Looking for some info on the Wade and Butcher

[markn951]

Hey fellas, what do I have here? Got it from Whipped Dog a year+ ago, never shaved well at all so it kinda sat. Recently I decided I wanted to get it sharp and get it presentable but the guys on Reddit said it was way too old and past its prime to mess with. So, what is it? It's got what looks like a 4 and four tally marks carved into the scales at the end of one side, and a name, what looks like J. S. Wills or something of that nature.

 

[tomjr]

i would hone it and use it after a clean-up.

 

[life2short1971]

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. It will hone up and shave as well as any other.

 

[Krodor]

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. It will hone up and shave as well as any other.

Yup. Looks fine to me.

 

[global_dev]

the edge might be fine.. if all it did was sit, a good stropping and good to go. the "J. S. Wills" is likely a previous owner.. nice enough blade and in fine condition to shave. worth what you paid definitely

 

[markn951]

Would I be ruining the value of it if I made new scales and re-peened it? Cleaning up the blade is a given at this point.

 

[Krodor]

Would I be ruining the value of it if I made new scales and re-peened it? Cleaning up the blade is a given at this point.

"value" is measured in many ways. if you mean "resale value", I'd argue that if you did a good job, it would be worth more afterwards than currently. If you mean "how much it means to you", then I've found that when I rescale a razor, I'd rather not part with it...the value to me is the joy in having it.

all the touchy-feely stuff aside, there are enough WB's in better condition that I don't think yours will lose much, and will likely gain some, if you rescale it and do a good job (my opinion). When I started playing with these, I got all twisted up in resale value and "do I damage the original ____". Then I looked at the stuff and realized that it's mine...I can do what I want to with it, and $$ only count if I were to want to resell it. Doubt that will happen often, at least at the rate I rescale.