Puma Tac1 and Scout

M

Macbeth

Joined
Jun 22, 2003
Messages
98
I curently own a Puma "German Expedition Knife" i have never used or test it if you want to put it that way but when i bought it from the shop i compared it with some other brand such as buck and aitor.(note: that is about all the brand you can get in my place) In which i will have to say that the workmanship and blade steel from puma is better than both buck and aitor.But i will have to say that puma cost more than both of them.
I would like to get some opinion about these puma knives.
Which are on http://www.outdoormania.com/puma.htm
Particularly on the Puma TAC-1 and Puma Scout.

I am a NEW here hope to learn alot form here. Thanks.
 
You can make a search on this forum about Puma TAC-1
Here my review of the knife after I had occasion of handling it as it hit the market.

Puma Tac-1 Review

I must say that I don't care for Puma knives. They were great knives once. Today marksmanship varies from sloppy to downright crappy.
It's been objected that steel is good, but we all very well know that it's the heat treat which makes the difference.
I never "crash tested" one, but if the care in heat treat is the same put in finishing the knife, well, I don't wanto to have anything to do with that knife.

I recently examined some other Puma knives.
Puma does it again

Least you think that I'm prejudiced against Puma, I'll tell you that I was a great fan of their knives. I never bought one because at thos times I just couldn't afford them. Now that I could, I'm extremely disappointed about how much their quality has dropped (plummeted is more fitting).
 
Not to say that you are prejudiced against Pumaknives is just that i find it kind of hard to beliave thats all. You too agree that puma use to make great knives.The knives that we have at my place is very very out of date, we sometimes need to wait for years before it arives. There use to be a shop that carry in BRANDED knives for sale here but now no more. And now i am can only purchase it online and do not have the oportunity to handle the knive 1st. So i am looking for someone that actually seen the PUMA SCOUT opinion. Coz that is the knive that i am really intereseted in.
Most of all since you are in italy i am sure you have many opprtunity to come across puma knives.
By the way any other productiom segestion? That is somewhat like the puma scout which is better?
Thanks.
 
Yes. That's the sad part. Puma made great knives. Now it's over.
I closely examined many Puma knives sent to knife shows or from shops, or from Puma directly.
They all suffer from very poor finish and fittings. I wouldn't definitely buy them without having a chance of closely examining them.
It is still possible to come along some of the older production, but they are more and more scarce. All that you can get on the net is new production.
I myself didn't believe it when I saw the first. I was all watermouthy at the chance of examining some Puma knives. Figure my disappointment when I saw such crap...
:rolleyes:

Sorry to say it but, from a technical point of view the scout is, as the Tac-1, a mock of a knife.
It's been ground on one face only (chisel grind) just because its "tactical" whatever that means, and, basically, hype apart, because it's half as expensive anmd thrice as easy than grinding a symmetric edge.
The edge bevel is all wrong, too thick. The point as well is some sort of tanto/spear crossbreed. All in all the only task I see that knife fit for is punching open oil barrels.
If your point is "I like it a lot", there's nothing I can say. Tastes are not to be discussed. By all means buy it and enjoy it.
But if you want a technical advice for a good knife, I say don't waste your money on a worthless design, badly carried out and poorly finished.

If you want a very good tactical knife of that kind, definitely go for the Extrema Ratio Col Moschin (there's a forum for this maker in the makers' forum where you can see the pics.)
Col%20Moschin%20Dressed%20Camo.jpg


Col%20Moschin%20Spec%20Sheet%20Pic-1.jpg


According to most major knife fighting experts, this is one of the best fighters ever made, designed by a kinfe fighting expert of the Col Moschin (that is Moschin Hill, not Colonel Moschin) regiment, the most famous of the Italian Folgore Brigade, out of real needs and not out of commerical hype.
The knife wasn't even to be sold to the public initially. It was just made for that regiment of the italian special forces and for what I know the story was meant to end there. The decision changed probably when they saw how much people liked it.
Note I'm not suggesting Extrema Ratio because they are an Italian firm. I had a lot to say against ER first knives (doberman) , but they are now producing very fine knives.

As an U.S. made alternative you may want to check Masters of Defense Mark V, which was awarded the "International Blade Show's Overall Knife of the Year" trophy.
Imho is a bit Klingon and flashy, where the Extrema Ratio is more plainly professional, but is a damn good knife too.
90-3.jpg
 
Puma tac1 and scout chisel grind? Never like chisel grind.
Will have to say that i like Extrema Ratio Col Moschin but its kind of pricy US$ 289.00.
The Puma Tac1 17cm is US$129.95. How about Buck Intrepid Tanto Full Size 6"Blade which is US$119.95.But somehow buck stop producing it anymore. Do you know why? And The SOG Recondo 5.5" for US$92.95.
To be honest trying to get somethng about US$120.00. Of coz the cheaper the better but no compromise in quality.
Thanks.
 
There's a nice Buck fighter I've seen. Dunno the name. It's quite cheap and seems to be well made.

