I think today's Pumas might be better than the "old days" version; at least in some models. I bought a Puma "White Hunter"(Just HAD to have it) around 30 years ago for,if I remember correctly was $48.00; a princely sum at the time. Had the stag handle and that sort of recurve, heavy pointed, Whatever you call that design blade....They still make it. While admiring it, I dropped it on our concrete cellar floor and the blade shattered into 3 pieces. Nice Heat Treat. Got my money back, and never bought another; BUT factorys have come a long way in the art of heattreat since then. Puma wasn't the only one who had that problem, from what I've read. Nowadays, you don't hear of that happening; at least I don't. I'd probably buy another(NOT the white hunter) if I had a reason to.