Wade & Butcher Straight Razor a little background?

I.N.F.K

I.N.F.K

Joined
Jul 7, 2012
Messages
1,896
I bought this straight razor at an antique store for 10 bucks and I'm pretty sure that it reads "Wade & Butcher Celebrated Fine India Steel Razor". Now it has some active rust on it and I was curious to whether or not I should sand the rust off? By doing this the etching will pretty much be gone or illegible and it would be a shame if it turns out to be something unique.

Here are some pic's



 
My first few straights looked like that. I rubbed them with steel wool to remove any high spots or rough areas and then oiled liberally. A couple days later I would wipe it down again with scotchbrite. The it was time to sharpen and enjoy a lovely vintage straight.
Always wanted a Wade & Butcher but never managed to snag one. Have since not shaved for almost 2 years, but I do occasionally grab one or two down to fondle for a minute or two.
 
carbonsteel928 said:
...have it professionally honed and throw it into my daily rotation.
Click to expand...

Did a quick search on razor restoration and I have skill with sharpening a knife, but a complete restoration on the edge of this razor is way beyond my knowledge and I don't have nearly the right stones. Definitely going to enlist a professional to sharpen once I do everything else.
 
Big Chris said:
My first few straights looked like that. I rubbed them with steel wool to remove any high spots or rough areas and then oiled liberally. A couple days later I would wipe it down again with scotchbrite. The it was time to sharpen and enjoy a lovely vintage straight.
Always wanted a Wade & Butcher but never managed to snag one. Have since not shaved for almost 2 years, but I do occasionally grab one or two down to fondle for a minute or two.
Click to expand...

This one isn't all that bad, I'll have to try the steel wool. Not sure if I want to leave the patina or not though.
 
You got a really nice one there! Wade and Butchers have a reputation for being great razors. I would just clean it up, re-pin the back and get it honed by a pro. Most of the pro honemeisters could probably take care of that pin as well if you wanted. As far as the patina, I would leave it, but it all depends on what it takes to clean the rust off. I would start really gentle, and only go to the sandpaper if it wasn't enough. a bit of pitting isn't that bad, as long as you can keep the active rust from setting in again, which shouldn't be all that hard.
 
gadgetgeek said:
You got a really nice one there! Wade and Butchers have a reputation for being great razors. I would just clean it up, re-pin the back and get it honed by a pro. Most of the pro honemeisters could probably take care of that pin as well if you wanted. As far as the patina, I would leave it, but it all depends on what it takes to clean the rust off. I would start really gentle, and only go to the sandpaper if it wasn't enough. a bit of pitting isn't that bad, as long as you can keep the active rust from setting in again, which shouldn't be all that hard.
Click to expand...

I did start with steel wool, then a cleaning compound. But there was some pretty deep pitting near the edge and I couldn't have that. So I sanded it starting with 60 and I'll finish the rest tomorrow to a polish. Then I'll send it to a pro to do the edge, any recommendations on pro's here on BladeForums?

As for the handle, I plan on making my own. The handle it came with was definitely a cheap replacement and deserves better. I plan on making one out of foreign wood, maybe bocote. I may even go for something I've never tried like brass or aluminum.
 
I love it. I'm a confirmed traditional wet shaver. Although I use a '30's Cole's Slant. It's made by Merkur, and is a vintage version of a 37c. I LOVE this razor, but I also use a '59 Gillette Fat Boy. Anyway, I'm babbling. I wish this sub forum had more activity, as I love talking razors. I haven't ever shaved with a straight, but I've certainly considered taking the plunge.

I would have it restored to whatever level you want, have it done up up by a "Honemeister", and put it to the use it very much deserves.

Pleases keep us posted on your progress.
 
I don't know that there are any here, but get over to SRP and they will sort you out. There are quite a few across the states, and I'll bet you can find someone fairly close to you.
 
Alright got the blade cleaned up to about a 1200 grit



Also got my handle design lay out and I found a piece of 1/8" Bocote in my garage

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top