Brands comparable to busse

[Aias]

Hey Antdog! Just a "what's up" bro... ya know to the break back and forth.

I don't know what would be an alternative to infi/ Busse... or any of the kin. I'm having too much fun with mine to care. Just to address the OP--there are a myriad of great knives out there to choose from; I've had lots of fun with with some notable makers... but the only ones I've held on to are Busse and Kin (for fixed blades) and I've never felt like I'm missing anything.

Damn I love these things--and a CG SOB is on the way:

 

[AntDog]

What's happening brother? Sexy, sexy blades! I'm glad to see you're enjoying them. That clip TGLB is the sh!t.

What's the smallest one? I remember seeing a thread you posted on it, but for the life of me I can't remember what it is... and believe it or not, I'm not so much of a "fanboy" that I know all the models.

 

[A.L.]

I only got one, Busse TGLB. It was my grail for years, but I had little problems with the price. Then I just stopped dreaming, and pulled the trigger. Not only did the knife cost, but the hefty shipping costs over seas + import tax + custom leather sheath.

So was it worth it? Absolutely! It actually is pretty simple knife in the end, but that's how I like it. There's no bells and whistles nor torx screws dropping from it, and the thing feels so damn solid! Everything is brilliantly rounded too, eliminating stress points.

Only thing I wanted to change was the factory grind, but that's the case with most of my knives anyway (as seen in the pic).

So yeah, I am not buying more in the close future but I can totally understand how they are so addictive. Fanboys are fanboys, clubs are clubs and I have never cared about them but that doesn't prevent you from enjoying the good knife.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Busse makes great knives, we all know that. It's very hard to answer the OPs question, however, because of the mysticism surrounding Busse products and the lack of hard facts. This is, to be frank, why I've started avoiding them. I like to have a relatively precise idea of what I'm getting and Busse makes that pretty much impossible with their secretive attitude.

I would recommend looking for an overbuilt knife in 3V if you want an alternative to Busse. I don't know if it's as tough as INFI or if it holds an edge as well, but it's a known quantity that offers extreme toughness even at relatively high hardness and very good edge retention.

 

[Cobalt]

Please provide a link, I looked at the first 3 pages of the index and couldn't find it.


From the Swamp Rat website:

--------------------------
SR-101 Steel

(Think of it as 52-100 tool steel with added Kryptonite)

SR-101 Steel is the combination of an extremely fine-grained tool steel and a proprietary multi-step tempering protocol. This process includes the incorporation of a deep cryogenic treatment for grain refinement which adds greatly to the overall toughness and strength of what will most certainly prove to be your favorite blade.
--------------

This tells me that it's 52100 with a custom heat treat. Unless I'm supposed to believe in Kryptonite. I've also seen it stated dozens of times by forumites that it is 52100 with a proprietary heat treat, and I've never seen that contradicted. So I'd be interested to see what Jerry says.

Back to the other point, what data is there telling us that INFI is the best all around steel? I'd like to see some published numbers from lab testing, as other steels have had done to them.

here you go:

SR-101 started off in 2002 with a slightly modified 52100. We actually tweaked the Carbon and the Chromium content down a bit and increased the Manganese for added toughness.

This provided a much tougher steel than regular 52100 but with similar edge holding when treated the way we treat steel.

This set the benchmark for the performance we expected out of our steel labeled as SR-101.

Over the years we have consistently delivered performance that equals or exceeds those original benchmarks.

It cannot be stated strongly enough that the heat-treating protocol is, by far, the most determinant factor in steel performance.

The use of differential heat treating, martempering, super quenches, and deep, dry cryogenics, with alternating temper cycles can make certain steels perform far outside of the predetermined envelope and extremely unlike what you would normally expect.

Without going into the long involved history of our heat treating protocols, I can assure you that we continue to evolve and that minor changes in analysis combined with these protocols deliver the performance that has made these blades legendary.

