Thread: Need to know how or who to restore Wade&Butcher

Hi my name is Frank I'm brand new to SRP . Just bought vintage Wade&Butcher with sharpening stone, in original old box. Been looking for about a month and reading many forums on SRP. So today as soon as I got my new razor I attempted to hone it on the stone, then proceeded to attempt to shave with a straight for the very first time. Had no brush so just used soap every hair pulled ,took for ever little raw. Don't have a strop yet or shaving cream just couldn't wait!. Need to know how to polish the blade to a mirror finish. Have a crack in the handle, like to repair it or find out where to get a new one. The Lady where I got it from said it was here Grandfathers, so I really want it to be restored to new condition. Please point me in the right direction so I can try and restore my self, or find out how much for some else to do it. Thank You very much for your response.

Try here:

Member Services - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

G'day & welcome Frank.
Probably need to stop & regroup at this point . You will need a strop & a brush & also the skills to use them. Have a good read of the SRP Wiki Straight Razor Place Wiki
but ideally someone nearby could show you the ropes.
The light touch that is needed on a strop is difficult to explain in print but its lighter than you think. "The weight of the razor is enough" is a phrase you will see a lot here.
It is no metaphor

Maybe best to get someone to do the work on that blade & concentrate on the shave & stropping . Link below for restorers etc:
Member Services - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

welcome to srp

with that much hone wear making it like new requires expert regrind.
if you just want it shiny sandpaper and tlc is your friend. since you've been reading the forums you probably know where the workshop section is.
you can glue the handle with superglue, or make a new one out of your favorite material, if you have the inclination.
as far as shaving goes, you should probably brace yourself for more of those rough shaves until you acquire a good strop/soap/cream/brush and the skill to sharpen the razor properly.

Welcome to SRP. As you are just starting out in the world of straight shaving I would suggest purchasing a new or vintage razor that has been honed a to shave ready state. Learning to hone and straight shave is a steep learning curve each on their own and combining them difficult at best. If looking for a vintage razor your best bet would be to purchase one from our Classifieds forum above. The longer a person has been honing and sellng their razors/services the better your chances are to get a shave ready razor as some selling there are just starting out. If looking for a new razor the vendors that advertise on SRP are proven. Just be sure to order it shave ready.

Good luck.

By 'make it new' I take it from his beginner status that all he's really talking about is polishing up the blade and removing any rust and making a new set of scales....not a full regrind. From the pics, it looks like it just needs a polish and a new set of scales, well, and a honing of course. Check the classifieds to find someone's work that you like and send them a message for restoration work.

Welcome to SRP, Frank. You have received a lot of good advice. I can only add that the Wiki is your friend when it comes to cleaning, repairing and restoring razors. You have a good barber hone there, but it needs to be lapped on sandpaper or a DMT before it is ready to put a finished edge on a razor. It is not capable of setting a bevel. Your razor needs considerable bevel setting and sharpening by someone who is skilled, in order to reach the point that only an occasional touch up honing on your Carborundum stone is needed. Daily stropping is required, and is a skill you can master by reading, watching videos, and lots of practice. You will most likely destroy your first couple of strops, so don't learn on an expensive one! The linen or canvas side is very important to learn to to use, before finishing on leather. To shave well, you first need a properly sharpened razor, and you will find the shaves much more comfortable.

Thank's for the advice! Been trying to hone on my stone but just can't get a good edge. Stone seems a little small,wondering what grit it might be 2000, 4000, 8000?. Thinking of getting someday a four and a eight thousand stone. Hopefully a 3" wide stone would be much easier. Bought a cheap brush at shoppers drug store(not badger hair) and shave ceam, the moment I lathered It just felt amazing!. Took my razor to the local barbers in my town they all looked at me like I was nuts! Really disapionted but not discuraged,hope to find a strop in the local classifieds

Welcome to SRP.

Welcome, cannot get better advice than on this forum!!