Are Busse worth the $?

cbach8tw

cbach8tw

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I know this maybe starting a wildfire, so I wanted your opinions.....Are Busse knives worth the high price when you may get similar performance from knives that cost less? I am not talking really cheap knives, but good quality ones that also have a good reputatuion. I have read threads about Busse and I would like to hear from Busse or Swamprat owners who could justify it based on performance. To each their own, I know, and if they want to spend that much, so be it, but can you get similar results from other knives?
 
I don't own a Busse, but, I do have an opinion ;):D

I would guarantee that you can find knives as good or better than Busses for less money, similar money and more money. What you don't get with alot of knives is the community. To collectors of anything, if the community is one you like it is worth the price of admission. Look at the prices of some Spyderco models, Harley Davidson motorcycles..... on, and on, and on. Insane prices that are only justifiable b/c it gives you status in the community, you identify with the community, and you base some of your self worth on the community. It's a good thing, it's why we do what we do. :thumbup:

I'll let the Busse guys handle the technical part and I hope that my Psych 101 answer helps a little (if you were looking for anything like that at all) :)
 
i dont have one but i think it is worth it, im gonnaget one when i have the money. ill let owners chime in
 
That is one of those things each person can only answer for themselves. Yes, there are lots of knives that will do the same job up to a point, and some of the better ones come as close as you will probably ever need. If that "probably" bothers you, you may need a Busse.

If having what is arguably the toughest, best designed knife made with the best steel in it's class appeals to you (or is what you absolutely have to have), you may need a Busse.

If you like the idea of having a knife that comes with a totally unconditional guarantee (as long as you don't go WAY out of your way to purposely break it) and that has inspired the kind of loyalty and enthusiasm that you'll find over on the Busse forum, you may need a Busse.

The bottom line- pick the one you like the most (or whatever is the current production run), buy it, try it out- nothing else feels like a Busse, no matter which one you get (IMO)- and if you don't love it you will have no trouble selling it for what you paid for it.

However, if you are the kind of person who likes Busses, you will be very happy indeed! Having said all that, I have amassed quite a few Busses without yet finding the "perfect one"- but somehow I haven't yet brought myself to sell one of them.

So check it out- you'll never know until you hold one in your hand. It also helps to read up on INFI and the various models so you'll have some idea of what you're getting for all that money.
 
POPCORN!

I need popcorn and beer for this thread.
 
There is only one way to answer this question. Buy one. If you decide you don't like it sell it on the exchange. Odds are you will not loose much money (if any) if you decide to sell the knife. If you decide after owning one that it is not worth the money to you then you can scream it from the roof tops. If you do like the knife you will end up buying more. I am sure there are people who think that Bussse makes crap knives, there are also people who think they are the bomb. Scrapyard and Swamp rat are other animals all together, each has it's own flavor and following for different reasons. Try for yourself. Hang out in the Busse forum for a couple of weeks, look at the pictures, buy a used blade off the X, knife collecting and using is a hobby, it is supposed to be fun.
Cheers
 
And the LE (Limited Edition) models are even more expensive than the more common combat grade models. However, in addition to getting the performance of the Busse steel, you also get excellent fit and finish with the LE. My NMSFNO LE is a beautiful piece. It looks every bit a custom. I won't be afraid to beat on it, however, this summer because they demand being used.

I think what makes Busses as popular as they are is that they have the functionality of a survival/field knife, with the sexy lines of a combat knife.

Yeah, that blade cost a lot of money, but it will probably be the last large knife I ever buy.
 
I know mom sure likes them!!!

I think they are worth it. I sure love using them. They are not perfect. They are great hard use knives. With an even better warranty. Forever. No matter how many times it gets bought and sold, as long as you don't intentionally break it, they will replace it (for most designs this would require a sledge hammer, or concrete and a blow torch etc).


When you start comparing prices on other hard use knives they aren't overpriced. They do command a premium, but as has been stated, you can use them, and still usually get your money back.
 
Defiantly not for me. Are they a good knife, you bet but I can do the same job for a lot less money and being a retired Navy man, that's might important. Opinions differ and only you can decide what you can afford and whether or not they are 10 times better than some other top performing production and custom knives.
 
Are Busse's worth the price? Yep. :thumbup:

Great steel
Great knives
Great warranty
Great customer service
Great fun
Great community

Easy to use
Easy to maintain
Easy to be impressed
Easy to go broke buying them!! :D They can be somewhat addictive!

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FBM206_TreeBough.jpg

FBM206_TreeBough3.jpg

FBM206_TreeBough4.jpg

 
I've handled one, once. To be honest, it didn't seem like it was what I thought it would be. Is that saying it isn't? No, because I would buy one in a heartbeat bcause I know they are worth it. It just didn't feel like it to me. I still know they can perform.
 
Yes and No. Yes, in the sense that Busse knives perform extremely well. Depending on the model, of course, they are hard-use thick, very well balanced, well built and tough, and INFI holds its edge and strops right back up like very few steels out there. I don't consider $300-$375 ALOT for a hard-use knife of this quality, and that is what you can get many of the popular Busse models for.

But, NO, in the sense that you can get a knife that will suit almost all of your purposes for less money. Sure you may not have the feeling of holding something special, but you'll have a knife built plenty tough, with plenty good steel, well-balanced, etc. Busse is a niche product. Many folks like to pay extra to have and use something more distinctive and "special," even when a more "average" knife would do the job just fine.

And the community is part of what makes a Busse knife special. Good group of guys and gals. Makes the knife hobby so much more enjoyable.
 
If you cough up the money for one and go out and use it then decide that it is not the knife for you then you can, probably, get your investment back, as long as you haven't intentionally tried to destroy it. Even if you tried to destroy it you can still recover a great portion of your investment. Jerry Busse doesn't make knives to disappoint you he makes knives to perform and excel in their designed parameters. I have yet to be disappointed in one's performance and I still enjoy using other makers blades as well.
 
The warranty and customer service are worth the price, alone.

Also, INFI is legit. The steel is truly amazing. What other steel is fully suitable for any sort of blade from a full size sword to a thin little slicer, while performing like a high grade carbon steel that resists corrosion better than half the stainless steels out there? Really think about that for a second. Superior edge retention while maintaining unbeatable toughness, carbon steel performance with stainless like corrosion resistance.

Oh, and on the off chance you manage to break your knife, you get a new one free, no questions asked.

All the BS aside, yes, it's worth it. You can take those things outside and beat them mercilessly guilt and worry free.

You can get all the knife you need for far less, sure, but that mentality has never made any sense to me. I want the best.
 
All I know is that I am damn glad I bought my NMFBM LE. 11.5" hand polished, fully convex satin blade.... highly drool worthy.

But this is about function as much as it is about fit and finish. This thing has it all. :thumbup:

The_Guide :cool:
 
You know you can drive a Volkswagen Beetle from LA to New York. It will get you there in time. Now on the other hand you can do the same thing in a Mercedes-Benz. It to will get you there, BUT there is a lot to said about comfort & feel, quality, ease of maintance, warranty, community and the list goes on. It has already been said the ONLY real way is for you to buy one and use it. If after your use you decide it's not for you, put it on the exchange. Someone WILL buy it from you, for that is as true as the day is long... Hey Enjoy!!!
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IMO, definitely not, especially at 2nd market price, which is where the majority of them are to be found.
 
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