- Joined
- Mar 20, 1999
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Now that Blade is over thought I'd post a total review of my Blade show experience. As most of you know this was my first trip to Blade, and let me tell you I was more than overwhelmed and impressed. Most of my attention went to Busse's booth which is what I'll focus on for this post.
Right off the bat you couldn't ask for a more wonderful booth staff. Kassi, Shaggi, Eric, Andrew, Nimrod, Thatmguy, Jerry, etc.... (If I'm leaving anyone out it's not on purpose). These people went out of their way to make sure that no one left with unanswered questions about the new models. All of them greeted every visitor with a smile and endless knowledge...especially Kassi & Shaggi
You could have taken all of the new models away and still had a Busse experience that was a highlight of the show. Just goes to show Busse Combat is only 50% knives...the other 50% is the people who make Busse happen.
New Line. Ok let's with my personal favorite model...The Battle Mistress. Straight models were always my favorite over the e-series models, but I've gotta tell ya this new fusion line blows everything else out of the water. There are two main areas of focus for this new design. First up is the tip configuration. You'll immediately notice that the point was raised back up to more of a "clip point" configuration rather than the BM-E's "drop point". Both have their advantages; however with the overall blade reconfiguration I believe the BM-F will continue to set performance records. Second on the list are obviously the handle slabs. With this fusion design Jerry seems to have taken us back to a sculptured handle rather than semi-flat on the E-series. To me this is going to make the new Mistress oh so comfortable.
After the Battle Mistress comes Busse's flagship model....The Steel Heart. For those of you who love Steel Hearts the SH-F will win YOUR heart over Out of all the models I think the SH shows best the combination of the E-series and Jerry's earlier models. The blade configuration goes way back and incorporates the SH1 and SH2 geometry, and when combined with their new fusion handles are sure to give anyone flashbacks, lol Balance is unbelievable, even more so than the Mistress. This SH just sits in your hand with no intention of falling out. Yep, even I'm gonna have to order a Fusion Steel Heart.
If you take the previous combat line the NO would be next up. Make no mistake about it; the NO has undergone changes unlike anything you could have imagined. It has a slightly fuller blade, more aggressive style, and a new handle that just tops off the whole package. The flared pommel goes a long way to filling the hand and securing the knife. If you normally carry a mid sized knife, this all new NO will knock your socks off.
There were several other models introduced into the combat line, but to save time and your eyes while reading let's move over to the right side table First up is the M.O.A.B., what can I possible say to compliment the pictures? Yes, it is that big, it is that well balanced, and YES it is one HUGE piece of steel. My dear friend Idaho has already commented on it and I agree completely...she will be one hell of a chopper. Not only because of her size, but the balance as well. You can almost feel where her sweet spot would be just from one or two swings. Combine this with a Fusion handle, and you've got a package that would give my beloved Mistress a run for her money.
Hehehe, not sure if I even want to go down the road for this next Blade show goodie...should I?
For all those who stood with me in getting fat blades back in the lineup, this show was for you. For not only was there a large blade in 3/8", but a small one as well.....the O.D. (Off Duty). Yes my friends this was the blade in my mind for so long and I finally got to handle it. If any of you saw my comparison review between the Bad Apple and Mean Street, which was my first and only experience holding a MS. Ever since then I've dreamed of having an oversized fat MS type knife. Don't let the thickness fool you, Jerry has a gorgeous hollow grind on this baby that makes it MORE than functional, and air bleeding sharp. Another member had his AD at the show so I got to feel both in my hand...and yes both felt great, I can't tell you there was any grip advantage for one or the other. That standard AD felt great and perfectly secure just like the OD. There was only one at the show, but make sure to get in on the limited run if you like the MS, cause the OD won't disappoint you!!
Ok folks, it's time to leave Busse land and head over to the swamp. There were several new Swamp Rat models in D-2. Great...GREAT knives for the money, you really can't beat them. Most impressive feature was the handles. I believe someone told me it was still respirine-C, but this new form has a great cushion and grip. Blades are perfectly sized for standard duty type chores.
Well this just about sums it up for my Blade review. There was so much to see, but I've gotta tell ya the Busse table and the crew was something else all together.
On a side note....I received some...well...extremely bad news of a personal nature the night I left for Blade. Being at the show and around many of you really made things a little easier, and for that I thank you. All of you are really incredible people...your knowledge of knives, and your personalities. Unfortunately I don't think I was exactly myself, but I'm hoping to see EVERYONE again at Blade '04 and truly be able to enjoy every minute of all three days. With everyone present there will always have been some who should have been there but werent
Have a great night everyone....
p.s. - I ummm, may be retracting some of my statements about CBL in the very near future...stay tuned.
