Puma deer hunter

[Edgewise]

I bought the Puma in the early 1970s and its similarity to the Buck 110 got me interested in the Buck.
It seems the 110 has been unchanged since the first one, just like the company, but the older knives
on sale in the AAPK stores cost much more than the new ones, so why is this?
I'm itching to get one because I don't think any other US knife in current production has got such
unanimous rave reviews.
But I'm wondering how such a good knife is so cheap and if I should get an older one instead of a new one
in case the older knife might be better.
I just can't figure why the new one is not up to the older standard in this unique case.
Any advice?

[Old Hunter]

For a using knife I think the current 110's are fine working knives. The older ones in mint condition cost more as collectibles (just like anything else). I was in Dicks Sporting Goods in Raleigh last night, the Buck 110, BOONE & CROCKETT limited edition is on sale for $35.00 - hard to beat that for a USA made, good quality working knife.

Ps Nice Puma!

[mtds]

This isn't really an answer to your question, but maybe it will add a little to the discussion. I bought this Puma Deer Hunter in the early '70's because it was small enough to carry in my pocket, while my 110 had to go in its sheath or into a coat pocket (at least for me.) The Deer Hunter is a great deal smaller than a 110, especially in thickness and weight.

At the time, the quality of the Pumas I handled varied, while the Buck 110's seemed to be more consistent. The Puma did have a nicely ground blade, though, and was easier to open one-handed. It got a lot of carry-time, but the Buck came out when I wanted a really stout folder. At the time, there weren't many folders that could take the abuse a 110 could.

[Edgewise]

Well, thanks for the comments. It seems that the higher prices go for collector value and not for quality
because Buck has been improving on quality and design with each new version. This means that the later knives are the
"better ones", which is an unusual thing in the knife world. There's even a Chairman's series in nickel silver instead of brass.
I also appreciated the comparison with the Deer Hunter, which is more the size of the Buck 112, closed 4 1/4", blade 3",
width 1/2". I'm not sure about the steel on a 1973 Puma but Paul Bos does the Buck heat treat.

[Old Hunter]

As low as the price is for a Buck 110 you can always buy one, try it out for a while, and if it is not what you want gift it to a kid getting into hunting; either way someone comes out good on the deal!

[Edgewise]

The 112 will be more suited to my purposes and on the condition that the ONLY difference
from the 110 is size.

[jmh58]

The 112 will be more suited to my purposes and on the condition that the ONLY difference
from the 110 is size.

I have a 112 that I carried on my hip for many moons and it served me well!! Wore out 2 sheaths too!! Dont carry it any more but still got it.. John

[Edgewise]

Yep, John. Further research also mentioned that the 112 point may be a little less vulnerable to abuse, and the
front bolster curve provides a bit more safety from the hand slipping forward.
But 10 million 110 buyers can't be wrong, so I'll have to get both.

[pinnah]

Edgewise, one difference not mentioned yet is blade material. My understanding is that somewhere in the late 70s (1978 or thereabouts) Buck changed from 440C to 420HC. I think, in general, that 440C has more snob-appeal, but this is offset by the general consensus that Buck's heat treatment process for their 420HC is heads and shoulders above all others so their 420HC should be considered roughly equivalent to 440C. I've just tapped the sum total of my materials knowledge!!

The decision between the 110 and 112 is easy. Get both.

From a collecting standpoint, I have to give the edge to the 110. It's the knife that started it all. The 112 came later. My understanding is that the 112 came out in response to large numbers of military personnel grinding down the blades to meet a USN restriction to 3" blades after a big brawl on a ship in which several 110s were used. Brawling sailors! Who would have thought!

For general EDC use, I think the Ranger makes a bit more sense size wise, but that's a very personal thing. Note, there is a 110 finger groove version. It doesn't have the extreme curl to the front bolster that the 112 has though.

[Edgewise]

...Buck's heat treatment process for their 420HC is heads and shoulders above all others so their 420HC should be considered roughly equivalent to 440C...The decision between the 110 and 112 is easy. Get both.
From a collecting standpoint, I have to give the edge to the 110. It's the knife that started it all. The 112 came later...

Pinnah, thanks for saying just what I needed to hear to pull the trigger.
They won't arrive before Christmas but I already have something else coming in
so I'll have a double Christmas this year.

[pinnah]

Post pics!