The PUMA White Hunter knife
is handmade in Solingen, Germany. It has long set the standard for the
ultimate hunting knife. In fact, this knife was originally developed in
1956 in conjunction with the East African Professional Hunter’s Association to be the leading knife for big game hunting.
Consequently, the Puma White Hunter’s 6” drop point blade is made from German-grade 1.4116 stainless steel chosen
for edge retention, toughness and corrosion resistance. During the
smelting process of the initial steel bars, trace elements such as
carbon and silicon are added to maintain the temper ; while chromium is
added to inhibit rust.
Other trace elements such as manganese, phosphorus, sulfur and
molybdenum are added to give the steel better structural strength and
consistency by aligning the molecules more evenly during cooling. Then,
after the initial steel bars are formed, the bar stock is heated to
3150-4200 degrees Fahrenheit, the blank is placed between two dies and
is then mechanically forged under 2200 pounds of pressure to fit the
shape of the dies. In fact, not only does the hot-drop forging process
provide the blade with its initial shape, it also further improves the
molecular structure of the steel.
Then, once the White Hunter’s blade is forged and cooled, it is then
tempered and hand finished in 22 separate steps by skilled craftsmen;
each step incorporating increasingly fine lubricants, oil coolants and
special polishing grease.
In addition, as a compliment to the fine steel blade, the PUMA White Hunter features handle slabs made from the antlers of the wild stag
which are formed via meticulous manufacturing process to make this knife
a truly unique hunting tool.
First, each scale is boiled, stabilized and dried over a period of
weeks. Then, the slabs are individually cut and hand fitted to the
knife. Brass rivets are then used to attach the scales to the tang.
Last, the rivet heads are filed. And finally, the handle is burnished to
a precise size and shape for optimal fit and function.
In fact, I remember that when I was a kid, local hardware stores were
very common and every hardware store you went into had display cases
full of Case, Buck and Old Timer knives. But occasionally, you would run
across a special store that had a display of German-made Puma knives.
Thus, just like every other budding knife aficionado, I too would spend
countless minutes staring at those cases until I was forcefully dragged
away by a parent. And thus, the Puma White Hunter has always represented
the pinnacle of knife perfection for me.
Of course, when I was a kid, I didn’t know about the East African
Professional Hunters Association and yet, now that I am both older and
far more experienced as a hunter, I can see a certain genius in the
design of this knife since it was designed to be both a skinning tool
and a butchering tool in one.
For instance, the broad tip on the blade makes it much stronger than a
Clip Point or a standard Drop Point and the extra tip strength is very
handy when separating vertebrae and prying ball joints from their hip
sockets. Also, the broad tip, combined with the recurved edge, creates
more belly in the sweep; thus lengthening the cutting edge. Yet, at the
same time, the dropped point positions the tip closer to the center line
of the knife where it is out of the way. In addition, by combining the
broad tip with a recurved edge, a considerable amount of weight is
placed well forward to aid with light chopping strokes. Plus, the saber
grind on the blade facilitates the sharpening of the spine into an
axe-like edge which is designed to handle heavy-duty chopping strokes
that might otherwise damage the cutting edge. Last, there is a short
section of fine serrations ground into the back end of the cutting edge
for parting string, rope, or other such materials.
In addition, I have always admired the stag horn handles on this
knife but, now that I am older, the overall size of the handle strikes
me as being designed for smaller hands; and thus, while I am certain
that this is a wise marketing strategy I would personally prefer this
knife to have broader handle slabs.
Also, while the choice to construct the bolster/quillion from
stainless steel instead of brass was a wise one, the lack of a smooth
transition from the stag horn slabs to the bolster is very disconcerting
to me.
So, although the Puma White Hunter will always live in my memory as a
shining example of what a high quality hunting knife should be, now
that am older, wiser, and far more experienced as a hunter and guide, I
see both genius and a certain lack of attention to detail in the design
of this knife.
Also, I am absolutely flabbergasted at the increase in the retail
price of this knife. Over the last forty years or so it is present
retail price of $399.99! Thus, although I am still highly impressed with
this knife design, if I were willing to spend that much money on a
hunting knife, there are several custom knife smiths who have excellent
designs that I would choose over this one.
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