Right off the bat you couldn't ask for a more wonderful booth staff. Kassi, Shaggi, Eric, Andrew, Nimrod, Thatmguy, Jerry, etc.... (If I'm leaving anyone out it's not on purpose). These people went out of their way to make sure that no one left with unanswered questions about the new models. All of them greeted every visitor with a smile and endless knowledge...especially Kassi & Shaggi
You could have taken all of the new models away and still had a Busse experience that was a highlight of the show. Just goes to show Busse Combat is only 50% knives...the other 50% is the people who make Busse happen.New Line. Ok let's with my personal favorite model...The Battle Mistress. Straight models were always my favorite over the e-series models, but I've gotta tell ya this new fusion line blows everything else out of the water. There are two main areas of focus for this new design. First up is the tip configuration. You'll immediately notice that the point was raised back up to more of a "clip point" configuration rather than the BM-E's "drop point". Both have their advantages; however with the overall blade reconfiguration I believe the BM-F will continue to set performance records. Second on the list are obviously the handle slabs. With this fusion design Jerry seems to have taken us back to a sculptured handle rather than semi-flat on the E-series. To me this is going to make the new Mistress oh so comfortable.
After the Battle Mistress comes Busse's flagship model....The Steel Heart. For those of you who love Steel Hearts the SH-F will win YOUR heart over
Out of all the models I think the SH shows best the combination of the E-series and Jerry's earlier models. The blade configuration goes way back and incorporates the SH1 and SH2 geometry, and when combined with their new fusion handles are sure to give anyone flashbacks, lol Balance is unbelievable, even more so than the Mistress. This SH just sits in your hand with no intention of falling out. Yep, even I'm gonna have to order a Fusion Steel Heart.If you take the previous combat line the NO would be next up. Make no mistake about it; the NO has undergone changes unlike anything you could have imagined. It has a slightly fuller blade, more aggressive style, and a new handle that just tops off the whole package. The flared pommel goes a long way to filling the hand and securing the knife. If you normally carry a mid sized knife, this all new NO will knock your socks off.
There were several other models introduced into the combat line, but to save time and your eyes while reading let's move over to the right side table
First up is the M.O.A.B., what can I possible say to compliment the pictures? Yes, it is that big, it is that well balanced, and YES it is one HUGE piece of steel. My dear friend Idaho has already commented on it and I agree completely...she will be one hell of a chopper. Not only because of her size, but the balance as well. You can almost feel where her sweet spot would be just from one or two swings. Combine this with a Fusion handle, and you've got a package that would give my beloved Mistress a run for her money.Hehehe, not sure if I even want to go down the road for this next Blade show goodie...should I?
For all those who stood with me in getting fat blades back in the lineup, this show was for you. For not only was there a large blade in 3/8", but a small one as well.....the O.D. (Off Duty). Yes my friends this was the blade in my mind for so long and I finally got to handle it. If any of you saw my comparison review between the Bad Apple and Mean Street, which was my first and only experience holding a MS. Ever since then I've dreamed of having an oversized fat MS type knife. Don't let the thickness fool you, Jerry has a gorgeous hollow grind on this baby that makes it MORE than functional, and air bleeding sharp. Another member had his AD at the show so I got to feel both in my hand...and yes both felt great, I can't tell you there was any grip advantage for one or the other. That standard AD felt great and perfectly secure just like the OD. There was only one at the show, but make sure to get in on the limited run if you like the MS, cause the OD won't disappoint you!!Ok folks, it's time to leave Busse land and head over to the swamp. There were several new Swamp Rat models in D-2. Great...GREAT knives for the money, you really can't beat them. Most impressive feature was the handles. I believe someone told me it was still respirine-C, but this new form has a great cushion and grip. Blades are perfectly sized for standard duty type chores.
Well this just about sums it up for my Blade review. There was so much to see, but I've gotta tell ya the Busse table and the crew was something else all together.
On a side note....I received some...well...extremely bad news of a personal nature the night I left for Blade. Being at the show and around many of you really made things a little easier, and for that I thank you. All of you are really incredible people...your knowledge of knives, and your personalities. Unfortunately I don't think I was exactly myself, but I'm hoping to see EVERYONE again at Blade '04 and truly be able to enjoy every minute of all three days. With everyone present there will always have been some who should have been there but werent
Have a great night everyone....
p.s. - I ummm, may be retracting some of my statements about CBL in the very near future...stay tuned.
but looks like the new Fusion Models will be the one to fix that. It will just be a while. Surely it won't be D/C in a couple of years.
I may have to put the BA on the back burner for the SH-F.