A Busse--what's it really worth?

Will York

Will York

Joined
Jan 21, 2000
Messages
8,888
About a month ago, I purchased a Battle Mistress variant from an individual, via the net, second hand. The knife arrived at my post office in a Cold Steel box. Although the finish seemed rough, I was delighted with the heft and balance of the knife. Then, on closer inspection, I noticed that the flat-ground side had a dark shadow running along most of the edge bevel and the tip on the convex side had a bluish tint—as if lightly burnt by a finishing belt. When I contacted the seller by e-mail, he said that was the way he received it from Busse. Concerned, I sent the knife back to Wauseon, hopeful that Jerry could tell me if the edge temper had been compromised--even though I felt I had no right to expect anything, since I hadn’t bought the knife from Busse Combat.

Here’s the gist of an e-mail I received from David Robeson at BCK this evening (with my asides):

“Will,
I opened the box and to my surprise found a Cold Steel box. Thinking you must have sent it to the wrong place, I forwarded it to Cold Steel Headquarters! (My heart floats into my throat)

“JUST KIDDING>>>>>

“Jerry looked over your knife, as did I. It appears that someone had performed a rockwell test in the area near the grip. (I hadn’t even noticed that) It also appears that someone then put some type of bead glass blast finish, as the finish on the knife was not from our shop. (I feel steam begin to build, blood rushing up my neck)

“The discoloration you mentioned was seen. That too did not come from our shop. (The pressure valve that releases steam from my ears begins to overload)

“Anyway, we tested the knife for strength and hardness. There is not a problem with it. Jerry said to tell you the warranty is still good. (I begin breathing again)

“We then re-blasted the knife with a glass bead to give it a very nice finish. Jerry re-sharpened the edge.
(Of course, Jerry had nothing better to do, since he just got back from the Blade Show and all of his orders to date have been filled and delivered.)
“I will mail it back to you tomorrow, of course in a different box…Ha.
“Sincerely, David Robeson”

No mention of ANY charges. Not for testing, not for refinishing, not for sharpening, not for shipping. Again, I did not buy this knife from Busse Combat Knives, but second hand from a very dubious individual.

I’d comment further on my esteem for Jerry Busse’s “Customer Service”--but some things speak most eloquently for themselves.

Just thought you guys would like to know--Will



[This message has been edited by WILL YORK (edited 06-15-2000).]
 
All I can say is, WoW!

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Hoodoo

The low, hoarse purr of the whirling stone—the light-press’d blade,
Diffusing, dropping, sideways-darting, in tiny showers of gold,
Sparkles from the wheel.

Walt Whitman
 
A great story that says it all. You simply can't go wrong with a Busse!
 
Really amazing. But actually, not surprising, given what we know of the man at the helm.
 
Man, if that story doesn't make you feel good about buying a Busse,...

I figured Jerry would go the extra mile for his customers, but in this case he went the extra mile for his customer's customer!

I have owned a BM for quite some time, and I was not aware of the details of Jerry's warranty other than "Guaranteed for life". So do all Busse's come with a TRANSFERABLE lifetime warranty?

Chris

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"i have trouble with the persons with the signs
but i feel the need to make my own" --King's X
 
When I first ordered my first Busse(5 yrs), it was late and Busse was giving me different stories! I called Jerry and abused him on the phone I was mad and irrational!
Jerry took my abuse with politeness and tremendous strength ( i have had other makers hang up on me)No, Jerry remained polite and friendly!
Jerry Busse won me over by letting me be an ass! He did not lower himself to my level. Today I consider Jerry's knives my absolute favorites. His designs seem to be custom made for me, and Jerry's character is stronger than his knives.
I chose custom knives because the knife itself is a vessel that allows me to "travel" into the makers head. After inspecting Busse Knives and dealing with Jerry I came to the following conclusion. We know that Busse Knives are the strongest blades, What everybody might not know is that the Busse family is the strongest family in knifemaking. I want this family to prosper and experience great happiness and continued success! I personally will overlook any minor details concerning delivery dates
How about the rest of ya?



