Looking for someone with knowlegde of old stag handled pumas.Different years w/sheaths and blade metal.
THANKS
PETE
Excellant production knives.Made in Germany I believe the steel is soligen? I had a lockblade I think they were one of the first to come out with the locking blade design.The stag handle hunters are real beautys.The knife I had I bought in a TWO GUYS store that was where the home depot store now stands in Wayne N.J. so you can imagine how long ago I bought it 1972 or 1973.I would do a GOOGLE search for Puma knives to get more answers or see if they have a web and e-mail them.
All I now is they are very good knives. Picked up a Hunter's Pal in Germany and it is going to be very difficult to get it away from me.
Pete,
I don't know much of the history and cataloging of Puma Knives - but I can tell you they are very well made production knives. I have a Puma Companion with stag scales. The steel is very hard, you'll need a diamond sharpener for best results. But, it takes a very good edge. I have dressed quite a few animals with it and wouldn't trade it for anything.
Thanks Guys
Actually looking for the older stags.Companion,Pal,Hunters Freind.
PETE
I have a couple from the '60s and one of them is my regular knife. There is a web-site that tells you how to date them etc. it may be puma.com-I don't remember, you will have to google. Lots of used ones on the auction site. My favorite is my mid sixties Hunters friend. Hunters Pal is the knife Fred Bear carried; in case you always wanted to know that.
Seem overpriced to me.
I found an old one, in the woods, in the '60s. The handle material was broken so I made a set of walnut and got a sheath that fit it.
It was a BIG knife and I never carried it and it's too big to skin a deer.
I like my old Shrade (before they went stainless) drop point, sharp finger. Good carbon and right size for my jobs.
Older PUMA knifes are definately one of the best ever made German knives. My father loved them and had a bunch of them. Maybe some day my mother will hand them over to me ...?!
Most of the BIG knifes he never carried and almost all others he hartly ever sharpened. Just touched up the edge with a steel and they were fine for service again.
Their Trade Mark is a small pitting from the diamond point for HRC hardness testing, each blade has to pass. So there are no flaws out there.
Nowadays they also do some fancy stuff I don't like. Guess they have to run with the tide or something?! But the old ones - great!
Here you go for dating them:
(http://www.broadheads.de/Bilder/Foren/TradGang/PumaDatingChart.jpg)
I have my father's old Puma White Hunter. He would carry it on his Montana deer/elk hunts. We always planned on going on that hunt together (rifle), but it just never happened because of sports, clubs, school, girls, etc and then later his health. Something I always regret.
So, whenever I go on a special hunt I carry that old Puma. I figure I'm taking a little of my Dad with me when I go. I also carry a knife that will actually work to do the field dressing. ;^)
I also make it a point to give my son as many chances to go with me as possible.
BTW- my old White Hunter has cocobolo handles. These seem almost harder to find than stag.
Regards,
Carl
I don't have any of the old ones but I do have three new Pumas. I really like them.
For many years my dad had one of the older Pumas with the stag handle that he absolutely LOVED. One day, a number of years ago, we were out putting up treestands and inadvertently stirred up a swarm of angry bees - as we beat a hasty retreat across a large goldenrod field, his knife somehow must have fallen out of the sheath. We searched that field many a time looking for that knife, but we never found it - he talked so much about how much he missed that knife that my mom eventually bought him a new Puma to replace it. I know he doesn't like the new one nearly as much as the old one, but of course he'll never tell my mom that...
Long story short :
If you want top quality, go for older pumas ( pre ยด82 ) or other knife brands.
Jacob
I have a pre-64 stag White Hunter. Cool knife but really too large for my needs and the scales have a couple small cracks I worry about enough to not use it much.
The previous owner lived in Alaska and, according to his widow, used in on many bear and moose. The sheath is completly worn out. I often pick up that knife and wish it could tell stories.
Regardless of where and how it was truely used, it has been used a lot for something.
FALK bless you you never cease to amaze me bud!!!My old lockblade I beleive it was a Deerhunter Model was probably one of if not the sharpest knife I ever owned. It took an edge quickly easily and held it forever.Falk am I correct in that it was Soligen Steel??? [spelling]
Hey bentpole, you're flatten me! Be glad that you only know to "good" side ... ;)
You missed one "n" but yes, Solingen is correct. It's a small town where all the "cuttlery" is made, because it can then be sold as "Solingen Made" - for more money - living from the famous name. Like "Sheffield Bowie", "Champagne" or "Jamon Serano de Terruel" etc.
They had specialiced themselfs to bladesmithing and all the belonging industry long time ago. And in former times really had "an edge" over others in the that business. I don't think there is much left nowadays. But "Solingen" is still a protected Trademark - worldwide, if I remember right. BTW: SilverFlames blades are also done there.
I am pretty much a fan of the "White Hunter", though I never carried one. But I had always admired it's timeless shape and it's form follows function esthetics. Compared to bows this one would be MY Super Kodiak :-)
@Woodduck
Yes, of course are they expensive. Partly due to the things I explained above, then because many things are done by hand, even today, and thats costly in Germany. Call them the "Mercedes of the German Knife Industry" if you like. You have to pay for the name of it - that's for sure.
