Back-up Busse knife for IWB carry

4

45stops-em-quick

Joined
Aug 8, 2008
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145
Having just gotten started(back in August) with owning INFI, I'm not as familiar as most. I presently own a NMFBM and a Game Warden, and neither fits the bill(the BM for obvious reasons). I'm looking for a 4" blade with thin scales, and a width of 1-1 1/4" for an IWB backup knife. I like the knives that Nealy and Polkowski put out, but they're not INFI, and after drinking from the trough, well, you guys know better than anybody. Busse or nothing for me.
 
Easy,


Leaner Meaner Street

busse2.jpg


That ones ridden IWB for years.
 
I bought a Meaner Street for skinning and was disappointed at first. Most of the Busse edges are for chopping wood, ie. rough and little. In addition at .22the meaner is a little thicker than ideal, but, I did convert this custom shop meaner street into a nice skinning knife. All that was required was to increase the bevel edge to about 5 or 6/64s, then put a mirror finish on that edge so that it splits hair and has no friction while cutting. I started with a DMT xx bench stone and finished with all 3 Spyderco Ceramics bench stones. Now it is really a slicer that does not have friction while cutting when you pass the bevel. The all important belly and tip cut excellent now. It is now my best skinning knife. In addition, mine had a DC finish, so the 5/64 mirror bevel edge is a really cool visual effect. :thumbup:
 
The Active Duty and the Meaner Street would fill the bill well. There are hardcore fans of both, I just prefer the AD because it's a tad more compact.
 
I would go with the meaner. If you don't mind a 3.5" blade then the AD is also a possible choice for an edc. I have both and usually edc the AD for its size.
 
hjdca said:
I bought a Meaner Street for skinning and was disappointed at first. Most of the Busse edges are for chopping wood, ie. rough and little. In addition at .22the meaner is a little thicker than ideal, but, I did convert this custom shop meaner street into a nice skinning knife. All that was required was to increase the bevel edge to about 5 or 6/64s, then put a mirror finish on that edge so that it splits hair and has no friction while cutting. I started with a DMT xx bench stone and finished with all 3 Spyderco Ceramics bench stones. Now it is really a slicer that does not have friction while cutting when you pass the bevel. The all important belly and tip cut excellent now. It is now my best skinning knife. In addition, mine had a DC finish, so the 5/64 mirror bevel edge is a really cool visual effect. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Attached are some pics of the new edge for skinning...
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The MrLrS at .150 would be the best for what you descibe. 4" blade and thin like your hunting. They are hard to find and very$ if you do.

The more recent .170 flat grind Meaners can be found, and at a much better price.

The BAD(boney AD) had slim slabs, but is shorter than your looking for. The SAR5 has HUGE scales. And neither is 4" like you want.

The thinest .170 Meaner scales were on the DC/Black g-10. It's as thin overall as my original .150 Leaners, and will slice about the same since flat ground. The 2007 SE Meaner from Blade also had thin scales, but the same knife from the Ganza had thick scales.

A .170 DC/Black g-10 has the thinnest scales, and then the 2007SE(from Blade not Ganza). You can still find them at a good price.
If you want a thinner 4" Busse those 2 would be the ones you want :thumbup: The Black G-10 will have be the thinest scales.

If you really like the hunt, and don't mind paying more an original .150 saber would also be great. It won't slice any better than the .170 flat grinds since the edge is about same thickness.


edit- for what you describe don't buy a Meaner over .170, or one with custom slabs...they are always FAT. And the thiner knife will always slice/cut much better.
 
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Here is an MS (0.17 thickness) that Ban set up for IWB...
He smoothed out the rough edges for carry.
msw_7967.jpg

....
msw_7969.jpg
 
I intend to set up the HG55 for that very purpose. The long 5.5" blade requires you have a concealed carry permit in MO to posses though. Only 4" allowed otherwise...
 
a NUC EDC, perhaps?

...depends on what you plan to do with it as a "backup":rolleyes:
 
It's only illegal if you get caught,,,,,,,,,,, the laws in my state are the absolute worst. All fixed blades illegal,,,,,,and a folder must be 2 & 1/2 inches or smaller. YA RIGHT !!!!!!!!!!!!! Therefore criminals and police are the only ones armed @ all. I believe they can give you a $300. ticket for possession of a fixed blade or large folder. Auto's an double edges get ya 2 & 1/2 years (max. penalty) What the hell happened to the 2nd amendment ?????????
 
Last edited:
Ken44 said:
The MrLrS at .150 would be the best for what you descibe. 4" blade and thin like your hunting. They are hard to find and very$ if you do.

The more recent .170 flat grind Meaners can be found, and at a much better price.

The BAD(boney AD) had slim slabs, but is shorter than your looking for. The SAR5 has HUGE scales. And neither is 4" like you want.

The thinest .170 Meaner scales were on the DC/Black g-10. It's as thin overall as my original .150 Leaners, and will slice about the same since flat ground. The 2007 SE Meaner from Blade also had thin scales, but the same knife from the Ganza had thick scales.

A .170 DC/Black g-10 has the thinnest scales, and then the 2007SE(from Blade not Ganza). You can still find them at a good price.
If you want a thinner 4" Busse those 2 would be the ones you want :thumbup: The Black G-10 will have be the thinest scales.

If you really like the hunt, and don't mind paying more an original .150 saber would also be great. It won't slice any better than the .170 flat grinds since the edge is about same thickness.


edit- for what you describe don't buy a Meaner over .170, or one with custom slabs...they are always FAT. And the thiner knife will always slice/cut much better.
Click to expand...

Very thorough answer. :thumbup:

Last spring down at Knob Creek, I saw a Custom Shop Meaner in satin with skinny wood scales. Don't know the thickness of the blade, but not fat, probably 0.17", flat ground. It would have been perfect for EDC, but I had already spent too much. :o

Cobalt had one that looked similar in a sales post some time ago.
 
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