Busse FFBM vs Himalayan Imports 18" AK Chopping Video.

[Ankerson]

What I have done here is take the Busse FFBM, the Best Bowie style chopper and put it against the Himalayan Imports 18" AK. Now the HI AK is 1/2" thick and weighs twice what the Busse FFBM does and it's a Khurki. This video shows what the next step up in choppers does.

Thought you all would get a kick out of this over here, I have had mine for about 8 years or so.

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[Cpl Punishment]

Good post Ankerson.

I guess I am a bit jaded. When I got into kukris, my largest knife was a RAT-7, amnd I never even thought of chopping with such a small knife.

I got my first Battle Mistress several years after using my 20" CAK and was expecting great things given the rave chopping reviews they get. I was quite underwhelmed by its performance. Don't get me wrong, I still love my Mistresses, but for doing knife duty, not as choppers.

 

[cybrok]

Great image quality.

How about comfort? How would you compare the ergonomy?

 

[Ankerson]

The handle is big enough for me and feels good.

They both feel good to me.

I usually use it to split logs with and chop really big stuff.

 

[Robin Shooter]

Cool video. It's obvious that you could fell a 12" hardwood tree with that AK, and it wouldn't even take a ridiculous amount of effort. You made it unduly hard on yourself by attacking the log from your knees.

 

[Ankerson]

Cool video. It's obvious that you could fell a 12" hardwood tree with that AK, and it wouldn't even take a ridiculous amount of effort. You made it unduly hard on yourself by attacking the log from your knees.

I know I did, but for the video I had to do it.

It will go through green wood a lot faster too.

 

[Ankerson]

Good post Ankerson.

I guess I am a bit jaded. When I got into kukris, my largest knife was a RAT-7, amnd I never even thought of chopping with such a small knife.

I got my first Battle Mistress several years after using my 20" CAK and was expecting great things given the rave chopping reviews they get. I was quite underwhelmed by its performance. Don't get me wrong, I still love my Mistresses, but for doing knife duty, not as choppers.

You really can't compare a Bowie style knife to a big Khurki and be fair about it because it's not the same.

I wouldn't feel jaded at all, the Busses are the very best Bowie style choppers on the market and they will out perform all of the other ones.

 

[KiljoyKutlery]

I feel a bit silly asking this, but what are the specs of the FFBM, I used to own one, but that was a while ago...so I dont remember. IIRC its like a 10" blade by 2" with a spine of about 5/16" thick...?? Overall length escapes me. Am I right?
I always loved my FFBM, and FBM's, but my taste changes on a whim, and now I wish I kept one.
Now my Kuks on the other hand, are BEASTS in the chopping realm, I have a WWII that is about 1/4" thick, and close in size...I bet it would still win that battle...
Anyways, thanks for a great vid. Gene
\
EDIT: Another reason I ask, is I am looking for a leather set of pants for this big guy from WALT DAVIS, and I think its pretty close in size to a FBM.

 

[Ankerson]

I feel a bit silly asking this, but what are the specs of the FFBM, I used to own one, but that was a while ago...so I dont remember. IIRC its like a 10" blade by 2" with a spine of about 5/16" thick...?? Overall length escapes me. Am I right?
I always loved my FFBM, and FBM's, but my taste changes on a whim, and now I wish I kept one.
Now my Kuks on the other hand, are BEASTS in the chopping realm, I have a WWII that is about 1/4" thick, and close in size...I bet it would still win that battle...
Anyways, thanks for a great vid. Gene

The FFBM is:

5/16" Thick
16" OAL
2" wide
10" blade.
32 Ounces

 

[KiljoyKutlery]

Thanks alot. The Walt is 10" blade, by 2" wide and 1/4" thick...I bet it fits in FBM sheath. Sorry for interupting your thread...thanks again.!!

 

[Ankerson]

Thanks alot. The Walt is 10" blade, by 2" wide and 1/4" thick...I bet it fits in FBM sheath. Sorry for interupting your thread...thanks again.!!

It likely will.

Sounds like it's gonna be a really sweet blade. :thumbup:

 

[Cpl Punishment]

You really can't compare a Bowie style knife to a big Khurki and be fair about it because it's not the same.

No, it's not. But guys use a lot of hyperbole, saying the Mistresses "chop like axes" and such. . .fell for the hype I guess.

I wouldn't feel jaded at all, the Busses are the very best Bowie style choppers on the market and they will out perform all of the other ones.

