Fixed Blade Puma Skinner Help

[dtomrebel]

I have been patiently waiting to purchase a Puma Skinner (100%German made and assembled) for over a year now. I have had a few close calls with knock offs and the wrong model Skinner being passed off as the specific knife (#6393) that I am looking for. I was made aware that if I want something on the level of what Puma had been known for, I need to look for one made prior to the early 90's....is this true and if so, when in the 90's did they start outsourcing their work? Are the new Puma Skinners (#116393) still on par with the older handmade skinners and other Puma's? I have read some reviews saying that the workmanship around the tang and scales, rivets and finishes were left lacking some attention to detail. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[jonnieb27]

I can't remember the exact year the quality started to decrease, but anything prior to 1990 should be ok.

Don't buy a newer model, hold out for the originals. I have a couple from the 70s and 80s, and the steel is outstanding.

There are usually a few for sale on ebay.

 

[dtomrebel]

Jonnie....thanks for the heads up on the time frame. I found one on eBay made in the 80's and was about to buy it...until my kid brother decided to leave some chicken bones out for my dog to get into. So now I get to pay vet bills instead! Oh well, I have waited a year, I guess I can wait a few more months.