Puma White Hunter knife

[Capt. F.]

The first time I ever saw a Puma White Hunter was, if my memory serves me correctly, in an article in The American Rifleman about the equipment Army Rangers carried in Vietnam.
A picture in the article showed a Ranger carrying a 4" Colt Python and a Puma.
I priced one at my LGS but with a wife, two kids, house, car payments etc, there just wasn't money for an expensive knife that had limited use when the largest game I might shoot was a deer.
Last week this one popped up in a local swap rag. The owner bought it about 40 years ago, then threw it in a drawer and never used it.
It came as you see it, box, instructions and sheath. We settled on a price of $225.
Finally have my WH and I haven't hunted in 20 years! So I'm using it to enhance my 624.

 

[jlrhiner]

Sometimes ya just gotta....

 

[white cloud]

You have great taste in revolvers and knives.

 

[Dennis]

I had wanted one from the first time I saw an ad for one. Got to my second duty station in 1972, (MarBks. Pearl Harbor, HI.). Rode the bus one day down to King's Sporting Goods in Honolulu. The White Hunters were going for 28 dollars in those days.
So I spied a brand-new WH in the display case and the price was $23.00!!!
Figured out my budget and said I'd like to buy it. Young fella took it to the register and then said that it was mis-marked and should be 28.
I was crest-fallen...
But Mr. King was nearby and checked out the tag, visibly thought about it, and said to the young clerk to give it to me for 23!!!!
Fast-forward to late 70's...
Long story, but got burglarized. Lived East of San Diego, family man and still a Jarhead. Insurance paid a bit.
Went to a good knife shop and found another WH. While ringing it up, the older fella heard of my sad tale and ended up giving it to me for cost.
I think around 240?
Anyway, I still have it and was finally able to use it on a nice little Blacktail Deer on Camp Pendleton with my middle son present.
Pretty much a safe-queen now, but a GREAT knife!
Congratulations on yours!!

 

[gnystrom]

I bought one out of a magazine ad in the early 1960's. I can't remember what I paid but I am pretty sure it was under $50. I used it a couple of times for cleaning a deer and them oiled it and put it back in the wooden display box that came with it. I pulled it out after it has set in the box for over five years and the side that rested on the foam in the box had caused major pitting on one side of the blade. I took it to a gunshow and sold it for $175 and that was over a decade ago.

Side note. While serving in the army in 1965, I bought one with a wood handle (not the stag ones that were on most) for $20 in the PX and gave it to my brother-in-law.

 

[OLDSTER]

Great knife. The Puma White Hunter has, for many years, impressed me as the coolest knife I've ever seen. I just never bought one 'cause I'm not a knife guy

 

[dave1918a2]

I bought a White Hunter in 1968 I think. Got it at Gart Bros Sports Castle in Denver. Took it Elk hunting and got a ton of razzing about the 'club' I was carrying. Started gutting an elk and while caping the elk it got dull. I used a stone I carried in My pack and I could feel the stone grabbing and sliding over hard and soft places in the blade. Tempering was horrific and the thing wouldn't hold an edge. Had to sharp it 3 times caping that elk. Blade design was nice to look at, but not worth a damn gotting that elk. Only thing it was good for was hacking through the pelvis. I actually finished the elk with a gerber pocket knife. Way better than that *** Puma I paid $35 for. Took it to a gun show and traded for a Buck.

 

[wundudnee]

My Dad did landscaping. Once while harrowing a yard on a busy street he looked back and thought he had picked up a stick in his harrow. It was a White Hunter identical to the original poster's. That was in the early 70s. We figure somebody stole it and just pitched it. My son has it now.

 

[Muley Gil]

I don't have the White Hunter, but I do have the Puma Bowie. It was a present from my mom and dad.

 

[bearpa]

Puma White Hunter

I bought one in '66 in downtown Heidelberg for $35.00, new in the box at a knife shop there. Best damn knife I've ever had, holds an edge and has never let me down. Wouldn't sell it for all the tea in China!
Own a Puma Bowie also, my son bought me, feel the same about it. Puma makes a great blade. The gentleman from the Air Force must have gotten a lemon, have seen that in Bucks, Case and others. It happens!

 

[Gardner11]

That is a great knife I would love to have one . Very good accusation, enjoy .

 

[Iggy]

I got one of those as a bonus for a gun mag subscription. Cool looking but the blade shattered when I was using it dressing out an elk.

 

[Dennis]

Iggy,
If I'm not mistaken, there were some knock-offs or maybe I should say even cheaper copies sold under the Puma name for awhile.
My memory gets a bit fuzzy sometimes... LOL

 

[Highhawk1948]

Have a "70's" Bowie. Holds an edge. Truck knife.

 

[tug700]

Mine was a gift from my father-in-law in 1968. Used it a few years, then retired it. It is a wonderful knife and carries many memories.

 

[phonejack]

I have a hunters friend. As you can see, mine has seen some use.

 

[mauser9]

Some great stories and enjoyable reads! I settled for the Puma Skinner model back in 67. That one cost me $25!! but was the knife to have among us young hunters. Thank god I held onto it all these years. Wish I had the funds at the time for the White Hunter too. Beautiful grips and that carbon chromium blade is quite a sight to behold. I believe Pumas now use 440 C stainless on many models. Thanks for showing.

 

[old bear]

Capt. I think it's great that your years of restraint finally paid off, and you now have a way cool toy. May you have years of enjoyment owning that.

 

[hyena]

I'll be darn. I've got a Puma White Hunter I bought in high school in the early 70s. I just went down in the basement to see if it's still in the dresser drawer where I thought. Yup, still there...hasn't been out in decades. I had no idea those things were worth that kind of money now.

 

[mauser9]

I'll be darn. I've got a Puma White Hunter I bought in high school in the early 70s. I just went down in the basement to see if it's still in the dresser drawer where I thought. Yup, still there...hasn't been out in decades. I had no idea those things were worth that kind of money now.

You bet pal. Have seen the older ones from 60s and early 70s goin for $300 on E-Bay. Check the hilt for the code denoting year of manufacture. Easily checked on Puma chart.