I have had a number of traditional nail pullers.
  After all when I started there were no cat's paws available.
   As long as they are whole and no cracks or chips, all of the nail 
pullers I have used will do the job.
  The last one I got I picked up off the ground in the "metal pile" in 
the town dump. Its a Crescent I think. Maybe a Bridgeport, I forget.

   It -doesn't- have the extra wide jaw, which I find desirable. The 
extra wide jar, or foot, is an extension to help you lever out long 
nails. But it only is helpful occasionally, but its there taking up 
space you may need, all the time

In use for me, I want to pop the head of the nail well above the 
surface. But the pulling is done with a classic wrecking bar.
None of the nail pullers generates the fast sure leverage of a good 
crowbar.
   Their job is the near instant "pop" of raising the head up (they do 
this part fantastic when you get accustomed).

The --important-- bit is how you paint them.
  Nail pullers are the champion blood blister raisers of all time. Huge 
painful blisters you have to stab and drain, ugh

   So do this. A little masking tape and a few minutes is all it takes.

  http://users.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/images/oldtools/nailpuller1c.JPG

http://users.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/images/oldtools
/nailpuller2.JPG

Never ever put your hand in the red zone.
Not even for a minute. Not even if you are sure you can handle it.
  There is no friction at all in the sliding part,
and its gonna move.
Never trust it.
   yours scott

-- 
*******************************
    Scott Grandstaff
    Box 409 Happy Camp, Ca  96039
    scottg@s...
    http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/
    http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/hpages/index.html