Thread: Wade and Butcher "Special"

This is a W&B that I am keeping for myself, it is the first one that has crossed my path that is a full hollow grind, spike point, and it is a strong 5/8 size, so it fits all my parameters for a perfect razor...



Had to do some polishing on the blade, and the scales were shot, I took these scales off another W&B that had a broken blade and re-fit them to this blade.. This was slightly different as I noticed that there were no lock washers on the pins, so when I re-pined it I did the same and used Nickle-Sliver rod with out any washers, and did the re-pin as close to stock as I could get them....

I also did quite a bit of testing before the first shave on this one today...
First I honed it up as I would any German or American razor of the same specs, then I did everything exactly as if I were going to ship this out... I wrapped it up and boxed it up then set the package outside on the porch in the cold just as if it were flying across the country for 4 days....
This morning I opened it up and followed my own instructions that I send out with my razors... I rinsed off the oil under hot water and did not strop the blade.. I did my normal prep and pre-shave rituals then shaved....

This is what I learned today...

Yes the edge was fine...

Yes after I stropped, as normal between passes, I swear it was slightly smoother for the second pass, this could just be my imagination

A W&B hollow is the same as a W&B heavy grind it cannot be taken out to the same edge as Solingen or American steel, I need to .50 Cr the edge and re-strop... The edge felt a little harsh, I will re-shave the razor tomorrow after I smooth it up...
I always knew this on the heavier W&B's but this was the first true full hollow grind I got to try this theory on...

Nice blade Glen and thanks for the specifics around finishing the edge.

It's a beaut! Looking forward to what you'll do with mine

That looks fantastic & i love the fact that you tested it as if you were receiving it. Did you feel the same excitement as a customer though?!

Originally Posted by ben.mid

That looks fantastic & i love the fact that you tested it as if you were receiving it. Did you feel the same excitement as a customer though?!

Maybe not quite the same, but honestly I was having a bit of a hard time waiting the full 4 days

I changed all my 5/8" razors and now use 6/8" or 7/8".

My full hollow W&B 5/8" was similar to yours and was just the best shaver. Easy to hone and strop and so smooth. I used it daily for a good few years.

Don't loose it, they are getting difficult to find in good condition. Really like the scales, I think they are a little bit hard to find as well.

Nice rescue!

Nice one young G.

I just gave a little extra paste goodness to my W&B Bow the other day too, in an attempt to get it just right. Schhhmmoooooth !

I wonder what the neighbors would think.
"look there he is, he just put a package on the front porch."
"well at least he isn't in this basement anymore"

"man that package has been outside his front door for 4 days"

"look look he is going outside, he just picked up the package"

btw that is a beautiful razor.