German Camp Knife by Puma.

[Halfneck]

Saw 2 German Camp Knives made by Puma at a gunshow this weekend. Both were olive drab handled with a olive drab metal sheath. While I remember reading that the Kissing Crane versions were 420 stainless, are the Puma's made of 420 also? I am hoping they are 440C, considering the asking price, $80 for 1 & $100 for the other, I would like to think they are better.

 

[Halfneck]

I think I am the only person that likes these knives. The 2 other times I have asked questions on these knives they got hardly any response.

 

[Ilovetoolsteel]

Saw 2 German Camp Knives made by Puma at a gunshow this weekend. Both were olive drab handled with a olive drab metal sheath. While I remember reading that the Kissing Crane versions were 420 stainless, are the Puma's made of 420 also? I am hoping they are 440C, considering the asking price, $80 for 1 & $100 for the other, I would like to think they are better.

Does this knife have a straight single edged spear point blade with a green plastic coke bottle shaped handle?

If so Robert Klass also made them. It was originaly a West German army issue knife I have one with the German military decal on the sheath. They are all 420 steel as far as I know. Probably specified by the military contract.

I found mine on ebay for like less than $30.

 

[Halfneck]

Ilovetoolsteel - that is the one. For some reason the design just appeals to me.

 

[jackknife]

I think I am the only person that likes these knives. The 2 other times I have asked questions on these knives they got hardly any response.

No, you're not the only one. I had two of these of these back in the late 70's
that I picked up at a gun show. One was made by Klass, and the other was another maker, Eye-brand if I recall. Niether was very good, just okay. They were made for the West German army under contract by different manufacturers. They were also made to specs, meaning ig if called for 440A, then thats what it was made out of no matter who made it. I ended up giving them away and just using a Swedish Frosts and my Ontario 12 inch machete as my camp knives. The blades of these German knives were just too thick to get really sharp.

But they do make a good sharp prybar kind of knife with very rugged construction.

 

[Ilovetoolsteel]

Ilovetoolsteel - that is the one. For some reason the design just appeals to me.

take a look at the knives hunters and outdoors men carried in the 1800's You will find this knife is amazingly similar. The materials have changed but the design hasn't. The only problem I have with the knife is the steel. It just dulls way too fast.

I have some .187 D2 steel and I am tempted to make a copy of this knife hollow ground in D2 with green canvas micarta.

edited to add
I just had a look at ebay and there are 2 up for auction

First I searched on bundeswehr knife and checked the box search both title and description. one came up in not too bad shape for $35

then I searched on german army knife and a beat up one for $10 came up.

Seems like $80 or $100 is way out of line for this knife.

 

[orthogonal1]

It's a basic classic design. Unfortunately, it lacks any form of "pizzazz." No great steel, no great maker, it just is a serviceable design.

I personally always liked the German "Youth" knife better. Another classic design that lacks pizzazz.