A Puma restore sorta....

So, the other day we had the warmest day in like 4 or 5 months here in New Jersey, so I took a walk with the wife and came across an antique store. I spoke to the shop owner, asked if he had any straights and well he had about 8 of them, all of them German made full hollows, but I found one.


I found an Iros Keen Puma Special roughly 5/8ths in Otto Deutsch green acrylic scales, I got the guy to give it over for 15 bucks. It was frowning, and the scales were filthy and warped. So I took here home and took her apart cleaned her up and honed her.


Method:
For the frown, I used Lynn's method of circles at a 45 degrees angle on a stone. Sadly I was nervous about doing this on my Naniwas, so I tape a sheet of 320 grit emory paper to a granite tile and went to work it took about 25 minutes of circles to get this edge flat and even again.

For the warped scales,I just boiled the scales and pressed them flat this flattened the acrylic. I'm not sure if this was the right way but it worked without ruining the scales. Then I sanded them with sandpaper for acrylic up to 12k grit, then I used Novus Acrylic polish to bring out the luster.

Finally, I used sand paper by hand to remove the tarnish, up to 8k, then I used a Dremel and some compound for cleaning cars called G27S, I duhno if it was ever meant for steel, but for whatever reason this stuff works like a charm within a few spins of a buffing wheel the razor gleams.

I repined it with Mirco Fasteners and I used the Dremel to sand down the edge of the clipped brass screw.

Info:
This is no Max or Glen restore, just me humbly bringing a little glory to this old blade. Those guys truly restore, I just dabble in making things a little cleaner.


Here's some pics of the result, sorry no before shots, it was very tarnished and covered in goop with warped scales.


thanks for checking this out.
David

One more pics:

Great find and nice restore! Keep them coming!

Nice!

How does it feel to put your heart into a project like this?

Nice! Looks "sharp" ;) Love those green scales.

looks good to me :)

ian

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Great find and nice restore! Keep them coming!

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Thanks Joe, much appreciated, I plan to make a trip back to that store in a few weeks said he might get another shipment in from a vendor who collects from Estate sales.

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How does it feel to put your heart into a project like this?

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Ah thanks, it def feels good to put some work into a restore, I've done about 10 others, but usually I just replace the scales, in this case I really liked the Otto Deutsch green acrylic and decided to keep them, it was def worth it.


I'm going to give her a whirl tonight I already shaved today with another razor, so I didn't get around to seeing how good she shaves, I'll keep ya posted, thanks again.

David

My favorite part is the story, going for a walk with the Mrs... etc ;) Since when do people go for walks in New Jersey, especially along commercial roads (i.e. with antique shops)? Just kidding. I bet some of those nice old NJ towns have some good antique shops. My dad's family is from Jersey, but last time I was there a few months ago for a wedding it was out by Long Branch / the water there, and boy was that a no-man's-land. No pumas with Otto Deutsch scales there.

Anyhoo - I'm curious why you sanded all the way up to 8K? In my (very limited, just getting into restores) experience going past 2K before going to polshing compounds / buffer (in my case a dremel) wouldnt make much difference? ALso how many hours did the whole project take - just curious?

And - most importantly - how does she cut hair?

Thanks MjBill, Having lived in Long Beach for a year, I can attest it is 'No Man's Land" I live in a small nice town, and enjoy it very much. I'm not sure if the sanding about 2k really makes much of a difference either, I just happen to have the emory paper and rather then let it go to waste I used it, and it brought me close to a shine, before having to switch to the dremel and polishing compounds. It took me roughly 3 to 4hrs from where it was, I wish I would have taken a before pic so you could have seen the rust and tarnish, luckily it wasnt terribly deep but enough to take some time to get it working.

Honing her up today, I'll keep everyone posted, I'm sure it will be as good as any other Puma.

Cheers
David

Long Beach or Long Branch? I was in Long Branch. I should make my father and my aunt take me around to some of the nicer towns (in central and northern jersey, right?) next time I'm there. I always drove the Hightstown on the way to my grandmother and it has some charm. Princeton, too has some nice aspects - though also some that make you gag.

Just curious, what do you use for the above 2K? Micromesh? That's what I have, but the stuff sure is expensive - especially before I found the places to buy it in bulk.And while we're at it, what polishing compounds do you use on the dremel (presumably with the sout little felt wheels)? I just got a dremel last week and have been learning it.

Looking forward to hearing how she shaves. I've been cat hunting myself for a few weeks now, but all the nice ones are so *damn* expensive - eventually found a "Number 91 High Class" one that i'm looking forward to restoring and shaving with.

Sorry for the long delay, yes Long Branch, but I used to live in Long Beach NY too! Anyways, I used emory paper I dont know who made it Ive had it for some time. I use those sheets from 1500 up to 8k, then I switch to my used diamond film ( i basically recycle my diamond film after its no longer good for honing I fold it up and use it to polish) then I go to the dremel with GS27s (Some crazy old polish you cant buy anymore meant for car finishes) it works wonders a few dabs on the wheel and voilla... instant shine and gleam.

I'm having some issues honing her, she lays dead flat on the Naniwas, but the Puma steel is very tough, it's been taking me awhile to get it where I want, so she's almost shave ready but not quite. I'm taking my time

David