Any Fans of Puma Knives?

[Texas Star]

I saw the Randall knife topic got revisited again.

Another brand I like is Puma.

I can't post pics, and have just a few Puma knives, compared to serious collectors. Most were bought to use. (But have been cared for.)

Any other Puma fans here, who can post photos? The older ones are getting very collectible. I'm sort of nostalgic about them. They're certainly exceptional knives, with a lot of hand work in them. I was disappointed to learn that the family who had held the brand since 1769 sold it about 15 years ago. Not sure of the current owners. Judging from Online pics, they've made some changes and several of the German folding hunting knives now all use the same blade shape, probably a production economy.

Do you use and like Puma knives? Which are favorites? I especially like the Hunter's Pal, the Outdoor, and the fancier version, the Model 3589. I have a White Hunter. I won't sell it, but think it's not the best all-round knife. Pretty good for one designed by a committee, though.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Over the years I had and "lost" to others some greatPumas. I was in Denver or Col. Springs, in the early 70's and saw a display of Puma Swiss Army Knives. I was a young teenager and didn't have money to buy any. I have never seen another Puma SWK display. Ivan

 

[Muley Gil]

I own two: a Bowie and a lock blade; it has the clip blade and a saw blade.

 

[Frank46]

Back in the late 60's I bought a Puma Buddy I think it was called. Still have it and the sheath it came with. Frank

 

[Texas Star]

Back in the late 60's I bought a Puma Buddy I think it was called. Still have it and the sheath it came with. Frank

Hang onto it. I don't think they imported a lot of those. Mine was a little too flat in my hand and I sold it, but it did have a nice long handle. Had a pouch type Swedish sheath, as I recall.

Mine had exceptional stag scales, too.

 

[Texas Star]

Back in the late 60's I bought a Puma Buddy I think it was called. Still have it and the sheath it came with. Frank

Is that a pouch type Swedish sheath? I don't think they imported too many of that model.

Mine had exceptional stag, but was a little too thin for my hand and I sold it. But it was a beautiful knife. The handle was longer than on most knives, which I liked.

 

[Texas Star]

Over the years I had and "lost" to others some greatPumas. I was in Denver or Col. Springs, in the early 70's and saw a display of Puma Swiss Army Knives. I was a young teenager and didn't have money to buy any. I have never seen another Puma SWK display. Ivan

Ivan-

I once had a black-handled knife like that, the only one I ever saw. Quality wasn't quite as good as the true Victorinox, though. I think Puma had those knives made for them by someone else.

Only two companies ever made GENUINE Swiss Army knives: Victorinox and Wenger. All others are copies and/or fakes.

 

[beemerphile]

I had a Puma White Hunter with rosewood scales that I dearly loved until it got lost in a move. After that, I could only find stag handled versions so I never replaced it. I miss it.

 

[pownal55]

Great knives but like Boker apprear to be contracting some of their work out of Germany. If you buy either brand read the fine print first, expect to pay top dollar for original Solingen units.

 

[bamabiker]

This thread needs some pictures.
I carried this Puma 465 Back-Packer in my pocket a few years before making the belt pouch. I bought it over 35 years ago.

Later on my wife bought me the same knife in the black finish but I've never used it.

 

[seagill]

This is the only Puma I own, the "rattler". One of their Chinese models made for Cabela's. One of the handiest little knives I've owned.

 

[kraigwy]

Any Fans of Puma Knives

You bet, someone gave me one when I was in Vietnam. Don't remember the model. At the time I was carrying a M-60 which was constantly getting caught up in Wait-a-minute vines.

The Puma held and edge and was perfect for getting the gun clear of the vines. Wish I kept it but I passed in on with the gun when I left country. I'm sure he needed it more then I did.

I have a newer Puma Exployer now, the quality is every bit as good as the one I had many years ago (1968).

Makes short work of cutting up an Elk.

 

[OFT II]

I have a Puma Captain with a three inch lock blade in my pocket right now. It's one of the lightest knives of its size that I've found.

 

[Mule Packer]

I was given a Puma 4-star mini pocket knife by my three fly fishing/duck hunting buddies when I graduated from doctoral school in Oregon back in 1982. They had it engraved with my name and date on one side and "From Steve, Mike, and Nick" on the other side.

While it doesn't take the place of my Case stag-handled trapper for the everyday chores around the place, it's always in the pocket of my blue serge suit every Sunday when I go to church or when I dress up. A classy little knife with a whole lot of sentimental value.

 

[mr.jbk79]

I've had several older Pumas over the years, made from the 50s thru 80s. I sold most of them because I never used them, and I put the money into other toys, that I'd enjoy equally or more. I did keep a few. This Puma Hunter's Companion is a favorite of mine. Made in 3rd qt. of 1969. A friend of mine bought it from a Treasure Island store, and carried it one deer season with him. Then put it away until a few years ago, when he offered it to me. The quality and character of these older, German Pumas is really unmatched. They have some of the most beautiful Sambar stag I've seen. Kind of like the S&Ws back then, nothing made today quite compares imo.

 

[kwselke]

I had a Puma White Hunter for about 25 years and it was stolen about 15 years ago in an auto burglary. Attached is a picture of the only Puma I currently own, 3 1/2" lock blade. It's probably 20 years old. It's a bit heavy for everyday carry, so I usually carry a Spyderco or small Buck.

 

[steveno]

when I was stationed I Germany I bought a puma pocket knife at a knife shop in Frankfurt. it was a two blade slip joint with about a 2.5 inch blade , a smaller blade that was about 1.5 inches long and wood scales. very nice knife except that i found you shouldn't try to open a can of motor oil with the small blade and proceeded to break it off. I should have bought a few more of the Puma knives when I was over there as they were very well made. they were a lot cheaper in the early 1970's

 

[Kinman]

I'm a Puma user, I carry a small Gent on a belt pocket sheath daily. If going afield I carry a Puma Gamewarden, while hunting I have a vintage Waidmesser that does it all in a classic compact shape. I've had more than my fair share of quality knives and have quite a collection but always consider my Pumas to be my favorites. I've had my hands on a few Randall's and consider them to be of very high quality with a very appealing style and purpose. I nearly pulled the trigger on one a couple years ago and went back to the guy after thinking over his price deciding to give him what he wanted only to find the knife had sold, which saved me $500...
I can find no fault with any of the Pumas I've owned and I haven't bought any newly manufactured knives, preferring to buy vintage stuff and willing to pay the difference. My little Gent was made a few years ago and is made in Germany. I started carrying it when I got tired of carrying a pocket knife around that was big enough for daily use, I saw that Puma made this model with stag scales and ordered one, built a leather belt sheath for it and have been very happy with it ever since, a great little knife. The Gamewarden does it all while were out camping or anytime afield, a real no-nonsense kind of knife with a blade quality second to none, I haven't truly had to resharpen the blade since I got it, ever now and then I run it across a ceramic hone just to keep it shavin sharp.

 

[foxeye]

While stationed in Germany, I joined the local shooting club on base. They sold all kinds of sporting goods etc. Among items for sale was a huge sdisplay case of PUMA brand knives. I Used to buy a different model PUMA every payday and have quite a decent amount of various PUMAS now. I am not a knife fan, but knew it would be a decent investment one day. Its been well over 10-12 yers since I looked at them lately but they are in a dehummidifed safe, and still like new in original boxes.

 

[OLDSTER]

I always loved the looks of, and wanted, the Puma sheath hunting style knives. I thought I read recently that they are still being made ??