"Puma Backpacker" anyone owned one?

mrjoe · Jan 31, 2003

Hi to everybody! I am thinking of buying a puma backpacker folding knife second hand for about $50 US.Has anybody had any experience with this model or just puma folders in general?
Also what's the best way of checking if the locking mechanism is safe when the blade is open?Any advice or comments welcome.Thanks in advance.Joe.

Mark W Douglas · Jan 31, 2003

Let me ask you this first ... does it have the green handle and how old is this knife?

I had one of these Puma Backpackers back in 1991 and it said handmade on the blade. It had green handles and came in a green hard plastic two piece box with foam rubber inside to protect it. It was also Rockwell tested with the test mark on the blade.

If this is the same knife, I can't say how well it was as far as a working knife because I considered it more of a collectors knife and I never used it.

I used to work at a cutlery / shaver store that was called REMPRO. Remington Shaves is what these stores started selling. I paid somewhere around 70 bucks for it with my discount I had there. I sold it years later once PUMA changed for $250.00.

If this is the same knife and is in mint shape with the original tags, papers, and the box, you might have a good deal there with that seller!

chemist · Jan 31, 2003

mrjoe

I have a Puma backpacker, model 465 I think, that I purchased in the mid 80's. I paid $38 dollars for it. It was new in the box with all the paperwork. I thought that was a good price at that time. The knife is well done, it has excellent fit and finish, opens very smoothly and locks up tight. That said, this past year I handled a more recent production Puma backpacker and was very dissapointed in its construction, specifically the fit and finish. There seems to be a big difference in the quality of the older Puma knives compared to the newer Puma knives.

While I like my backpacker, I don't think it cuts any better or holds and edge any better than a Buck 112. It is, I think, a little lighter than the Buck if that would be a consideration.

Bottom line is that if it is an older Puma in good condition, I would pay the freight for it but not for a newer Puma.

FK · Jan 31, 2003

I owned two Backpacker folders in the 80's, stainless frames and green plastic scales. They were good solid knives.

Regards,
FK

mrjoe · Jan 31, 2003

Originally posted by Mark W Douglas
Let me ask you this first ... does it have the green handle and how old is this knife?

I had one of these Puma Backpackers back in 1991 and it said handmade on the blade. It had green handles and came in a green hard plastic two piece box with foam rubber inside to protect it. It was also Rockwell tested with the test mark on the blade.

Yes, green handles,still has the green hard plastic box,handmade and rockwell mark on the blade.From what I can work out it was made early 80's.But it has been used and has the marks to show it so I suppose this takes the money and collectors value away.If I could send attachments on posts I'd show a good pic.Thanks Joe.

Mark W Douglas · Feb 1, 2003

Originally Posted By mrjoe:

.....it has been used and has the marks to show it so I suppose this takes the money and collectors value away.If I could send attachments on posts I'd show a good pic......

in that case if it were me, I would pass on that knife, then.
It may be a great knife, but for 50 bucks or so, you can find other great knives out there with good locks on them that are new, if you are looking for a safe knife to use. Again, I don't know how safe that knife's lock is because I never used mine.

Just my opinion.
Good luck with whatever you decide!

mrjoe · Feb 1, 2003

Thanks for the advice mark.

Joe

Brother Stein · Dec 22, 2020

mrjoe said:
Hi to everybody! I am thinking of buying a puma backpacker folding knife second hand for about $50 US.Has anybody had any experience with this model or just puma folders in general?
Also what's the best way of checking if the locking mechanism is safe when the blade is open?Any advice or comments welcome.Thanks in advance.Joe.

Brother Stein · Dec 22, 2020

I have one I bought new in the 1960s for $25. It's a very nice knife. Green scales, 440A steel. I carried it for many years, and the action is still smooth, smoother than some of the newer knives I have. If it's from this era, it's worth buying. I see one on Ebay for $199.99.

tiguy7 · Dec 23, 2020

The frames on these were molded from die cast Zinc alloy and coated with Satin Nickel electroplate. The next level had brass frames and stag handles.