Busse craze?

[Longtrang]

I have carried a Busse for years. Great warranty, holds an edge for ages, hard to break and cheaper than even some midtech knives out there. I don't think I would call it a "Busse craze" op, there are those out there that would look at you like you are crazy for spending more than $35 on a knife.

 

[CloudsRest]

I've never really understood safe queens either...even if you are a collector, most knives are made to be used--that's half the fun of collecting! Busse's are no exception. Sure, they are pretty enough to hang, but keeping one as a safe queen is like owning a Porsche or a rock buggy and not driving it.

As someone who has studied metallurgy, a steel with 'just some nitrogen in it' really is kind of like a knife with 'just a little bit of Thor's hammer in it'. Nitrogen has been infused into the surface of steel for a long time to increase toughness and wear resistance, but steels that are infused throughout are still largely experimental...and the results so far are impressive, even if most testing is in areas unrelated to cutlery. That said, even SR101 is worth the price imo for how well it performs, and the price isn't much different than other high-end production knives like BRKT or Survive! Knives.

 

[drrickso]

I've never really understood safe queens either...even if you are a collector, most knives are made to be used--that's half the fun of collecting! Busse's are no exception. Sure, they are pretty enough to hang, but keeping one as a safe queen is like owning a Porsche or a rock buggy and not driving it.

As someone who has studied metallurgy, a steel with 'just some nitrogen in it' really is kind of like a knife with 'just a little bit of Thor's hammer in it'. Nitrogen has been infused into the surface of steel for a long time to increase toughness and wear resistance, but steels that are infused throughout are still largely experimental...and the results so far are impressive, even if most testing is in areas unrelated to cutlery. That said, even SR101 is worth the price imo for how well it performs, and the price isn't much different than other high-end production knives like BRKT or Survive! Knives.

The only other steel I've heard of that uses nitrogen infusion is vanax (thanks for the lesson Char ) and it is pretty expensive/rare stuff.

 

[Seriousbladeno1]

I like Busse knifes,i like SOG knifes,i like Kyzliar knifes, but i think non of these are anywhere close with quality, compared to Nepalese hand-forged custom knifes from manufacturers like Himalayan Imports or Khukuri House....

From Busse production i like very much Battle Mistress,or MOAB and INFI (Busse's own patented steel) is surely very durable steel, however they all fall into category of very strong knifes,surelly they are not the strongest or toughest ones as many people,who have very little knowledge of steel metalurgy may claim...and they are far,far away from best value for money.This would be very misleading to think.

Why i never purchased any Busse? Because if one is looking for extra tough,strong blade,there are just number of other options,where you get way more value for money - and way too many! Forking out 600-2500 bucks for something like knife means different for each person and it is everyones right to do or not to do,according his/her opinion and wish.Some may save up savings for couple of weeks,months,years to buy 1 Busse knife,others may buy whole company in one day,if they wish to do,others may order 1000 pieces from their mobile phone during boring flight....

If i would be willing to invest 600-2500 usd into knife,than i would definitely seek "the best value for money" and "the best quality possible" out there on the market....For many, Busse may be the answer,but for me it is not.Definitely not for the knife,that doesn't even bother to come up with sheath for the price...

What would i option for??? Definitelly hand made,hand forged custom made order,from professional bladesmith,skilled in metalurgy and with backed up history of knifemaking by his previous customers...For the money,id get knife that is surely superior in every way possible to any of the Busse ones and included with sheath....Every knifemaker and bladesmith,who does have an experience will confirm, that it is not about the sort of steel only! It is about how this is heat treated/tempered, etc.etc.about overal finish too....

So this would be my option to go with,but on the other hand, i do understand why some fans of overly expensive brands will invest into their "brand",,,,because they just feel it is money well spend and they can sale their knife anytime,even for bigger money "as investment" especially with LE (limited editions etc),,,so it is also understandable,after all, it is everybody's own business,where and how he /she spend savings...

So, do i like Busse? Yes,very much (i love big,massive blades)

Would i buy one? No,not at all (there is just way too many better options with same or higher quality,for less or same money)

 

[Lou Steel]

I like Busse knifes,i like SOG knifes,i like Kyzliar knifes, but i think non of these are anywhere close with quality, compared to Nepalese hand-forged custom knifes from manufacturers like Himalayan Imports or Khukuri House....

