AmyO - Choil Info

[LMT66]

Its not so much the choil on the large knives but the combination of the choil/talon hole on the small knives that I hate. Takes away from the functionality of the blade.

Exactly! Choils on larger blades to choke up and none on smaller blades or just a small one barely the size of a BB to aid in sharpening. Anything over about 1/16" is a hindrance.

Choils may appeal to a collector but to those who use them, they notice it and it does cut down on function.

Edit: To those who use them in a woods/outdoor setting. If your spending big bucks on a knife to cut up boxes in your garage then you won't notice a choil.

 

[Amy-0]

Over the years there has been a lot of discussion pro and con about the choil on Busse knives. Now that there has been a knife offered with either choil or no choil, you have the opportunity to tell us what people really want as indicated by the percentages of orders. Inquiring minds wanna know.

I would say 20% no choil and 80% choil on the Tank Buster orders

 

[mymindisamob]

I find the statements that choils do nothing but cut down on functionality, and that they appeal to collectors rather than users comical. I have been pro-choil since finding and using Busse designed blades (I cut much more than boxes and spend time outdoors using my knives). While I would never try to convince anyone that a choil is a necessity, I would expect others that use their blades to understand that there is more to a knife than a sharp edge, and that users styles vary as much as knife designs.

 

[LMT66]

I would say 20% no choil and 80% choil on the Tank Buster orders

Straight from Amy-O
Choiless is the minority .... Will take my marbles and go home now.

Although those figures might be reversed if choiless is offered on blades under 5" in the future. Also, quite possible though that you sold 20% more TB's than you normally would have had the no choil option not been present.??

 

[MustardMan]

I find the statements that choils do nothing but cut down on functionality, and that they appeal to collectors rather than users comical.

While that might be true of the choils that are actually large enough to use, what about the SAR4 type too-small-for-a-finger but too-large-for-sharpening choils? How do they enhance functionality?

 

[Soulrack223]

The choil looks better but as I always say "function before fashion."

 

[LMT66]

For a blade under 5" most of your cutting is detail oriented or forced power cutting.
Forehand grip, either blade down or up is generally for forced cutting such as cutting thinner branches into lengths or cutting natural or manmade cordage. Any choil over 1/16" is going to hang up on cordage or may require a second cut.
Power cutting with a choil over 1/16" moves your material away from the point where your blade functions best which is as close to the finger guard as possible. A choil over 1/16" may also hang up on your material and require a second attempt.
If your using any type of chest grip for notching or cutting, a choil over 1/16" may be a pain to work with.

Every Busse blade I own already has a well thought out handle shape that allows you to choke up on the handle alone for detailed cutting tasks. Of the ones I own under the size of my SFNO, the choil really isn't needed. I admit a blade in this size can go both ways with or without a choil, but when you decrease into a SJ, SHBA, BAIII, SAR? size and under, no choil would be appreciated while in use camping, backpacking or for practicing your survival skills.

 

[mymindisamob]

While that might be true of the choils that are actually large enough to use, what about the SAR4 type too-small-for-a-finger but too-large-for-sharpening choils? How do they enhance functionality?

I can't argue that all choils are useful. I can't even argue that choils are useful for all users (just like many designs). I don't care for them on everything and I certainly don't begrudge anyone for not wanting them. It is interesting that the percentage was so much higher with the choil for this design. I would have bet the other way, I would order mine with though.

 

[Last Visible Canary]

I find the statements that choils do nothing but cut down on functionality, and that they appeal to collectors rather than users comical. I have been pro-choil since finding and using Busse designed blades (I cut much more than boxes and spend time outdoors using my knives). While I would never try to convince anyone that a choil is a necessity, I would expect others that use their blades to understand that there is more to a knife than a sharp edge, and that users styles vary as much as knife designs.

choils, to me, are like double bit axes. They have a purpose and they do exceptionally well at it. but they are also dangerous for a number of reasons.

 

[fbusmc]

don't care for skull crusher, like the swedge more than the non swedge, but i'm still up in the air on the choil. I really like that finger spot for intricate cutting, but then I think of the good old USMC Ka-bar.. it had no choil, and feels very nice in the hand. The tank buster blade design with the choil and swedge looks very close to the old SOG Vietnam bowie, I love the lines. "will there ever be a busse with a blade guard "tsuba"
I really like the TB.. almost considering selling most of my BATACs and SJTACs for this one. I love the .25 thick blades.

 

[tinman44]

i'm thinking this should become a perm option, the rounded butt i dont like so much and you can always grind to that point, cant add infi to choil. i'm betting it add's 20% sales instead of having 20% of hogs choosing it this way.