Thread: W&B wedge...I wanna fix it.

I picked this up a few days ago and for the price I had no choice. If it is to far gone I can always display it for what it is. I know the scales are toast; cracked, broken, warped. There is a taper in the blade from the point to the heal. I am not sure if it was made like that, (from pics I have seen I am doubting it...but I am still pretty new to this) and if it is possible to hone or shave with that taper. I know the direction I wanna take with the restore if it is something I can do myself. I started this in the workshop so I can leave a record of my progress for all to see. If it is in the wrong place I apologize.

It's definitely do-able. The blade can be sanded and brought back to a polished shine without losing very much of the etching on the tang. However, there seems to be quite a bit of pitting on the actual blade edge which can make for some interesting and time consuming hone work. Obviously the scales need to be replaced. Now as many will agree, don't take the repinning lightly, as this is as important as the rest, if the pinning ends up crooked, you can end up with a nice razor...that doesn't close centered. But this is definitely a good project piece and well worth the time. Beautiful potential, best of luck!

I am not doing to shabby at my pinning. I have a pakistan straight razor that is amazing!!! for practicing pinning on.

Looks like a good blade to learn your clean up process on. Yes lots of pitting, but it is a good heavy blade. This is a fine way to learn where a light hand is needed. If it was a hollow grind, with a much thinner blade, far easier to damage.

Suggest doing by hand so you do learn the feel. Surprisingly a simple piece of steel as a straight blade has its quirks. Doing by hand, i feel, is the best way to become intimate with the blade geometry, to learn what you can and can't do.

Don't rush it. The real reason you're doing it is for fun, so enjoy the process. You will have a fond attachment when all done

Good luck

thanks, I have restored a few already. I am just unsure if the taper was normal or something better left to a pro. I am looking for scale material now. I am thinking canvas micarta.

*edit* I am really excited because this is my first wedge

I agree that you can make a fine job of this one, and make it very usable. The stamping on the tang is good for that purpose, as it looks deep enough to stand refinishing without being erased. My preference for a tang material would be something that was available to Wade and Butcher when it was made.

thanks guys. I have been reading about wedges for hours. I have 3 sets of scales in the works, and 3 blades to polish. Assemble and hone them and I will start this one. The more I read and look around, the more I think about different materials for the scales.
I am not sure what the original scales are made from...horn or bone. when held up to the light it is a nice translucent amber color. I am thinking they are horn.

Originally Posted by bondpunk

thanks, I have restored a few already....

Dooooh. My mistake, totally misread thread and poster.

That's what I get for reading/replying too late.

Don't work in the shop tired, suppose similar could be said about adding comment, haha

Originally Posted by dirtychrome

Dooooh. My mistake, totally misread thread and poster.

That's what I get for reading/replying too late.

No, I didn't say anything about restoring a few already in my original post. So you didn't misread anything. I should have put that info out there. It is my bust, and I apologize.
I just normally see pictures of wedges that are nice and even along the spine and edge. and this one is not. You guys say it can be done I will try it.

I have heard not uncommon to be wider at front than rear. I believe even heard said that some shavers liked their blades this way. Unsure if shipped this way, or would 'hone to fit'.

These restores I did are similar to your blade. They were about 7/8 wedge if I remember correct. Not as much hone wear as yours' and maybe not as extreme of how narrow at heal vs toe, but similar none the less on similar blades I think. These were impressive as a fairly large, true wedge.

crummy shots, but more images of this one here if you want here
Wade & Butcher


and more poor images of this second one here
Wade and Butcher