There was a thread about Randall Knifes recently. I guess it's just the same. You can get almost the same knife from Blackjack for a fraction of costs - BUT, it won't say Randall on it's blade, right? ... or Rolex, or Jaguar etc.
Even though I like the old PUMA's I would rather go to some skilled East European Knife Makers today. Would you like to see my "since two years want to have all time favorite" knife? Yes? Okay! It's a big picture so better have a fast Net-connection before you follow this link (http://www.tumpek-dnc.com/kepek/egyedi/Leopard.jpg) .
edit: Don't get confused - it is NOT MY knife what you see in the pic! Unfortunately!
Falk
I bought a Hunter's Pal years ago (45). It is rumored to be the blade carried by Fred Bear. I got it before I knew that and just liked the size of the blade. About 20 years ago I was atop a mountain in AZ glassing for javelinas and looked on the rock next to me and -voila, another Hunter's Pal! Been in the sun for years as the up-side scale was rotten. The blade was pitted slightly from exposure, but it sharpened well and now still awaits a new set of scales. Maybe this winter.....? Great knives and I intend to pass them on to a yet-to-be-born grandson.
I found this picture that has my dad's old White Hunter. Sorry no stag handle.
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b260/plybenderpics/knives/knives004.jpg)
I bought a Puma Skinner about 40 years ago, paid $18 for it new at the time. This was a lot of money for a knife back then but I wanted the best.
I carried it with me hunting for about 20 years. Got off evening shift, started into my apartment and realized a burglary was in progress as I opened the door. The thieves ran out the back door and escaped. They only had time to take two things, a bottle of gin and my Puma knife. Sure do miss that knife.
If anyone sees it, it has my name burned into the stag handles as well as hash marks for every deer I skinned with it.
Falk,
The knife in the picture is terrific. A real piece of art. Probably quite expensive. Wish I had that kind of skill and patience to be able to craft something so remarkable. Thanks for sharing.
Louis
When I was a nipper, I used to stand outside a shop, in Glasgow, Scotland, called Marshals. They had a great display of knives, icluding some Pumas, a White Hunter and a Bowie took my eye and it became a ritual for me to check these two Pumas out every time I was in town, vowed one day I'd aquire one of these lovely blades.
Took nearly a lifetime, haven't grown up yet but I don't have to go to Glasgow to drool over Pumas anymore :)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/johnbeattie/P3070001.jpg)
Jock nice collection!
WOWWW FALK YOU made that knife no way dude.
???
Ey guys - seems like you've got me wrong here!? I was talking about my "favorite knife" - I WOULD LIKE to own - not that I've made it or already have it! Okay?! This one is 4000EUR which translates to $5200 !!! NO way for me to spend that amount of money - for anything!
I sometimes do my own knifes, yes, but I am far of, compared to this piece of art!
Delete some of the link I gave above in your browser to get to the front page of that Hungarian website. There are some more beautyfull knifes - trust me!
Jock, nice collection there!
Maybe I'll pass by my mother's place tomorrow and take a pic of my fathers PUMAS to show you ...
Good night! Falk
Even though I mostly use my own knives, I really like the old Hunter's Pal. I keep one on a quiver...Doc
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Knives/pumahunterspal.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Knives/pumahunterspal3.jpg)
I have four older Pumas, a '69 Hunters Friend, '66 Hunter's Pal, '80 Trail Guide, and a model called a Nicker that is basically just a presentation grade Hunter's Pal and it came originally with a super set/ a huge thing called a Waidsblatt. It and the old Pal are far and away my favorites because of size and ease of sharpening, even though the Nicker is stainless. I have never been able to put a truly quality edge on the Trail Guide but I'm sure that translates to user error. The Hunter's Friend is a great camp knife but a little on the large side for caping/field dressing. All in all, they are my favorite knives and I own many. I think it's because, like Jock, they were tops on my youthful wish list.
Pumas are very nice,,,, I have an old bone handle "Edgemark" knoife from Germany and I nevr confirmed it but a gentleman at our club said the german edgemarks where made by PUMA.
Pumas are nice I'd like to get that one in 3-rivers but afraid I lose the file or can opener..
Check out the website (Pumaonly.com)they have a fine collection of vintage Puma knives and the prices seem reasonable.
John
Dang the more I look the more I am inclined to order one of these vintage beauties.
I've got a Puma Bowie, had a White Hunter I got for Christmas in 1964, my nephew has it now. It went thru a housefire and he sent it back to Puma, they put new scales on it and found the temper was still good.
Puma now offers knives made in Brazil. They're considerably cheaper than the ones made in Germany.
My Bowie says "Hand made" on it, but whether this means REALLY hand made I couldn't say.
Hey Gene, good to *see* ya again. Hope you're well. How's yo momma? Miss her posts of wisdom. Tell her I said "hey", won't 'cha?
Brazil, eh? Bet Juan Valdez has one of the newer ones.
Falk, here's a picture of the knife!
You have great taste. When I first saw it I let out some words I'm not allowed to post here.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/Marblesonac/Leopard.jpg)