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It is all Greek to me
 
X-Head--
I think we're way beyond the pale of ANY warranty here. That was my point. No one could have foreseen what happened with this knife, and no one could possibly guarantee against such things to a second-hand buyer. Obviously, the knife could have been damaged beyond repair.
Jerry looked at it, saw there was something he could do to restore it, and took the action to do so--period. No hesitation, no concern for who was covered under the warranty, no concern for what responsibility was born by his company (obviously, he had no responsibility here). The only question in his mind was, "Can I do something to restore this knife?" The answer was yes, and he did so straight away.
There's no way anyone could expect him to do this. I certainly would not have expected anything other than his honest opinion if the knife had been damaged beyond repair. The recourse there would have been with the person who MIS-represented its condition. Obviously, if the integrity of the heat treat is purposefully compromised by some amateur's tinkering, that's not something any knife maker could warranty against. Such an idiotic occurrence doesn't even fall within the concept of "use". More like vandalism!
--Will

[This message has been edited by WILL YORK (edited 06-15-2000).]
 
Thanks for the story.

This proves what I determined to be true many many years ago: Deal with good and honest people, and you will never be sorry.

Delays happen in any business, but let me ask you this: Would you rather have a knife immediately delivered that you did not enjoy...that had no warranty, or wait on one that you would happily hand your son if he had to go to the jungle?

Thanks Jerry for doing the right thing, again.
 
After talking with Jerry Busse a few times what Will describes does not surprise me in the least. Busse Combat has one of the highest levels of customer service I have ever seen, they are up there with Bill Martino of HI, which is strong company indeed.


-Cliff
 
As Jerry said, one would pretty much have to cut a Busse knife with an acetylene torch for its warranty to be voided. Even the warranty is nuclear tough. Jerry's customers end up becoming lifelong friends.

-Greg
 
This is a great thread. Good one Will! Real good one! How about posting up some pics of the knife! Busse Combat rules!
ninja1.gif


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"KEEP IT SIMPLE"

"Lead, follow, or get out of the way"
 
Kinda gives you a warm fuzzy feeling inside. And it makes ya want to buy another Busse. Maybe the as yet unnamed 6 incher.....

Bill
 
Will, great post!
I haven't checked the GB&U forum yet, but what about the guy you bought this knife from. Is there any chance that he does enough business with forumites that he should be rewarded with his own thread over there?

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Semper Fi
 
I have been looking to buy a knife for a month long canoe trip and I think you gent's have just helped me decide which company to buy from. Now all I've got to do is decide which model and find one!
smile.gif
 
Bronco--

Good question--I thought about it. Obviously, I have nothing to lose, and it might save someone else from more of the same. From what I've seen, I don't think he's very active.

But, I try to follow a personal code of not commenting directly on negative behavior of another, unless I know first-hand exactly what happened. I won't bear false witness, and all I can do with this particular individual's performance is to surmise. Obviously, he told me things that were untrue. But to find out how much of the fraud was truly and purposefully generated by him personally, I'd have to investigate more deeply than I can justify on this.

If my being slow to condemn the man in public means someone else suffers, I'm sorry.

--Will
 
Will, no apologies necessary. I think we all respect your judgement in these matters. There's certainly something to be said for letting discretion be the better part of valor, especially if not all the facts are known.

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Semper Fi
 
I'm going to try not to rant this time....

Let me just suggest that you post the facts, all the relevant facts, and nothing but the facts on TGBU.

The members are IMHO quite capable of understanding facts and basing their decisions on facts -- unless some *&&#$%^% withholds the facts from them.

(pause for deep breathing exercises ... I'll be right back....)

There is a rule of confidentiality between clergyman and parishioner, between lawyer and client, between doctor and patient -- that's all. There is no rule of confidentiality between victim and swindler.

Thank you ... I'll go do some more deep breathing exercises now ... and maybe I'll sharpen a knife; that's always calming....

-Cougar :{)
 
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