Wade & Butcher: Identification & Restoration

[Vergeh]

Hello all,

I've recently inherited my first straight razor from my uncle. This will be my first straight razor, unless you count the Dannyco shavette I've been using the past year (I sure don't).

As you can see from the attachments, there's quite a bit of tarnish and rust, and more than a little wear on the edge. Can anyone recommend a good restorer, and is this razor worth my while to restore?

The markings photographed are the only ones I could find on the blade. Can anyone tell me a little more about this particular razor?

 

[Luc]

That a nice razor... Need a good cleanup and honing but looks great!

 

[rickw]

WB's are great razors. Did you think of doing it yourself? Start with Maas polish.

 

[Antique Hoosier]

Here are a few I had done.... and the thread that explained a little about the process.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showpost.php?p=958267&postcount=52

 

[fatpanda]

That is one nice razor! The steel from a Wade and Butcher is highly praised among straight shavers and razor collectors. I have even heard some people say that a W&B blade is "magical." I have 2 W&B blades that I got in perhaps worse shape than yours. Trust me trying this on your own at first is a NIGHTMARE! Since this is an heirloom I would highly recommend that you send it to a professional restorer if you have the $$.

Alternatively, if you want to try to clean it up yourself score some crap blades from ebay first and practice, practice, practice before you touch that W&B with anything coarser than toiletpaper/cloth and some high quality MAAS or other metal polish. What ever you do keep the engraving on the blade, and actually the scales look really nice. If I were you I would keep everything as original as possible (but of corse the choice is up to you!).

Keep asking around for people who are professional restorers on B&B. I am not to sure of any names. Once you find them out, look at their work on similar blades to yours... All the best!

 

[Vergeh]

As long as it doesn't cost more than a new razor, I'm more than willing to send it off to a professional restorer. I'm definitely not going to try and hone this thing in the state it is in. I'm probably better off getting a cheap razor and practicing on that.

 

[ambrose]

I bet that will clean up beautifully!!!

 

[Vergeh]

Being new to this site, I'm a little lost. Is there a place where people can advertise such services, or is it all word of mouth?

 

[TstebinsB]

Being new to this site, I'm a little lost. Is there a place where people can advertise such services, or is it all word of mouth?

It's word of mouth here. I highly recommend Ken and Mike. Ken has a website. Send Mike (lax1mxr) a PM.

 

[The Invisible Edge]

That looks like a post-1895 near-wedge and the blade looks aroun 7/8 or 8/8. Well worth sending awat and get it done properly!

 

[ryrelav]

I want to see how coming back?

 

[Ohio]

That looks like a post-1895 near-wedge and the blade looks aroun 7/8 or 8/8. Well worth sending awat and get it done properly!

How is a Wade & Butcher "Extra Hollow Ground" a near wedge?

 

[Vergeh]

Well, I sent the razor off to Ken, and he's mailing it back as we speak. The after photos really do speak for themselves; I can hardly believe it's the same razor.

 

[grumpy old codger]

Try Darren (vgod) on this site. He did beautiful work restoring two W and B's for me.I highly recommend him.

 

[cityjim]

Try placing it in a tumbler with stainless steel media . I bet that sucker would shine up pretty quick . Nice looking blade .

cityjim

 

[Fnord5]

Uh, the restore is already complete.

Looks amazing by the way. As it is a family piece, use it, and keep it in good condition, and it should last another 200 years or more.
Just think, your great great great great grandkids might one day get tired of home laser hair removal, find your old razor(that was well oiled and put away freshly honed) and decide to give it a go.

 

[Fnord5]

That looks like a post-1895 near-wedge and the blade looks aroun 7/8 or 8/8. Well worth sending awat and get it done properly!

Wouldn't the lack of England on the tang stamp indicate pre 1890? Although I don't know when the arrow logo started being used..

How is a Wade & Butcher "Extra Hollow Ground" a near wedge?

Because back in the 1800's Extra Hollow was nowhere near as hollow as todays razors. More like 1/4 or even 1/8 hollow.

 

[leighton]

Wouldn't the lack of England on the tang stamp indicate pre 1890? Although I don't know when the arrow logo started being used..

Yes.

Because back in the 1800's Extra Hollow was nowhere near as hollow as todays razors. More like 1/4 or even 1/8 hollow.

Actually, I consider the WB Celebrated extra hollow ground a hollow ground razor by today's standards. Extra hollow really has no meaning to me other than to connote an especially thin razor. I suppose the DD's are kind of extra hollow ground. Its all the same to me though.