Are Puma razors a good choice?

[Matt P]

Gentlemen,

I'm thinking about trying a straight and Puma's have caught my eye. For sentimental reasons, I'm fond of their sporting knives. My interest was piqued when I discovered they make straight razors. I was unable to find anything in the review section. So I'm coming to the source. Yes? No? Indifferent?

 

[texbilly]

I'm no help but share the same question. I've read multiple remarks labeling them excellent shavers. Will watch for feedback.

 

[Joker]

I too have enjoyed their knives, and would like to know more about the razors.

 

[richmondesi]

Old Pumas are excellent razors. In fact, Puma Gold is considered by many to be the best production razor ever made. I found a site that seemed to have a new incarnation of Puma razors made with Solingen steel. I don't know anything about them. Which one specifically did you have in mind?

 

[Matt P]

This is what I like.
http://www.toolshop.de/product_info.php?products_id=4150&language=en&currency=USD

Don't really want to spend that much though.

 

[richmondesi]

This is what I like.
http://www.toolshop.de/product_info.php?products_id=4150&language=en&currency=USD

Don't really want to spend that much though.

That's the razor that I was looking at too. I honestly don't know if that's new or not

Personally, considering it's solingen steel, I'd buy it if I were you. I'd really be interested to find out what the story is with those razors.

 

[CraigJ]

This is a new Puma and I cannot comment on the quality. The older Pumas kicked some serious booty. The vintage Pumas that are in mint condition I have seen sold for over $300. I personaly would not pay over $150 for a mint vintage Puma. It will take you a while to find this good of a deal though.

I just sold one to a friend on the cheap for $80. Had it been anybody else I would have asked for more.

 

[richmondesi]

This is a new Puma and I cannot comment on the quality. The older Pumas kicked some serious booty. The vintage Pumas that are in mint condition I have seen sold for over $300. I personaly would not pay over $150 for a mint vintage Puma. It will take you a while to find this good of a deal though.

I just sold one to a friend on the cheap for $80. Had it been anybody else I would have asked for more.

If you have any more... I'm just a pm away. I got a NOS 4/8 Puma that I really liked... I'd be very interested in more vintage Pumas.

I'm really tempted to buy one of these to see what they are about and post a review. That's weird that they get so little discussion

 

[Thebigspendur]

It's another of those ressurected brands designed to sell to people who buy based on the original name. Though I know nothing about the new ones I can all but guarantee they don't hold a candle to the original ones the same as other brands that have reinvented themselves. if you want to experience Puma quality buy vintage. I'm not saying you won't get a great shave from one of the new ones but any generic Solingen razor will do that.

 

[Matt P]

It's another of those ressurected brands designed to sell to people who buy based on the original name. Though I know nothing about the new ones I can all but guarantee they don't hold a candle to the original ones the same as other brands that have reinvented themselves. if you want to experience Puma quality buy vintage. I'm not saying you won't get a great shave from one of the new ones but any generic Solingen razor will do that.

That is about what I was thinking. I'll keep my eyes peeled for one in the marketplace.

 

[professorchaos]

Yea, they are great shaving razors. But there are other vintage razors which shave as well as either of my two Puma Specials. I've not had the pleasure of shaving with a Puma Gold, which is reviewed here. It is just a matter of time....

 

[gugi]

It's not a good choice. You are paying for something you can't even appreciate. Better pick up a cheaper razor now and once you get good at it look for a puma. Unless you find a really good deal, or money is not a problem, or you think on 6 months pumas will be even more expensive than today.

I will most certainly pay more than $150 for a nice vintage Puma that I want. What I wouldn't pay that for is the current production Dovos in that price range. But I don't put very much value on a razor being brand new.

 

[Gogo]

I have a Puma "High Class." I picked it up at a flea market for $20. It was far from mint condition, but took a nice edge and is my 2nd favorite razor.

 

[Parataxis]

It's not a good choice. You are paying for something you can't even appreciate. Better pick up a cheaper razor now and once you get good at it look for a puma. Unless you find a really good deal, or money is not a problem, or you think on 6 months pumas will be even more expensive than today.

I will most certainly pay more than $150 for a nice vintage Puma that I want. What I wouldn't pay that for is the current production Dovos in that price range. But I don't put very much value on a razor being brand new.

See, I can understand that for consumables (wine, cognac, chocolate, etc...) but a straight razor? Really?

Why would it matter if you can't appreciate it now - so long as you'll be able to appreicate it in the future. It's not like as you learn to use it, it'll disappear - they're made to last forever!

 

[gugi]

Well, there is nothing wrong with starting with really good razor even if you can't tell the difference at the beginning. The drawbacks are
- if you make a serious error due to carelessness (much more common when you lack experience) you'll be sad that it had to be such a nice razor
- if you give up on the whole thing before you get good at it, it was a more expensive experiment than it needed to be

my 4th razor which I bought a month after i started was rather expensive, but it was a unique opportunity to have it, so I took it even though I wouldn't be able to appreciate it fully for another year or so.

 

[richmondesi]

Well, there is nothing wrong with starting with really good razor even if you can't tell the difference at the beginning. The drawbacks are
- if you make a serious error due to carelessness (much more common when you lack experience) you'll be sad that it had to be such a nice razor
- if you give up on the whole thing before you get good at it, it was a more expensive experiment than it needed to be

my 4th razor which I bought a month after i started was rather expensive, but it was a unique opportunity to have it, so I took it even though I wouldn't be able to appreciate it fully for another year or so.

I agree with your rationale 100%

 

[Antique Hoosier]

Originally Posted by gugi
Well, there is nothing wrong with starting with really good razor even if you can't tell the difference at the beginning. The drawbacks are
- if you make a serious error due to carelessness (much more common when you lack experience) you'll be sad that it had to be such a nice razor
- if you give up on the whole thing before you get good at it, it was a more expensive experiment than it needed to be

my 4th razor which I bought a month after i started was rather expensive, but it was a unique opportunity to have it, so I took it even though I wouldn't be able to appreciate it fully for another year or so.

I agree with your rationale 100%

That makes two of us. (or I guess three of us)

I've owned 3 Puma razors, 4/8, 5/8. 6/8. Top Notch!

(but now I love OLD Sheffield)

 

[professorchaos]

See, I can understand that for consumables (wine, cognac, chocolate, etc...) but a straight razor? Really?

Why would it matter if you can't appreciate it now - so long as you'll be able to appreicate it in the future. It's not like as you learn to use it, it'll disappear - they're made to last forever!

Really!

 

[Parataxis]

Really!

Oh. well, I guess that settles it!

 

[richmondesi]

I'm not happy at all about this thread

It made me think about how much I like my Puma, and I went and picked up two more NOS Pumas on de Bay