Puma Friseur Freund 5/8

So I recently aquired what I thought would be my first razor. I found this razor on Ebay and actually won it. I am now having second doubts. I don't know, maybe I want to much or don't know what to expect. Looking at the pictures I thought it looked fairly decent but when I got it in the mail I noticed other details. It looks like somebody was practicing honing with this razor. if you look closely on the tang, that angled off part by the 1 is really honed off and another thing the blade itself has scratches like from a wire wheel or something, to the point that part of the "friseur freund 1" mark is rubbed off on the bottom, toward the edge. If I am to send this to Lynn this razor will end up costing me approx. $120.

I know there is a policy on no evaluations:nono:, but would any of you experts consider this a worthy investment. If not, I will send it back to the seller.

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I think you would do good, it's a very nice razor - the brand is a good one and it's a nice size and shape for a newbie, even though most buy cheaper razors to start with - but you'll shave in style from day 1 :)

PS
You never know for sure with Ebay razors, sometimes they are off in some way (the edge or construction has flaws), but from what I can see (not know) it looks like a nice blade and it looks like little hone wear.

The razor has obviously been cleaned up & the etch has suffered but the angled section on the tang is not uncommon on razors. That said my FF Puma's tang was straight.
From your pic I can't see any crazy hone wear on edge or spine. Looks like a small pit in the middle of the edge but that will hone out. Your choice but I'd get it honed up. I doubt you'll want to sell it after using it.

What does the other side of the neck say? Best Pumaster steel or similar?

The other side of the neck doesn't have anything on it just blank

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Don't let the angled edge on the tang worry you. A lot of razors have this, and I believe it happens when the blank is stamped out. As far as the blade goes, have it honed and ENJOY! Nice razor. Very Best, John

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Originally Posted by wildhog

Don't let the angled edge on the tang worry you. A lot of razors have this, and I believe it happens when the blank is stamped out. As far as the blade goes, have it honed and ENJOY! Nice razor. Very Best, John

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What do you mean by blank stamped out, just curious.

actually tried to strop the razor today figured that if i am to send it to Lynn then I could try if I can get it any sharper. I found an old strop my brother had used for his carving knives. the upper parts of the strop were all cut up but the inside ruff part was fine. I pasted it and after about half an hour of stropping I get the razor to cut a hanging hair within 1/4 inch of were I am holding it. What would you recomend my next step to be, should I still send the razor to Lynn or should I wait till my new strop comes in the mail and add the finishing touches.

all of you old timers might have forgotten the feeling of getting the first razor and just rarin to try it, but that is what I am feeling. it a shame to have this puma on my counter and still having to use my cheapo replacable blade str8.

Half an hour of pasted stropping :dropjaw: You likely have a convex bevel now. Send it to Lynn. Shave with it if you just have to but send it to Lynn. At least you'll then see the difference.

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Originally Posted by Artyom

What do you mean by blank stamped out, just curious.

actually tried to strop the razor today figured that if i am to send it to Lynn then I could try if I can get it any sharper. I found an old strop my brother had used for his carving knives. the upper parts of the strop were all cut up but the inside ruff part was fine. I pasted it and after about half an hour of stropping I get the razor to cut a hanging hair within 1/4 inch of were I am holding it. What would you recomend my next step to be, should I still send the razor to Lynn or should I wait till my new strop comes in the mail and add the finishing touches.

all of you old timers might have forgotten the feeling of getting the first razor and just rarin to try it, but that is what I am feeling. it a shame to have this puma on my counter and still having to use my cheapo replacable blade str8.

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Just think of a paper punch cutting holes in paper, only it is a steel punch cutting out rough blade blanks from sheet steel. Best, John

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Originally Posted by Artyom

What do you mean by blank stamped out, just curious. ...

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Here's a vid that will explain it" Dovo wmv - YouTube

Something is amiss there. Every Puma I've seen has said either "made from best Puma Steel" or "made from best Pumaster steel" Unless its a new one which I doubt. Maybe one of the last ones made by Dovo for them?

I've seen this once before with another brand (Flic). The pile side stamps on the tang were missing. Maybe a 2nd ?

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Something is amiss there. Every Puma I've seen has said either "made from best Puma Steel" or "made from best Pumaster steel" Unless its a new one which I doubt. Maybe one of the last ones made by Dovo for them?

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so are you and Onimaru55 saying that this is not an authentic puma? Onimaru55 what do you mean a 2nd? like a second generation, a remake? what do you think should be my next course of action?

2nd's are original but with a slight flaw, usually cosmetic. It may simply have left the line without it's extra stamps.

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Originally Posted by Joed

Here's a vid that will explain it" Dovo wmv - YouTube

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Thanks for that link. First time I've seen that one.

My first razor was a Dovo Special.

Looks like a genuine Puma to me. Maybe not perfect but a very good razor to start with. Get her honed and enjoy!

No not saying that. it looks right otherwise. Maybe the other stamps were ground off by someone or yea maybe a factory defect. If it shaves good what does it matter. Puma's are all superior shavers and one swipe down your cheek and you will know.

Just checked with my Friseurfreund: has a stamp on one side of the tang only. Mine does not look like the tang was ground on one side to erase the stamp.

Thank you all,

thank you for all the great replies. I have decided to keep the razor and by now it is probably half way to Lynns place. Can't wait to get it back and start shaving with it.

Before I conclude this thread I had a question, everybody seems to say to use "palm grease" on my everyday strop. I would like some clarification on that, should I be giving my strop a massage before stropping with it:rofl2:

Palm grease, elbow grease and Nivea.