William
10-17-2007, 10:39 AM
Hi
I thought I would right to you all about my NOS Puma Razor which arrived this morning. Unfortunately, things are not quite as rosy in the garden as I first thought. Let me explain.
The package arrived this morning from Canada; it was very well wrapped up and in quite a big box considering the size of the contents. I opened the box and found exactly what I was expecting a NOS Puma Straight Razor Pattern No91. It was contained in a plastic wood effect box which I think is a bit of a shame as real wood would have been a bit nicer? Anyhow, I noticed that the yellow paper seal to the box was broken, no surprises there as someone at some stage over the years must have looked at it.
Inside the box I pulled out the razor which was contained within a plastic bag sealed at the end with of all things a sort of metal rivet. I then undid the seal and removed the razor from the package and had a look at the blade. I have to say that the blade looked very nice indeed even though it was covered in wax I could see that there was not a scrap of rust or any marks for that matter. It is a 6/8th round point with jimps top and bottom. It is double hand forged and the stamp marks are perfect. The blade has a perfect gold wash stating the words ‘High Class’ and some silver etching in a vine pattern. On the reverse of the tang the words are stamped ‘Made in Germany from Best Pumaster-Steel. It is a very nice blade indeed.
Now to the scales! When I took the razor out of the package, I noticed that the scales were matt with no shine on them at all. It was difficult to see the pseudo tortoise shell pattern. At first I thought this was how the scales were but I did notice that they were a bit sticky. Also on the back of the razor was a sticker which read ‘The unusually smooth shave of the “PUMA” razor depends on the steel being forged twice, i.e. hammered and hammered again.’ It was clear to me that the scales were coated in the same goo they had put on the blade and I decided that to reveal the true splendour of the scales and the blade a good wash in warm soapy water was needed. This I did and I carefully dried it off with a handkerchief.
What was reviled by this simple act was simply lovely; the blade is beautifully polished and as crisp as a new £50 note. It is very sharp indeed and I feel sure it will shave without much work to it other than a small strop. Amazing after all these years don’t you think? The scales though are a different story. I took the razor over to the sunlight to get a better look at it and saw almost immediately that they were cracked not once but twice. The first is at the middle pin and runs across the razor and is by far the most serious. The second is from the pin nearest the point of the razor and runs laterally towards the logo. Clearly they are very fragile indeed. I do not know if they arrived like this or if I did it in cleaning it but this it is not really relevant now. I do not blame the supplier who I believe supplied it to me in good faith.
Oh dear, Now don’t get me wrong here chaps, I am very philosophical about this. Obviously I am disappointed that the scales are damaged but in a way it is not surprising. I am not altogether sure how old this razor is but it is very old indeed. The scales are made I assume out of cellulose which is not the most stable of substances and clearly over the years they have become brittle to the point of breaking. A real shame but there it is. Now I am not a collector of razors for the sake of it I use all my razors and I fully intend to use this one. It is my view that I have little alternative but to have it re-scaled. The only issue really is how do I have them rescaled and who should I get to do the work. I would obviously like to have a nice exact replacement set of scales put on but, I think I may be asking the impossible. Has anyone ever heard of someone having a supply of Puma Scales? Conversely, I could go for something completely different. Your thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. (What do you think Bill)
I thought I would right to you all about my NOS Puma Razor which arrived this morning. Unfortunately, things are not quite as rosy in the garden as I first thought. Let me explain.
The package arrived this morning from Canada; it was very well wrapped up and in quite a big box considering the size of the contents. I opened the box and found exactly what I was expecting a NOS Puma Straight Razor Pattern No91. It was contained in a plastic wood effect box which I think is a bit of a shame as real wood would have been a bit nicer? Anyhow, I noticed that the yellow paper seal to the box was broken, no surprises there as someone at some stage over the years must have looked at it.
Inside the box I pulled out the razor which was contained within a plastic bag sealed at the end with of all things a sort of metal rivet. I then undid the seal and removed the razor from the package and had a look at the blade. I have to say that the blade looked very nice indeed even though it was covered in wax I could see that there was not a scrap of rust or any marks for that matter. It is a 6/8th round point with jimps top and bottom. It is double hand forged and the stamp marks are perfect. The blade has a perfect gold wash stating the words ‘High Class’ and some silver etching in a vine pattern. On the reverse of the tang the words are stamped ‘Made in Germany from Best Pumaster-Steel. It is a very nice blade indeed.
Now to the scales! When I took the razor out of the package, I noticed that the scales were matt with no shine on them at all. It was difficult to see the pseudo tortoise shell pattern. At first I thought this was how the scales were but I did notice that they were a bit sticky. Also on the back of the razor was a sticker which read ‘The unusually smooth shave of the “PUMA” razor depends on the steel being forged twice, i.e. hammered and hammered again.’ It was clear to me that the scales were coated in the same goo they had put on the blade and I decided that to reveal the true splendour of the scales and the blade a good wash in warm soapy water was needed. This I did and I carefully dried it off with a handkerchief.
What was reviled by this simple act was simply lovely; the blade is beautifully polished and as crisp as a new £50 note. It is very sharp indeed and I feel sure it will shave without much work to it other than a small strop. Amazing after all these years don’t you think? The scales though are a different story. I took the razor over to the sunlight to get a better look at it and saw almost immediately that they were cracked not once but twice. The first is at the middle pin and runs across the razor and is by far the most serious. The second is from the pin nearest the point of the razor and runs laterally towards the logo. Clearly they are very fragile indeed. I do not know if they arrived like this or if I did it in cleaning it but this it is not really relevant now. I do not blame the supplier who I believe supplied it to me in good faith.
Oh dear, Now don’t get me wrong here chaps, I am very philosophical about this. Obviously I am disappointed that the scales are damaged but in a way it is not surprising. I am not altogether sure how old this razor is but it is very old indeed. The scales are made I assume out of cellulose which is not the most stable of substances and clearly over the years they have become brittle to the point of breaking. A real shame but there it is. Now I am not a collector of razors for the sake of it I use all my razors and I fully intend to use this one. It is my view that I have little alternative but to have it re-scaled. The only issue really is how do I have them rescaled and who should I get to do the work. I would obviously like to have a nice exact replacement set of scales put on but, I think I may be asking the impossible. Has anyone ever heard of someone having a supply of Puma Scales? Conversely, I could go for something completely different. Your thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. (What do you think Bill)