The catalog said, “1769” and I re-read it again. That’s the first year PUMA knives were made. Since then, their tradition of craftsmanship and high quality steel has been carried on and it still represents one of the classic knife makers of the world. When you do something for that long, you get pretty good at it.

When I was a working cop a million years ago, there was one officer, a dear friend, Bob Rhode, who always loved things of quality. Bob always had the best watch, best guns, best gear, loved good wine, good food, fine autos and anything else that took a discerning eye to understand. I was a knife guy and one day asked Bob what he carried as a knife on duty. He smiled and pulled a PUMA “Duke” out of the flapped sheath on his duty belt. “It’s the best money can buy,” he said, smiling at me. “See the little ‘dot’ on the blade, that’s where they test it for correct hardness and heat-treatment. You won’t find that on any other blade.” That stuck in my brain ever since.

PUMA is back in a big way now, with strong representation in the states with the PUMA Knife Company USA. They are the official distributors of this fine line of European knives and I’m pleased to be able to re-introduce them to you. Like many things European, they often have lines not-quite familiar to our American-ized eyes, but nonetheless, like fine European autos, there are usually reasons for those design ideas. The classic White Hunter is one I dreamed about as a kid and for some reason have let slip through my fingers ever since. Once I got the loaner knife in hand though, I realized I should have spent my money all those years ago. The Prince mirrors the knife Bob owned and is also a classic PUMA design. The Wolf is a handy fixed-blade hunter model and the stag on all three add to the allure.

The Pretec is more modern, but doesn’t give up anything, and the blade/saw combo make sense in the field. These will be difficult to send back. Check ‘em all out and do what your heart tells you to do! (913) 888-5524, www.pumaknifecompanyusa.com

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