B's in dark horn.

You are correct, the England stamp dates it in the 1800's, probably the late 1800's, others will have more precise dates. A law was passed at about this time that it was mandatory to have a country of origin stamp. So that W&B is defintely 1800's.

It looks to be, if I"m not mistaken, more of a faux frameback, a very nice grind, it's also similar in my opinion to a concave razor like this, which is waiting restoration:

The scales are horn and look fantastic when cleaned and polished up and like I mentioned they wouldn't take much to bring the shine back. Alot of old horn scales ended up being eaten by bugs and needed to be replaced, but those look solid. As for the blade I would probably just polish it up, hone it and shave with it.

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?