Thread: Wedge Razors

Originally Posted by Phrank

This is interesting.

10Pups answered a question about this for me earlier via PM.

I was looking at my DD Satin Wedge, just got it back freshly honed from Glen, it's really nice!

As I was looking at it, it appears to be a 5/8th, it looked to me more like a 1/2 hollow or even a 1/4 hollow. It certainly didn't have that defined V typical of a wedge. In fact, the DD looked a lot like my first Dovo Best Quality.

10Pups answered that it's not a true wedge, maybe a near wedge.

So I'd have to agree with Bob, there's a lot of difference between a true wedge, like a big 8/8 Wade and Butcher and some of the smaller near wedges?

As Spock says, "I find this fascinating."

I've never seen a "big 8/8 Wade and Butcher" that was a true wedge. I have over 30 big Wade and Butchers, from 8/8 on up to 19/16, and while some of them may be "wedgy", most of them are quarter hollows at best. I like wedgy blades, but I would much rather have a quarter hollow for practical purposes than a true wedge. There is no advantage to a true wedge in shaving or appearance, and true wedges just add to the difficulty of honing. Based on my experience shaving and honing, if I came upon a true W&B wedge at a good price, I would probably turn it down or send it to Max for grinding. In my experience, true wedges aren't worth the trouble at all, except perhaps as an oddity.

Originally Posted by JBHoren

Let's toss the question back to you: Do you want a wedge razor to restore for your own use, or to then sell for a (large) profit? If the latter, then that's the cost of doing business, which you'll pass on to the buyer; if the former, then that's the buy-in cost for the privilege of building "sweat equity" and ending-up with your sweet razor.

Here's my suggestion: Find someone selling a "naked blade" -- a full or near wedge -- in the size you fancy, and buy-and-restore it. Then, if you're not into making scales for it, there are any number of SRP members who are.

No I purely plan on this to be for personal use. The issue is even crap looking blades where selling for an arm and a leg. So I guess if I want one I will have to bite the bullet. If I want to make any kind of money, I would make my own razors. Yet that is still a little bit down the road

Originally Posted by Bamasamson

No I purely plan on this to be for personal use. The issue is even crap looking blades where selling for an arm and a leg. So I guess if I want one I will have to bite the bullet. If I want to make any kind of money, I would make my own razors. Yet that is still a little bit down the road

That being said I see very wedgey 1850's Sheffields 6/8 - 7/8 all the time in the 'popular' brands all the time on eBay- one that comes to mind are 'fine India steel' W&B that can be bought, had, cleaned and ready to go for under $100 if you have a good eye.

I have a couple of the above mentioned from Near true wedges to 1/2 hollow and the are all awesome in form and function. They are far from rare, but no ones giving them away.

Look at the pics to judge the grind. There are also numerous wostey's and jos. Rodgers and Fred Reynolds that sell for less then a W&B .

The Fred Reynolds are quite reasonable compared to some of the others and are still very good shavers. I see more of them out there than others so I am guessing they made a lot. The 6/8 are common and get less common as the sizes go up. If you can get out and roam around nothing beats hunting them in the wild!

Originally Posted by JoeLowett

That being said I see very wedgey 1850's Sheffields 6/8 - 7/8 all the time in the 'popular' brands all the time on eBay- one that comes to mind are 'fine India steel' W&B that can be bought, had, cleaned and ready to go for under $100 if you have a good eye.

I have a couple of the above mentioned from Near true wedges to 1/2 hollow and the are all awesome in form and function. They are far from rare, but no ones giving them away.

Look at the pics to judge the grind. There are also numerous wostey's and jos. Rodgers and Fred Reynolds that sell for less then a W&B .

I've had this 1840-60 W&B razor for awhile, it has the wedge like V for the blade, I believe it is a near wedge, some have called it a wedge, it's on the 5/8th side. It's a nice blade, all original, is the type of ?wedge? you a referring to i.e, not a true wedge?



Thanks!

Originally Posted by Bamasamson

No I purely plan on this to be for personal use. The issue is even crap looking blades where selling for an arm and a leg. So I guess if I want one I will have to bite the bullet. If I want to make any kind of money, I would make my own razors. Yet that is still a little bit down the road

I'm not sure where you live, but antique stores & malls often have straights waiting on dusty shelves for owners. If the store or vendor for that booth has not been paying attention to straights in particular, then deals are to be found, I have a few wedges that were beauties, after cleanup only, that were found on shelves all under $30.00.
Hunting for shaving equipment in antique malls is a rush for me.

Originally Posted by Phrank

I've had this 1840-60 W&B razor for awhile, it has the wedge like V for the blade, I believe it is a near wedge, some have called it a wedge, it's on the 5/8th side. It's a nice blade, all original, is the type of ?wedge? you a referring to i.e, not a true wedge?



Thanks!

Phrank...the razor you are showing is most likely from around 1900 or later. Certainly from post 1891...not 1840-1860. The fact that it has the word 'England' is a dead giveaway for dating purposes. Just thought you would like to know...

WP34

Thanks! I've been given various dates for this razor, but the, "England" designation is the first definitive information I've got. So lots of these types of razors should be out there then?

Originally Posted by Phrank

Thanks! I've been given various dates for this razor, but the, "England" designation is the first definitive information I've got. So lots of these types of razors should be out there then?

It's not the most common blade etching though its far from rare- many time you will see this same exact razor with the 'you lather well ill shave well' etching- they are rather common. These razor were almost certainly made at the turn of last century- around 1900. They are truly a wedge though.

Originally Posted by JoeLowett

It's not the most common blade etching though its far from rare- many time you will see this same exact razor with the 'you lather well ill shave well' etching- they are rather common. These razor were almost certainly made at the turn of last century- around 1900. They are truly a wedge though.

+1...I have several of the exact same razor with different etchings. I have a complete 7 days mint set with the 'You Lather Well, I'll Shave Well' etching. These 5/8-3/4 inch 'little wedges' were quite popular....probably because they are very nice shavers... so much so, that both Joseph Allen ('NON-XLL') and Wostenholm produced the exact same razors with slightly different etchings than the W&B.

For Instance, the Joseph Allen NON-XLL has the etching: "You Lather Well, I'll Shave Better"...the word BETTER differentiates it from the W&B. The Wostenholm is different as well...

They are actually some of my favorite shavers. Smooth Sheffield steel with a 'heftier' feel and balance when compared to most other light 5/8 hollow ground blades.

WP34