Extrema Ratio is quite expensive, but you definitely get what you paid for :)

MOD is _extremely_ expensive here, being imported. It's much cheaper there in the USA.

If you want one fine fighter, my advice is: save up the money and get the ER. You won't regret it,a nd you'll own a knife that will last a lifetime.
 
I think i need to change the title arleady.
since we are now discussing about tactical and fighter knifves more than puma. Or i should start a new thread.
 
You could begin a new thread with a subject like "Good fighter: advice seeked", but it's not mandatory.

Anyway, what you need the fighter for?
If it's for collecting, or general use, you can settle for some compromise. If it's for self defense or because you're in the military, then I would buy the best my money can afford. Even if it requires me to put away wuite a lot of money. Your life may depend on that knife's performance, and no price is too high to pay for your life...
 
Will have to say is for collecting and general use.
- blade is 6 inch ++
- with saw back and some seration (combo)
- full tang for streagth
- and has good corrosion resistant
- not too heavy
- not too costly

I am not in the military but did go for some military training when i was in scout. And might use for self defense too. But most probely i will try talk myself out of trouble or run. Using a knife for self defense is dangerous if you are not well trained. I have abit of training myself but will try to avoid an armed comflict coz it always ended with someone getting hurt.

I prefer a folder that is easy to use for self defence since i do not intend to carry a full size fixed blade everyday.
 
Wow! Military training in the Scouts!? As in a Recon unit?

For your requirements there are about as many blades out there as the amount in your bank account :-)
But I am willing to bet that something from the likes of Ka-Bar would do just fine. So, what about "Fighting/Utility Knife, Serrated, with Kydex Sheath #1221N2K" ( http://www.ka-bar.com/cgi-bin/product_detail.cgi?product_id=150&cat=2 )

As for personal defence I would advice something of legal length say 2 inches? Better yet, learn some basic martial arts. I always figured a sharp mind to be a better form of defense. My advice is to stay clear of trouble and leave your knives at home.


Krizzard, out

"...Whoever kills with the sword must be killed by the sword... "
- The New Testament, Revelation 13:10
 
Will have to say i prefer Fighter #1272
http://www.ka-bar.com/cgi-bin/product_detail.cgi?product_id=76&cat=2
and it is among the knives that i am considering another being the Sog Tigershark. But i never onwn or use a ka-bar before and the reason i am considering puma scout is that i have a Puma "German Expedition Knife" which perform very well and the steel are nice. Care to tell me how ka-bar knifes fare in corrosion resistant? The Fighter #1272 uses 12C27 Sandvik stainless steel blade. I have pretty good comments for sog tigershark on its corrosion resistant since it uses the same steel and coating as the Sog seal 2000.
 
"Wow! Military training in the Scouts!? As in a Recon unit?"

I think not just every year end seniour memebers will go to a military barrack for some basic traning.
 
Well as I said before in another post, I am not qualified to give any opinions on steel quality.
However, if you care to go through AG Russell's FAQ on Steel ( http://www.agrussell.com/rec.knives/steel.html ), you would find this, and I quote, "425M - 12C27 Both are very similar to 440A. 425M (.5% carbon) is used by Buck knives. 12C27 (.6% carbon) is a Scandanavian steel used often in Finish puukkos and Norwegian knives". I leave you to conclude its ability.
And as for the Tigershark, its huge! You must be hunting elephants in your backyard ;-) I always figured that an ideal knife length would be about half the size of ones forearm. Unless of course you prefer a sword for general cutting use.
And really you can't quite compare corrosion when one product has been powder coated.
Ah, basic training. Guess you don't get to learn hand to hand combat there :-)


Krizzard, out

"...Whoever kills with the sword must be killed by the sword... "
- The New Testament, Revelation 13:10
 
Ka Bar and camillus both make very cheap, extremely sturdy and reliabale knives. I bought the Camillus as it costed less than the Ka-bar. The Ka Bar had better finish but I think finish on a knife that should do such work a good looking finish is wasted money. It has to be sturdy, made of excellent steel, well heat treated, period.
It's a very reliable and effective knife. It probably lacks the appeal fo the sleek forms of many fighters, but I think it's more suited for everyday's work and camping.
Moreover, since its low cost, you can use it for heavy chores without being preoccupied about marring the finish of a very expensive knife.
I think you should get the plain edged one.
 
Check out the Buck Nighthawk.
Buck's 420HC is good stuff. Don't let the composition fool you, it performs better than 440A in edge holding and is easy to sharpen and takes a finer, more agressive edge. Same with 12C27. Unfortunately Ka-Bar switched to 440A. SOG's fixed blades are typically AUS-6 which is comparable to 440A.

The various black Ka-Bar's with 1095 steel are all good choices for a low price.

Also check out Cammilus/Becker Knife and Tool's heavy duty fixed blades. Great knives for the money.
 
I think not just every year end seniour memebers will go to a military barrack for some basic traning.
Click to expand...

WOW! You Penang-Kias are really a tough lot! :p

Sam
 
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