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My first shave with the (seemingly rare) Wade & Butcher DE razor

Tonight I to my recently obtained Wade & Butcher DE for a test drive. If you haven't seen my other posts, here it is: Wade & Butcher DE

Since there was no way I was going to use the proprietary blade that came with it (a tad too rusty for my liking), I had to modify a modern blade. So out came the tweezers and one of my remaining Astra SP's, and it was a fine fit.
Usually on one day's growth, a razor this aggressive would normally set my face on fire, so I decided to pair it with my Uncle Jon's Pipe Smoke set, hoping that the alcohol-free splash would show my skin mercy.
My recent shaves with a Gem Micro Matic, and my Ever Ready "Shovelhead" have really helped me get a better appreciation for blade angle, because treating this W&B like a SE razor helped me get what turned out to be a very efficient, yet very comfortable WTG/ATG shave. About the only place I have any tenderness is on my neck where I got a little cocky and buffed the area to clean up.
I'm thinking the REAL test will be if I use one of my mentholated sets with it next.
 

timwcic

"Look what I found"
They look menacing, but it deliver a fairly comfortable safe. A little modification on a DE blade and you set to go. I scored some NOS blades and a poster a few months ago for the W&B DE

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They look menacing, but it deliver a fairly comfortable safe. A little modification on a DE blade and you set to go. I scored some NOS blades and a poster a few months ago for the W&B DE

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I remember finding your post after I got this razor. Even if I had those blades, I don't know if I could bring myself to use them. Once they're gone....
 
Tonight I to my recently obtained Wade & Butcher DE for a test drive. If you haven't seen my other posts, here it is: Wade & Butcher DE

Since there was no way I was going to use the proprietary blade that came with it (a tad too rusty for my liking), I had to modify a modern blade. So out came the tweezers and one of my remaining Astra SP's, and it was a fine fit.
Usually on one day's growth, a razor this aggressive would normally set my face on fire, so I decided to pair it with my Uncle Jon's Pipe Smoke set, hoping that the alcohol-free splash would show my skin mercy.
My recent shaves with a Gem Micro Matic, and my Ever Ready "Shovelhead" have really helped me get a better appreciation for blade angle, because treating this W&B like a SE razor helped me get what turned out to be a very efficient, yet very comfortable WTG/ATG shave. About the only place I have any tenderness is on my neck where I got a little cocky and buffed the area to clean up.
I'm thinking the REAL test will be if I use one of my mentholated sets with it next.

Interesting razor!! Thanks for posting your experience.
 
And on a side note, a local jeweler (bit of a condescending snob IMO, but anyways...) was able to straighten out that bent tooth!
 
Wow. I actually bought one of these razors (not realizing modern blades dont fit) at an antique store years ago because I have several W&B straight razors and was intrigued by the brand having a DE. And I wanted to try an open comb. I have never used it because I didn't realize how easy it wold be to modify a modern blade to fit it.
Thank you for this post.

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I had found one of the Wade and Butcher "safety razors" and told a friend of it's availability. I'm happy you got one and are telling us more. :a14:
 
Congratulations on your Wade & Butcher DE find. I modify modern blades to use in mine as well.
They are a bit rare compared to other vintage razors, but let me know if you ever come across another like mine, I'd love to see pictures of it!
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Congratulations on your Wade & Butcher DE find. I modify modern blades to use in mine as well.
They are a bit rare compared to other vintage razors, but let me know if you ever come across another like mine, I'd love to see pictures of it!
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that's one sharp looking razor (no pun intended)! I haven't come across any that look like that in my searches, so I wonder if that was a homemade custom jobby.
I definitely like how clear the stamping is on your cap compared to mine. "Wade & Butcher" on mine looks like it wasn't pressed quite hard enough.
 
that's one sharp looking razor (no pun intended)! I haven't come across any that look like that in my searches, so I wonder if that was a homemade custom jobby.
I definitely like how clear the stamping is on your cap compared to mine. "Wade & Butcher" on mine looks like it wasn't pressed quite hard enough.
I thought it was a homemade job as well, but with the assistance of the wonderful members here on B&B, I have found a little information on it and a pore illustration, but no photos, leaving me with even more questions than answers. There's a possibility there were a couple other colors for handle.
 
@bigjeffb I just read that you can use a Gillette old type top plate with these razors so it works with modern DE blades without modification.
I have one of these W&B's but I don't have an old type Gillette to confirm.
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In case anyone is wondering how a Durham DuBarry handle wound up on a W&B razor, it's because Durham Duplex acquired Wade and Butcher's parent company in 1921. Those heavy solid DuBarry handles make great after-market handles for many DE razors. I use one with a Stahly Live Razor head.
 
@bigjeffb I just read that you can use a Gillette old type top plate with these razors so it works with modern DE blades without modification.
I have one of these W&B's but I don't have an old type Gillette to confirm.
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You're quite right, an old type top cap does indeed work with the rest of a W&B razor.
 
You're quite right, an old type top cap does indeed work with the rest of a W&B razor.
Good to know. Is it a nice snug fit with no wobble?
Now I just need to find a good old type. Of course wife says I have to sell a razor before I another.

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@bigjeffb I just read that you can use a Gillette old type top plate with these razors so it works with modern DE blades without modification.
I have one of these W&B's but I don't have an old type Gillette to confirm.
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You're quite right, an old type top cap does indeed work with the rest of a W&B razor.
Good to know. Is it a nice snug fit with no wobble?
Now I just need to find a good old type. Of course wife says I have to sell a razor before I another.

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The one I tried out fit so snugly that it seemed to be made for it.
I probably won't ever use it this way since I'm pretty good at modifying de blades to fit with the original top cap.
 
When I tried with the modified blade I most not have centered it quite right. It was mostly a good shave but I had several long light scratches on my neck. I think the edge of the blade was not quite right on the edge of the last tooth.

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