Thread: Puma variations: Puma / Pumaster Steel

I love Pumas - I bought some, sold many, bought some again...

Most of the Pumas I have (had) bear the "Made in Germany from Best Puma Steel" stamp. The ones I have tried shaved extremely well. However, I have seen, much less often "... Best Pumaster Steel" I have only one of these, Puma 39and have not even shaved with it yet. It also is the only one with rubber grip (which I don't like so much, I prefer jimps in the tang, on both top and bottom - as my favorite Puma 52). The 39 is a barber's model - etch says "Pour Barbe Tres Dure" so it must be a good one.

I am wondering what is the difference between Puma Steel and Pumaster Steel, if any. Could Pumaster be the higher-end steel?

Some other variations: the Puma inlay also differs. Some razors have one with very fine contours, and others have kind of fat lines. Actually, I think even the image of the Puma head is different but don't have several on hand to compare right now. I was wondering if the thicker / less fine variety is older or better in some way.

Cheers
Ivo

I've got one like that don't know the exact model and I'm not in a good position to find out right now, but it's a NOS 5/8 pumaster with the "Pour Barbe Tres Dure" on the side, and I think some patent numbers as well. It was a big disappointment for me, it's not in my first or even second tier of razors. I keep it in the drawer in the closet, hoping it will grow on me someday. I should probably haul it out again now that I'm becoming a big fan of the full hollow 5/8s...

Very interesting, Michael!

I would not complain if the Puma steel is the better one (as I have mostly Puma, not Pumaster steel)

My Pumaster is a 6/8 model but actually larger 13/16. It does have the fattest original Puma scales I have seen (and I have had 5 or so other 6/8 Pumas). These particular scales were probably for the rare 7/8. When I first took the razor out I was like "Can it be a 7/8???" but this was just wishful thinking

Cheers
Ivo

Ivo, it could have been a 7/8 that got honed down, especially if the owner used tape to protect such a beautiful piece.

Ilija,

The bevel is very narrow - seems like NOS or very lightly used. I thought it just came a bit larger but was within the 6/8 tolerance range (and under 7/8) and the guy who was scaling it just put what he thought would fit best.

Cheers
Ivo

That could well be. My Heljestrand #32's scales look too small for it, but it's at the very upper limit for a 6/8 so it got the 6/8 model number and 6/8 scales, even though it looks a tich odd.

Ivo, a taped spine and no pressure can perform miracles. I chiped one of those 6/8 King Cutters and had to wear it down to 5/8 on 180 grit. The bevel still looks narrow and the blade looks like a natural 5/8. Even the "beloved" gold-wash looks centered lol.

I checked mine at lunch - it's a #39, and it says 5/8 on the blade. Does yours not have the size on it?

Yes, Michael - it says 6/8.

I hope I am not disappointed too

Cheers
Ivo

I knew it - just measured it: 13/16 Scales are also verified wider than my other Pumas.

I really hope it does not disappoint me with its performance. Seems almost ready to use. I am toying with the idea of removing the etch (or at least the gold part of it) and the rubber grip. Not sure how slippery it would be without the grip though...

Cheers
Ivo