Modifying another Wade & Butcher

Saw this Wade & Butcher with a cracked heel and decided to have some fun modifying it.
Sellers pic:

Printed out a picture and sketched out what I was thinking. Going with a swooping thumbnotch that will intersect with the crack, have some fun with the point, and also add the heel spike.

It arrived this week, so marked up the razor, grabbed the Dremel and some attachments and went outside.

First step was to use the large cutting wheel and dug into the tang and shoulder. Don’t have the best tools for this, but it works.

It’s a rough cut but it sets me up to use the sanding drums without wearing them out too quickly. Here’s a closer look:

Glass of cold water nearby and holding with bare hands keeps the temperature controlled.

Now for the sanding drums

 

Sanding the profile went well. Used a 60 grit sanding drum and only went through 1... not bad. Followed that up with a 240 grit drum and landed here...

Here is the detail of the heel. I like how the spike came out. A couple different thin cutting discs used to shape that.

With the tip I went with a modified Spanish look... not sure I will keep it this way but works for now. Also tried to emulate the top similar to other Sheffield’s.

Then it was time to blend in the stabilizers...

 

This is the toughest part for me... how best to remove the shoulder, blend it, and not leave it wavy. Use a combination of the drums and then turn to the flexible paper sanding discs.

Started getting dark and cold, so ended at 180 grit disc. Coming out better than the previous attempt.

But I’m also starting with a much better donor.

Now what to do for scales?!?!?!
Enjoy your projects.
Tom

 

very cool Tom,nice work..

 

Thanks Gary. I appreciate it. Going to spend some more time on the blade and see how seamless I can make the tang/blade transition.

 

I’d say the blade is 95% there. The blending in of the now shoulderless design is not smooth, but close enough for what I’m looking for.

Leaning towards a set of wood scales, maybe Cocobolo.
Tom

 

Looking good! Nice save. That will be a very unique razor when you are done with it.

I love the sanding drums for that. If I could have only one tool for my Dremel, and no others, it would be the sanding drum arbor and a sack of drums. I don't use the Dremel as much as I used to, but sometimes it is just the perfect tool for razor repair and modding.

 

Thank you! I appreciate it.
I’ve gotten comfortable with the Dremel over time - I agree, I just like all that it can do in such a small package... allows me to stay married.

 

Scale Saturday...
All wood scales should be cool for this blade. I’m pretty sure this is Cocobolo, but not 100% sure. A whole bunch of Dremel drum work, shaping and thinning. Finished with 400/800 hand sanding.

Going with Tru-oil finish on these. 1st coat applied.

Grain looks good. We’ll see how it goes.
Enjoy your projects.
Tom

 

nice dark wood ..looks fantastic..

 

Thanks Gary! For once, I think I got the grain to work for me.

 

The Tru-oil finish was looking horrible so started sanding it down last night.

Decided natural was a better way to go, so went back to 800, then went 1500 & 2000. Then a couple rounds of Flitz followed by Renaissance Wax. Hard, dense wood so should be good.

Pinned it up with some repro brass domed washers and hopefully got a good mix of old and new. Here she is...

All nice, tight & balanced.

Went with camel bone for the wedge to contrast the dark wood. Nice and centered without any washer tricks.

I think I like the backside grain a little better.

And one more glamour shot for good measure.

This was a fun project, and what do you know, I am getting a little faster... very little .
Enjoy your projects.
Tom

 

looks gorgeous Tom.fine work..

 

Thank you Gary. I always appreciate your kind words.

 

Excellent work!

 

Thank you

 

Wow, nice to see a old razor brought back for it's second life and possibly better than new. I like the new look.

 

Much appreciated. Hope to sharpen it up later and take it for a spin.

 

Very nice job.

They don't have an "I Love It" button, but they should.

 

Thank you Bill! It was so nice to start with a good donor razor.