Straight razors, Educate me.

[jmr40]

Both of these were in my dad's stuff. He died 10 years ago and would have just turned 100 if still alive. I don't recall ever seeing him use these. I suspect they were my grandfathers. Maybe even my great grandfather who was 9 when the Civil war ended.

I know nothing about them. Puma is a well known name, but I know nothing about Barber's Pet. Educate me about what I have. The other side of the Barber's Pet blade says,

"Simmons Howe Company MFRG & Distributers U.S.A." There is also a number on the front; 421. I don't know if that is a Serial number or model number.

The Puma blade may be hard to read in the photo, but it is PUMA-INOX No. 63 4/8. Made in Germany. FROZEN-STEEL.

There is more info on the blade in German. I can include that if someone thinks it's important.





This block of green putty like material was inside the Puma box.

 

[unclenunzie]

The green looks like stropping compound but I have no real idea. Very cool items with their cases.

 

[Blue Jays]

The green putty is rubbed onto a leather strop for honing purposes.

 

[jmr40]

he green putty is rubbed onto a leather strop for honing purposes.

That makes sense.

Thinking about it the Puma may have come back from Germany after WW-2. Dad went over in January 1945 as a replacement during the Battle of the Bulge. The war ended in May, but dad stayed until April of 1946. He was in Germany, and other parts of Europe for almost a year after the war ended. That razor looks newer, and he may well have bought it while he was there. But as far as I know he never used either.

 

[hso]

https://vintagestraightrazor.com/pr...et-vintage-straight-razor?variant=23711655751
German manufacture for Simmons Hardware. Barber's Pet, Prince, etc. Celluloid handle.

The Puma #63 looks like tortoise shell. 1950s?

 

[jmr40]

The Puma #63 looks like tortoise shell. 1950s?

I suppose that is possible. I just assumed both were much older. Dad and I spent a lot of time together, especially in the last few years. Dad did a great job of telling the family history, he even wrote a series of stories about his life and family history that my wife compiled into a book we had published.

But these are items we found that I don't know anything about. Just trying to fill in some gaps. No matter how hard we tried before losing them, there are still things that come up that I want to ask.

A short review of dad's book.

Blurb Books