Thread: Wade&Butcher NOS ???

Ok so the question is how do I proceed? This is what I bought. How do I hone,bevel set if this in fact NOS.

Polished with Blue Magic only. Stropped 50 laps with CrO. Do I bevel set like a true wedge at 45* or do I go no bevel set and pyramid on just white side of corticle? Just one layer of tape give no visible hone wear?? Popping hairs with just stropping with CrO. Am I over thinking this an just start from scratch bevel set and pyramid .I never had a W/B like this before and dont want to screw it up. HELP

If you are interested in the NOS factor, see what just stropping and shaving is like. Go back as needed.

If you want to be sure you get it right the first time, start on a 1k with light X strokes, check to see if the bevel is properly set, and take it from there.

Or do something in the middle, if you prefer.

Unless you are really proficient in your honing skills and since like you said, "Don't want to screw it up", if it were mine I would send it to a pro like Lynn, Glen (gssixgun), holli4pirating (I have tried edges by all three, all were excellent) or a member listed in Classifieds under 'Member Services". I myself have honed a couple NOS razors (H.M. Christensen and J.R. Torrey) but I have been honing for a while.

Once its shave ready that will be an awesome shaver for you as W&B are great shavers. I'd love to get my hands on a W&B NOS. Enjoy!

Have you tried a test shave just to see where you are at WRT how shave ready or not it is now? You have a very nice hollow ground W&B there and if you are not used to honing straights it may be a better idea to send it to a honemeister. It is in such nice condition I would not use it as a first project razor to learn honing on.

Bob

sounds like you are over thinking it, and like the first response, see how it shaves after the stropping you mentioned. It may be good to go. If not, set the bevel on a 1k or (8K if you don't have a 1K), then once the bevel is set, do a pyramid up through your finisher, whatever that is.

Again, from your post, sounds like it's ready to go, so give it a try. Honing is not rocket science, and if you have the stones, you should be able to do it yourself. Good luck.

If it is popping hairs, try to shave with it. Otherwise I would send it out for honing. Nice razor.

Early on I thought I had to start with setting bevels on anything and everything. After awhile, and a lot of razors, I began assessing the state of the edge first. If it is shave ready, or close to it don't set the bevel. I always strop and see if the edge will top arm hair without touching skin. If it will I might do a test shave, or HHT and then a test shave. If it won't I do a TNT (thumb nail test) and if it fails that, a bevel set. If it passes the TNT I'd probably start at 4k and work up to 8k. Shave test when I think it is ready, and if it passes, improve the edge with 12k or whatever. IMHO.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Early on I thought I had to start with setting bevels on anything and everything. After awhile, and a lot of razors, I began assessing the state of the edge first. If it is shave ready, or close to it don't set the bevel. I always strop and see if the edge will top arm hair without touching skin. If it will I might do a test shave, or HHT and then a test shave. If it won't I do a TNT (thumb nail test) and if it fails that, a bevel set. If it passes the TNT I'd probably start at 4k and work up to 8k. Shave test when I think it is ready, and if it passes, improve the edge with 12k or whatever. IMHO.

That's a good point, I've wondered that about a few razors, I actually did try it once on a new TI, Phil from the Classic Edge told me to give it a try, he had looked at the edge and thought it was perfect, and if I thought it needed it, he would hone it up for me.

Shaved perfectly.

that sure is a nice razor in great nick

Like JimmyHAD I also only like to hone as little as required, if it can shave arm hairs when I get I don't go back to full bevel set & only progress from the 12k check it & if required go lower to the 8k etc using a pyramid type progression like a heavier touch up so to speak
if it is blunt i go back to the 1k with out hesitation

Looks like a great W&B.