Busse Combat "Apprentice" Knives

Wulf

Wulf

Joined
May 10, 2000
Messages
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I've heard of a few Busse "apprentice" knives making it out of the factory from time to time. What I've been told is that Jerry's young apprentices, before earning their journeyman status, can at times sell some of their knives at shows or to dealers, subject to Jerry's approval. I am also told that before they do so they grind off the part of the guard with the talon hole in it to remove the unofficial Busse Combat signature, and cord-wrap the handle. Anybody know anything about this? Are these knives any good or are they sloppy practice knives?
 
The heat treating and general performance is fine....but the grinds and precision fit and finish are clearly not on par with a standard Busse Combat Knife...some folks love the apprentice knives and swear by them.

They remain occasionally available at shows, but not via request or order.

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Phone: 1-201-493-2469
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Speaking of his apprentices, I have one done by Tom Wheeler at my photopoint.com page. I originally had three by him, including a large camp knife, that was nothing short of awesome! If memory serves correctly, the "shortened" Steel Heart that was available on e-bay not too long ago was done by Tom, as well.

Take care,
John Johnson
<a href="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=497920&a=3653589">
<img src="http://www.photopoint.com/images/pplogo2.gif" width=125 height=66 border=0></a>
 
Hey John - Funny you should mention it. I'm the guy that bought that knife!
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[This message has been edited by Wulf (edited 06-17-2000).]
 
Wulf,

Doh! No wonder I got outbid!
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That looked like a sweet little blade. I got this one from Tom probably about seven or eight??? years ago, and he probably had that one you have sold just before I got to his table during a show in Ohio. He sold out that day, and had ones like you had, but people grabbed them before I got there.
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A heck of a nice guy to talk to. I don't know if he's still making knives or not.

Take care,
John Johnson

 
yeah the guy selling them calls them a badger and a mean street. But if special trouble was taken to remove any Busse trademarks such as the talon hole then I doubt the can be considered a real Badger or Mean Street. I don't think the guy even really has a right to call them Busse Combat knives. Andy what do you think. Should these knives be considered Busse Combat pieces and by that token be refered to as a Badger and Mean Street?

Oh yeah... I bet they don't have the Awesome warranty either!
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Everything is negotiable!
http://albums.com/j/AlbumList?u=879893

[This message has been edited by Ryu (edited 06-18-2000).]
 
I'm not sure if they should be specifically considered Busses. I don't like how the seller states, "Busse lists this knife in their "Extreme Combat Grade" section." I've never seen a Busse apprentice listed in the "extreme Combat Grade" section. Maybe I'm splitting hairs here?

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it's a great knife, made of INFI under the watchful eyes of the Steel Slamming Sucker himself, but still...

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Don LeHue

Rome did not create a great empire by having meetings...they did it by killing all those who opposed them.
 
The E-bay auctions are what prompted my initial post. I did not bid on either, but I'm sure they would make excellent using knives. It's likely that the apprentice who made them had not yet mastered the art of grinding and finishing, but there's no question that the materials and heat treating processes employed in fashioning these knives are as good as they get.

As for the "extreme combat grade" comment, well, I'm not so sure about that one...

BTW, John - I'm not so sure that the Tom Wheeler knife I own is an "apprentice knife," because technically, if it were, it should also have the talon hole ground off and a cord-wrapped handle instead of the linen micarta (see pic here: http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum39/HTML/000417.html ).

-D
 
Well Guys I don't think it is splitting hairs. This guy is obviously not doing right by Busse Combat. He is stating they are special version protos that are limited in number. At least that was in his last auction. He said they were protos and only a few made it out of the Busse shop. When in fact they are practice knives. Yes their INFI and yes they have the tempering process but I don't believe they were created under the guiding hand of Jerry. These would be the pieces where mistakes where ok. These would be the pieces Jerry would want his students to screw up so that they can learn from their mistakes and not screw up the Combat line. Like I said... sure they're INFI and yes they have been hardened like a Busse but if the the knife was messed up to begin with then all you have is an indestructible piece of crap. Not coming down on them but the chance is still there. Like my friend always says... "you can't polish a turd". I think someone should bring the hammer down on this guy. I might just send an email to those bidding on his auctions and just let them know what they're really getting.

------------------
Everything is negotiable!
http://albums.com/j/AlbumList?u=879893
 
Wulf,

Good observation on yours that I never even thought of! Also, notice the plunge line on the grind at the ricasso and how it corresponds to the original Steel Hearts that were done years ago. I think Andy said that type was done on a special machine, that was only used on the Steel Hearts. Also, what's the spine like on the one that you have...flat, or slightly rounded? I have to say I get more impressed every time I look at the one that you have. Nice size, and nice work in reducing the overall size from the Steel Heart.

Take care,
John Johnson
 
John - Good eye! Indeed, the knife has a very subtle, gentle rounding of the spine. This feature, though seemingly insignificant, substantially relieves stress to the thumb or the palm of the opposite hand when applying downward pressure.

I swear, only here do you find such a well conceived blade design, where weight, balance, edge geometry, strength, and feel all contribute to the unparalleled performance and versatility of Busse Combat Knives. Oh man, I'm starting to sound like a commercial...
rolleyes.gif




[This message has been edited by Wulf (edited 06-20-2000).]
 
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