[millertyme]

I acquired an old Puma Game Warden lockback folder from my uncle a few years back and was wondering if anyone knows what kind of steel they use for the blade?

[James T Thomas]

Not a Gamewarden, but I have a Hunter II. 2007.

It is stainless; perhaps similar to 440C.
It has been heat treated, which makes all the difference, and examine the blade you have. Mine has a small but recognizable prick or indentation mark on it from a hardness indentation measurement. A la` Rockwell.

[Gordon]

Back in the day (later 60s thru 1970s) the best pocket knife out there IMHO was the Game Warden. The first Pumas actually had a non stainless steel , but these are very rare and I will buy one if I find it ! They are from the early thru middle 60s and are not as sleekly finished as the next generation Game Wardens. The 1968 on Game wardens all had Puma Master Stainless steel which as mentioned earlier is equal to 440C - and that is a good thing IMHO. 440C besides polishing up prolly nicer than other steels is superior in performance to the cheaper 440 A and 440B series that are still used on bottom end knives. Although the similar 154CM has largely replaced 440Ctoday, it isn't much better IMHO.
The Game warden has a much superior bearing system than the similar Buck Folding Hunter 110 that was the Game Warden's competion. AND each one of those hand ground blades was Rockwell tested as previously mentioned. Puma quality went down hill from later 1970s IMHO. Those Pumas are serialized and can be dated if you want to.

[millertyme]

I'll look at the knife again. I don't remember seeing any serial # or anything resembling one. Thanks for the info.