Thread: Howdy from Wyoming!

I have been thinking about starting to shave using a straight razor or a safety razor. Now I'm more leaning towards the straight razor after finding an old Puma in an attic...

The knife is a Puma 5 5/8" Solingen blade and I am wondering how much it is worth, and if it's worth it to have it honed, or can I buy a better blade for the amount of money this one's worth?

I tried shaving with it and it's severely dull and pulling hairs.

Thanks a bunch!

Lennart

Hello, Lindberg:

Welcome to Straight Razor Place. If you plan on shaving with the straight razor, you are at the right address here.

Puma is a famous brand of razor. You're lucky, sir. Although I am no expert on razor restoration, from your photo, I think the razor has potential for restoration. Perhaps one of our experts here will join the conversation and offer an opinion.

Obviously, the razor needs to be refurbished and honed by a professional. I advise not to shave with it until it's ready. In the meantime, please dig into the Wiki at SRP for mounds of information and tutorials on every aspect of west shaving with the straight razor. Beyond that, if you have questions, please ask.

Member Services here list gentlemen who work on straight razor. Also, if you want to buy another razor, that sounds good, too. All the vendors advertising here are quality folks. Also look in the Classified section. I recommend to stay away from eBay for razors until you are familiar with straight razors and know what you are looking for.

Regards,
Obie

I'd definitely keep the Puma,send it to a honemeister/restorer and shave with it.Pumas are considered very good razors and are much sought after.Just go to classifieds then member services.Pick a honer fairly close to you and send them a Personal Message with the details.Also,give the Wiki section a look as it's rich in details on how to learn this craft.Oh and Welcome to SRP!

Edit: OOPS Obie beat me to it.Guess we said the same things.I'm a slow typer.

Welcome Lindburg; The razor looks OK may have bit of rust on edge but doesn't look too bad. I'd send it to one of the members here that hone and try it out before getting anything else. While it's out read all you can in the WIKI and if you have a strop, which you will need, practice stropping with a bread knife.
Honing services can be found here: http://straightrazorpalace.com/classifieds/
WIKI Beginners section Here:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwiki/index.php/Straight_Razor_Place_Wiki:Books/Beginners_Guide
Good luck

Not sure where you are at in Wyo but if yer close to the Colorado border check this out

http://straightrazorpalace.com/get-t...eet-greet.html

That is for next Sunday, and your are more than welcome to come and join us..

Bring the Pretty Kitty (Puma) with you and I will hone it for ya (free) !!!!
It would be rather tuff for you to find a better edge out there, since the Pumas are top line shavers...
We don't do appraisals on the open forum, but I would keep hold of that Puma if I were you...

Lindberg,if I were you I would do everything I could to make it to that meet.Glen is one of the best Honemeisters/restorers/experienced authorities we have on this forum.Spending a couple hours with him would be invaluable.
Your learning curve would be SO much shorter if you could sit down with him and logistics and anyone else who makes it.

Glad to see another one of us on the board. I am in the Cheyenne Area. I will have to try to get to the Colorado meetup.

I also have a couple of individuals trying to liquidate estate lots of razor and equipment. I will pass along the info if that is ok with you guys.

aroliver59,
if you cannot make it to Denver give me a shout as I could send a honed and shave ready your way while you send yours out to have honed or learn to hone on your own. Send me a pm and i will give you my email address.

Welcome, Lindberg-Nice Puma, and Wyoming is one of my favorite states for rugged natural beauty.

How did you stumble into SRP and a Puma? You my friend have hit what every guy wishes to - a great razor in the attic.

Get it honed, read a bunch, and start your journey!

aroliver59,
if you cannot make it to Denver give me a shout as I could send a honed and shave ready your way while you send yours out to have honed or learn to hone on your own. Send me a pm and i will give you my email address.

Thanks for the offer Scrapcan,but I've got dozens of shave-ready razors of my own and have got the honing thing down quite well.I was just saying that Lindberg,being new to the forum and straights,had a golden chance to learn from Glen.Wisht I could go to the Denver meet though,but it's 1800 miles from me.