Puma Knife Model 230265 (Sergeant)

[kwselke]

As I recall, I purchased this Puma folding knife at a gun show in 1990. The number of $65 sticks in my mind, but I bought two of them and think I paid $65 for both. My hunting buddy was thrilled to get one for a Christmas gift.

The date code on the lock spring puts the date of manufacture to the second half of 1989. My understanding is this was a period of transition for Puma Knives, and this plain Jane plastic scaled back-lock is not a stag scaled model for sure.

I found the knife to be heavy to carry, and I honestly did not have the capability to sharpen it in the past, so it did not see a lot of pocket time over the years. I now have some nice diamond and ceramic sharpeners and a bit more sharpening skill than I had in my youth. I pulled this old knife out and gave it a sharpening the other day. It took an edge better than I had ever seen on it before. I still find it to be heavy.

My research tells me this is a model now referred to as the Puma Sergeant, and its blade is currently made from 440A stainless steel. I've also seen that Puma used 440C steel back in the day. Does anyone know what steel the blade of this old Puma is made from. Whether it is 440A or 440C will not change my opinion of this knife, I just want to know which steel I've been working with.

 

[Richard Simmons]

Sorry, can't help with your question but did want to congratulate you on the knife. I've only handled a very few vintage Puma fixed blades and never really thought about their folding models. Yours looks like a nice, solid folder. I'll have to start looking at these as a sideline to my Buck 110's as there is a similarity in appearance and or design.

 

[steveno]

I have model # 230260 and it is called the Lieutenant. it just says "handmade" and "stainless" on it along with Puma Germany. I'm pretty sure I didn't buy it in Germany and no idea where I got it. it has a more pronounced clip point on it. the blade is about 2.750 inches long

 

[steveno]

I looked at the PumaUSA website and they didn't show either of our knives. I couldn't find website for German Puma knives. I sent an e-mail to the PumaUSA website to see if they have any information on my knife and the stainless steel used which is probably the same as your knife.

 

[misswired]

Puma was all I would carry back in that timeframe. I know they were expensive to me, at least 50 to 80$. Some solvents(gas) will melt those black scales, hence the more expensive green scales soon followed. All of mine were carried, used and eventually lost.
I sold a black one with melted scales for 35$ to help finance a new green one...that guy had a local knife maker install some nice stag on it. Man I was red with jealousy when I saw that knife again!

 

[k22fan]

I bought the same model at a gun show about 1998. Since I only bought it for its light weight I would not have expected to read you found it heavy to carry. The metal sides are aluminum so they weigh quite a bit less than the similar size and shape Buck 112 and Case Mako. Mine came with a nylon pouch with belt slots to carry it both vertically and horizontally. I carried it vertically on a suspender. Unfortunately it was stolen.

These were Puma's inexpensive knives. One piece of aluminum substitutes for better made traditional knives' nickel silver or brass bolsters and liners. Instead of press fit pins they are held together with headed pins that are beat on the end that passes through. The blades were not polished bright. While mine held an edge O.K. its edge retention was nothing special. I doubt the blades were 440C.

A couple of weeks ago I replaced mine with one that is in unused condition but lacking its pouch. It had laid in a pawn shop priced at $40 for over a year. I offered $25 OTD and they accepted. Perhaps no one wanted my new Puma's gold anodized frame and flat black blade but, brand prestige aside, Walmat's $28 & tax Buck 110s are more knife for the money. I'm hopping I can find the pouch from my first one.

 

[steveno]

here is a video on a Puma knife pretty close to what we are talking about

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vJAfbnKZq0[/ame]

 

[mauser9]

Nice looking Puma. I checked Knife Center and they offer the Sergeant now with 440A steel so they say. Glad yours took a good edge as some steels easier to sharpen than others.

 

[kwselke]

I bought the same model at a gun show about 1998. Since I only bought it for its light weight I would not have expected to read you found it heavy to carry. The metal sides are aluminum so they weigh quite a bit less than the similar size and shape Buck 112 and Case Mako. Mine came with a nylon pouch with belt slots to carry it both vertically and horizontally. I carried it vertically on a suspender. Unfortunately it was stolen.

These were Puma's inexpensive knives. One piece of aluminum substitutes for better made traditional knives' nickel silver or brass bolsters and liners. Instead of press fit pins they are held together with headed pins that are beat on the end that passes through. The blades were not polished bright. While mine held an edge O.K. its edge retention was nothing special. I doubt the blades were 440C.

A couple of weeks ago I replaced mine with one that is in unused condition but lacking its pouch. It had laid in a pawn shop priced at $40 for over a year. I offered $25 OTD and they accepted. Perhaps no one wanted my new Puma's gold anodized frame and flat black blade but, brand prestige aside, Walmat's $28 & tax Buck 110s are more knife for the money. I'm hopping I can find the pouch from my first one.

I was using and losing Buck 500 Series folders at the time. Thinner and lighter than the 110/112 knives, as well as this Puma. I prefer drop point blades anyway. This old Puma still impresses me, but it is not what I carry on a regular basis.

