Busse Battle Mistress

Jessekf

Jessekf

Joined
Dec 15, 2011
Messages
179
Hey,
I am new to the world of Busse's, and I am a bit confused. Maybe some veterans can lend me some knowledge.

I want the ultimate survival/camping/hiking/quading/hunting knife. The BM seems like a good start, but when digging through pictures and reviews, there seems to be 90million variations of every Busse made. If I wanted a utility knife around the 11-12" total length, and 3/8-1/4 thick, do they have to custom make me something like that? Is it more expensive to do that? Is my best bet to buy something used? I live in Canada so buying knives is much easier when it comes from a dealer, than a private sale. Customs can be a bit sticky sometimes.

Thanks,
Jesse
 
There is a BM Bowie in the exchange right now.I would love to be able to pick it up.Looks to be the perfect all around big blade.
Unless it has changed I was thinking fixed blades were no problem going into Canada.
 
Your basic FBM or Fusion Battle Mistress will work just fine.

The recent Basic 10 or Basic 11 ... also fine knives that will do the job for you.

Other versions of the BM you might find that will work for you: Ergo Battle Mistress (different handle), NMFBM or Nuclear Meltdown Fusion Battle Mistress (special smoothed/rounded treatment on the non-sharp portions of the knife), or possibly even the FFBM/FFFBM (a very thick and heavy fusion battle mistress).

I've had all of these knives and have been happy with each one. In fact, I still have at least one of each of these.

If you're willing to wait, this year will PROBABLY see the introduction of a new Battle Mistress. One with a simpler handle and an interesting new treatment for the portion of the blade hidden under the handle. When will it arrive? Only The Boss (Jerry Busse) really knows.

Hope this helps.

BTW, you can visit the Busse Sub-Forum here for a sticky that shows original prices of the various BMs ... there are also other stickies that can direct you toward some useful pictures.

[In brief, no -- custom is NOT required. There is a very active secondary market that should yield a perfectly useful BM or Basic knife for you in short order ... and at a reasonable price. Of course, it's always cheapest to wait and get it directly from Jerry Busse -- which is why I mention the newest Battle Mistress.]
 
He says he wants 11"-12" overall- that's closer to a FSH (and I think even that is longer than 12") than a BM, no? To me a BM is too large for an all-arounder, and even the FSH is pushing it - at least its more than I want to carry around.

I would suggest looking around a bit more as there are more Busse's than I can name that are closer to your desired size. I am sure you will be getting plenty of suggestions here shortly.
 
MVF said:
He says he wants 11"-12" overall- that's closer to a FSH (and I think even that is longer than 12") than a BM, no? To me a BM is too large for an all-arounder, and even the FSH is pushing it - at least its more than I want to carry around.

I would suggest looking around a bit more as there are more Busse's than I can name that are closer to your desired size. I am sure you will be getting plenty of suggestions here shortly.
Click to expand...

Overall? Hmm ... perhaps I should wear my eyeglasses!!

The BMs and Basics I was mentioning DO have long blades ... 10" to 12" class.

Busse knives tend to have long, hand-filling handles. As MVF says, there are MANY Busses with an overall length of 11 - 12 inches.

Seek ye out the Busse Sub-Forum here and start perusing those stickies. You'll find something in the right overall size that you like.
 
Hey,
The FSH looks great. I have looked around for hours now, but the bad(and good) thing about Busse is that there are so many models, it's really hard for a guy to find one when starting. Suggestions like the FSH are greatly appreciated! Keep them up!

Thanks,
Jesse
 
I live in the Canadian Rockies and have never had a problem with customs when ordering knives (up to 12 inches) from the States. I`ve been buying for the last 5 years or so and not a single one got held up. You pay import duties and handling fees, but that`s normal. Don`t try the illegal ones (butterfly and jack knifes): those will land you in front of a judge. I have bought 3 Basic 11 (1 stolen from Marion Poff) and I definitely recommend them for chopping.
 
Jessekf said:
Hey,
The FSH looks great. I have looked around for hours now, but the bad(and good) thing about Busse is that there are so many models, it's really hard for a guy to find one when starting. Suggestions like the FSH are greatly appreciated! Keep them up!

Thanks,
Jesse
Click to expand...

Cut your credit cards now. Do it. Trust me.

Hopefully the Boss will be releasing an new updated Fusion Steel Heart soon: the Nuclear Meltdown FSH... He's been teasing us, unfairly, for a while now....

If you can wait a few weeks to a month, I would wait for this new offering as you can get the knife you want direct from Busse without paying a decent markup on the exchange...

If you have cash to burn, I would also search for the NMSFNO - Nuclear Meltdown Special Forces Natural Outlaw - Similar size but better handle, IMHO, and I like it over the FSH - its a lot of people's "if you could only have one Busse" Busse, including mine.

Welcome to the addiction :D

Here is my NMSFNO - 4th from the left:

473952b9.jpg
 
OldPhysics said:
Your basic FBM or Fusion Battle Mistress will work just fine.
Click to expand...

