Best Extra Heavy Duty All-rounder?

CPC

CPC

Gold Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2010
Messages
490
Hi,

I'm brand new to the forums and a Busse virgin. I've recently ordered my first Busse, a BWM in tanker grey with black Micarta. It will probably be some time before I see it as it needs to be shipped to me in Australia. Anyway, before even taking delivery of my first, I'm keen to buy my second :(

Here's my question: In your opinion, what is the best extra heavy duty all rounder? I'm thinking my BWM will be relegated to lighter duties and light chopping/scrub clearing. I'm going to need something for heavier chopping though, something that could generally be abused when camping for virtually all jobs. Something I wont have to worry about whether preparing firewood or sawing a car in half.

It also needs to be user friendly. By that I mean I'd like to be able to carry it around without having to go to the gym for 6 months just to lug it's weight. I also mean that it needs to be a length that will fit my thigh, not as long as my leg.

I've given the FFBM some serious thought. It seems to be a more practical length than the NMFBM. The FFBM also appears to be a better chopper than the normal CG FBM, as it has the extra weight. I know there are better choppers than the FFBM (Zilla, MOAB etc) but they don't appear to be much good at anything else. The LE's look a little to pretty to smash up out in the bush, or are they worth the extra money? Do they have the same blade profile? Is there one I'm missing that could fit the bill?

I realise much of this will be personal preference, but Busse's seem quite rare over here and I won't get to handle one before I buy, that's why I need your help. I've done a lot of reading on the boards too but couldn't find the comparisons I was after. I should probably also add I'll be receiving my Spyderco Pacific Salt soon for the real small jobs, so that end is covered. Thanks in advance.

Chris.
 
Hmm there's not much room in there for choice. I would say if you want the length it has to be the FFBM. It is hefty but you soon get used to it.

If you go shorter so you can wear it on your thigh then it's between the SARSquatch and a FSH. Up to you if you want to get a thicker FSH. I know for the money a lot of guys go for the SARSquatch as it is a great all round blade and can chop very well.
 
RoyalM said:
Hmm there's not much room in there for choice.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the feedback Royal. I know it seems like I'm looking for reasons to justify the FFBM, but I'll honestly consider what you experts have to say.

The FSH and SARSquatch are shorter than the FFBM. Are they going to be any more heavy duty than my BWM? Are they thicker or heavier than my BWM? Of the two the FSH looks like a more robust knife. I'll Google some reviews of each on YouTube.

Chris.
 
If you have loftier ambitions and a thicker wallet you may want to consider the Nuclear Meltdown Fusion Battle Mistress Limited Edition. It's pricey and semi-rare, but it's supposed to be the holy grail of choppers. You'll find them for sale quite frequently here for $900-1000.
 
Busse aren't that rare down under. There must be at least 10 -12 Hogs and piglets in Oz. Just drive 'round and visit them, check out tthe blades.

"Better chopper" isn't necessarily congruent with "best all-rounder", but I would say Heavy Heart FSH. or CGFBM.
 
resinguy said:
Busse aren't that rare down under. There must be at least 10 -12 Hogs and piglets in Oz. Just drive 'round and visit them, check out tthe blades.
Click to expand...

LOL. It's Australia. It's still possible to be over a 1000km's away from the nearest living person in this country. I believe Rob Stanley is only a few hours from me though. I heard he has one or two Busse's. Maybe I can make friends and check his blades out. I'm looking at reviews on the FSH. Is the "Heavy Heart" a thicker blade version of the FSH?

Chris.
 
CPC said:
LOL. It's Australia. It's still possible to be over a 1000km's away from the nearest living person in this country. I believe Rob Stanley is only a few hours from me though. I heard he has one or two Busse's. Maybe I can make friends and check his blades out. I'm looking at reviews on the FSH. Is the "Heavy Heart" a thicker blade version of the FSH?

Chris.
Click to expand...

I have an FSH. If you're ever up on the Sunshine Coast, look me up and I'll give you a peep :)
 
CPC said:
LOL. It's Australia. It's still possible to be over a 1000km's away from the nearest living person in this country. I believe Rob Stanley is only a few hours from me though. I heard he has one or two Busse's. Maybe I can make friends and check his blades out. I'm looking at reviews on the FSH. Is the "Heavy Heart" a thicker blade version of the FSH?

Chris.
Click to expand...

Oh...is Australia large? :D

Yes, HHFSH is thicker. It's 0.27", with a sabre grind, while the original FSH was 0.25" with more of a full height grind. Busse has been making FSH variants lately that are 0.27" with a full height flat grind.
 
I think the FBM le is a great choice. One of my favorites. Its a little shorter than NMFBM, has a much better balance than NMFBM and will do most anything it will do and more. It has a full height grind which makes it faster, lighter and more agile than the saber ground FBM's too.

Plus here's the big one......they can still be found near cost which is amazing considering all the other's have risen in price and are almost as much.
 
While not Busse Combat, but Bussekin (Scrap Yard), the Dog Father is a heavy chopper having an impact absorbing Res-C handle. The blade is quite similar to your BWM, but in SR77, and the handle is lighter, making it more blade-heavy. The tan ones (Desert Dog Fathers) felt a little heavier to me, like the original sterile/military overrun version. SR77 isn't INFI, but it might be worth considering anyway.
 
I REALLY like my HHFSH. It's heavy enough for chopping, small enough for carry, and versatile enough for other duties.
 
SR77 is good steel, if you get dog father's cheap, they're worth every penny, but nothing beats INFI.
 
FBMLE is the one that's proved the best chopper for me. It's about as thick as a FFBM.

2008_06110082.jpg
 
knife hunter said:
I think the FBM le is a great choice. One of my favorites. Its a little shorter than NMFBM, has a much better balance than NMFBM and will do most anything it will do and more. It has a full height grind which makes it faster, lighter and more agile than the saber ground FBM's too.

Plus here's the big one......they can still be found near cost which is amazing considering all the other's have risen in price and are almost as much.
Click to expand...

+1 I prefer the FBMLE as well:thumbup:
 
M'kay, I'll lay it out. You're worried about the extra inch? C'mon' man! NMFBM UP!!! It's what all the cool kids are doing! I love em.

FSH is probably in the range you're looking for if you wan't to trim some more off the length but retain some chopping POWAH. So, just to reiterate: NMFBM rules. FSH will definitely chop for you, and lastly, no more beers for me after 2am. No bueno.
 
Dedicated chopper that has other uses? Get a FBM of some sort as already mentioned.

Best extra heavy duty all 'rounder? Get a NMSFNO. 8" of heavy duty, smack 'em - whack 'em muscle that chops as good as a BWM. Of this I have no doubt. :thumbup:

And welcome to the Trough!!! :D
 
I like the FBMLE too:thumbup:
.320 thick with a full height grind:cool:
It is very controllable compared to the longer mistresses.




knife hunter said:
I think the FBM le is a great choice. One of my favorites. Its a little shorter than NMFBM, has a much better balance than NMFBM and will do most anything it will do and more. It has a full height grind which makes it faster, lighter and more agile than the saber ground FBM's too.

Plus here's the big one......they can still be found near cost which is amazing considering all the other's have risen in price and are almost as much.
Click to expand...
 
Not to be a party pooper, but I doubt you can break your BWM by hand.

Since you're worried about weight, going with a large Mistress might not be your style.

Go to Hog Cult And look at the chart at the spine thicknesses and blade lengths. Most also have pictures associated with them. That way you can pick what floats your boat easier, and then try to pry it from its current owner. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top