Thread: Which Puma

The Puma name was begun in the early 20's. About the time when Germans were buying Sheffield steel. I absolutely think the numbering thing was post-WWII.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

The Puma name was begun in the early 20's. About the time when Germans were buying Sheffield steel. I absolutely think the numbering thing was post-WWII.

That was my thinking also regarding the numbering being a post war thing.

Bob

My Puma has number 92 under the jimps and two nos., 607 between the tang and the pin and

a 3 or 4 digit number under the pin. Blade has some yellow, maybe gold, and says "ARS DIVINA".

Anyone have any info?

Originally Posted by RezDog

My biggest advice about looking for razors is don’t be in a rush. Look, watch and wait. I have gotten many fantastic deals simply by doing just that.
There are a few sellers on eBay that are from Japan that typically have very nice razors, then watch and wait. PM me if you want links to the two that I have had great dealings with.

Aint’t that the truth!?
I think most of us were guilty of that mistake early on when the RAD virus was most virulent.
Ii bought some very nice razors from a source in Japan.
They all needed some work and were not exactly cheap, but they were worth the money.

B

Gong measures a little over 13/16 around .850 or 21.5mm .Puma is stamped 19 and is vintage and big.The good old days.

I would advise strongly against reading too much into individual razors. Puma was one of the largest makers of razors in Solingen. Accordingly, their razors were made by many, many people, and not necessarily just Puma staff. When there was high demand in Puma razors, and low demand elsewhere, Puma would outsource work. As did everyone else. Same for blanks used, by the way. I cannot find them right now, but I know of at least three razors that are hybrids, ie they have both Puma and someone else's maker's marks.

That said, if I wanted to replace a Filarmonica (I wouldn't, I don't care much for them), I'd go for something equally ground. A certain little known brand for the LatAm market comes to mind. Or a Daniel Peres, if you can find one.

Filarmonica and Puma both produced beautiful, well-ground and finished razors, and their quality has stood the test of time as evidenced by the prices they bring. I've never seen a badly ground razor from either brand, though some of the Fillys weren't finished as well as I like. Disclaimer - I am not an expert though I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night. Many of the other Spanish brands are unobtainable or astronomical in price. An abalone scaled Palmera recently went for $1,950. No thanks.

If you want a well made razor of the highest quality, try the Japanese brands. Tanifuji beats them all but the best French and Swedish razors which are equals. If anyone is unhappy with their Pumas or Fillys, send them to me for proper disposal (haven't gotten any yet).

Cheers, Steve

Originally Posted by RobinK

I would advise strongly against reading too much into individual razors. Puma was one of the largest makers of razors in Solingen. Accordingly, their razors were made by many, many people, and not necessarily just Puma staff. When there was high demand in Puma razors, and low demand elsewhere, Puma would outsource work. As did everyone else. Same for blanks used, by the way. I cannot find them right now, but I know of at least three razors that are hybrids, ie they have both Puma and someone else's maker's marks.

That said, if I wanted to replace a Filarmonica (I wouldn't, I don't care much for them), I'd go for something equally ground. A certain little known brand for the LatAm market comes to mind. Or a Daniel Peres, if you can find one.

The famous Puma-Ducks.

Originally Posted by Steve56

Filarmonica and Puma both produced beautiful, well-ground and finished razors, and their quality has stood the test of time as evidenced by the prices they bring.

Is that so? Then how come Filarmonica razors went for well under US$100 for many years?

Same for Puma, by the way. Mass produced. Nice razors, no doubt about it. But neither rare (actually, very readily available) nor particularly desirable (think "middle of the road").

Originally Posted by Steve56

I've never seen a badly ground razor from either brand, though some of the Fillys weren't finished as well as I like.

Well, think of razors as milking stools. Because back in the day, both were just tools. The reason you only see (reasonably) good razors today is because the bad ones went into the trash bin.

Originally Posted by Steve56

If you want a well made razor of the highest quality, try the Japanese brands. Tanifuji beats them all but the best French and Swedish razors which are equals.

Whatever. You do You.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

The famous Puma-Ducks.

Amongst others, yes.