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Hi all,
I've just recently become interested in straight razors and I picked up an almost new looking Puma at an antique store. It's got black scales and came in a cardboard box that was labeled No.61. Can anyone tell me how old it is and if it's good enough to start shaving with?
Thanks,
Nic
Thats an impossible question to answer with the info you supply. The issue of shavability is dependent on the condition of the razor and the blade. That will dictate the answer. Even if its clean with no nicks or rust is it sharp enough to shave with? read the help files for guidance in that area. As far as age goes since straights don't have serial numbers its hard to tell. Unless there's a puma specific expert out there who might give you a ball park figure. Sometimes the packaging, if its original can be a clue. Puma has used plastic boxes as well as cardboard and plastic sleeves at differing times but I'm no expert on that.
It's probably safe to say that it's not shave ready. You'll have to post a photo or two so we can take a look at it to see what it may need. There are folks like Bill Ellis who will spruce it up and hone it for you for a nominal fee, or, if you want to learn how to do it yourself, there's many knowledgeable people here at SRP that can help you.
I do believe the razor numbers on Pumas mean something and I expect someone who knows will chime in.
Thanks for the responses guys, here are a few pics of the razor. Although I intend to shave with this one, I figured getting it into shape might be a bit difficult so I just ordered a shave-ready straight from Billy's Blades.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f3...d/DSCN1767.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f3...d/DSCN1756.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f3...d/DSCN1755.jpg
Pumas are superior shavers. That one looks like a beauty. Let me know if you need it honed. :D Oh, and great choice buying a shave-ready one from Bill. I got one from him, and it's a great, great shaver.
I have 2 Puma's and they are great shavers. Smart move getting one from Bill Ellis. Good luck. :cool:
It is good enough to start shaving with once it is properly honed.
This is a fairly pricey razor to learn how to hone with, so I would get some ebay razors to practice your skills on first. There are people here that will hone it for you if you like. As far as the age is concerned, I would take a guess around the late 20's to 1930 something.
probably a good cleanup and a good honing and it should shave like a champ. just don't hone until you are confident you can do a good job. You wouldn't want to mess up a gem like that.
Nice catch killer. Go slow with restoration and it should treat you right. Let us know what you're thinking of doing to it before you do and we can offer some tips too keep you from making mistakes.
Hold it up to the light and peer down the length of the edge. If it dips in the middle you'll need to do some reshaping.
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oeh!! I have one like that.....how do I work on that?
(just noticed that one of my Dorko's dips in the middle like that last night.)
You're going to have to wear away the metal at both ends of the edge. This is where a 1000 grit stone can come in very useful. Drawing circles with the blade on the stone while applying SOME (not a lot) of pressure to the parts of the blade that need reducing. Be careful not to lean the blade toward the tip or heel any more than slightly as it will push the end of the edge back and give you that "stubbed toe" look. This becomes impossible to hone. Lower grit stones may also be used, but can scratch the metal requiring further work with wet/dry sand paper (400, 600, 1000, then 2000. 3000 too is you can find some) to remove. I have also drawn the distended parts of the blade over the edge of the hone, but this is very aggressive. I have even sawn down edges that were real bad straight down on the hone and established the bevel again after. This is beyond aggressive. Just like regular honing start light. If you see any progress being made, stick with it. If you get no improvement attempt something a little more aggressive. Continually check your progress.Quote:
Originally Posted by LX_Emergency
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