Sabre-tooth cats survived until as recently as 10,000 years ago, and must have been encountered by prehistoric humans. The best known of these cats was Smilodon, which was more massive than a lion. It had a pair of canine teeth up to 20 cm long. It used these teeth to slash and stab its prey, and it could open its jaw very wide to allow the teeth to be used in this way. Smilodon probably brought its prey down using its considerable weight and sharp claws, before stabbing with its enormous teeth.
Picture credit: google