Thread: 'Barber Grade' Puma?

I have a question.....
Does anyone know if different razors were sold to Barbers than were sold to the general public?

I recently received as a gift from my Barber a Puma razor (I know, I'm a lucky SOB), for replacing the handles on a number of his razors that use disposable blades. To make a short story long, I went into a barber shop one day at the last minute to get a trim for an interview I had the next day. I noticed that the razor he used (the disposable blade type) had a familiar set of scales crudely wired onto the pivot hole. From the tell tale sticker on the back scale in view I asked if those were a set of Puma scales on the blade....which in fact they were. We struck up a conversation on razors in which I offered to buy any razors that he does not use (judging from the size of those scales, it was a BIG Puma, and I love Puma razors), and to fix any razors he needed fixed (i.e. replace the broken scales).

I fixed a number of his razors (Seems these scales break often on the disposable blade styles), and he brought in one of his razors he does not use anymore. Pulling out of the wooden Puma coffin box was the razor below. Despite my overwhelming joy to see the one razor I could have asked for, and my favorite shaver, I kept a straight face, and admired the blade as a unique never seen before razor. He said, 'take it' and would not accept money for it. I did notice something though....the razor was not exactly the same as I recalled mine to be...

When I got home and put the two together, I noticed that the 'new' Puma had a slightly different tip (factory design and not modified), the scales were longer, and the blade was longer too. In general, despite the same blade width (6/8") and blade etching, the razor was overall bigger!

Which makes me wonder....did barbers receive different razors than the general public?



The images below show my razor (the top, smaller in length), lined up to the 'new' one...

Either way, I don't care! I love this style razor and have a new daily shaver!!
I'm thinking of visiting ALL the barbers in the area and striking up a 'razor' conversation..............

C utz

P.S. I'm still fixing more razors for that original Barber.... I feel I have too! With that type of a gift, I feel I owe him.

Ah, what you have there is a very clever, but obvious to those who know, Pakistani knock-off.

Under no circumstances should you shave with this razor! You need to send it away for proper disposal to the following address:

The Dangerous Straights Disposal Squad
C/O Jimbo
Queensland Australia

There is also a $50 disposal fee - I accept cheques.

James.

I don't think there was any real difference as far a quality or grade was concerned. Some of the companies had barbers use or something like that inscribed on the blade and usually the scales were more utilitarian on barbers razors. Some companies like Double Duck really specialized in for the trade razors. I have a Dorko (which as a company also specialized in for the trade products) which was made for the french market and has for barbers use inscribed in french.

Chris, you lucky !@#$!!!

You earned it, of course - I am very glad for your score!

BIG Cheers
Ivo

Nice looking puma's you've got there, I can't help you with your questions, but I do have a Puma too, it's not the same as yours, but it resembles yours a bit.
Different point, I've got a round point.
Different scales.

This is the thread where I showed my Puma

http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=13450