 

[misswired]

Y'all have rekindled an old flame.
I've had a green one spotted for several years without showing interest...if they'll budge below a Benjamin,..I'll prolly get it.

Pics.....Monday???

40$ bucks woulda been a steal when new!

 

[k22fan]

Both the linked video and one of the ones that is offered after it ends report these Pumas have 440A blades. If you were having difficulty getting knives sharpened then you are better off with 440A or 420HC than 440C. As a rule of thumb, if the edge dulls slower it also takes more time or effort to sharpen.

Buying pre-owned but excellent condition knives carefully spending a Benjamin will get you a better made traditional lock back with an ATS-34 or D2 blade. While lots of members here write favorably about old Pumas, IMO value for the buck is not usually found under the Puma name. One the other hand, if a guy has is eyes fixed on a Puma there is no point in offering price comparisons.

 

[bamabiker]

When I was in high school(74-77) I saw a paramedic use a green handled Puma lockblade and decided I needed one. I don't remember what it cost but I know I had to save up to buy it.
It says on the blade "465 Puma Back-Packer / New stainless super keen cutting steel / Handmade - Germany". I carried this knife daily for a number of years. Kind of hard to sharpen back then but kept a nice edge.
A few years after getting this one my bride to be gave me one just like it except the metal is black and I can barely see "230365 Puma Germany Stainless" stamped on the blade. I still have both and the black one has never been used or sharpened.
The Back-Packer has the Rockwell hardness divot, the other does not. I do not know what steel was used in either.
Thanks for bringing these up. I might just carry my old favorite this week.

Add, I looked up the dates and the BP was made in 1976 and the black one 1984, so we were already married.

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

Puma

I have the Puma General: actually this one in hand and one stored that was bought years earlier. The wife bought me the second one. With a flashlight, it appears to read 230, a large space, then 270 Stainless. Says Puma General underneath. Says Solingen, large space, then Germany. 50492 on the lock. 3 1/2" I use extensively. Holds an edge better than any of my knives except the other one. I'll dig the other out one day.

Skinned a few deer and hogs. Bought my first in the late eighties. This one is mid nineties I think. Love a Puma blade. Tough to sharpen as said earlier, but diamond sharpeners came along...

 

[MCorps0311]

Nice knife the Puma.thanks for sharing the video steveno.

 

[bamacisa]

I have several Puma knives. I purchased them in the late sixties or early seventies. I am sure that the exchange rate was different back then. There was a $25 minimum order back then. I had to buy three knives to meet the minimum order. I bought two folding PUMA's and a fixed blade. I later bought several more Puma's and don't remember paying more than twenty nine dollars for any of them. I still have all of them. I collect knives. The Puma knife that looks like a Buck 110 is called the game warden.

 

[Texas Star]

I have several Puma knives. I purchased them in the late sixties or early seventies. I am sure that the exchange rate was different back then. There was a $25 minimum order back then. I had to buy three knives to meet the minimum order. I bought two folding PUMA's and a fixed blade. I later bought several more Puma's and don't remember paying more than twenty nine dollars for any of them. I still have all of them. I collect knives. The Puma knife that looks like a Buck 110 is called the game warden.

Puma has/had several knives much like Buck's Model 110. Put stag handle scales on your Game Warden and it became the Prince. With white Micarta (rare), it was the Whitetail, which I have.

 

[mauser9]

Puma has/had several knives much like Buck's Model 110. Put stag handle scales on your Game Warden and it became the Prince. With white Micarta (rare), it was the Whitetail, which I have.

About the only thing I hung onto from my youth is the fixed blade Puma Skinner I bought back around 67-68. Cost was around $30 back then I recall. Heard it has the old carbon Puma steel which makes it a great keepsake.

 

[forrestinmathews]

My father has three puma knives now. A couple from the late sixties and one I bought him as a present about two years ago. It's a lock back with a raised lock so he can get at it easily. It's sharper than most would believe and it sent the jeweler to the hospital during the engraving process for five stitches. Stag handles and a single blade of goodly size.

 

[steveno]

Puma Knife Company USA - Official Online Store for Hunting, Sport and Knife Culture Since 1769

I noticed a number "32891" on the lock lever on my knife and tried it on the PumaUSA website and it came back as being made in the first half of 1998.

I noticed that kswelke's knife had the number "45982" on the lock lever it came back as being made in the second half of 1989.

I wonder if having the hardness check on the blade came sometime after our knives were made? there isn't a hardness check on my knife and it doesn't appear to be on kwselke's knife either

 

[mauser9]

Thanks for the link. A Puma folder sounds like a good addition to add to my meager collection. So many changes in the steels these days it gets confusing to say the least. I notice the older models from the 60s and 70s often going for big money on E-Bay. Often the stainless steels used today have alloys like molydenum or vanadium added to strengthen the blade and have good edge holding ability.