Thread: W&B What should I do ?????

So I got this Wade & Butcher Sheffield off eBay the other day. Looked solid from the ad, no major pitting or damage, so I jumped. Got it for $15, so not a big loss if it is shabby....

After getting it, it actually looks to be in pretty good condition. But, as you can see from the pics, the scales are a bit larger than the blade and they are very grimy on the inside with hatch marks on the outside.

Do you think this is worth a restore or should I look into doing a complete rebuild?

Let me know what you guys think!

Joshua

(Moderators: if this is in the wrong please, please move)

I don't think your allowed to solicit on the open forum, best advice is to contact via PM a member who offers restoration services in the classifieds.

Its hard to tell from the pics but the scales don't look all that bad. Maybe just some polishing with a rag and a q-tip?

Originally Posted by ReardenSteel

I don't think your allowed to solicit on the open forum, best advice is to contact via PM a member who offers restoration services in the classifieds.

Thank you, I wasn't sure.....

I think your question was whether or not the large scales (i.e. the space between the toe and the wedge) would lead us (if it were our razor) to a) keep the scales (i.e. restore them), or b) replace the scales (i.e. rebuild). I think it comes down to personal preference. I personally like keeping things original, but if there's an obvious mismatch (due to a reground blade, for example) I'd replace the scales. It also comes down to how much effort and time (and money) you are willing to invest. Cleaning up existing scales is much easier than building new ones. I agree that the existing scales don’t look like they are in too bad of shape. If it were my razor, I'd take it apart and hand sand out the easy blemishes and see how it looked and THEN decide next steps based on the results of the quick sanding. Does this help?

PS: I didn't read any “solicitation” in your original post.

Thanks diyguy, I think I will like the razor, but it just bugs me because the scales seem very flimsy. They are also are quite a bit longer than the blade, which bugs the OCD side of me : )

I reached out to a few fellas to get an idea of what some new scales would set me back. I simply don't have any idea what something like that runs.....

How long is the blade from the heel to the point ? It may have been rescaled or the blade may have been cut short to get rid of damage at the point. I take the pump version of Scrubbing Bubbles and empty it into a tupperware type container. I soak grungy scales, DEs and such in the solution for a few minutes, or more, and then take a Q-tip to the innards. If it is a tight fit I flatten the end of the Q-tip with a hammer. For skinned up scales there is fine sandpaper and if they are horn neatsfoot oil to restore some of the luster. Put the lid back on the tupperware and you're good to go the next time you need to soak and clean a grungy set of scales or a DE.

I can't get a read on how big the razor was to begin with, as I can't see the width of the spine and tang...

The blade is 11/16" x 5 1/2 long. The scales are 6"

It appears that the blade may have been shortened as the end is not square (but very close)

I read somewhere...Probably on this website, that back in the hay day of razor making, the scales were pumped out in true assembly line fashion. Meaning there were like two or three sizes of scales, and each blade just got what was typical for that size blade. But I guess all of my razors fit the scales with an 1/8th inch or less gap. I vote it's a re-scale. And the next step is all up to you. Have fun!