PUMA or Benchmade

[brewer3401]

Looking at both, and have wanted a Puma forever.

Went to my local Clock/watch/knife, etc. local store and the owner said Benchmade is superior to Puma.

Also, he didn't have any Puma in stock.

Just trying to make a sale or is Benchmade better than Puma


Puma - Corporal lockback - 3" closed length

Benchmade - Mini Griptilian - 3 7/8" closed length

 

[Leadfoot]

Never owned a Puma. Don't know anything about them really except they once were or may still be made in Solengen, Germany, same place as Boker. Boker doesn't impress me much these days.

I've owned MANY Benchmades and they are top quality knives.

Looking at the Corporal on PUMA's website, looks like you're comparing apples and oranges.

The Puma looks to be comperable to say a Buck or Schrade folder whereas the Mini Grip is a clipped pocket carry/tactical style.

 

[jmcrawf1]

No comparison. Benchmade ftw

 

[charlie12]

I have a Puma Game Warden model 970 ( I think) that I bought in West Germany in 1973 I paid $25 for it. I also have a mini and a full size Grip

 

[brewer3401]

No comparison. Benchmade ftw

Really ?

Benchmade that much better than Puma ?

 

[doug426]

I have both. My vintage Pumas are fantastic! The Game Warden 970 is the best folding skinner ever made! For everyday carry- I choose my Benchmade

 

[brewer3401]

Last question from newbie.

527 Mini Presidio and 555 Mini Griptilian

Not sure what "automatic" means - both are same price.

For everyday carry - what would be "better"

Thanks


Edit: Spoke with Benchmade people and I think I am looking at the 5270 automatic. Big difference in price - 70 to 133, almost double. Any real benefit of the automatic ?

 

[Hattrick 22]

Never owned a benchmade but my father bought me a puma when I was younger that I still have today it's a nice knife that I keep in a case I want to say they Rockwell test the blades as well but I wouldn't be able to to give you a better idea of which to get just get both lol.

 

[ericlosh]

gonna order a mini grip from knife works in a few weeks i think, i like those guys.

 

[cbr900son]

When it comes to maunufactored knives Im a big fan of kershaw

 

[Cleburne]

Last question from newbie.

527 Mini Presidio and 555 Mini Griptilian

Not sure what "automatic" means - both are same price.

For everyday carry - what would be "better"

Thanks


Edit: Spoke with Benchmade people and I think I am looking at the 5270 automatic. Big difference in price - 70 to 133, almost double. Any real benefit of the automatic ?

Without searching online for descriptions of each model, I believe the term "automatic" is synonomous with the older term "switchblade". And I'm not versed in state law but have been told by more than one person that it's legal for a Louisiana citizen to own an automatic knife, but illegal to carry one on their person.

 

[CptChunky89]

Without searching online for descriptions of each model, I believe the term "automatic" is synonomous with the older term "switchblade". And I'm not versed in state law but have been told by more than one person that it's legal for a Louisiana citizen to own an automatic knife, but illegal to carry one on their person.

As long as its NOT spring assisted it is legal to carry. The whole having a spring propel the blade out is what makes "switchblades" illegal.

 

[brewer3401]

OK guys & gals:

Pulled the trigger on a Benchmade 556 Mini Griptilian

The "automatic" was almost twice as much.

Don't plan on using knife for self-defense.

Just wanted a really good knife.

Thanks to all for your input.

Think this may be another obsession (hobby) I've been interested in since I was a kid.

 

[rocko]

I have been carrying the same Puma for 30 years, in that same time period I returned 3 Benchmade for broken blades. Thats all.

 

[brewer3401]

Even though I bought the Benchmade, i still love the way the PUMA looks - may get just to have it in a couple/few months.

30 year old PUMA may be why it's so good.

I have some items from 30+ years ago that still work great - one is Remington 1100 and just won't quit.

I also have Sig Sauer pistols (year 2011+) and i would put them up against a lot of 30+ year old pistols available when i was a kid.

Some times, the older way was the better way.

Craftsmanship and high quality are key.

 

[charlie12]

OK guys & gals:

Pulled the trigger on a Benchmade 556 Mini Griptilian

The "automatic" was almost twice as much.

Don't plan on using knife for self-defense.

Just wanted a really good knife.

Thanks to all for your input.

Think this may be another obsession (hobby) I've been interested in since I was a kid.

brewer --- Don't know if you've read RS 14:95 it talks about switchblades so it might be good that you went with the Benchmade.

http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=78739

 

[charlie12]

I have some items from 30+ years ago that still work great - one is Remington 1100 and just won't quit.

I have a Remington 740 30:06 that is old and smooth as glass.

 

[brewer3401]

brewer --- Don't know if you've read RS 14:95 it talks about switchblades so it might be good that you went with the Benchmade.

http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=78739

Thanks for the advice.

Shop in Slidell has the automatics - spoke with Benchmade and they said check your local laws - sometimes unless you are LEO or other type of "approved" user, you can not carry that type of knife.

I'm happy with the almost half price knife - did not want for self-defense. Just wanted a good knife.

 

[charlie12]

Here's my two Benchmades and you see the Spydeco on top, that's my EDC

And this is what Benchmade has on their website about automatics

http://www.benchmade.com/images/pdf/ako_acknowledgement.pdf

 

[HogHunter1203]

Just got my Mini-grip in the other day. It's my first benchmade, and it's awesome. Easy 1 hand open/close. I've used it a ton in 2 weeks cutting plastic boxes etc, and its still got a great edge. Way better than all the other $30 bucks and gerbers I've had over the years. No experience with PUMA...