Thread: Score ! Another Keller added to the family :)

I have been know several times to be very particular to a quite rare brand of razors, "G. Keller Paris".

As I was a newbie on my real first "hunt for a treasure" in the well known "Puces de St Ouen" (biggest antiques market in the world), a turf I roam anytime I am in Paris and looking for exceptional pieces (worked 3 times regarding razors now ), you can imagine that I was a bit lost.

Granted I had a few indicators. CVH, Puma, Solingen razors, and I've seen some, but expensive as hell, half destroyed, etc... There is such a flow of tourists in the place the sellers don't care on the prices and what they sell, there will always be a buyer.

But what I was really looking for was a Nogent blade, which are the first blades where the French got their shit together and could at least compete with the British. Yet, I did not know at the time how to identify a Nogent blade.
And I could not shake a feeling. Asking around, i found, at the back of a drawer, a pair with no other indication than "G. Keller, Pars". That were the first razors I had seen that day. Come on, mahogany and aluminium, it felt 1900 like... At the time it would be equivalent to gold and ivory... Either it was a treasure or trash...

Long story short, I bought only one because I was I was moving and wanting for cash at the time, could post a photo, and... Was severely told that such a pair should not be separated, because it was high end Nogent with the stamp of a famed silversmith.

The photo as posted that day

Not NOS. But damn well preserved. And you may be happy to hear that both are now together, have been restored by a pro, and are the absolute best shavers of my rotation.

And, having seen other pieces they've made, be it razors or other things, I've learnt to identify (even from far or in a tv show) and love the signature.
And never hid it.

And lo, I got a tip from a friend this morning (who also happens to have a gorgeous one).


That's the Keller signature for you, function dictating shape (among other things Keller has been described as a precursor of the "design"), and a bit of art nouveau style (original wooden scales are scarce at that time).
I have doubts on the scales, I don't think they are the original ones. Still, until I find better (I am thinking tortoise in the usual bean shape as seen on the first picture), they will do nicely.

Happy happy !

Very nice indeed! Thanks for sharing.

Wow. For some reason those are very attractive!! They kind of remind me of the ERN 'Ator' blades but heavier and better.

Is that curve on the bottom of the tang and the way the tang transitions into the blade a primarily French motif? They look like they would fit the hand well and I love the look, but I don't know what you call the style. Very classy though.
Those are beautiful. Another maker to add to my long 'want' list. One part I didn't understand though, did you mean you returned to Paris market and bought the other one? If so, how long was it between visits?

Good questions.

There is nothing particularly peculiar on how the tang and the blade join in both shapes... Except that they join in a fluid line.
If you read carefully detail by detail, it's nothing but known shapes.

Shoulder-less blades are known at least in French manufacture (I have several wonderful examples), curved tangs, curved and hooked tangs (MK 31 like), barber's notch... There is nothing new, if you take it piece by piece. Take a second look... Every part is done perfectly, and gives a smooth organic feeling to the blade.

That's why I am saying there's a signature... Something more than joining all parts together

did you mean you returned to Paris market and bought the other one?

Hum no. As I was mentored, I sometimes help mentoring a promising well born young brain, and he joined with me at the end of the same day. He knew the shop, the drawer, and went there the week after to buy it for me and offered it as a christmas gift.

As a thanks gift, I offered him a restored Puma Silber blade as his first razor.

Almost amazing, isn't it, how such simple form becomes so beautiful? It's no wonder we get hooked...

Beautiful. That first one reminds me of a Japanese Rossette, they may have copied the style.

Originally Posted by Hart

Beautiful. That first one reminds me of a Japanese Rossette, they may have copied the style.

Yes, 1+ Very Nice!

Originally Posted by Hart

Beautiful. That first one reminds me of a Japanese Rossette, they may have copied the style.

Any pic ? I am interested !

Originally Posted by Aggelos

Any pic ? I am interested !

Here is one of mine.