couple times ive read about an African PH that customized/had customized hunting knives....if i remember correctly by Puma....ring any bells?
At the stage in my life im trying to simplify EVERYTHING and looking for that unicorn ...."the one" hunting knife.

well it won't be anything by Puma, modified or not.

I think what you are saying is very subjective

certainly subjective and ive already been through a number of options. Want to say knives were modified by someone who had butchered ALOT of elephants. PH or animal control or some such.

I think you're barking up the wrong Puma.

The knife was probably a Puma White Hunter and the story got twisted a little from there.

And I doubt many custom makers care to copy that pattern.

fixt

I had a friend that asked if I would do a batch of 100 White Hunters. Thought they would sell.
I turned that opportunity down. I did rehandle one of his that was damaged though.

We all are in search of that unicorn. That how we accumulate so many to begin with. Good luck in your search.

The Unicorn sorta exist but it isn't flashy, isn't custom, and well is soulless.

It is called a Havalon.

As a professional (read: someone making a living by doing that stuff) hunter, a researcher in game meat hygiene as well as a guide in Alaska (better to be a "has been", then a "never was") I have not come to understand the infatuation with the concept of the Havalon Piranta.

I tried them. Even tried to like them, as many colleague guides swore by them. Not my cup of tea, I guess.

To me - that unicorn would be something like a 4" Droppoint.

https://blademag.com/knife-collecting/legacy-bob-lovelesss-dropped-hunter

https://www.manmadecustoms.com/listing/loveless-style-hunter/7208580726

Not sure where you are trying to go with the Professional comment. I have seen enough "Professionals" That didn't have a clue in their area of profession. I love the comment "I have been doing this for X amount of years" Yeah doing it wrong for X amount of time.

The infatuation is that it simply works and works well. It is cheap, it has no emotional value (so no big deal if you lose it.), it is fast and easy to change a blade, and is the 30-06 of knives (you can find them anywhere).

I have been buying, selling, using, and loving custom knives since I got my first Randall in 1984. So I get the love of custom knives.

As far as the Loveless that wouldn't even make my top ten in customs. Bob made a great knife and his work is legendary. In form, function, and field it's far behind. I would take a boring May or Ingram long before a Loveless. Phil Wilson, Big Chris, David Wesner, Jerry Halfrich, and Rick Menefee would be at the top of my list.

Do luv me some of Ricky Bob's stuff!







a few Bose patterns.












Shield on the Lil' Dumplin is petrified Walrus Pecker. Sucker throbs in the hand!

GWB Rick's work is great. Those are beauties.

Randall A1 Fighter Rick made when Jason Randall visited. Etched A2 Steel.



Semi- Skinner, Pine cone scales




A2 Semi Skinner
Ricks First Damascus Blade Knife ( I call it "the Monkey Puzzle)




Ivory scales and the elephant hide insert came from the same critter as the ivory. Rocky Menefee supplied the rattlesnake.



IIRC this was the first knife Rick made with a Hamon!

[img]https://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/Blades/KC9A6865.1_zpsubcwuflh.jpg[/img]

Pacheco folder in etched A2, patterned after the orignial presented to Drummond Lindsey (Hunt Sonora ) on the occasion of a bear hunt.

Mammoth Ivory and a Hamon




a bit of Ram's horn.



some sets




The Stick Tang



a bit of lacewood

one more of the Monkey Puzzle



Ram's horn 3 Finger



Carbon Fiber scaled Tanto, 3V

That Tanto is perfect and 3V is soweeeet!

and a few more just fer schitz n' giggles













Rick called one night and said he had a blade that was FUBAR. However after I got it and played with it a while, I called it the FUBAB (Friggin' unbelievable Bad AZZ Blade). One of those magical blades that comes around from time to time.



ya!


GWB

It works.......










and it will cut!





Did not even feel it until the salt started stinging!

ya!

GWB

BTW,

I also have no problems employing a Havalon. I have two that are part of my kit.

When I was bear hunting in NM a couple years back, all the guides and game wardens carried HAVALON knives. Consequently when I got back home I ordered two different sizes and three different blade patterns.

Havilon Piranta

http://www.havalon.com/piranta...-knife-xt60edge.html


Havilon Barracuta

http://www.havalon.com/havalon...--fillet-knives.html



They have become part of my kit.





Basically like a folding lock-blade scalpel. However I do not try to pry with them.




They are reasonably inexpensive for both the knife base/handle and the replaceable


They will work great on hogs. We do not field dress, but bring all animals that will be skinned back to camp. We hang from hind legs on a gambrel. One has to be careful not to cut the leader/tendon. Also hogs in the hill country usually are covered with fine grit that is almost like concrete. I use the Havalon for my starting cut just below the ankle joint where the skin is thin.


If I'm concerned about keeping the cape and not piercing the hide I do not use the Havilon. I use a semi-skinner or something with an upsweep to the blade. The havilon is just too thin and sharp and if you are not very very careful you will cut/poke a hole in your cape.


The blades are easy to change, just be careful and use a pair of pliers or a table surface to install/take off.


Another consideration. You might want to keep a fingernail brush in your kit in order to clean the knife/blades.














I figure there is a time and place for most any blade.




One of the leases I'm on requires that the lower jaw of any doe taken to be logged in with a data card. The small Havalon sure made short work out of the process, aided with the Ken Honeycutt Dorado and Cold Steel Outdoorsman for medium and heavier lifting!

Best,


GWB

OP,
are you thinking about Chris Reeve?
He started in South Africa, but moved to Idaho.
He makes some atypical designs, but is very well respected.

No thanks on the Havalon. They are hard to thoroughly clean and changing blades with cold wet fingers led me to using multitool pliers to change it.

A well made fixed blade is safer, cleaner, and more pleasant to use in my opinion with Gene Ingram and Phil Wilson at the top of my personal favorites. There are many great knife makers at the moment.

A few more picked up along the way!




I've skinned a few critters with the White Hunter, but it is not my favorite skinner. I much prefer the Puma Skinner of the three pictured for pure skinning and taking apart duties.

ya!


GWB

Oh mamma!

Not my first pick as a general use hunter but I like that one geedubya......

I've manged to score several of Ricks stag handled blades






I think it's the perfection of the grind lines that intrigue me, as opposed to the stag scales
















and tapered tangs.




ya!

GWB


PS: Lanyard by Jason Gies, Little Buffalo Trading Co.

Looking Good GWB The Model 28 is the second Randall I ever owned.

Good stuff as usual Gee’.

GW,

nice knives as usual.

GEE…..you should work for Blade Magazine....always excellent photos!!!

Dang geedub, I'm gonna have to send you my address so you can pass along some stuff when you start downsizing! You've got copious amounts of nice wares!

Yep