Badger Attack or Mean Street

[Maskwa]

I was reading my Benchmade warranty card last night and this sentence struck me "This knife has only one use, as a cutting tool." When all laid out in black and white it dawned on me just how limiting a folder is, I felt it would break if I looked at it the wrong way.

With fixed blades I don't give the "use it only this way" line a second thought. That being said I would like a small fixed blade of the sharpened pry bar variety for a daily carry, in addition to my folder.

This finally brings me to the subject line. I have heard nothing but great things about the "Nuclear tough" Busses. I am having difficulty deciding which one would be best suited for me, the fact that I have not handled one compounds this. It will be
carried on my belt (preferably horizontally) everyday to be used for utility purposes. I would appreciate it if any Busse owners of one, the other or both could help me decide.


[This message has been edited by Maskwa (edited 22 December 1999).]

 

[Smoke]

Maskwa, I have the A2 Mean Street and the A2 Police Recruit.

The Badger Attack's weight is equal to BOTH of them together. My PR is actually denser and heavier feeling than my MS and has a broader blade.

Depends on your usage and legality, I'd get the Badger Attack for heavy usage whereas the Mean Street and Police Recruit for light utility carry. In fact, you could get both an INFI BA and MS here.

 

[Andy Prisco]

...for everyday carry, particularly in an urban or suburban setting, definitley get the Mean Street. The sheath it comes with provides an inside the pants carry option, but not horizontally...you would have to get one made by a sheathmaker for that... The Badger is more a belt knife with TREMENDOUS utility.

I'll have both models in stock around 1/15/99 if you're interested.

Andy Prisco, Manager
Sharper Instinct, LLC


[This message has been edited by Andy Prisco (edited 22 December 1999).]

 

[Smoke]

Andy, is the BA like a larger Recruit in blade profile?

BTW, if Busse comes out with a small blade under $100, I'd be real tempted to snatch one up. It could keep my Recruit company.

 

[Maskwa]

Thanks for replying to my message. I am leaning towards the Badger Attack because my smallest folder has a 3.5 inch blade and it seems to me that my fixed blade should be bigger. I do like the look of the Mean Street slightly more, however this may be due to the fact the pictures of the MS at the Busse website seem "darker" than the pictures of the BA. Are the colors really that different or is it just the photo? If the color variance is due to the photo which of the handles is closer to the "real" color, the MS or the BA?

Smoke:
for my usage it will generally be light utility or when I feel my folder is just not enough for a certain job, however I would rather be over prepared "just in case" so the BA is looking good in this respect. As to the legal aspect, one of the cool things about Canadian knife laws is having no blade length limits (as long as it is not concealed) so I guess I will have to start tucking in my shirts

.

Andy Prisco:
1) Are your blades directly from Busse, does he keep you in a fairly regular supply?
2) I am not sure of the proper word for this so I will explain a little. The BA has a length of 9 3/4", a width of 1/4" what is the "height" (from the edge to the spine) of the BA? and the "height" of the MS?
3) Being left handed I am concerned the new asymmetrical edge would not work as well for me as it would for a right handed person (assuming it was designed with them in mind). Can a symmetrical edge be ordered or can the asymmetrical edge be ordered reversed for lefties?



[This message has been edited by Maskwa (edited 22 December 1999).]

 

[Andy Prisco]

Smoke...yes the Badger Attack is similar in blade profile. It's like a Recruit on steroids...with a much more substantial handle.

Maskwa...The color variation is due to the photo...the real color of the handle material is a deep slate gray, like the BA pictured on Busse's sight...bordering black. When the handle is a little wet from perspiration, it gets jet black.

Answers are numbered below corresponding to your questions...

1) Yes, my blades are from Busse directly and I will have a REGULAR and CONSISTENT supply of them...

2) I don't have the knives in front of me, but the BA is about 1.2" in width while the MS is about a 1/2" wide.

3) The asymmetrical edge offers no disadvantage to left handers because it takes place at the bevel, not at the grind like a chisel ground blade. The asymmetrical edge is SOOOOOO blended and thin that it does not matter in my opinion. It cannot be ordered reversed.

Don't hesitate to let me know if I can be of further assistance.

------------------
Andy Prisco, Manager
Sharper Instinct, LLC

 

[Smoke]

Maskwa, both are cool but the MS gives speed and is plenty thick. Check out my reviews in the Review section. I won't lie, I would definitely like a BA and totally understand your view. Also, the bigger the knife, the bigger the chopping ability. Believe it or not my MS is my back up but lately both MS and PR sneak into my daily carry along with my Spyderco Delica.

Andy, thanks for answering. You already know what Busse gear I'd like.

 

[Gollnick]

The same Benchmade lawyer who renamed the AFCK the Advanced Folding Camping Knife, probably wrote the line in question in order to cover BM's legal rear end. It's like so many legal warnings and fine print these days... you gotta have it.

I read an article in the paper today that said that someone sued Coleman. They used one of their propane heaters to heat the inside of the tent they were sleeping in and several people died of carbon monoxide poisoning. The heater has a warning label that says not to use it in enclosed spaces, but some people feel that that's not enough. In this litigious society we live in, you gotta cover your rear end.



------------------
Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.4cs.net/~gollnick

 

[Maskwa]

Smoke:
I have read your review and the Mean Street does sound like an excellent blade for me, however I think a little overkill with the Badger Attack would go a long way for my piece of mind because it would be ready for heavy utility, should the need arise.

Andy:
Thanks for answering all of my questions. When you get Sharper Instinct up and running I will be sure to take a look. Although for the time being I think I am going to let my wallet take a break, between Christmas shopping and going overboard with a couple knife purchases it is time for a rest... for now. The BA will remain on the top of my "wants" list until I buy one.

Gollnick:
I understand what your saying about legal coverage but they should do it in a way that paints their products in a better light, I mean one might think the blades were made out of obsidian.
As to people suing companies, when I purchase a knife I know it is just a matter of time before I cut myself (not if I cut myself) which is mostly attributed to human error, although if the lock failed or an accident happened due to something out my control (such as poor workmanship) that might be a different story. It would all depend on how serious the wound was and of course if I was using it "properly".