Listen to the older & wiser hogs! Get yourself a FBM of any flavor and don't look back! You won't regret it.

On a different note...not calling you old Doc ;)
 
For the activities you are describing I would consider the Res-C handled blades in that size range, especially if you plan to carry it on your person. A heavier battle mistress type blade is better suited to a pack or vehicular carry.

One of them is available now straight from the factory and at a very good price for SR101, the Scrapyard 711
It should be very similar to the Camp Tramp, which has a great reputation and even a life saving story in this thread http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/772715-Proof-Of-Busse-(and-Kin)-Superiority

The following specs were all copied from this very useful thread to help you better understand the sizes. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ghts-of-Swamp-Rat-Busse-amp-Scrap-Yard-Knives

Very nice all rounders that are light yet good at chopping in the size range mentioned.
(SY) 711 (SR101-ThroughHard)..... = ??? oz; .25" thick; 7.375" blade; 12.5" oal
Camp Tramp (SR101-Diff.TempLine) = 14.4 oz; .24" thick; 7.325" blade; 12.5" oal
Basic 6 LE = ??? oz; .25" thick; 6.5" blade; 11.5" oal

The prettier and more costly Busse blades in that 11-12" size range.
Boss Jack (G10) (convex)............... = 11.7 - 12.35 oz (???); .22" thick; 6.25" blade; 11.25" oal
SJTAC (Convex).... = 13.25 oz; .187” thick; 6.375” blade; 11.875” oal
Tankbuster = 18.25 oz; 0.25” thick; 6.375” blade; 12.0” oal
Skinny ASH1 (micarta) (Convex grind) = 14.85 oz; .1875” thick; 6.4” blade; 12.0” oal
ASH1 – CG (Flat grind)………........… = 21.0 oz; 0.320” thick; 6.4” blade; 12.0” oal

Slightly larger 12-15" overall Busse blades
SAR6 (Convex)............ = 16.3 oz; .220" thick; 6.25” blade; 12.5” oal
Hell Razor.. = 14.75 oz; .1875” thick; 6.625” blade; 12.75” oal
SARSquatch (linen) (Convex) = 17.0 oz; .1875” thick; 7.0” blade; 12.75” oal
SFNO-LE (2009 mags) = 18.5 oz; .22” thick; 7.0” blade, 12.75” oal or any SFNO works too.
Team Gemini = 19.9 oz; .26" thick; 7.875" blade; 13.25" oal
FSH (Saber grind) = 19.5 oz; .25" thick; 8.0" blade; 14.0" oal
FSH (full flat grind) = 22.0 oz; .27” thick; 8.1875” blade; 14.4” oal
HHFSH (Saber grind) (micarta)…..... = 23.5 oz; .27” thick; 8.1875” blade; 14.4” oal
SAR-8 SE (Convex)...... = 18.6 oz; .22" thick; 8.5" blade; 14.5" oal
 
Welcome to BladeForums!

The knife in the middle of that pic above is called the SARSquatch, and is 12.75" OAL. Same size, but not shown, is the SFNO. Either makes a very good all raound utility knife.

Take your time, ask more questions, tell us what role the knife will play for you, and we can direct you further.

Enjoy your quest.
 
Fusion Battle Mistress will work just fine for chopping, the rest is pain. An understanding of reality is essential in the search for truth.
NMSFNO get my vote, much more suit for utility and camping score.


NMSFNO it's already heavy enough.
NEC_0712.jpg
 
Welcome,
ONE KNIFE, for everything, why would you want that when it is just as easy to carry two or ten. Sorry, I am getting help with that. :p
Its almost like I get paid to sell knives. :D
Take your time ask questions. The people on this forum will help you in anyway that they can. They are truly amazing people.
 
Hindsight said:
Welcome,
ONE KNIFE, for everything, why would you want that when it is just as easy to carry two or ten. Sorry, I am getting help with that. :p
Its almost like I get paid to sell knives. :D
Take your time ask questions. The people on this forum will help you in anyway that they can. They are truly amazing people.
Click to expand...

What a rough life, huh? ;) Hey...wait... Almost??? :D:D
 
Ok.. Now we are getting somewhere. I basically want a knife to go with me on everyday outings into the bush. I used to take a Benchmade folder with me, but it's pretty small and more suited for gutting fish and dressing small game. I want something more to help build a small shelter or get small wood for a fire. It doesn't have to chop through a car or whittle down an iron pole haha.

I like the NMSFNO a lot so far. Does anyone know how thick they are? I can't seem to find it online.

Is the best place to get one of these from the used forum? I prefer toys like this to be new, if possible.

Thanks,
Jesse
 
Jesse, the NMSFNO are around .250" for the CG's and .218-.228 for the Satin finish one. The spread is due to some being customs or just SE's.
 
I really like the SARQ as well for an all around camp knife. Thinner blade almost as big as the NMSFNO. Great feeling handles.
 
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