I started wet shaving under a year ago because those darn cartridge razors were so expensive. And I was really tired of having irritated skin and ingrown hairs. First I found a brush (16$ Chinese "silver tip", works great!) and some shaving soap (Proraso is by far my favourite to date). I used this with my *chough* Mach 3 *cough* until I secured my first safety razor, a Merkur 33C classic, as a gift and a blade sample pack from somewhere online. Since then I've been enjoying the manly experience of shaving. I wasn't happy with just one... oh no, that would be too easy. And have been searching Antique stores here in Montreal to see what I could find. Not much actually. Safety Razors are popular collector items it seems. However, I did manage to find some treasures. Pictured below: From left to right: Gillette (made in Canada 1932), Gillette (made in England J-1), and a Gillette Adustable (made in USA K-3). The first 2 were given to me by my uncle. He wasn't using them and gave them to me. The last one I found in a small basement antique shop for 15$. I soaked them in disinfectant, and cleaned them up with a tooth brush and toothpaste. And then a little Silvo polish. The middle Gillette (J-1) I gave to my brother. Which he is enjoying very much. The Gillette 1932 (I have no idea what else to call it ) needs some work: The nickle finish is coming off, and I was considering having it re-plated. What are your thoughts (collectively)? I would like to use these razors in my weekly rotation. This is turning into a long post. Yeah, I'm sorry I know this is the Safety Razor forum, but here's a straight I picked up for 40$ at the same time as the Fatboy. I'll move it over if you think I should. A Puma Solingen High Classic with "91" engraved on the tang. Is it worth having this razor honed professionally (apparently there's a guy here in Montreal who can do it) for use? Or should I just keep it to practice stropping with?
Puma's are fine razors. Hard to tell how the edge looks, but by all means have it honed and give it a spin. You got a very good deal on this razor at 40 dollars. The tech razors are so inexpensive I don't think it's worth replating IMO.
Yes absolutely As vintage straights go, Pumas are at the very front of the top drawer, and that one doesn't appear to have any major condition issues. Floppyshoes is the guy in Montreal you're referring to and he is well thought of. I think he's a member here or he can be contacted via straightrazorplace.com. Get that Puma shave ready - You'll be glad you did. Nice Score:1respect goshawk
Ahh, ChemErik, that is a good question! Since acquiring these razors I have shaved with each one. Both of the tech razors offer a shave that is identical, much more gentle then the Merkur. The Gillette Adjustable is, well, adjustable. I have taken to using a setting of 9 for my WTG pass, and then toning it down to 5 and then 1 for my XTG and ATG passes, respectively. I enjoy this one the most, and it has seen more use then the Merkur or the 1932 Tech since I cleaned them up. @superbleu - even at 25$, as you see it, I should just leave it? I have no qualms saving the cash.