I'm often entertained by the many drawn out debates over the analysis of knife steels. It's kinda like arguing over the ingredients of barbecue ribs or a cake and then deciding how that will make the cake or the barbecue taste when in fact the secret is in how it is prepared, and then baked or heated.

Ever had caveman grilled porkchops? You add nothing! You simply throw them directly onto the hot coals of the fire and then flip them once. Within a few minute, if you know what you're doing, tears will be flowing down your face because you are eating the greatest chunk of hog that you have ever had and you are convinced that the particular hog that these chops were cut from must have been weened on Johnnie Walker Blue and lived on a diet that was rich in bacon!!! Delicious!!!

My brother Dan and Beef are experts at this style of grilling. I am not. Whatever it is that they do is magical. Downright magical!

I'm a simple man who thinks that maybe the best way to find out how something is going to taste is to simply taste it! If it tastes better than any others that I have tried, then I really don't care what you put into it.

If I buy a rifle that consistently shoots sub-MOA at any distance, I guess I don't really care if it's made out of 416 SS or 4140 or some trade name steel that I have never heard of. I only care about the performance!

Wanna know why SR-101 and INFI kick ass? We know how to grill them!

The ingredients truly are the smallest part of the secret. . . . The heat-treating protocol is the majority.

Wanna know how our knives perform? Beat the living crap out of one! No worries. . . Our guarantee has you covered. The word “OUR” is very important here. Why? Because we actually make “OUR” own knives. We have for over 33 years. We don't farm our designs out and then discontinue our warranty when we change who manufactures our blades. We don't go overseas and try to get them made on the cheap. We put enormous amounts of unseen hours in “grilling” our blades to perfection.

To this day,we continue to stand as the ONLY manufacturer in over 16 years who has stood in front of a “LIVE” audience and proven our performance claims.

If you wanna have some fun, go ask any other knife manufacturer if they would like duplicate our tests and prove their steel's performance in front of a “LIVE” audience at a major gun and knife show. . . .Well, it's not actually fun unless you like the sounds of crickets chirping.

Let's Drink!

Jerry

Now you can believe the mastif or you can actually believe the man who brought it out. you choose.


Also, the mastif, I did not change the subject. you mentioned every single thing that I challenged you on.

Gotta love how you veil your attacks as some knowledge that you learned and anyone who disagrees with you is a rabid fanboy with a conspiracy theory(that's tghe attack part). How disingenuous of you. So no one here is allowed to disagree with you. Anyone who challenges your assertions is a fanboy who is attacking you? who is being a conspiracy theorists now? Then you tell me to get stiffed? whatever. I guess you are not use to being challenged. The quote above proves you wrong. And proves that J Busse actually disagrees with you. Have a nice day.

 

[craytab]

Boy, this is getting quite contentious. What does it mean to tell someone to "get stuffed".

Get stuffed Cobalt.

I think it is personal insult. Lots of passion here guys but more than one person have been throwing around persona insults and putting down what other people like.


Now back to knife sexiness:

Hey Antdog! Just a "what's up" bro... ya know to break back and forth.

I don't know what would be an alternative to infi/ Busse... or any of the kin. I'm having too much fun with mine to care. Just to address the OP--there are a myriad of great knives out there to choose from; I've had lots of fun with with some notable makers... but the only ones I've held on to are Busse and Kin (for fixed blades) and I've never felt like I'm missing anything.

Damn I love these things--and a CG SOB is on the way:

I only got one, Busse TGLB. It was my grail for years, but I had little problems with the price. Then I just stopped dreaming, and pulled the trigger. Not only did the knife cost, but the hefty shipping costs over seas + import tax + custom leather sheath.

So was it worth it? Absolutely! It actually is pretty simple knife in the end, but that's how I like it. There's no bells and whistles nor torx screws dropping from it, and the thing feels so damn solid! Everything is brilliantly rounded too, eliminating stress points.

Only thing I wanted to change was the factory grind, but that's the case with most of my knives anyway (as seen in the pic).

