Thread: Puma Friseur Freund No. 1 - Can you tell me about it?

Hey there folks. Long time lurker, obviously not a poster.

So last year, I picked up a couple of razors in an antiques store. Didn't pay much. I picked up a Bengall, and a Puma razor. Now, aesthetically, I immediately fell for the bengall, but don't really know much about the other. here's a couple of pictures.





So, I know Puma made knives, but razors?

A little extra: The case is a wooden laminate with the Puma logo. There's a faded sticker in german on the other side of the scales. Other side of the razor says, Made in Germany from best Puma steel. there's a little tiny bit of rust, but nothing major.

Can anyone tell me a bit about it? history or value?

Cheers folks!

You haven't been lurking that long, or you would indefinitely know that WE NEVER DO VALUATIONS!

It is an old razor, maybe 1960s made in Solingen, Germany by Puma, who were a highly reputable razor manufacturer. Some argue them to be the very best.

That particular one is fair condition and would still clean up to make an impeccable shaver, should this be your intention with it.

Bengals are also excellent, made by T R Cadman, Sheffield, England.

Very nice coveted razor! Send it to one of the restorers on this site in the classified...Or Max if you want it done correctly. What you have ther is not a practice blade..It is a blade that you can shave with and keep in your rotation...People spend years looking a puma with the etching intact.

Sorry guys, didn't know about the no valuations rule. I just pop in here and there.

I would be getting it restored eventually.

Actually, in terms of its value, I shall confess it is worth between $1 and $20,000

Jesus, Scipio, I'd have a heart attack if i didn't look twice!

That s a "barber's friend" you have there IIRC. You can send it out for pro restoration or you could get some semichrome, flitz or maas metal polish and a paper towel and get the majority of the grunge off and call it good. Definitely send it out for pro honing though. You'll find members in the classifieds here who will hone if for a nominal fee. I am one of those who believe Puma to be as good as it gets. I wouldn't say the best, but none better.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

You can send it out for pro restoration or you could get some semichrome, flitz or maas metal polish and a paper towel and get the majority of the grunge off and call it good.

Just a warning about the metal polish though--the blade looks to me like it has gold wash on the blade it will quickly be removed by metal polish. You need to work carefully around the gold wash with a Q-tip or toothpick.

Utopian,

While I may not understand exactly what a gold wash is, there's nothing that looks golden on the blade. there's the etching, of course.

Is gold washing a certain technique?

Sometimes a gold wash is applied over the frosty etching & metal polish is quite capable of removing both . The etch on that one will tolerate a little rubbing but it will also fade a little. How far you take it is up to you. I'm not sure if that model had gold on it. Mine doesn't but it may well have worn off also.