At what point will this Wade and Butcher need a regrind?

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05-22-2013, 01:46 PM
Jonah

4 Attachment(s)

At what point will this Wade and Butcher need a regrind?

I recently won this W&B from an ebay auction and I was hoping I could get some opinions on if/when it might need a regrind. I've gone over it with some mothers and got off the superficial rust. The etching is intact enough. Originally, I thought I would go ahead and make the blade a mirror finish. The honewear is more significant at the toe of the blade and I was curious how many honeings it could go through before needing to be reground. No point in dumping time into a mirror finish if it will have to hit the grinding wheels soon.

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Cheers
05-22-2013, 01:53 PM
mainaman

I do not think so
You would want a regirnd to correct for extreme pitting, or extreme hone wear. You do not have either of those on your blade.
As a matter of fact your razor has a very nice grind with pretty even hone wear.
05-22-2013, 02:03 PM
JimmyHAD

If you use it to shave daily for the next 50 - 60 years, it might need a regrind if you hone it a lot. :w
05-22-2013, 02:36 PM
Jonah

Guess I'll go ahead and get it to a mirror finish then. Thanks for the input, gents.

Cheers
05-22-2013, 02:36 PM
Maximilian

Most people that want a regrind is because they like to get rid of patina/pitting/Devil's spit and or spine/edge wear. Sometimes an uneven hone wear too as it can become a pain to hone the razor. You can go both directions. You can easily continue shaving with this razor as is but if aesthetics are important to you then yes, you can have it regrind anytime and get rid of all the mentioned blemishes.
05-22-2013, 02:57 PM
Jonah

I was curious about the regrind mainly because the toe of the wedge. There is about 3/16 of steel from the tip to the barbers notch and I wasn't sure how that would play in for honing and keeping an edge. I haven't honed anything yet (still need to get my stones) and from what I have heard, wedges are a bit more difficult to hone. I probably won't be able to get out all of the pitting, but that's really quite alright with me. While we are all here, can anyone give me a time frame on the razor?
05-22-2013, 03:23 PM
JimmyHAD

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonah

can anyone give me a time frame on the razor?

I can't see the stamp on that tang, but if there is no "Made In England" than it is before 1889. IIRC that is when the mfgs had to have country of origin stamped on them. Beyond that, maybe 1850s or beyond. I'm not sure when they quit making wedges like that. I'd say it is an oldie though. I happen to like shaving with razors like that very much.

If you aren't proficient at honing I would say send it out to a pro honer or put it away until you're successful with a few others before you start on that one. Use a layer of tape on the spine also.
05-22-2013, 03:32 PM
Jonah

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I can't see the stamp on that tang, but if there is no "Made In England" than it is before 1889. IIRC that is when the mfgs had to have country of origin stamped on them. Beyond that, maybe 1850s or beyond. I'm not sure when they quit making wedges like that. I'd say it is an oldie though. I happen to like shaving with razors like that very much.

If you aren't proficient at honing I would say send it out to a pro honer or put it away until you're successful with a few others before you start on that one. Use a layer of tape on the spine also.

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I read the other day that W&B's after 18xx time frame are somewhat common, while ones before 18yy tend to be more hard to come by. The etching on it says "Fine India Steel". I got it from this auction - Vintage Wade Butcher Fine India Steel 13 16" Straight Razor w Box Sheffield | eBay

If it is indeed an older one, I imagine it would be better to not sand it down. There is still some patina and darkening, and I used mothers with a pretty non abrasive cloth. I figured I would send this guy off to Lynn.
05-22-2013, 03:43 PM
JimmyHAD

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonah

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I read the other day that W&B's after 18xx time frame are somewhat common, while ones before 18yy tend to be more hard to come by. The etching on it says "Fine India Steel". I got it from this auction - Vintage Wade Butcher Fine India Steel 13 16" Straight Razor w Box Sheffield | eBay

If it is indeed an older one, I imagine it would be better to not sand it down. There is still some patina and darkening, and I used mothers with a pretty non abrasive cloth. I figured I would send this guy off to Lynn.

Yeah that is an oldie with that etching. I wouldn't do too much beyond metal polish for fear of losing the etch.

You should delete that listing ........ "they" might come and get you because you stole it ! :rofl2:

Sending it to Lynn is good thinking. That is not one I would want to break into honing with. :tu
05-22-2013, 03:50 PM
Jonah

I like the look of the Wade and Butchers a lot, but the main reason I bid on this guy was the etching and the pretty low price. I was actually mildly surprised when I won it ;)

The horn scales are in pretty good shape, too. There are a few bug bites but it isn't too bad, and same with the coffin case. I have some nice wood I'll be cutting up for scales and I'll make sure to post the finished product. Thanks for letting me know what I have, it would have been slightly tragic had I ruined this razor by attempting to make it new :aargh:
05-22-2013, 03:54 PM
JimmyHAD

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonah

The horn scales are in pretty good shape, too. There are a few bug bites but it isn't too bad, and same with the coffin case. I have some nice wood I'll be cutting up for scales and I'll make sure to post the finished product.