So yeah, I am not buying more in the close future but I can totally understand how they are so addictive. Fanboys are fanboys, clubs are clubs and I have never cared about them but that doesn't prevent you from enjoying the good knife.

Excellent guys! Like I said no one can compare to Busse because of that look. Steel, warranty, company reputation be damned. Nothing like that fine TGLB.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Excellent guys! Like I said no one can compare to Busse because of that look. Steel, warranty, company reputation be damned. Nothing like that fine TGLB.

I don't always like the look of their knives, but they can certainly turn out some damn fine looking pieces of steel. That's one of the reasons that they still tempt me despite my desire for maximum information on the knife I'm gonna be using.

 

[craytab]

I don't always like the look of their knives, but they can certainly turn out some damn fine looking pieces of steel. That's one of the reasons that they still tempt me despite my desire for maximum information on the knife I'm gonna be using.

That was my argument in the beginning and some guy jumped all over me insulting me and my taste for the TGLB. Some people care way too much about what other people like.

Other companies comparable to Busse? We can argue about all the facts and data but the look of some other designs is completely in the eye of the beholder. And that is why I say no other company can do what they do. Example: TGLB.

 

[Ken44]

Yep, they make some great looking blades for sure.
And there is nothing that's really comparable.
When you combine the toughness, the steel, the great handles, and great looking/working designs I don't see anything out there that compares.

 

[Jerry Busse]

Hello Bodog. Supposedly there have been knifemakers that have inquired about this but were given a few qualifiers that discouraged them and I'm not talking about because they felt they would lose anything in public and be embarrassed. There was more to it but it's not my place to disclose information that amounts to heresay. I suppose what I'm saying is the reason there have not been challengers isn't because other makers fear losing. .

"Supposedly" is an important word here. It suggests that the statement that follows may be false, which it is.

We have only had "ONE" knifemaker inquire about duplicating our tests in front of a "LIVE" audience and he's a friend of mine. His reasoning was "Well, at least I'd be second". He tested his knives and decided that since the gap in performance between his knives and ours was so large that he would do better to sit this one out.

Any knifemaker who has stated that they spoke to me about this is lying or making excuses. My phone number is: (419) 923-6471. Call before 5:00 EST. I'm here. . . . I'm always here. . . . Feel free to call or tell these elusive knifemakers who were given "a few qualifiers that discouraged them" to call me. I would love to catch up. The ONLY qualifiers are duplicating all of our tests.

At Busse Combat, we are all about matching or exceeding our original performance claims. We have done our performance tests "LIVE" at the BLADE Show and many other shows in order to put this kind of nonsense to rest.

We ONLY accept performance challenges from other manufacturers. We do not accept them from customers or dealers who have nothing to lose.

“I suppose what I'm saying is the reason there have not been challengers isn't because other makers fear losing”

That is the ONLY the reason that I am aware of that there have not been any challengers. Call and ask these makers to duplicate all of our tests in front a of a “LIVE” audience. Then have them call me and I too will encourage them to duplicate our tests.

That being said, we have always noted that there are many great knives made out out of many great steels out there. :thumbup: There are some that can hold a better edge than ours, there are some that are tougher, some that are more corrosion resistant, etc. . . but we have yet to encounter any that can match us across the board.

As for designs, that's a personal preference. I have handled many other maker's designs and wished that I had thought of that first.

I'm a knife lover. I own many knives from many great makers.:thumbup:

The vast majority of makers and manufacturers are great folks. We all have much more in common than we have differences.:thumbup:

So, in the end, it's all good. We all have a common denominator. We love knives! :thumbup:

If we didn't, we wouldn't be reading this thread.

Perhaps we would do better to celebrate the passion that we all share for fine bladeware than to focus on our few differences of opinion.:thumbup:

Let's Drink! :thumbup:

Jerry

 

[Czechmate]

^^^ Epic and the reason I will buy more Busses/Rats/Scrapyard blades. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

 

[craytab]

Yup, always good to see the guys with their names on the blades give there time here. Daniel Winkler and Jerry Busse are among the best!

