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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Anyone want some news from Blade?
- Thread starter G-man
- Start date
I just got in about midnight Eastern time. Ten hours on the road today. I went from Charlotte to Atlanta and then back today. What can I say about Blade? It was the first Blade show I have been to, and it was a lot of fun. I hate to disappoint, but I didn't have a digital camera with me to get pictures online tonight, but I should be able to get them developed and scanned tomorrow to post.
In the meantime, just a few tidbits I picked up while I was there. Yes, Viriginia, there is a new knife company out there, and it's called Swamp Rat Knives (a spinoff of Busse knives it seems). Very interesting stuff. I know some have commented that they just look like Busse Basics--maybe in appearance, but not in construction. The lineup basically mirrors the Busse lineup with a 9" model, a 7" model, and so forth.
What I was told by Eric was that the new steel is supposed to be a very close rival to INFI. I was told the name is SR-101. It's supposed to be some derivitive of 52/100, or 5200? I didn't quite catch exactly what they said about that. But, they had a video playing where they were torture testing the still (just like the INFI video) and it was complete with the bending of a knife in a vise with a pipe, and chopping through the manila rope and so forth. This steel looks very promising. I was informed that it was different because of a proprietary heat treatment and that's what makes the knives as good as they're supposed to be.
Now, don't quote me on this, but this was what I was told. The 9" model is called the Battle Rat, and the 7" model is called the "Camp Tramp". Also the Swamp Rat version of Paul's Hatchet is called The Rat-chet. Hey, this was what I was told. These knives are supposed to be economical as well as tough. The handles are made of respirene C, but a different version. It's not quite as soft as the previous models. The handles were hardened up just a bit, with a little more texturing applied as well.
I had a chance to play with the new Badger 3 and the Groove Master. These are great handling knives. I think I liked the Groove Master the best. You can really choke up on this blade all kinds of ways for fine work. What did surprise me was the two other knives that were positioned beside the Groove Master and the Badger 3. Like the other two, these two knives also looked to have blades in the 4.5" range and with about the same basic dimensions as the Badger three. The main differences were in the blade profiles and the points. One looked to be a Killer Bee configuration, but without the Cord Wrap. Instead, it had the Snakeskin micarta handles. My understanding is that two knives will be officially announced in the next month or so, but they are some sweet blades! Like I said, I'll try to put up some pictures tomorrow.
There were some variants on the table. One that was very nice was a Badger 3 with about a 1/3 of the spine sharpened. While this would make a great tactical piece, it just wouldn't suit what I need out in the field while I'm backpacking. I'll just have to go with the Badger 3.
That's all I can remember for now. If I think of anything else, I'll put it on tomorrow.
In the meantime, just a few tidbits I picked up while I was there. Yes, Viriginia, there is a new knife company out there, and it's called Swamp Rat Knives (a spinoff of Busse knives it seems). Very interesting stuff. I know some have commented that they just look like Busse Basics--maybe in appearance, but not in construction. The lineup basically mirrors the Busse lineup with a 9" model, a 7" model, and so forth.
What I was told by Eric was that the new steel is supposed to be a very close rival to INFI. I was told the name is SR-101. It's supposed to be some derivitive of 52/100, or 5200? I didn't quite catch exactly what they said about that. But, they had a video playing where they were torture testing the still (just like the INFI video) and it was complete with the bending of a knife in a vise with a pipe, and chopping through the manila rope and so forth. This steel looks very promising. I was informed that it was different because of a proprietary heat treatment and that's what makes the knives as good as they're supposed to be.
Now, don't quote me on this, but this was what I was told. The 9" model is called the Battle Rat, and the 7" model is called the "Camp Tramp". Also the Swamp Rat version of Paul's Hatchet is called The Rat-chet. Hey, this was what I was told. These knives are supposed to be economical as well as tough. The handles are made of respirene C, but a different version. It's not quite as soft as the previous models. The handles were hardened up just a bit, with a little more texturing applied as well.
I had a chance to play with the new Badger 3 and the Groove Master. These are great handling knives. I think I liked the Groove Master the best. You can really choke up on this blade all kinds of ways for fine work. What did surprise me was the two other knives that were positioned beside the Groove Master and the Badger 3. Like the other two, these two knives also looked to have blades in the 4.5" range and with about the same basic dimensions as the Badger three. The main differences were in the blade profiles and the points. One looked to be a Killer Bee configuration, but without the Cord Wrap. Instead, it had the Snakeskin micarta handles. My understanding is that two knives will be officially announced in the next month or so, but they are some sweet blades! Like I said, I'll try to put up some pictures tomorrow.
There were some variants on the table. One that was very nice was a Badger 3 with about a 1/3 of the spine sharpened. While this would make a great tactical piece, it just wouldn't suit what I need out in the field while I'm backpacking. I'll just have to go with the Badger 3.
That's all I can remember for now. If I think of anything else, I'll put it on tomorrow.
Buzzbait
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Buzzbait I agree not to shabby,more like hot damn.
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The Busse booth was my first stop, and I came back a time or two after that.
Most of this is going to be a repeat of G-man's post...
