Question on W&B I just bought

[Obiwan]

So I've been trying many different razors as possible in a quest to figure out what I like (and spending all my disposable income in the process). Accordingly, I've recently purchased a 15/16 Wade & Butcher razor off of ebay. Until this one, the largest I've owned was a 6/8. I plan to send this off to Max for some much needed attention as I've been only trusting my novice restoration hands with inexpensive razors.

I was originally planning on having the scales replaced, but after receiving this in the mail yesterday, they appear to be in better shape than I anticipated.

My question on the scales is, what material is this? It appeared to be horn to my untrained eye, but I figured you guys would be able to tell with more certainty.

Also, and I know this is a matter of taste, but is it preferable to retain a razors original scales if possible or does it matter much?

Any additional information/thoughts about this razor would be appreciated.

Sorry for the poor picture quality.

Thanks

 

[Spivey]

That's going to turn out great, I bet.

I've been told that most of the old Sheffield razors were mated to horn scales. There are a lot of other guys here that are more qualified to answer, though.

 

[SliceOfLife]

I'd say 99.9% of the sheffield razors I've handled from the 19th century were horn. Almost all of them black horn. Which is what you've got there.

For collectors the original scales are pretty much necessary. For users, it's nice if the scales are decent.