Thread: I got 2 wade and butcher FBU and I have questions

So I've been hearing this statement that the old timers knew what they were doing and to use their scales as templets and use their examples but I've run into quite a few razors now that make me say why in the hell would u do that? Wedges that will end so far from the blade your eyes will have to take a flight just to see where the razor is lol jokes aside I really starting to question why? These pins are way in the front of the wedge when they should be towards the back of the wedge to get the wedge effect...

Which brings me my reason for posting... I have the set of original scales and I unpinned it and was going to call it quits on it but then people tell me it's better to have the originals... And the problem I have with the originals is not the chunk missing but rather the size of that ass end... Now I'm a butt man myself but this thing has waaaaay to much junk in the truck for me even... So I was going to make a new set that used the original wedge and the same style but if I'm going though the trouble of restoring and making new scales should I just give it an update? I know the ultimate decision is on me but I'm just asking W.W.S.R.P do? Keep the original style and wedge, keep the original scales or just change it and make it completely custom and give these ladies a facelift and an ass tuck? Let me know!

As little as possible if they were mine
More value in original and there were always reason the old boys did things and sure they would not add material purely for the sake of it
Check the balance point of the original scales in your hand this will be the reasons for the size and thicknesses most likely

Originally Posted by Substance

As little as possible if they were mine
More value in original and there were always reason the old boys did things and sure they would not add material purely for the sake of it
Check the balance point of the original scales in your hand this will be the reasons for the size and thicknesses most likely

Cleaver cleaver! That's awesome... I didn't check yet but that very well could be it... Should I just use the horn with the bite missing?

You can grind up some black horn from another scale that is beyond repair, mix it with epoxy and use it as a filler to rebuild any bug bites.

I would agree with Substance , and keep the rescale as close to original as possible . Nothing is set in stone , and individual taste will vary but your best bet is to keep it traditional when it comes to W&B's. I hope to never see another FBU with green glow in the dark Kirinite shoes. As far as repairing the old scales or making new...Well why not try the repair first to improve your skill set ? If not satisfied with the results you can always make another pair.

Balance. It's all about balance.

That pin is exactly where it should be, as well. Firstly, you get it too close to the end of the scale and it will split-- not a question of if, but when. Secondly, the wedge is both subtle and linear, being a very slight consistent angle which means that pressure at the diverging end will align the scales with the wedge material. Pressure at the converging end will allow the scales to bow further from the wedge. A gentle flat taper and pin located far from the distal end of the scale provides spring and durability.

I just restored a 15/16 with no FBU stamp. It's the original scale profile.

Originally Posted by puketui41

You can grind up some black horn from another scale that is beyond repair, mix it with epoxy and use it as a filler to rebuild any bug bites.

+1 as Puketui41 mentioned go with the horn dust in a 2 pack glue
I have used CA glue this way also & has held out for 2 years nearly already
soak the scales in neat's-foot oil for a week first, then when glueing make sure you clean the glue area with acetone on a cotton tip a couple of times to help the bond & they should be right for many years again
there has been a few threads about similar fixes

Originally Posted by Wirm

I would agree with Substance , and keep the rescale as close to original as possible . Nothing is set in stone , and individual taste will vary but your best bet is to keep it traditional when it comes to W&B's. I hope to never see another FBU with green glow in the dark Kirinite shoes. As far as repairing the old scales or making new...Well why not try the repair first to improve your skill set ? If not satisfied with the results you can always make another pair.

Originally Posted by puketui41

You can grind up some black horn from another scale that is beyond repair, mix it with epoxy and use it as a filler to rebuild any bug bites.

Originally Posted by Substance

+1 as Puketui41 mentioned go with the horn dust in a 2 pack glue
I have used CA glue this way also & has held out for 2 years nearly already
soak the scales in neat's-foot oil for a week first, then when glueing make sure you clean the glue area with acetone on a cotton tip a couple of times to help the bond & they should be right for many years again
there has been a few threads about similar fixes

Okay there are very good points here! It would be nice to learn a sinew skill set and try and repair this horn first! Is there a link to this epoxy business someone can link up.... I will be posting the results as soon as I'm done! I agree with any vintage restoration I will never use anything like kirinite or anything like that... Traditional horn is the way to go with that, I feel those others are more less for custom work...

Thank you all that replied, I always get the best help from this community

Razors were made in their millions - not exactly rarities are they, so if someone wants to use green kirinite, why be so picky? On the same basis, horn has a limited lifespan - yes you could repair it with a modern product such as two part epoxy - or you could replace the scales with genuine natural horn. Now there's a thought.