 

[Aias]

What's happening brother? Sexy, sexy blades! I'm glad to see you're enjoying them. That clip TGLB is the sh!t.

What's the smallest one? I remember seeing a thread you posted on it, but for the life of me I can't remember what it is... and believe it or not, I'm not so much of a "fanboy" that I know all the models.

Ha! No worries man--yep, having fun with 'em! The little one is a Game Warden variant, with the Custom Shop logo; it was bought off Eric Desmond (I believe that's his name--great guy). It is the only GW that I've seen like that--and a few in the know have said it may be a one-of-a-kind. Whatever the case, it is a tough little piece of infi; when visiting back east, it was my primary edc for three weeks; it handled wood, food/ bones, and every odd job my father-in-law threw at me! I was up a ladder, nailing down some pvc covers over exterior wood on his house when a nail went in crooked... The angle made using the hammer awkward, so I pulled the little guy to pry out the nail by the head a bit... I ended up cutting the head off the nail. So, while hardly a scientific test, the GW--and all the others--have proved more, much more, knife than whatever the task demanded. Could other knives do the same? Maybe... But as was mentioned by Craytab... They do all I need, and they do it lookin good!

 

[Aias]

Holy hell--the big man posted! Very cool.:thumbup:

 

[Ken44]

Mr Jerry Busse don't play.
States the facts.
Put up or shut up
I love it :thumbup:

 

[The Mastiff]

Thanks Jerry. Your coming here to clear those things up is appreciated. I imagine you probably could find better uses of your time so those items are settled as far as I'm concerned. I can't speak for anyone else but you won't hear it from me in the future

As far as push cutting through that much rope I'm surprised it didn't cause injuries to you and Turber's hands. That's a lot of rope to be cutting. Hours of repetitive movements and force to the same area. A guy that used to post here had his hand in a splint for a few weeks for less cutting than what you two accomplished.

Well, back to us customers having spirited discussions over trivial things such as whether you ever stated S7 was tougher than Infi.

Most of the things we talk about aren't even official statements from your company yet they are held as truths until refuted. Having the person to respond as you did can cut through a lot of nonsense.



joe

 

[Jerry Busse]

Thanks Jerry. Your coming here to clear those things up is appreciated. I imagine you probably could find better uses of your time so those items are settled as far as I'm concerned. I can't speak for anyone else but you won't hear it from me in the future

As far as push cutting through that much rope I'm surprised it didn't cause injuries to you and Turber's hands. That's a lot of rope to be cutting. Hours of repetitive movements and force to the same area. A guy that used to post here had his hand in a splint for a few weeks for less cutting than what you two accomplished.

Well, back to us customers having spirited discussions over trivial things such as whether you ever stated S7 was tougher than Infi.



joe

Thanks Joe.

As for S-7 being tougher? It certainly can be depending on hardness. I think it's a great steel for heavy choppers.:thumbup:

Jerry

 

[rustyrazor]

^^^ Epic and the reason I will buy more Busses/Rats/Scrapyard blades. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

agreed... and the reason i will be trying to find one to play with. wasn't a hater to begin with, nor a huge fan of all of the designs... (completely subjective of course) but pretty great post right there in standing behind a product.

edited to add, not a fan of all the designs, but really like some others. didn't want confusion on that

 

[Cobalt]

Thanks Joe.

As for S-7 being tougher? It certainly can be depending on hardness. I think it's a great steel for heavy choppers.:thumbup:

Jerry

There is a lot of learning in that middle sentence. :thumbup:

But you forgot the "Let's drink" on this post

Lets Drink

 

[Jerry Busse]

. . . But you forgot the "Let's drink" on this post

Lets Drink

Sorry about that oversight. . . It was 3 minutes after noon here so I just assumed that we were all drinking!

Let's Drink More!:thumbup:

Jerry