Blade Design and Indended Purpose

C

climbingrocks

Joined
Jan 9, 2008
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I've been looking through the various blade designs offered by Busse and kin, and have been left with a few lingering questions. Knife/blade/sharpened rock/whatever design throughout the ages obiously reflect their intended purpose. A nice wide belly for skinning, long and pointy for stabbing, and everything in between. I would like to open a discussion about the blade designs of Busse and kin, describing how their individual features allow them to uniquely accomplish the tasks for which they were designed. This topic is fascinating to me and I hope a lot of the more experienced members will help to enlighten me!
 
which Blades did you have questions on ?
 
I was thinking about the SAR series and game wardens in particular. But they all appear to have great potential. Potential for what.... that is the question
 
climbingrocks said:
I was thinking about the SAR series and game wardens in particular. But they all appear to have great potential. Potential for what.... that is the question
Click to expand...

I'd like to know more about the SAR series, too. This is one of the only series from Busse that confuses me. The fighting knives are very obviously fighting knives; I think the Game Warden is used for game; battle mistresses are for chopping, while the bushwhacker mistress is lighter and faster so that it can be used for clearing brush; and so on.

But the SAR series... I'm not sure how its design lends itself to searching and rescuing.

And the talon hole, I'm not sure there's even always a use for it :p it's an obligation since that is the Busse trademark.
 
I'm pretty sure the recent AA offering's blade design will be perfect for spreading delicious jams and jellies...:D;)
 
I know my CGBJ will be a utility and tactical blade. The design of the blade in terms of sweep/tip/length/etc. seems to make it a well rounded knife. I haven't held it yet but I'd guess chopping would NOT be it's strong suit. For that I will use my CS Gurkha Kukri...that bastard will take out 5" limbs in a few whacks...it's almost magical.

-Emt1581
 
Maybe defining SAR in order to justify buying one is too limiting. I don't plan to do much "Search And Rescue", but so far, my plan to always "Survive And Return" has worked well every time I have carried a SAR 6, 8, or Squatch out in the woods. ;)

They are excellent all around use blades that are neither too small or too heavy and make an excellent one knife solution.
v4qfye.jpg

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If you really have to justify the search/rescue part, the shape of the SAR 8 (and the 6) tip makes for the smoothest penetration of all the knives I have tried during sheet metal testing so vehicle extraction/rescue is pretty feasible and the SAR 8 is thus aptly named.
2q1s2s7.jpg


Stabbing through rubber is also easiest with the SAR 6/8 design.
ubz9s.jpg

 
Holy cow! My ears cringe just looking at those SARS piercing the sheetmetal, great pics Tim!
 
Yeah, I was thinking about Search and Rescue from a medical point of view but failed to consider the approach and eventual egress from a potential rescue scenario. Certain things are silly to carry when you can make a perfectly good version out in the woods. A splint for instance or even a makeshift stretcher. That would take some basic chopping ability without detracting from the nimble nature of a rescue knife. 2-3 inch branches are you need for a basic frame.
Plus I've seen people choke up on a large knife and place their index finger near the tip to protect from over penetration for even fine skinning tasks. That would probably work ok for cutting clothes or gear off in a pinch if the right technique was used. Playing the Devil's advocate here.
 
Hmmm, interesting thread w/ some really interesting points of view...

Bottom Line: A vast majority of SAR training and operations are done in a wilderness-type setting, especially if you live near the Rockies. A great all-around camping/hiking knife generally also makes for a great SAR knife as the parameters for use are nearly identical. As far as EMS/EMT/Medical scenarios go--we generally carry smaller tools in a Jump/Thompson/Whatever type pack or shears. Knives like the SAR also come in handy when involved in Technical Rescue situations involving ropes skills, and extraction... There are a few SAR, EMS, and Firefighter types floating around on the forum that may chime in here...

...the last time that I cut through a car to get to someone wasn't with my knife--Heavy Rescue equipment is MUCH faster... But it's always nice to know that I could if necessary, or nothing else was available! D@%n, I love INFI...!!!:D
 
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I think the "RipShears" product is brilliant. A nice razor cutter that attaches to the trauma shears handle. Great demo video by the way. I suppose almost all you cutting needs would be met with that combo and a medium sized knife like the SAR 6 or 8. The items most likely to be soiled by patient's blood are the one that I want to be the most disposable. C. difficile spores can stay viable on a dry surface for almost 2 years! I want to be able to throw those shears away in that case.
 
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