From Busse production i like very much Battle Mistress,or MOAB and INFI (Busse's own patented steel) is surely very durable steel, however they all fall into category of very strong knifes,surelly they are not the strongest or toughest ones as many people,who have very little knowledge of steel metalurgy may claim...and they are far,far away from best value for money.This would be very misleading to think.

Why i never purchased any Busse? Because if one is looking for extra tough,strong blade,there are just number of other options,where you get way more value for money - and way too many! Forking out 600-2500 bucks for something like knife means different for each person and it is everyones right to do or not to do,according his/her opinion and wish.Some may save up savings for couple of weeks,months,years to buy 1 Busse knife,others may buy whole company in one day,if they wish to do,others may order 1000 pieces from their mobile phone during boring flight....

If i would be willing to invest 600-2500 usd into knife,than i would definitely seek "the best value for money" and "the best quality possible" out there on the market....For many, Busse may be the answer,but for me it is not.Definitely not for the knife,that doesn't even bother to come up with sheath for the price...

What would i option for??? Definitelly hand made,hand forged custom made order,from professional bladesmith,skilled in metalurgy and with backed up history of knifemaking by his previous customers...For the money,id get knife that is surely superior in every way possible to any of the Busse ones and included with sheath....Every knifemaker and bladesmith,who does have an experience will confirm, that it is not about the sort of steel only! It is about how this is heat treated/tempered, etc.etc.about overal finish too....

So this would be my option to go with,but on the other hand, i do understand why some fans of overly expensive brands will invest into their "brand",,,,because they just feel it is money well spend and they can sale their knife anytime,even for bigger money "as investment" especially with LE (limited editions etc),,,so it is also understandable,after all, it is everybody's own business,where and how he /she spend savings...

So, do i like Busse? Yes,very much (i love big,massive blades)

Would i buy one? No,not at all (there is just way too many better options with same or higher quality,for less or same money)

Respectfully, Give us a hint please, who?

 

[Seriousbladeno1]

Respectfully, Give us a hint please, who?

Hi Lou

Well,as i mentioned for the money of factory mass produced Busse lets say 600-2500 USD (Average) - i am talking large size knifes,there are simply endless options in custom handmade side of the business....There are thousands of knifemakers/bladesmiths that are connected in variety of associations,that can be sourced through web and many are extremly well skilled in metalurgy and willing to take up on every order you may wish to have....Take the factory mass produced (LE) Busse Moab,asking price 2200-2500..... (for me,it is a joke,for many others it is not),,,,what is my point-for this price one can get knife bigger,stronger,more durable,more unique,knife of your own personal wish,or same quality one,for way better price and at least surely included with the handcrafted sheath according your wish...

Knifemakers price their knifes not only according to materials they are using,but mainly their prices are very relevant to their "Name" they managed to achieve in industry,,,For example Gil Hibben is a living legend and lot of his handmade knifes are priced below 2k,(not saying that steel he is using is close as tough as Infi),,,but there are surely many knifemakers,who does knifes from steel compositions and heat treatment that will exceed infi properties in every contest....If one is really interested and do his research-will find easy many craftsmen as such everywhere.Best way is to look into knifemakers associations and to study their profiles,websites and to contact them with your request,especially those who are good,but not very well known yet,can do very competitive prices....That is my opinion....I believe Busse is making very good and top notch product,but value vs money? Sure,there is many way better options out there i think.

 

[Quiet]

Hi Lou

Well,as i mentioned for the money of factory mass produced Busse lets say 600-2500 USD (Average) - i am talking large size knifes,there are simply endless options in custom handmade side of the business....There are thousands of knifemakers/bladesmiths that are connected in variety of associations,that can be sourced through web and many are extremly well skilled in metalurgy and willing to take up on every order you may wish to have....Take the factory mass produced (LE) Busse Moab,asking price 2200-2500..... (for me,it is a joke,for many others it is not),,,,what is my point-for this price one can get knife bigger,stronger,more durable,more unique,knife of your own personal wish,or same quality one,for way better price and at least surely included with the handcrafted sheath according your wish...

Knifemakers price their knifes not only according to materials they are using,but mainly their prices are very relevant to their "Name" they managed to achieve in industry,,,For example Gil Hibben is a living legend and lot of his handmade knifes are priced below 2k,(not saying that steel he is using is close as tough as Infi),,,but there are surely many knifemakers,who does knifes from steel compositions and heat treatment that will exceed infi properties in every contest....If one is really interested and do his research-will find easy many craftsmen as such everywhere.Best way is to look into knifemakers associations and to study their profiles,websites and to contact them with your request,especially those who are good,but not very well known yet,can do very competitive prices....That is my opinion....I believe Busse is making very good and top notch product,but value vs money? Sure,there is many way better options out there i think.

