I Just Got a Puma Stockman

[JPD1998]

Well after reading a few posts about the origin of some German branded knives, I took a chance a bought a Puma stockman. I’ve always been a fan of German made cutlery, so there wasn’t much arm twisting involved. Both the knife and box is clearly marked as being handmade in Germany.

This is my second Puma knife; I bought a Medici last year and although I love the design, I was lukewarm about the fit & finish (or lack of). The Puma stockman exhibits a few of the same F&F issues as the Medici and if these are contract knives, they both look as though they were made by the same factory. I’m not sure if I ever posted any comments about the Medici, but it has the appearance of being assembled in a rushed manner with little attention to detail. The stockman I just received has a similar appearance in the overall assembly, but the F&F is not as bad as the Medici. The scales are fitted better to the frame and the bolsters are finished nicer than the Medici. The Medici actually had tool marks left on one of the bolsters and one scale was cut too short. The one thing they do share is that the frames of both knives look a little crooked. It’s hard to explain but the frame, springs and blades are not fitted together evenly.

Being a knife guy I can usually find redeeming qualities in just about any knife and with the Puma stockman I would say the stag scales are the winners here. They are very thick and actually help give a good grip.

I’m pretty sure the blades are SS and there was a sticker on the main blade pointing to the Rockwell test dimple. The grinds are reasonable, but the knife is not as sharp as I’d like it to be.

Overall I’m pleased with the knife, but I only paid $33.00 with shipping for a knife that has an average retail price of $75.00 (and lists for over $100.00). If I paid anywhere near the retail price I would send it back for a refund (OK maybe not that extreme, but I wouldn’t be too happy). The F&F of a Case knife in the $40 - $50 range is much better than this one.

IMO I really don’t think these are being contract made in China and sent back to Germany. Most of the Chinese knives in my collection are finished better than this (with the exception of a S&W sowbelly, which comes close).

Now I want to try some of the other lesser known brands advertised as made in Germany like “German Bull “ and “Buck Creek”.

 

[Bob W]

Looks like a nice knife, for $33 anyway. Any blade play or wobble?

 

[JPD1998]

Looks like a nice knife, for $33 anyway. Any blade play or wobble?

When I first looked at the way it was put together I would have bet that the blades would wobble. But believe it or not they don't.

If you look in between the two front bolsters ( from the pivot point of the main blade) the frame is spread further apart at the front leaving a fraction of a space where the blade is pinned.

But the spring tension is nice , not too hard too pull the blades out and they feel secure when open.

 

[Will Power]

Looks a decent knife at THAT price.

Maybe it's the box that's made in Germany.....

As for German Bull, I'm well pleased with nicely finished stag scales sodbuster I got. No complaints at all but I do suspect it was made in the Bundesrepublik China....

 

[stainless]

I bought this exact same knife a couple or years ago. I have always wanted a Puma since college, my dormmate had a great little Puma lockback I admired a lot. The stag looked gorgeous. I paid around fifty five dollars for it. I was disappointed by the grind of the main balde. It took some work to get a good edge on it. It does not get carried much. I wear slacks a lot and it just does not ride well in the pocket. All in all I am glad I got it because the stag scales and classic stockman design looks great in my collection.

 

[Stainz]

Looking over my Puma pocket knives, a Micro Stag, Gent, Bantam, and Stockman, all Stag scaled, and my Thuya burl scaled Trapper, my conclusion is that they are well made and decent values. The multiple bladed ones have taper ground auxilliary blades, so they will 'park' properly. Perhaps this is what makes the bent look mentioned earlier - particularly in the Stockman. They were all fairly sharp - some hair shaving, some not. The oldest, the Thuya burl, has a split in the bolster end of the scale - I'll CA glue it (wood on wood) back one afternoon, after some acetone to 'clean' it. I bought it on closeout several years ago from SMKW, the others came this past year from local 'Academy Sports' chains.

I also have a 15+ yr old Buck 301 Stockman to compare. It was successfully re-sharpened, as were my old SAKs, with my then new Spyderco Sharpmaker this summer - a first for me - a home re-sharpened pocket knife! The Buck is well worn, but still has a great snap and, now, a great future. The Puma's are all pretty decent in securing the blades, lockback or slipjoint. Very little, if any, wobble was noted. I have one non-traditional Puma - a Sportec - with a composite/metal handle. It's originally perceived as wobble is now noted as frame flexure - still, a decent knife, even if my KaBar Dozier folder was less (~$21) - and seemingly a better value. Of course, a standard Buck 110 is a better deal - especially in the sharp/stays sharp departments - fine value from ID. Still, ranging from $14-$28 on closeout, I'd rate my Pumas as 'steals'. I think I'd pass them by for list price.

I also have a collection of fixed Pumas with Stag handles/scales, including an older White Hunter. The Stag is generally, from the Micro Stag folder to the White Hunter, generous in it's thickness - and quite 'interesting'. For a handfull, I still prefer wood, with Bucks my preferred carry, although the Pumas generally ride when I dress-up (Wear matching socks...). I recently obtained a Buck Kalinga Pro #408 in S30V, which you can find online for <$100 if you shop around. It puts every production fixed blade - even that 'White Hunter' to shame, fit & finish wise - a real 'custom' quality, and made in ID. Again, at list prices, I steer Pumas a wide berth.

Stainz

Edited to add a picture of some of my Pumas: