Thread: W&B or Fox?

I've been looking at a local antique barn that sells straights.

In my treasure hunting I came across two blades that would be good for restoration, or at least a good clean up.

Anyways, one is a Wade and Butcher, no etchings on the blade. It's a fairly hefty blade (7/8 or so) and has a moderate grind.

The other is has the location of production. Sheffield I think, and the only other mark is a fox engraved into the handle. Only words are on the other side of the scale is "The Trademark". So maybe it's Fox cutlery?

But which would be more worthwhile to clean up? I'm leaning towards W & B because of all the talk about them. But I'd like to hear some other opinions.

(crap, meant to put this in the Workshop thread)

Hi Samuel,

I've moved this to the Workshop as per your note..!

In terms of which one to go for, pics would be helpful so the experts can assess the condition. It also depends on which one you like the look of more..!

All things being equal (price, condition etc..) go with the one you like the look of more. I have a couple of W&B's and they are great shavers, but I dont have a Fox razor so I cant really compare the shaves.

Hopefully some other people will chime in and help you decide..!

Good luck and keep us posted!

Well, I still haven't been able to go photograph the other two. But I did just get this Wade & Butcher on Ebay. I paid ten bucks for it in mind of tidying it up and adding some scales. I just hope the blade stands the work.

Originally Posted by Samuel

The other is has the location of production. Sheffield I think, and the only other mark is a fox engraved into the handle. Only words are on the other side of the scale is "The Trademark". So maybe it's Fox cutlery?

Samuel, if you're saying that the only words are on the scales it could be anyone's blade ? Generally Fox would have had an image of a fox stamped into one side of the tang and some company name stuff on the other IME. So either someone pinned another blade in there or it is so worn that it lost it's nomenclature ? Just thinking out loud, could be a good razor to have anyhow. The 'new' ebay W&B looks good for ten bucks. Are you thinking of new scales just to do it or are the original scales damaged ? I always like to stay as original as possible but ....YMMV.

If prices are the same, and reasonable, buy the WB. They are great and are defnitely worth refinishing. Then maybe do a little more research on the other blade before you buy it. Good find though on the 7/8 WB!

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Samuel, if you're saying that the only words are on the scales it could be anyone's blade ? Generally Fox would have had an image of a fox stamped into one side of the tang and some company name stuff on the other IME. So either someone pinned another blade in there or it is so worn that it lost it's nomenclature ? Just thinking out loud, could be a good razor to have anyhow. The 'new' ebay W&B looks good for ten bucks. Are you thinking of new scales just to do it or are the original scales damaged ? I always like to stay as original as possible but ....YMMV.

Hey thanks for the info on the Fox. The tang had "sheffield" stamped on it. But not much more than that if I recall, however the blade is in decent shape. But I like the looks of 'Butcher's.

As for the new acquisition; I'd like to keep it complete but the other scale has broken at the pin. I'm not sure what type of wood, maybe oak or jatoba (though that's a toughy to work with)
So we'll see where that takes me. But I also like keeping things original.