Soooo....to repeat the question: who? Who's making these vastly better knives for the money than Busse? Please stop talking around the question, and just give an answer. What custom maker out there is making knives that are better, tougher, and stronger than Busse knives (that come with a sheath) for the same money Busse charges?

 

[Seriousbladeno1]

Soooo....to repeat the question: who? Who's making these vastly better knives for the money than Busse? Please stop talking around the question, and just give an answer. What custom maker out there is making knives that are better, tougher, and stronger than Busse knives (that come with a sheath) for the same money Busse charges?

[video]http://s1377.photobucket.com/user/serious1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0347_zpsc8ka66yu.jpg.html?sort=3&o=4[/video]

[video]http://s1377.photobucket.com/user/serious1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0354_zps7ivrwemh.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2[/video]

Example??? ok.Did you have an impression Busse is the toughest? This beast will smoke away any Busse,no contest....

(Himalayan Imports 20,8"inch Chiruwa AngKhola,9/16"thickness of blade,dual heat treated,zone tempered,5160 hand forged,carbon leaf spring steel)

Lifetime warranty-as a pry bar included,both on the blade and handle.If you ever manage to break it,HI will issue two of these,under their terms and conditions.

 

[hungdangnguyen23]

^Yeah but I haven't seen that khukri featured on walking dead...

hah I kid, but I'm in the market for a khukri chopper and have been eyeing Himalayan Imports the past few days...

 

[AntDog]

[video]http://s1377.photobucket.com/user/serious1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0347_zpsc8ka66yu.jpg.html?sort=3&o=4[/video]

[video]http://s1377.photobucket.com/user/serious1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0354_zps7ivrwemh.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2[/video]

Example??? ok.Did you have an impression Busse is the toughest? This beast will smoke away any Busse,no contest....

(Himalayan Imports 20,8"inch Chiruwa AngKhola,9/16"thickness of blade,dual heat treated,zone tempered,5160 hand forged,carbon leaf spring steel)

Lifetime warranty-as a pry bar included,both on the blade and handle.If you ever manage to break it,HI will issue two of these,under their terms and conditions.

With the short, shallow grind on that thing it might make an ok splitting maul.

Smoke ANY Busse, no contest? No. Just, No.

HI Khuks are "aight", they really are. I've liked the couple I had. However, Busse Knives are simply on a different level. In every way possible.

I would put INFI up against 5160 any day of the week, and I loooove 5160.

 

[Seriousbladeno1]

With the short, shallow grind on that thing it might make an ok splitting maul.

Smoke ANY Busse, no contest? No. Just, No.

HI Khuks are "aight", they really are. I've liked the couple I had. However, Busse Knives are simply on a different level. In every way possible.

I would put INFI up against 5160 any day of the week, and I loooove 5160.

Well,its not 5160,like 5160 mate!!! Its about how is it processed to finish.... This stuff is going through thick steel drums like through butter,leaving convex edge fully intact...this crazy,unseen firepower in the blade....

 

[Seriousbladeno1]

^Yeah but I haven't seen that khukri featured on walking dead...

hah I kid, but I'm in the market for a khukri chopper and have been eyeing Himalayan Imports the past few days...

If you seek really undestructible blade,that stops at nothing,recommend you go for this model, there s warranty too,that no other can match

 

[AntDog]

Lol, do you work for H.I.?

 

[Blade Runner 7]

Hey Serious,
You really need to stop saying Busse knives are $600-$2500 average. You are WAY off! Go check out their website and look at prices. the most expensive knife on there is less than $700. The cheapest is just over $200. And that's not accounting for Swamp Rat and Scrapyard which are much cheaper. I'm so tired of people saying Busse is expensive but they never complain about Barf River, Survive!, etc... Even ZT, Spyderco Cold Steel, and Benchmade fixed blades are in the same ballpark as Busse family knives. You are taking the absolutely most expensive knife (which happens to be more steel than like 5 of your HI knives put together) and comparing it to something totally unrelated. How about this for example. The Busse TTKZ CG when it was available sold for $547. And that's a full exposed tang knife, made in America (you seem to not realize the differences in economy. Woah big surprise someone in Nepal gets paid $5/day. I wonder why they cost less?), out of superior proprietary steel, with a lifetime guarantee. Oh and you get WAY more options as far as coatings, handle material, and custom options. At this point we are beating a dead horse. If you don't understand what makes things cost more than others I suggest you take a class on economics.

