Thread: Took a gamble on Puma Gold

I just got the Puma Gold that ended on eBay. Took a pretty big risk and it may turn out to be a junky blade, but I have the comfort of knowing that I can return it if it doesn't turn out to be ok. The seller specifically says returns are allowed and he also told me there was no rust on the blade, two things that will allow me to return the blade if it comes to me somehow messed up in a way I couldn't see on the auction.
Anyways, do you guys see any obvious issues with this razor that may be bad enough to make it unuseable or an awful deal? Pics aren't great, but I looked for quite a while for rust, pitting, hone wear, cracks, chips, or any burn marks...didn't seem too bad. And again, I can always return it if it turns out crappy...
Pretty happy to have a chance at one though since it is indeed my holy grail.
Here's the item number: 170475371198
And a link: VINTAGE SOLINGEN GERMANY PUMA GOLD STRAIGHT RAZOR & Box - eBay (item 170475371198 end time Apr-25-10 18:31:56 PDT)

Congratulations!

The blade looks good to me, and in particular, has very little honewear on the spine. The problem with the puma gold is once you clean it up, that is the end of the goldwash.

You'd want to replace the scales.

Originally Posted by RayG

Congratulations!

The blade looks good to me, and in particular, has very little honewear on the spine. The problem with the puma gold is once you clean it up, that is the end of the goldwash.

You'd want to replace the scales.

Thanks Ray! I'll be happy to be rid of the goldwash. That stuff just annoys and worries me.
Hopefully this will turn out well (good luck to myself)

If all you are interested in is the blade it looks like you are alright. Too bad the one scale is messed up but OTOH, if it wasn't the razor would have probably gone far higher than it did.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

If all you are interested in is the blade it looks like you are alright. Too bad the one scale is messed up but OTOH, if it wasn't the razor would have probably gone far higher than it did.

Yea, I'm most concerned with that. Here's what I have in mind for scales:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...onde-horn.html
But in the shape of the original scales, with three pins, and with the inlay transferred.

i think you did great job.
I know how they shave. gl

Shame about the chip in the scales. I cant' tell from the pics; can you lift off that logo and put it on your new scales? Otherwise, I wish I could have afforded it.

Goog

Originally Posted by greatgoogamooga

Shame about the chip in the scales. I cant' tell from the pics; can you lift off that logo and put it on your new scales? Otherwise, I wish I could have afforded it.

Goog

I've contacted Brad about it and he's willing to try. Now that I think about it though, I may just see if he can slightly reshape the end of the original scales so as to avoid all that work. I'm waiting for the razor to arrive so I can evaluate everything; it was shipped today.