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I ran across a Wade & Butcher razor today at an antique mall. It is the Celebrated razor and it has @ a 1" blade with minimal rust. No pitting. BUT it has a 1/8 (but less than 1/4") deep chip right in the middle of the blade. There is no hone wear. Can this be salvaged? They wanted $20.00 for it. Is it worth the $20.00? Thoughts???
Its worth 20 bucks if you put about 100$ worth of effort into removing the chip. For a guy that hones this is easy.
When I was looking at it, if the chip was removed, there still would be plenty of blade before you would get to the scribing on the blade. It just seems like a crime that there is a chip in the first place. This thing is huge and heavy! It even had the coffin for it. But then theres that nasty chip... Anyone else want to chime in??
I think its worth 20 bucks, but I'm a rather patient person and I'm learning to hone.
A Norton 220-grit stone removes metal really quickly. Post a picture, get an opinion (and a price) from one of the honers.
Charles
If it is a wedge grind there will be a lot of steel to be removed before setting the bevel.
This is highly possible from your description, however, without pictures it is difficult to tell.
If I was closer I'd suggest mailing to me and I'd try to get it right for you, at no charge of course - just for my own experience.
It would be more difficult if it has a smile too.
Perhaps invest the $20 and pay one of the members here a few bucks to see if they can get it right for you - not much to loose if they can't.
From what I understand they'll give you an idea how much it would cost from some good, clear photos of the damage.
I agree that it is a shame to see a good blade damaged.
Geoff
Yes, buy it.
Properly honed it would still be a 7/8 Celebrated and certainly worth the $20.00.
Ok, I'll go get it tomorrow or Friday and by this weekend I'll post some pictures (I'm at state soccer tournaments.) With everyones help, hopefully we can put some life back into Mr. W&B. Stayed tuned...
-Chuck
Wedge=NO
Hollow=YES
Inspect VERY closely to ensure there are no cracks at the chipped out spot. If there are, avoid it. Cracks are like one in the windshield, you can't be sure where it willl run.
It didn't appear to have a crack. I will look very close to verify. It is also a hollow. What causes a crack in a razor anyway? I've seen some with cracks and left them, but I was just woundering what causes them. I also ran across another W&B and the guy was insistant that it had Ivory handles and was wanting @ 300.00 for it. I think they are celluloid because the handles were warped and it has the windmill pressed into the scales. Can ivory warp? Can you press an image into ivory?? I'm using the Standard Guid to Razors as a bible, but I think he's looking for a "fish."
he is definitely fishing...Quote:
Originally Posted by cconlee
If it was me i would offer 15 i mean who else is going to buy a straight with a chip in it!!!!!!!
No, ivory cannot be "pressed" like you are talking about. It can be carved (great medium for that) or scrimshawed. I have seen horn pressed as well. I have a feeling the scales are celluloid like you are thinking, poured into a mold.
Chips and cracks come from abuse: serious pressure, drops, intentionally flexing the blade, and so on.
What should be the first course of action? If it cannot be fixed, thats OK, I can use it as a display, but I would like to at least get the chip out. I was able to use Martin103's advice and was able to talk them down to $15.00. So I'm not out much. There is a crack on each side of the chip. One is the same height as the chip, the other goes a little higher. I would like your thoughts on repair/restoration. Hones available are the Norton 220/1000 and 4000/8000
Due to the graphic nature of these pictures you are about to see, Parental discretions is advised.
Im glad you followed my advise and talked them down to 15 dollars , there is a great video on here somewhere about removing chips check it out!!! that is one good looking blade my friend!!! Im hoping to see the progress you make.
The chip is not the issue, the crack by it is. I would have left this one alone, but now that you have it I would take it to a diamond stone and try to work out the chip. Keep an eye on that crack though, if it runs too "deep" you will just need to quit.
is the concensus to tape the top and hone it on the 220? Whats the best way to take the edge down without causing further damage? Again, I think it my only be a display piece at this point. But if it can be saved and possible to shave with, that would be awesome! Anyones thoughts are welcome!!
Also, I cant seem to find the video. I did score another W&B that has a little chip on the tip. What would be a good way to deal with this guy?
Boy, some great advice posted here and Ace makes and excellent point. Personally I would definitely purchase the razor assuming the the crack has not traveled too far. Even if you are not able to readily determine this, seems to me, to be worth the risk. They are not making anymore of these (lol) and you really can't buy much of anything these days for $20. (metaphorically speaking of course) Just my two cents worth.
Best Regards
Kenny
That last pic is a nice razor & needs very little work. Just round the tip gently, don't take too much off. On the chipped & cracked razor, I would grind it down @ a angle about 45 degrees & not let the spine touch at all until you are actually ready to start a bevel. When learning to hone, I always recommend a layer of tape on the spine.
One the big chipped W&B, would it matter if I did circles compared to back-and forth just to get rid of the chip? Such as 40 circles on one side, 40 circles on the other ect...
One the little Chipped W&B, what hone should I use? 4000 or 1000 Norton?
On the chipped toe razor, I would use the side of a 1K or 4K.
On the chipped & cracked razor, it really doesn't matter if you use circles or a back-n-forth action as you are simply grinding steel. I would try to keep the # of strokes pretty even to keep the bevel even. Resist the urge to take it to a belt sander as the heat treatment could be easily be destroyed on power tools.
OK, I'll start with the toe chipped razor sinces its easier. I'll post tomorrow with some results. Then to the Celebrated. I may (will) have more questions.
This is Glen's/gssixgun's Bread knifing video:
Breadknifing to bevel in about 7 minutes
Respectfully
~Richard
there are other folks that do it a bit differently. They may have videos also.
I honed a similar sized chip out of a Joseph Rogers recently. I used a 220 DMT. I didn't tape the spine but I did lift the spine off the hone though so it was only the blade dragging along the hone surface.
Here is the W&B now with the chipped toe removed. I used the Norton 1000 to get it close and then finished with the 4000. It took about 10 minutes of playing around. Now to finish it up and to the hones.. Thanks for the advice on this one. I believe its going to come out a real shaver..
Looks good, now it's time for bevel setting...
If you don't have the tools to remove this chip, you'll spend an enormous amount of time honing it out.Quote:
Originally Posted by cconlee
I was just about to offer to remove this chip for free on my belt sander, since it will take you a gianormous amount of time. However, that crack is another matter entirely (I hadn't noticed it until shooter mentioned it).
I'll still do it if you'd like me to try. However, I cannot promise that that blade will not fly apart.
Realistically, it is a wedge and if the crack is not a sign of internal rot, chances are it will survive just fine. But I am not going to guarantee it. If you're ok with that and prepared the accept the risk, I'll gladly give it a shot. Otherwise, your best bet is to use a 1K hone with slurry. That should work fairly quick. At least much quicker than a diamond plate. It will still take a long time though.
Send me a PM if you're interested.
Looks great from the pics, seems like thay small investment will pay off big time!!
Getting closer.. Almost... There...
Any thoughts, techniques, cautions, or anything I need to be doing at this point? Im using a Norton 220 at 45 degrees.
Just keep on going...