Puma bowie

The 1.4116 steel at 55-57HRC that they're using now is a very inexpensive stainless material, prized by manufacturers of low and mid-quality kitchen knives for years given its extreme stain resistance and ease of machining. Very similar in performance to the "surgical stainless" that Swiss Army knives make use of. It absolutely is equivalent to the stainless they used in the old days (possibly even the same steel), but unless something has changed recently that I'm not aware of, they haven't produced a carbon steel blade for a long time (these were the hard-chromed Pumaster steel blades) which was always regarded as the better steel if you intended to use your Puma for anything other than looking at or diving in the ocean. Now, you don't have to have a "super steel" to make a good knife--actually, if you insist on using stainless in a large fixed blade, 1.4116 (roughly equivalent to 420HC and 12c27) is a better choice than the S30Vs and 154CMs of the world as it has greater ductility and toughness than those higher carbon steels do. However, when the cost of materials is low AND the time/attention to detail in construction is low, there really isn't any excuse for the price now. I've seen the $300+ new Pumas at Blade Show and in knife shops, and they're nothing close to the old ones. And no, I'm not prone to viewing old stuff with rose-tinted glasses; tradition aside, the new Ruana knives are leaps and bounds ahead of the originals that Rudy made in terms of fit, finish and attention to detail while the quality of heat treatment is at least as good if not better. This last is a statement that will make the blood boil in many traditionalists, but I've owned/used enough of both old and new to know it's true. :D

Keep an eye out here or on auction sites for reputable dealers with nice, old Pumas and you can spend about the same amount of money for a "real" one as the current imitations. They really are better, whether you're looking to collect or use. If intending to use, I *highly* recommend Pumaster over Rostfrei (stainless) and even setting steel aside, stag that was properly aged before being stuck on the tang (something that is rare these days) is a lot less prone to shrinking/cracking if you take it out and use it.
 
I recently looked at some new Puma fixed blades and the separating handle scales, great differences in thickness of scales from one side to another, and being ground to the pith were enough to tell me quality wasn't up to my standards. I think it is great that you found a good user for your purposes, but I refuse to buy a $180 knife with scales in such a condition when I have purchased nicer quality from custom makers here for similar or less money.
 
My 6375 was bought used six years ago - no box - supposedly '82-'83 vintage. It states 'Stainless' on it's surface lettering and has thinner & darker stained stag handles than the 6396 Bowie I bought new ~8 yr back. The stain applied to the stag - and wear - and natural properties probably account for the perceived quality differences. One cannot expect the uniformity of G10, Micarta, Dymondwood, etc, when dealing with stag. As to the embargo on Indian Sambar stag, I'll bet that didn't affect Puma for some time.This picture was taken years ago - when I added a Buck 120. The trio doo look alike... Puma 6396, Buck 119 & Buck 120.

IMG_0486_edited.jpg


The mystery SS had a DIN reference of 1.4116 or 1.4125, I recall both - but have long since lost my notes - and 'Sportsman's Guide' has dropped it anyway - although, years ago, I recall that their bean counters wouldn't sell them to several states - AL included.

They really are nice knives. Of course, so are the US-made Bucks - despite their mundane phenolic handles (I have both Bucks in brass & rosewood Dymondwood handles, too... but they are too pretty to use!). The 119 is still <$40 at WallyWorld - and makes a great woods/yard/kitchen knife!

Stainz
 
Last edited:
It is an excellent point that you're taking a risk buying ANY naturally-handled knife without either inspecting it in person, or seeing really good pictures of the actual knife you're getting. Even then, the FEEL of a knife can't be determined even through the best pictures. I have an Ed Fowler Pronghorn Camp knife (one of my all-time grail knives) that I bought on the secondary market making use of a layaway option as it was a seriously expensive piece. Upon having paid for it fully, I was just ecstatic when it showed up, only to discover that this particular piece of sheep horn didn't fit my hand at all. I still have it, but it's a pure investment piece now. I have another Pronghorn which fits my hand perfectly, but that's because I learned my lesson and bought in person at a show, where I could actually pick it up and hold it. Mine is perfect for me, but there were three others on the table that didn't fit me well at all, though obviously that means they'll fit somebody else.
 
Last edited:
An old Hunters Pal by Puma was one of the knives that inspired me when it comes to blade design. This knife was old in 64 when I first saw it, while I can not presently find it, I can still remember the blade design. That Bowie has some great lines in the blade!
 
Say Heah Boys and Girls, Am I the only one that owns a Puma #118396, I just bought it at a Pawn Shop. Last week I bought a beautiful Diefenthal 409, and a Case Pawnee Fix Blade, that was in excellent condition but without a sheath, But luck has it that I was lucky to find a basket weave original sheath so now I have a nice knife to continue my Afternoon Delight a hot cup of coffee on the open fire and a baked potato. The Case Pawnee is a very sharp thin blade that makes great curls to start things off. I lucked out again when a while back I bought the Case Jungle Machete Knife which I teamed up with my new Pawnee. But the prize came this week when I bought my Bianchi Hollow Handle, It's Simply TiT's, Beautiful. It also came without a sheath but I found a Leather Sheat Maker that will make me a Custom Sheath from pictures if the original sheath. I have a nice stable of hollow handle survival knives like my Randall Made #18 and my #184 and others like my Aparro. But where I'm having a problem is finding info on a brand new discontinued Puma Bowie 2 #118396, What attracted me is the Puma Bowie 2 has a Saber Vex Grind. It's not a after market Grind, That I can tell, It's a great looking 6" blade design. It looks similar to the Original Bowie except it doesn't have the Bolster. Yet it looks good and fits my hand beautifully. I was able to hold it before I bought it. So far I know it's discontinued, and it was made around the 2nd half of 2002. But for a knife that old and in brand new condition I know nobody wore it, uses it or sharpen it. I could team it with my Damascus made Solingen Bowie that's much larger, Yeah, It's a India Sambar Stag. For my Smaller knives to make a 4Knife set, I can add my Gerber Freeman Hunter and the Caper. Both are stag handles and in S30V This would make a very handsome set. But I would love to know if my Puma Bowie is atleast a 440c. I do have a Eiche Wolf but with Oak handles but in 440c. If anyone has any info on my #118396 Puma Bowie 2, Please chime in. It came in a Black Box and the numbers match the numbers in the knife but no mentiont of steel. No I or any mention of German made blades assembled in Asia, Nothing like that. I Google in every way possible, As my last resource, I come to you. Again, Please help and Thanx in advance.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
 
Say Heah Boys and Girls zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text zombie thread wall of text Thanx in advance
 
Last edited:
We criticize or seem to criticize people who wake up a zombie thread, but if you start a new thread, there will always be a few who tell you to use the search function. There's no winning this.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top