Opinions on my 7/8 W&B and 6/8 PUMA 91

[Ender Wiggins]

I saw these both on Ebay a couple weeks ago and decided to set max bids of about $40 including shipping on both of them, hoping I'd win one of them after being outbid on a couple other razors earlier that same day. Much to my surprise, I ended up winning both. I'm pretty new to straight razors, so I don't really know how to judge their condition or if I got good deals or paid too much.

Both razors have rust on the tang at the pivot point in the scales. The W&B's scales are horn and have "Father's - Died 12 April 1900" scratched on one side. The PUMA's scales seem to be black plastic and are in good condition. Both razors open and close very well and will stay open in any position.

I would like to be able to shave with both these razors and know that I'll at the very least need to get them honed. I would also like to get the blades cleaned up and any rust removed, but don't know how difficult or expensive that is. I'm not sure how to tell how much hone wear there is the blades, so maybe someone else can tell from my pictures.

Anyway, any history on the razors and suggestions for cleaning/restoring are welcome and appreciated.

Here are the links to the auctions with more pictures: PUMA W&B

 

[Ender Wiggins]

Lauterjung & Sohn PUMA 91

 

[forum9]

You got good value for your money and they look honest razors. A little used but that is actually a good sign because it means they work.

You will need to sharpen them and clean them.

I wouldn’t spend big money refurbishing them until I knew if I liked them for shaving. So first I’d just clean and sharpen.

Cleaning is easy. You need a good metal polish. There are many different polishes, it just depends were you live. A good hardware store or a car service parts shop should have what you need. Chrome polish is often a really good metal polish. Putting oil into the pivot area will release any gunge that tends to accumalate over time. The oil seems to loosen and drag the dirt out and wiping with a tissue paper sucks the rubbish away.

Sharpening or honing is easy when you know how but you need the equipment. If you don’t have hones, send the razors out for honing and when they come back, see if you enjoy the razors.

Whatever, they are both from top razor makers, Puma being a highly regarded Solingen of Germany maker amd Wade and Butcher being a British equivalent from Sheffield, England.

The Wade and Butcher is quite a heavy razor and the Puma more of a hollow grind, but in my experience, they will both take a sharp edge and they should both give a good close and comfortable shave.

 

[Ender Wiggins]

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I'll follow your suggestion to have them both honed and try them out before deciding on any restoration or re-scaling.