The performance video of the Battle Rat (or Camp Tramp, can't recall at the moment) is one of the most impressive things I've ever seen. Among other things including rope dicing, and flex tests, it shows the knife chopping (cutting, not bashing) a V in a concrete block. The knife was said to be dulled, but there is no visible damage to the edge, which is held up to the camera for inspection.
The handles are awesome, kind of a hardened and slightly textured version of the Basic handles. I like them better. The knives also have enlarged choils that are great for choking up. They're bigger and more comfortable than the one on my Basic 9.
With the price point these knives are being offered at, they are an incredible bargain, and should be VERY popular.
Checked out the new Badger 3, and the GrooveMaster, which were of high interest to me. Also several variants, one of which I simply zoned out while holding. I don't know how long I just stood there with it in my hand...serious test of self control. I didn't buy it, but am not sure if that means I won or lost
Beautiful knife, just didn't have a purpose (let's not talk about the cash-your concept of money kind of flies out the window when you have one in hand) for it.
I did order a GrooveMaster. You have to hold the knife, and try it in a variety of grips to appreciate how ingenious (not to mention comfortable) the design is.
This was my first Blade, and I'm not much of a socializer, normally, but had a great time in the few hours I got to spend there.
It was a pleasure meeting Jerry and Jennifer, and all the guys at the Busse booth. I've limited this post to the Busse stuff, but Darrel Ralph and Trace Rinaldi really made my day, too. The knives were great, but the people were the best part.
Next year, I'm spending the whole weekend. What a great bunch of people. I had no idea it would be so much fun.
Most of this is going to be a repeat of G-man's post...
The performance video of the Battle Rat (or Camp Tramp, can't recall at the moment) is one of the most impressive things I've ever seen. Among other things including rope dicing, and flex tests, it shows the knife chopping (cutting, not bashing) a V in a concrete block. The knife was said to be dulled, but there is no visible damage to the edge, which is held up to the camera for inspection.
The handles are awesome, kind of a hardened and slightly textured version of the Basic handles. I like them better. The knives also have enlarged choils that are great for choking up. They're bigger and more comfortable than the one on my Basic 9.
With the price point these knives are being offered at, they are an incredible bargain, and should be VERY popular.
Checked out the new Badger 3, and the GrooveMaster, which were of high interest to me. Also several variants, one of which I simply zoned out while holding. I don't know how long I just stood there with it in my hand...serious test of self control. I didn't buy it, but am not sure if that means I won or lost
Beautiful knife, just didn't have a purpose (let's not talk about the cash-your concept of money kind of flies out the window when you have one in hand) for it.
I did order a GrooveMaster. You have to hold the knife, and try it in a variety of grips to appreciate how ingenious (not to mention comfortable) the design is.
This was my first Blade, and I'm not much of a socializer, normally, but had a great time in the few hours I got to spend there.
It was a pleasure meeting Jerry and Jennifer, and all the guys at the Busse booth. I've limited this post to the Busse stuff, but Darrel Ralph and Trace Rinaldi really made my day, too. The knives were great, but the people were the best part.
Next year, I'm spending the whole weekend. What a great bunch of people. I had no idea it would be so much fun.
- Joined
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- 26
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2000
- Messages
- 26
Overall, I think that Swamp Rat is a great idea. I was just thinking the other day that what I paid for my original Steel Heart wouldn't buy me a BA3 today. And for people who are looking for a hard use knife that they can stake their lives on and do not have a pile of money to spend on a blade, and are not familiar enough with Busse to want to make that kind of commitment anyway... Swamp Rats may be the ideal solution. Ten years ago, when I bought my Steel Heart, if I would have had to part with what a SH-E costs today, there is a good possibility I wouldn't have sent Jerry my money. And only in retrospect do I know that would have been a mistake.
That said, I will continue to buy and use Busse's. Not because, I think that Swamp Rat's product is inferior or because I'm a "Busse-Snob" but, because I love my SH so much and because I prefer the appointments Jerry builds into his blades over and above all the others. Beside that, I consider my Busses an investment that grows in value at a fairly rapid rate
In short, I think that Swamp Rat is a winner and has an excellent product (I would expect nothing else from a member of the Busse family). And I may buy a Swamp Rat or two for gifts, general family camp gear, and recommend them to others but, my Busses will always be my "carry" knives.
Congratulations on the new company Jennifer! And please, Don't give Jerry too much grief. We don't want him losing sleep over the competition and letting his grinding skill and creative vision slide
That said, I will continue to buy and use Busse's. Not because, I think that Swamp Rat's product is inferior or because I'm a "Busse-Snob" but, because I love my SH so much and because I prefer the appointments Jerry builds into his blades over and above all the others. Beside that, I consider my Busses an investment that grows in value at a fairly rapid rate
In short, I think that Swamp Rat is a winner and has an excellent product (I would expect nothing else from a member of the Busse family). And I may buy a Swamp Rat or two for gifts, general family camp gear, and recommend them to others but, my Busses will always be my "carry" knives.
Congratulations on the new company Jennifer! And please, Don't give Jerry too much grief. We don't want him losing sleep over the competition and letting his grinding skill and creative vision slide