Finally I get an alright deal at an antique shop

So I'm on a trip down south at my boss's request the other week and had time to explore the village, and needless to say the local antique shop. Usual questions and he revealed a pair of razors in a case that were stamped Pall Mall.I wasn't interested for they had seen more glorious days I am certain, besides I don't care much for UK blades that aren't Sheffield forged.

He then pulled out a large green cardboard box with a Puma logo on it. I got very excited and he then revealed the 6/8 Puma within! I had never seen a Puma before, but I do know they are quite popular and while some claim they are legendary, I know that all Solingen blades are fine speaking from experience as well as inherited opinion.

I asked the question, exerting pressure on every facial muscle as not to show neither any emotions nor commitment to the razor and the beady eyed little shop keeper paused. £50 he finally said, and I immediately said 40. He paused again and said '40 it is Sir.'

Anyway, my first Puma! In fairly good condition too. All goldwash intact at least. I honed her up today on a coticule for about 10 minutes diluting the slurry starting from heavy to plain water. I had been getting a little bored of my naniwas lately and this could already shave arm hair to begin with. I finished on my Charnley. Looking forward to testing her after the gym tonight.
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Very nice and a great score!!

Have fun,

Lynn

Great score!! They come around ONCE and a while...

Nice find, & a decent price too. English antique shops are rubbish for razors, so you did well! :tu
I will say, South's my territory though, so that invasion over the border entitles me to whatever I find in a Northern shop. From your post, it doesn't sound like it's too promising though!

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Originally Posted by Scipio

So I'm on a trip down south at my boss's request the other week and...

...He then pulled out a large green cardboard box with a Puma logo on it. I got very excited and he then revealed the 6/8 Puma within! I had never seen a Puma before, but I do know they are quite popular and while some claim they are legendary, I know that all Solingen blades are fine speaking from experience as well as inherited opinion.

I asked the question, exerting pressure on every facial muscle as not to show neither any emotions nor commitment to the razor and the beady eyed little shop keeper paused. £50 he finally said, and I immediately said 40. He paused again and said '40 it is Sir.'

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£50 quid? Wow!
Nice find Scipio. :)

http://www.musicbanter.com/images/smilies/pssst.gif You wouldn't happen to know of any decent hunting grounds in the Manchester area, perchance?

Nice!

Hope you enjoy it..! :)

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Originally Posted by RicTic

£50 quid? Wow!
Nice find Scipio. :)

http://www.musicbanter.com/images/smilies/pssst.gif You wouldn't happen to know of any decent hunting grounds in the Manchester area, perchance?

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Thanks

It was actually 40 quid I paid! I offered him 40 after he quoted me 50. :)

Congrats on a great score. :tu :tu I love seeing local finds! Let us know how it shaves compared to your other(s).

I'd say you did better than alright. Congrats!

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Originally Posted by Scipio

Thanks

It was actually 40 quid I paid! I offered him 40 after he quoted me 50. :)

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40...50...I'd have paid more than that and still thought I'd got a great deal.
Lovely razor. Dead jealous. ;)

Hi,

Very nice. So £40 is about $62us. not bad.

- Mike

I shaved with it this evening. A very good shaver and I'm happy with it for what I paid, having said that I would have been equally happy with any vintage Solingen in that condition for that price.

That Puma is an excellent shaver, as are all Solingens that I have. Is it better than my 7 day Geodecke and Co Solingens? Is it better than my Schulze, or vintage Wacker? My Plumacher? I believe not better, but equally as good. Vintage Solingen Steel is excellent and all the latter are equally great, there only differences really are the sizes, grinds and points IMO.

Having shaved with only a single Puma I still don't understand why they are often much more popular than most if not all of the other vintage Solingen makers.

I hope you ran and bought a lottery ticket after that. A razor like that on Eboy would easily sell for $250.

Wow, I would have jumped on the 50 quid myself. I've never been much of a haggaler though.

Well done on the find :) we have nothing around these parts :(

ian

Wow! Really nice. Around here, all the antique stores have finally learned of the growing interest in vintage razors of all kinds, so finding a bargain just doesn't happen anymore. Now, dealers expect to get top dollar even for junk razors!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Scipio

Having shaved with only a single Puma I still don't understand why they are often much more popular than most if not all of the other vintage Solingen makers.

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I think the Puma's consistency is its trademark. Of course there are other great Solingen's that would be hard to distinguish in a blindfold test from one but their is no doubting Puma razor's are a benchmark for quality..

Congrats !

Nice score, I want a Puma haven't got one as of yet.

I will only comment on the Pall Malls, since it is obvious what a fantastic deal on a nice Puma you got. I suggest they might be worth a small investment too. Wilkinson Sword was a very respected maker, and the one I previously owned was an excellent shaver. It is likely that they were all Sheffield made and just stamped with the Wilkinson Pall Mall logo. There were no cutlers in downtown London. Congratulations. Hope to hear how all of the razors shaved for you.

good deal!
Sometimes you get some NOS Puma in Germany for 150-200 Euro

A quick translation of the French phrase in the goldwash area:

"Pour barbe très dure"

The French is slightly imprecise as it does not have an article before the word 'beard', but the phrase can be freely translated as:

For very stiff beard

Thanks, I used to speak French in school and from what I can still remember, I read it as 'For very tough/strong beard.'

It is half hollow, and while some say a wedge is better for stiff beards, I'm good experienced enough to use even the most hollow blades (which I prefer) for many days growth.

It is a marketing ploy!

The words 'tough' or 'strong' would be equally good translations in this case. :)