Beginner looking for advice on a 'new' vintage buy

Hi to all at SRP!
After converting to wet shaving and using an SE for a while now I have decided to take the plunge and go straight, so to speak. I have found a very nice looking vintage 5/8 PUMA 222 for sale online, it appears to be in A1 restored condition with its original Bakelite case. The blade has PUMA Silber engraved on its face. It's not shave ready. The vendor is asking for 60 GBP, as somebody ignorant to buying these it seems a bargain when compared to new quality razors, but I have no idea what I'm looking at, can you guys help?

Welcome to SRP Tom. Puma make a great razor, but restored razors usually come shave ready. Things to look for are chips or cracks in the blade and heavy hone wear. Post some photos if you can, would help determine condition.

Welcome to the forum Tom. You will find some useful info in the forums library section. This may help answer some of your questions Purchasing straight razors - Straight Razor Place Library .

Photos of the razor would definitely help too.

Bob

+1 on Grazors comments above

Hi Grazor and thank's for the welcome. The vendor just states the blade requires honing, I'll try to get some photos on the thread when I can steal some time later today.

Thanks guys, I have read some good advice on buying old razors, not least Maggard razors comments on what not to restore etc. A minutes research does not an expert make however! I'll try to upload some pics later today but they may just be screenshots so quality might not be best.

Have you checked the classifieds here? Auction sites etc are a bit of a c**p shoot. Members on here are reliable as anything.

I would definitely recommend buying from one of the SRP classifieds. The razors are reasonably priced and typically shave ready

Welcome to an older but better way of shaving :tu

It would be most helpful if you could post your location. There might be local help just down the street.

As pointed out pictures will help. If it does look like a keeper remember that it will need honed which will add to the initial cost. I highly recommend that it's sent to someone who knows what they are doing. Regardless of how many things someone knows how to make sharp honing a straight razor is entirely different than anything else they've worked with.

For example the bevel is typically set on a 1K hone and are finished at at least a 8K hone and up. Most knives won't hold an edge on either of those hones.

I worked as a meat cutter and i thought that honing a razor wouldn't be any problem at all guess what? Problem! It took me quite awhile to relearn what I needed to know to work on straight razors.

Last but certainly not least, you'll need a decent strop as it's a tool that you will need Every time before you shave.

Enjoy the Ride! It's a long strange trip, but it's well worth the trip!:y

Hi guys, as promised I attach some pictures for you to check out, I hope they provide some further information. I am based in Cumbria, England, so I am way away from most of you gents I expect!

Attachment 224594Attachment 224595Attachment 224596

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Originally Posted by TomP30

Hi guys, as promised I attach some pictures for you to check out, I hope they provide some further information. I am based in Cumbria, England, so I am way away from most of you gents I expect!

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Oh, you'd be surprised at how close some help may be! Jamie (celticcrusader)is in your neck of the woods and I'll PM him and include how to contact you and see if things can be worked out for him to help you!:tu

On my phone, how does it look cuda?

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Originally Posted by Grazor

On my phone, how does it look cuda?

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From what I can see, it's going to be a Damn Nice Razor! Plus a pretty Fancy Storage Box Also!:y

I sent Jamie a message, I do hope that he or someone he trusts can be of some help!

Take care my friend! :tu

Hi Tom welcome to the SRP you've come to the right place you are in safe hands with so much expertise and knowledge so fire away help waiting at every turn.

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Originally Posted by dmnc

Have you checked the classifieds here? Auction sites etc are a bit of a c**p shoot. Members on here are reliable as anything.

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I'll make sure to do that, thanks dmnc

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Originally Posted by cudarunner

Oh, you'd be surprised at how close some help may be! Jamie (celticcrusader)is in your neck of the woods and I'll PM him and include how to contact you and see if things can be worked out for him to help you!:tu

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That's really decent of you cudarunner, and thanks for your earlier advice.

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Originally Posted by celticcrusader

Hi Tom welcome to the SRP you've come to the right place you are in safe hands with so much expertise and knowledge so fire away help waiting at every turn.

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I'll be sure to keep in touch - especially when I'm looking for advice on facial reconstruction after my first weeks shaving!

A Puma in that condition for that price is worth it IMO. Add pro honing costs, IMO it is still a bargain. What a lovely first straight razor to own, congratulations!

James.

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Originally Posted by Jimbo

A Puma in that condition for that price is worth it IMO. Add pro honing costs, IMO it is still a bargain. What a lovely first straight razor to own, congratulations!

James.

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Thanks Jimbo, I am yet to purchase as there is one other I'm interested in (a Bengall), but I reckon I'm leaning towards the PUMA.

Bengall would be my preference. That's personal though, just prefer Sheffield shavers.

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Originally Posted by TomP30

Thanks Jimbo, I am yet to purchase as there is one other I'm interested in (a Bengall), but I reckon I'm leaning towards the PUMA.

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From what I can see of the pictures I think that you'd be a damn fool not to pick it up before someone beats you to it!

I saw dmnc's post and you will find that 99.99% of Everything about straight razors is 'Personal Preference' and personally I'd hate to see you miss out on a Damn Fine Razor!

It's your call! :shrug:

I'll take that on board, is there likely to be significant difference between the types of steel used between a Solingen and a Sheffield born blade? Sorry if this a dumb question.

Bengall are a good razor too, but I would take the advice of Jimbo and Cudarunner. From my phone, looks to be a nice razor at a fair price.

The puma steel is likely to be slightly harder. Puma make fantastic razors and have a few of both pumas and bengalls. You can't go wrong with either although the puma is a good price and far less plentiful than the bengalls.

Next problem. I have been trying to locate a 'honemeister' (is that the right term?) who could put a quality edge on the blade, I had asked the vendor but he just indicated it would cost around £15 and there would be several online, otherwise I could try myself. I certainly my don't feel confidant doing it myself yet and would like to be able to send it to somebody I could trust. Any suggestions?

I highly recommend that you include your location (country/state/province etc) without that information recommendations are hard to give.

With that said if by chance you are in the UK area Jamie would be glad to be of help. He's in South Wales and you can PM him here:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...ccrusader.html

I hope this helps