Yknow it is all YMMV with this stuff but I would always prefer original scales over replacements, bug bites and all. Especially original horn. If you do replace them save the originals so that if you ever sell or trade it the person who receives it will have the option of going back to original. IMHO.
05-22-2013, 04:02 PM
anthogia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonah

I recently won this W&B from an ebay auction and I was hoping I could get some opinions on if/when it might need a regrind. I've gone over it with some mothers and got off the superficial rust. The etching is intact enough. Originally, I thought I would go ahead and make the blade a mirror finish. The honewear is more significant at the toe of the blade and I was curious how many honeings it could go through before needing to be reground. No point in dumping time into a mirror finish if it will have to hit the grinding wheels soon.

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Cheers

I actually lost this item to you! Im happy that someone here got it rather than some schmo who doesn't know a thing about razors! If I knew you were bidding for it I would have bowed out. Good luck with it!
05-22-2013, 04:07 PM
Mcbladescar

Hey Jonah
Just to add, horn scales with bug bites arent really all that hard to repair and make serviceable (even steam press and straighten out)
I love original looking W&B's
Just sayin :)
Mike
05-22-2013, 04:10 PM
Jonah

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Yknow it is all YMMV with this stuff but I would always prefer original scales over replacements, bug bites and all. Especially original horn. If you do replace them save the originals so that if you ever sell or trade it the person who receives it will have the option of going back to original. IMHO.

I saved the scales and was very careful in removing them. If I understand correctly, I need to get some neatsfoot oil and soak the scales in them. They have certainly gotten a bit brittle. I was also able to salvage two of the bulls eye washers as well. I am still toying with the idea of polishing them up a little bit and using them for the pivot while using normal brass washers for pins near the toe.

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthogia

I actually lost this item to you! Im happy that someone here got it rather than some schmo who doesn't know a thing about razors! If I knew you were bidding for it I would have bowed out. Good luck with it!

Sorry about that bud! I appreciate the good sportsmanship and I'll make sure I take great care of the blade :angel:
05-22-2013, 04:11 PM
Mcbladescar

Hah Jimmy .... you're quicker than me :)
05-22-2013, 04:13 PM
anthogia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonah

I saved the scales and was very careful in removing them. If I understand correctly, I need to get some neatsfoot oil and soak the scales in them. They have certainly gotten a bit brittle. I was also able to salvage two of the bulls eye washers as well. I am still toying with the idea of polishing them up a little bit and using them for the pivot while using normal brass washers for pins near the toe.

Sorry about that bud! I appreciate the good sportsmanship and I'll make sure I take great care of the blade :angel:

IIRC you got a bargain there! I was surprised at such a low price myself. That etching sure is pretty, good wishes again!
05-22-2013, 04:24 PM
Jonah

2 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Yknow it is all YMMV with this stuff but I would always prefer original scales over replacements, bug bites and all. Especially original horn. If you do replace them save the originals so that if you ever sell or trade it the person who receives it will have the option of going back to original. IMHO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mcbladescar

Hey Jonah
Just to add, horn scales with bug bites arent really all that hard to repair and make serviceable (even steam press and straighten out)
I love original looking W&B's
Just sayin :)
Mike

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I don't have any know how on touching up horn scales, but I thought I would hold onto them and give it a shot sometime in the future. If I got a hold of two more bulls eye washers I could make it authentic as well. I have been dying to cut out scales with the wood I have been sitting on. If (and probably when) I decide some years down the road I want a change, the originals will most likely go back on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthogia

IIRC you got a bargain there! I was surprised at such a low price. myself. That etching sure I'dpretty, good wishes again!

As ignorant as it sounds, the etching and low price are what brought me to it. Thanks again for the kind words, I hugely appreciate it.
05-22-2013, 04:41 PM
Mcbladescar

Yea, If they were mine, they's get a good polish and go right back on. :)
JMHO
MIke
05-22-2013, 04:44 PM
anthogia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonah

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I don't have any know how on touching up horn scales, but I thought I would hold onto them and give it a shot sometime in the future. If I got a hold of two more bulls eye washers I could make it authentic as well. I have been dying to cut out scales with the wood I have been sitting on. If (and probably when) I decide some years down the road I want a change, the originals will most likely go back on.

As ignorant as it sounds, the etching and low price are what brought me to it. Thanks again for the kind words, I hugely appreciate it.

I do not know how it happened but I just posted to you and it went to a six year old thread! I said no problem I am guilty of the same ignorance as I was drawn to it for the price and etching myself!