Opinons on Puma or Buck Folders

Puma or Buck?

  • Puma

    Votes: 5 8.8%

  • Buck

    Votes: 52 91.2%

  • Cold Steel

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    57
  • Poll closed .
If this were about fixed blades the Pumas would win hands down for any type of duty. It is a harder choice with folders for me at least.

I don't own any Buck fixed blades but I do own a number of their folders and most of their automatics. I like them a lot but somehow the Pumas seem to just be a better knife. They certainly are better looking.
 
Most of the Bucks I’ve got are old 110s. I love ‘em, and I’ve also visited the Post Falls factory 3 times (always left about 200 bucks lighter).

I also like some things about how they do business, and go the extra mile for the customer.

Never been to the Puma factory.

Parker
 
I vote for Buck automatically, because I've not seen any Pumas for sale. But I would likely vote Buck anyway. Known product. Puma, not so much these days.
I'd especially vote for a Buck from their custom shop. Those are truly top notch.
 
I like both Puma and Buck, but I think Buck has the edge.
As pointed out by others, Puma can be a bit hit and miss - cast bolsters, finishing issues, mystery steels.
I prefer Buck's designs over the Puma ones anyway, though there are a few Puma designs I like for their slim shapes.
 
Puma: older models exclusively, at least pre-1985/1990, preferably (much) older.
Great quality, great designs, well hardened steels.
Big fan of all of the Walter Frevert designed models, and so are the old-school hunters in my area.
Newer Puma knives are not made to the same standards anymore (and that is me being nice)

Various of my vintage Puma examples in this thread: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/my-vintage-puma-collection.821762/

Buck: both older and newer knives, but personally i like mostly the classic models.
Quite a few of the newer designs just don't do it for me, and i especially hate the ones with figurative blade cutouts.
The build quality was already there in the old days and continues to be there to this day (especially the custom shop versions)
Also well hardened steel types, from their old school 440C to their basic 420 to S30V etc: it's always heat treated very well.

I dabble a bit in knife sharpening & restauration, plus i have been a Buck repairman in the past.
 
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I voted for the Buck because of the corporate philosophy. I have not needed any warranty work nor spa treatment, but it's available.
 
I have no experience with Puma except to say that when I was in my early teens (late 70’s), and wanted my first heavy duty single blade folder, Puma made the slickest looking of the bunch. I went with the Uncle Henry Bear Paw and Buck thereafter.

Buck, hands down.
 
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catspa said:
Most of the Bucks I’ve got are old 110s. I love ‘em, and I’ve also visited the Post Falls factory 3 times (always left about 200 bucks lighter).

I also like some things about how they do business, and go the extra mile for the customer.

Never been to the Puma factory.

Parker
Click to expand...
200$ or 200 knives lighter. Using Bucks lighter in the sentence threw me 🤣
 
Another vote for Buck.

I didn’t want to be a fan boy. So I went to Pumas sight to check them out first. I saw nothing to convince me to want one.

Buck’s look better, are cheaper, better heat treat, best customer service in any industry, Buck all the way.
 
I’m not sure this was a serious question but just in case BUCK.
 
I don't own any Puma knives and only one Buck about to be 2 (119 and 110) iirc Pumas more expensive line is still made in Germany and the IP line in Spain? Which isn't a bad thing as its probably Joker etc...

But their "cutlery stainless" probably 420 or 1.4116 from what I can gather won't be as well done as Bucks 420hc or S30v. I'd so I'd go Buck.
 
For the Puma lineup Id stick to the ones made of 440C, like the Bowie or Skinner. Many of the Spanish made ones use 440C aswell. Perfectly good steel. Pumas finish work is quite good & they are handmade. One pays primarily for the labor & design rather then materials. Back in the 50s-70s, maybe even 80s, Puma was considered up there with the best for hunting blades. Those days are certainly over.

Much like Randall, they make mostly old patterns with "simple" steels. Most of their newer designs dont do it for me. Puma is simply not a folding knife brand. Spend your money else where if you want a classic folder.
 
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