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Permalink Reply by Vinnie on January 2, 2022 at 5:46

Prince, Model 910, 1974

Second largest of the Aristocrat series (sometimes called the Gold series) 

Pretty much the same knife as the Game Warden but with Stag scales.

Again not rare but hard to find a mint example like this one at 47 years old

Yes and I know the brass needs some polish!

Permalink Reply by Vinnie on August 18, 2022 at 4:08

Should anyone collect Puma (Solingen made that is) as an investment?

Short answer is NO. Long answer is "Maybe", but you better know what you are buying and not presume that because it is a Solingen Made Puma that you can't lose and must make a profit over time.

Here's an example. Last week I bought a 6394 Hunter's Companion, 39 years old, in absolutely "As New" condition. The seller wanted $950, but ultimately I got it for $675. He expected that because he bought it for $500 in 1983 and had kept it, and a few other Pumas, in pristine unused condition that it was worth at least $950. The model is scarce, but not "Rare" and at an increase of only $175 over 39 years that's actually a significant loss.

Prior to around the mid 1970's Puma knives were highly regarded as premium user knives and as such were very desirable. I still have my original three that have had huge use and are way under collector condition, but they are still great knives as users.

Then Puma marketing changed and more emphasis was placed on "Investment" value, and quite successfully by what I see around.

Here's a direct quote from a 1982 Gutmann catalogue (Gutman Cutlery was the U.S.A major importer/distributor of Puma knives from 1957 to around 1990ish)

" As a PUMA collector you will feel a pride of ownership and at the same time you will have made an investment appreciating equal to or greater than precious metals" and included is a table showing what the new price of selected models was in 1957 compared to massive profits if sold in 1982 in "As New" condition.

It was a successful marketing ploy but also a load of crap

In Australia Gold was around $250/oz in 1982. Today it is around $2550/oz. If you bought a "White Hunter" in 1982 for $250, there's no chance that is is worth anything near $2550 today more like $900 tops for a perfect 6377 if you are lucky.and that's not a profit given what you can buy for one dollar today compared to 1982.

If you really know what you are buying with older Puma knives, you might make a profit on re sale, assuming that's why you buy Puma knives. eg two years ago I paid $300 for an almost mint Trapper's Companion (Left Hand Version) and that's an extremely rare knife and I've had offers of up to $2500 since but it is not for sale because that would spoil my collection.

I collect Puma knives because I like them, no other reason

If I wanted to buy a new traditional European styled hunting knife to use I likely go for a Puma IP knife, they are made by Joker in Spain under strict Solingen control and are really good quality, but I would never touch either a Puma TEC or Puma SGB although I can't blame Puma.de for turning to Chinese manufacture to stay competitive in todays market

(apology I still have more to photograph and post if anyone is interested but life keeps taking up my time)

Permalink Reply by harry e karmun on November 26, 2022 at 19:48

i just got a ceramic folder with a synthetic frame . very light ,scary sharp and it looks amazing

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• IMG_20221126_164300.jpg, 258 KB

Permalink Reply by Vinnie on July 16, 2023 at 19:22

Jagdnicker Model 3589, 1987

This is the larger of the Jagdnickers

Attachments:

• DSC_0278 (2).JPG, 1.8 MB

Permalink Reply by Vinnie on July 16, 2023 at 19:27

A Nice Scout Knife, Possibly Model 9102, Date unknown

Permalink Reply by Vinnie on July 16, 2023 at 19:34

Two Sportmessers, Dates unknown

Permalink Reply by Vinnie on July 16, 2023 at 19:41

A new addition to the collection

Four Star 280-745, Buffalo Bone scales, 2008

Permalink Reply by Vinnie on July 16, 2023 at 19:47

Vinnie said:

Jagdnicker Model 3589, 1987

This is the larger of the Jagdnickers

Ooops. wrong knife in the second image

Permalink Reply by Vinnie on July 16, 2023 at 19:55

Back to the Jagdnicker 3589, here are the correct two images

Permalink Reply by Vinnie on July 16, 2023 at 20:32

I posted this knife here some time ago. Trail Guide, 3582, 1980, Wood Scales, and commented at the time that it was unusual to see one with wood scales. Well that's proved to be the under statement of the year........

Before I go any further consider that one can loosely categorise Puma knives into two groups.

1 Knives intended as user knives, ie general production knives

2 Knives made specifically as collectables, ie gold enhancements, special limited editions, blades with scenes on them etc

Of the first group, general production, this knife is considered "One of the rarest of the rare". There are plenty of Trail Guides out there with Stag Scales, but research and comments from major collectors world wide shows that there are only a very few with wood scales.

And yes it is genuine, and yes the scales are definitely factory.

(not shown , but I do have sheath, box, guarantee tag etc)

Permalink Reply by Vinnie on July 22, 2023 at 0:42

Emperor Model 915,1980

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