Thread: puma special 89

hello everyone, this is my first post on this forum (but i write on other forums under the same screen name). im a knife guy and i've spend the last few weeks doing research on here about stropping so i can further refine the edges on my knives. last night i was thinking about getting a decent budget straight razor, but i decided to hold off because there are a few knives lined up on my "must buy list" (plus 2 new kitchen knives coming in the mail).

that leads me to this post. i was driving this morning and i pasted by an antique shop. i decided to go in and see if they have any neglected knives for me to rescue and i found a puma special 89 with the case. now i don't have much experience with straight razors but this looks to be a quality piece.

does anyone know some info/history about it?

i plan on getting the edge back to perfect, but what about the rest of the blade? should i just clean it and leave it be or should i looking into restoring it?

here is a pic of the razor:

That looks like a great piece. Good one. I haven't got one but they are very well regarded in these parts. From that photo, a good clean with Maas or such like would probably do the trick, doesn't look like there's any goldwash on the blade but if there is beware, Maas will remove it very fast. I'm envious. Check out The Cathouse.

thanks man. there's no goldwash on the blade, just the name standardly etched in.

is there any special method or cloth you recommend with maas?

Very nice find. Looks to be in great shape and should clean up to be a great shaver.

I have one. They came with a rubber sleeve at the neck of the razor. All Puma's are among the best of the best so if the price is right I would grab it. I don't think I've seen a decent Puma go for much less than $200 on Eboy and often time way more.

man you got lucky on that find puma's are great razors

Originally Posted by jimnolimit

thanks man. there's no goldwash on the blade, just the name standardly etched in.

is there any special method or cloth you recommend with maas?

Be careful near the edge, even though it's probably not near to shave ready it can still cut through the cloth and your finger(s). Other than that, polish as you would other metals, dental floss and a toothbrush can be good around the pivot. For cloth I just use old pillow cases or what have you, something not too abrasive. Good luck.

first welcome to srp

looks pretty good even though the picture doesn't really show the important details well. the one wear may be a bit uneven and on the heavy side, and there may be a frown on the edge, or those may be artifacts from the poor photo.
but since you collect knives you're probably already aware of puma's reputation.
and no, there was never gold on that razor, the decoration is just the gray frosting thing.



btw here's how they look like when they've been well cared for:
Puma "89" 6/8 - Straight Razor Place Wiki
and
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_r...0/IMG_7844.JPG

I had a very nice Puma #89 and traded it to RayG who found it's "twin" and paired it up in a "Gentlemen's Set". They are fine shavers.

Hi, and welcome. I am also knife guy!

That is a pretty nice razor I wouldn't remove the patina, I think it ads character.
Learn how to get it shave ready and then decide. I know from experience, it's easy to wipe the years away with polish, but you can't put it back.

If you decide to, then I suggest mothers mag metal polish. Inexpensive and can put a motor polish. Keep in mind that most manufacturers didn't mirror the blades to begin with, so under the patina there may be vertical striations or grind marks.