Newbie with Wade & Butcher questions...

[SpartanFan]

I have never shaved with a straight but was thinking about giving it a try. I was on the lookout for some DE when I came across this Wade & Butcher. My knowledge base on straights is about zero so I wanted some advice before I did something stupid. What is the age of this sucker? The scales look like they might be bone but I'm not sure, how does one tell? I was thinking of restoring it and rescaling it but I didn't want to ruin some priceless antique. Let me know your opinions. Thanks.

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[Aquanin]

Looks like a nice little wedge with bone scales. SHould shave nicely once honed up. You did well. It is pre-1890, so I would guess 1870-1880.

 

[holli4pirating]

Scales are bone, you can tell by the color and the pores in them. Razors like that are relatively common, so no worries about damaging her. Bone scales on W&B's aren't all that common, but again, not really something to worry about damaging. Especially given that one is already broken. I mean, try to save the scales if you can, but it's not the end of the world if you can't.

You'll find that attaching value to razors/scales varies greatly from person to person, so keep that in mind too.