Thread: Wade & Butcher The Celebrated Fine India Steel Razor

If it all possible inquire as to whom the razor belonged to or some clues as to its history. Mine had belonged to the Sell Family in Hoschton, GA, USA. It was handed down through the generations and stopped at a Mr. L.F. Sell a very prominent landowner and farmer. He died in 1947! At one time there was even a railroad spur to the Sell Farm.

Try to establish the vintage of the wire and other repair rigging. It would be of much interest to all of us.

From the wear on the spine and other scars, my old W&B had shaved many a time. Many a time. I wish that I had kept it. Maybe some day I can retrieve it. They do shave smooth and quietly. A nice item of interest for us on this Christmas Eve, Robert

Hi - had one recently - not too uncommon. The India Steel thing means nothing at all, just a marketing tool. I have several razors with 'Fine India Steel' etched blades - all look the same depsite being from different makers. I thinkthe fully-etched blade wa a 'bought-in' design as I have seen a few blades like this. India Steel is just a name - it really means nothing at all - except for the fact that these were generally good blades, so treasure yours!

Well, I contacted the seller on ebay and, unfortunately he/she has no information or history about this razor. I kind of thought that that's how it would turn out. But the history is very visible in the repair job and makes for some interesting and imaginative explanations. Although I have yet to hold it in my hands I don't think I will keep the scales it as is. I had a nice pairof scales from Gary in mind when I bought it, and I think that is what I will do.

Thanks for the information on how smooth a shaver this will be. I hope so and look forward to all the hours of sanding ahead of me.

I found one on ebay. You find that is is a great shaving razor. It may take alittle time to get it cleaned and honed,but they take a wicked sharp edge.

The only problem is you'll want a Wade&Butcher 8/8 Wedge next.

I polished mine up and scaled it with Leopard wood-I didn't want to go with a mirror finish,as not to remove what was left of the inscription on the blade.The other pic is the shot from ebay- I got the W&B and a F.Reynolds for $22. Both shave great

W&B wedgies like that are definitely some of the SMOOTHEST shaving razors out there. Truly, there is something special about them!

Enjoy!

Here's where I am at.

I took some more pics of this razor before I started in on it. Here they are:





It was in need of a good cleaning!

I have taken it through the steps 120 and 180 and here is where it is at now.





It is looking really good. All of the pitting is gone and there was some under those dark rust spots.

In the next couple of weeks I will work through 240, 320, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000 and some 2000 rubbing compound and then some Pikal polish.

I used a Japanese saw file on the jimps and it really cleaned and sharpened them up.

It should look pretty good afer all of that. I am planning something nice for the scales so you will have to wait and see how it truns out.

Hmmm..I'm not seeing any pictures...

I'm using Firefox 3, now on 2 different PCs. Actually , I'm only missing the pics from the last two posts, "Here I am" and "I've take it through ..." The others I can see, which is the odd thing.

ZethLent, I'm curious about your setup. You're using DLF? Where'd you get it?

Well I have completed grit 400 and here's what it looks like...





I think it is coming along nicely.

I'll keep you posted as I work my way through the grits.