Thread: Different sort of Wade and Butcher

I got this 5/8 razor which had been repinned crudely into some too large horn scales. After unpinning and cleaning, I feel it has not been ground on upon inspection. The spine width is narrow for a W@B at 1/8. I also have not seen a drop like this on the spine of a razor this size. It seems to be an unusual model. I had wondered if it was some sort of frameback missing the "back", but again, I see no evidence of that. There is even hone wear on the spine as well. Does anyone have anything like it? Thanks

I don't know for sure, but I would suspect that you are correct in your assessment. You may want to make it as so anyway, just to insure proper angle.

Yeah it's a more unusual model, but there are other razors with similar ledge on the spine. Both Sheffield and Solingen. I'll try to take pictures and upload them in the database next time I stumble on one of mine.

Originally Posted by gugi

Yeah it's a more unusual model, but there are other razors with similar ledge on the spine. Both Sheffield and Solingen. I'll try to take pictures and upload them in the database next time I stumble on one of mine.

but what about the geometry?

The geometry would only be effected if, say a "spine" had fallen off. I think this is not the case. Also,it is hollow ground and framebacks, as I know them, are mostly flat. I have several razors, Sheffield and German, with a dropped spine, but are larger. It lies on the hone perfectly!

Originally Posted by deighaingeal

but what about the geometry?

The rest of the geometry doesn't seem anything special - it's a typical sheffield medium hollow ground swayback, may be a little more curvature to the spine than most.

For some reason I perceived in the OP that the geometry was off mentioning the spine width being narrow.
I actually have had a hollow ground razor with a wrap of brass making it like a frameback.

Originally Posted by deighaingeal

For some reason I perceived in the OP that the geometry was off mentioning the spine width being narrow.
I actually have had a hollow ground razor with a wrap of brass making it like a frameback.

Yes, I suppose a hollowground frame back would be possible! What kind is it? Here is a Henckels with a dropped spine, but the spine is much thicker. Of course it is a much larger razor! I posted it and someone thought it was missing a spine frame as well!

I have a very similar Swedish razor - can't remember if it is an E A Berg or a Hellberg, with the same dropped spine. Although it seems overkill for a frameback with the thick spine and hollow grinding, I suppose it could be for that reason. But it could just as likely be for sitting a hair-cutting guide on - I have seen a few old smiling razors with that design. The one below (Berg, Solingen) has a guide fixed in place - no cutout or drop in the spine though, but the same principle:



The guide is simply fitted by tightening the screws in the above example - there is no hole drilled in the razors spine to take the central screw like I have seen in some examples. If the guide was shaped to fit on top of the spine and 'spring' tempered so that the side flaps gripped the hollow, then the screws would be unnecessary - I have seen this type of guard, too.

Regards,
Neil

Definitely looks like it had been a frameback in its prior life.

Still, it looks very nice!