 

[Seriousbladeno1]

Lol, do you work for H.I.?[/QUOTE



No,not at all mate, i just love big massive fatal blades,that no dead would be walking after

 

[mainaman]

I have been a knife nut all my life and don't understand the Busse craze. Most I've spent on one is $150. What is it about Busse that commands the high price?
TY

Try and break one.

Actually here is how much it takes to break a Busse, it is a 9 part video.

[video=youtube;jwcRSU0R8kE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwcRSU0R8kE[/video]

 

[Seriousbladeno1]

Hey Serious,
You really need to stop saying Busse knives are $600-$2500 average. You are WAY off! Go check out their website and look at prices. the most expensive knife on there is less than $700. The cheapest is just over $200. And that's not accounting for Swamp Rat and Scrapyard which are much cheaper. I'm so tired of people saying Busse is expensive but they never complain about Barf River, Survive!, etc... Even ZT, Spyderco Cold Steel, and Benchmade fixed blades are in the same ballpark as Busse family knives. You are taking the absolutely most expensive knife (which happens to be more steel than like 5 of your HI knives put together) and comparing it to something totally unrelated. How about this for example. The Busse TTKZ CG when it was available sold for $547. And that's a full exposed tang knife, made in America (you seem to not realize the differences in economy. Woah big surprise someone in Nepal gets paid $5/day. I wonder why they cost less?), out of superior proprietary steel, with a lifetime guarantee. Oh and you get WAY more options as far as coatings, handle material, and custom options. At this point we are beating a dead horse. If you don't understand what makes things cost more than others I suggest you take a class on economics.

Hi Antdog

I understand your frustration over things you described....First i have to respond to you-i am fan of every good and worth blade regardless of "brand"....I like Busse very much (only their large blades Battle Mistress, Moab) - Let me please correct you in steel mass put into blade in your view 5 HI into 1 Busse,,,,,,the blade i display here-MOAB seem next to it like junior high....(friend have moab),,,HI CAK is way bigger more devastating blade,with momentum and velocity impact that moab is just not capable to do,due to construction features....(physics),,,i was looking for absolute ultimate weapon,able to take substitute for knife-axe-machete-sword in one.

Talking price differences,yes that is clear to everybody,but me as a consumer i am interesting and searching for best possible options to get most value for money i was talking about...I did not presented any particular comments of who is my favourite,just stated,there are better options (at least for me) than investing (according me) into overly priced items,when one can get same,or higher quality,for less or same money...,Untill i was challenged by other member here,i did not intend to continue in this thread,but hey-so here it goes....I love all good quality blades and always looking to get the best possible

 

[mainaman]

Busse knife does look nice, but obviously overprice and most of them are just too thick behind the edge.

At the same amount of money you can have a better knife if you go custom route. And yes, I do have few Busse.

Depends on the use , the ones you have in the pics are not designed to cut salami with. They are made to go hack thick and very hard things with.
Try Boss Street, RMD, SOB, AMS etc, smaller knives for finer tasks not very thick behind the edge.

 

[mainaman]

Can one of the Busse fans tell me if they truly believe that Infi is a "proprietary steel"? Do you believe a steel company really makes a special steel just for Busse? After speaking with a former Busse employee, he said it's not a proprietary steel, but a proprietary heattreat.
I've owned a few Busse & find them Ok. The first Busse I purchased was from Jerry at a Dayton Ohio gunshow many years ago.

They get the steel sheets from somewhere, because they do not have any thickness one may like. For example for Battle mistress they have 0.27" stock, and will not make custom shop FFBM because they do not get the .330" (might be off here) stock. Same for MOAB, they can make one if they have the stock in the shop. That leads me to believe that someone makes the steel for them.

 

[AntDog]

They get the steel sheets from somewhere, because they do not have any thickness one may like. For example for Battle mistress they have 0.27" stock, and will not make custom shop FFBM because they do not get the .330" (might be off here) stock. Same for MOAB, they can make one if they have the stock in the shop. That leads me to believe that someone makes the steel for them.

Someone makes the steel for everyone. It has never been claimed that Busse makes their own steel. The claim is that it is a proprietary blend, made for them, and subjected to a proprietary heat treatment in house.