Puma Knives?

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patrickjames

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Hi, I am pretty new to knife collecting. I just turned 50 years old. About a year ago, I had a table at a gun show selling misc. reloading equipment and a few guns. The table next to me was a custom knife maker. Well, I ended up trading for one of his knives. (Up 'till that time, I had 3 knives at home in my dresser-- combined value about 40.00.) Since then I hate to say how many knives I bought off ebay, but my feedback is about 185 and I think half of them are knives. I really had no idea what I was buying, but I'm having fun and now that I coming to my senses and not being so compulsive, I decided one of my favorite knife makers is Puma.
I never read any thing much good or bad on Pumas. I guess my question is are they any good? Anybody have good our bad experiences?
Thanks,
Patrick James
 
I've had a few puma's over the years and i liked them. I had a large stockman and a couple of the lockbacks {don't remember what model} and a buddy had a white hunter that made it through vietnam with him and he spoke highly of it. In the last few years you don't seem to hear much about them anymore. look around I'm sure there is a puma forum/board somewhere on the net. good luck, ahgar
 
One of the problems with Puma is the current international exchange rate. For example, if you live in America; expect to pay a large mark-up for any new Puma knife. A reasonably priced knife becomes less so. Also, every person I know of who has bought a rocker-lock Puma folder has mentioned that (after a while) the blade develops a bit of play; after you lock it open. Generally not enough to be worried about the lock failing. But there are better-quality folders with stronger locks, and lower price tags..... such as those from Spyderco or Benchmade.
 
Puma made some of the best production knives in the world up until the early 80's when the German Mark shot up and the price of their knives in the USA practically doubled over night.

After the company sold the quality of their knives suffered greatly. Cheap steel and poor fit and finish are pretty much the norm for Puma these days.

Try the website below if you want to see what beautiful quality Puma used to produce. (knives like the one below in the green and yellow plastic box are from the good 'ol days of Puma.)

pumaonly.com

242.jpg
 
Collectors prize the models in the green and yellow box. If you don't have the box there are other markers such as sheath style, blade etchings, etc.

They made some of the best production knives in the world through the 1970's, then - as mentioned - the quality deteriorated rapidly. The company was sold.

Very recently, I've heard from some reliable sources, Puma's quality has begun to improve.

The knives they're making now are better than those of a couple of years ago, but still no comparison at all to the great quality old ones.
 
I have some old Pumas from my grandfather and father, those are EXCELLENT. I mean, they feel like customs. The proof of their quality is that they've survived three generations of hard use.

I bought some of the new Pumas, mainly because I like the traditional look some of their models have. I'm a bit dissapointed. Quality is OK, but the prices are incredibly high. They used to have a great reputation here in Argentina, but I think that their current offerings are overpriced.
 
Danbo said:
Old Puma = good

New Puma = crap
Click to expand...

I don't think the newest Pumas are "crap" - I'd reserve that description for something like Frost or S&W.

Do you really think the new Pumas are comparable with - let's say - Frost?
 
rifon2 said:
I don't think the newest Pumas are "crap" - I'd reserve that description for something like Frost or S&W.

Do you really think the new Pumas are comparable with - let's say - Frost?
Click to expand...

Let me correct myself. New Pumas are crap. Frost or S&W are below crap.
 
Some Original Puma design knives are still being made at Pumawerke in Germany. They are called "Puma Collectables" and you can see them at www.pumaknives.com. Held's discount knives is the distributer. They start around 170 for the White Hunter and go up--really up--quickly. The old reliable Boar Speer, for those who need a reliable boar speer, goes for 700. The Waidblatt goes for a modest 700 as well. For a handmade damascus blade, the price is 3000.
Puma branded knives are are apparently being made in lots of places. The traditional bone handled slip joint patterns usually sell for 25 to 35 dollars and in my view, are a good value. The ones I've handled had good fit and finish of scales, bolsters, and blades. The blades opened and closed with acceptable snap, but not of course in a league with the old ones which now start at 100 plus per.
It's not really the quality of the newer contract Pumas that are a turn off for me, it's the designs. Somehow they just don't look like Pumas!
 
I got a hunters pal for christimas recently and went and looked online to see about the knives and found out its made in germany and not on the cheap side, i was happy. So now i thought mayb i should check it out on this forum, and read some not so good reports too.
Im assuming mine is a newer model from after the company was sold since the company was sold a while back, is there any way to tell?
http://www.pumaknives.com/?n=store&b=38&pl=111&p=15

Its also listed as D1.4 cutlery steel, never heard of it though. Anyone know of it?
Also the picture looks different. The 2 rivets in the handle are done a tad bit differently.
There is a number on the blade 11 6397
Seems like a nice little knife, thin so would work well as a camp kitchen knife but thick enough to still work on an animal hide. Looks real handmade.
But this was a present from my dad so i still like it even if it wasnt the older production model.
Thansk for any info.
 
Boozoo Chavis said:
Puma made some of the best production knives in the world up until the early 80's when the German Mark shot up and the price of their knives in the USA practically doubled over night.

After the company sold the quality of their knives suffered greatly. Cheap steel and poor fit and finish are pretty much the norm for Puma these days.

Try the website below if you want to see what beautiful quality Puma used to produce. (knives like the one below in the green and yellow plastic box are from the good 'ol days of Puma.)

pumaonly.com

242.jpg
Click to expand...
I just bought a stag skinner about a month ago.
Pure , unadulterated GARBAGE.
Puma = Junk.
 
Makes me sad to see some of their knives now. Only knives in the current line-up I like cost way too much for what they are.
 
Gringogunsmith said:
242.jpg

I just bought a stag skinner about a month ago.
Pure , unadulterated GARBAGE.
Puma = Junk.
Click to expand...

Gringogunsmith-If you're saying the 25 year old knife pictured in your post is junk, you're sadly mistaken. The Puma's made in the 60's, 70's, and early 80's (the ones that came in the green and yellow boxes) were outstanding knives with the best fit and finish of any production knives made. I have one of the knives pictured above (Model 745-4 Star, bought in 1980 for $75) and it has a flawless fit and finish and has some of the most gorgeous stag you'll ever lay your eyes on...

Bottom line - Puma knives made before the early 80's when the company sold are outstanding quality and highly collectible. (like the one above)

Current Puma knives=Junk.
 
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