Well. . . .unless you count the Giant Chitlangi Bowie as a Bowie style chopper. But then you're still talking a blade over two feet long and just over 4 pounds. . .

 

[Ankerson]

No, it's not. But guys use a lot of hyperbole, saying the Mistresses "chop like axes" and such. . .fell for the hype I guess.



Well. . . .unless you count the Giant Chitlangi Bowie as a Bowie style chopper. But then you're still talking a blade over two feet long and just over 4 pounds. . .

Well yeah... LOL

24" blade, that's a sword.

 

[OldPhysics]

The FFBM did a fine job; no surprise whatever that it cannot out-chop an 18" Khukri (esp. an HI khukri).

Reminds me though. My biggest HI CAK is just a little feller -- a 12". Of course, before I "go bigger," I really need more practice. No use getting a chopper you're not experienced enough to handle.

I'd like to keep all my remaining body parts. It's tradition.:thumbup:

 

[OldPhysics]

No, it's not. But guys use a lot of hyperbole, saying the Mistresses "chop like axes" and such. . .fell for the hype I guess.



Well. . . .unless you count the Giant Chitlangi Bowie as a Bowie style chopper. But then you're still talking a blade over two feet long and just over 4 pounds. . .

Perhaps it's just part of being a fan?

Nope. BM's, wonderful as they are, can't replace an axe for truly serious chopping.

Oh. And that ain't a Bowie-style knife ... it's more a Bowie-style broadsword. Cool, though.

 

[Ankerson]

The FFBM did a fine job; no surprise whatever that it cannot out-chop an 18" Khukri (esp. an HI khukri).

Reminds me though. My biggest HI CAK is just a little feller -- a 12". Of course, before I "go bigger," I really need more practice. No use getting a chopper you're not experienced enough to handle.

I'd like to keep all my remaining body parts. It's tradition.:thumbup:

I told you I was gonna make a video.

I thought about bringing out the 20" AK would have been too much so I used the 18" AK instead. LOL

I could have used my 16.5" CH AK or 18" WWII, but it would have been the same.

 

[Gadgetaholic]

I could have used my 16.5" CH AK or 18" WWII, but it would have been the same.

I'd like to see the 16.5" vs the Busse. How does the weight compare?

My Ganga Ram is 15" & 26oz, in theory a 16" 32oz knife should have an advantage (but not necessarily in practice when they have different blade shapes) for chopping where length & weight help a lot. I'd love to see a comparison with a 16" 32oz HI knife vs Busse vs 32oz hatchet - partly because it would be fair to compare the close equivalents in different style choppers and partly because it compares the performance for choppers that have an identical pack weight.

Of course some people like axes & hatchets, some like Khukuris and some like Busses. Personally I wouldn't buy a Busse because I just can't spend that much money on one knife, but then if my financial situation changed then maybe I'd consider it - I would probably also buy half a dozen (for a start) more HI knives as well. I am not overly fussed on axes or hatchets either, just because I like knives more - and I can't wait to go camping with my Ganga Ram and try it out. If the weather is good next weekend I'll take my GR and my camera and go have some fun!

 

[Ankerson]

I'd like to see the 16.5" vs the Busse. How does the weight compare?

My Ganga Ram is 15" & 26oz, in theory a 16" 32oz knife should have an advantage (but not necessarily in practice when they have different blade shapes) for chopping where length & weight help a lot. I'd love to see a comparison with a 16" 32oz HI knife vs Busse vs 32oz hatchet - partly because it would be fair to compare the close equivalents in different style choppers and partly because it compares the performance for choppers that have an identical pack weight.

Of course some people like axes & hatchets, some like Khukuris and some like Busses. Personally I wouldn't buy a Busse because I just can't spend that much money on one knife, but then if my financial situation changed then maybe I'd consider it - I would probably also buy half a dozen (for a start) more HI knives as well. I am not overly fussed on axes or hatchets either, just because I like knives more - and I can't wait to go camping with my Ganga Ram and try it out. If the weather is good next weekend I'll take my GR and my camera and go have some fun!

It feels pretty close.

I will make another one here this week some time with the 16.5" CH AK. :thumbup:

 

[Gadgetaholic]

It feels pretty close.

I will make another one here this week some time with the 16.5" CH AK. :thumbup:

Two knives that are close to the same length and close to the same weight sounds good enough to me - I look forward to seeing the fair fight and how they compare.

How much does that Busse sell for? I think it is clear that with HI knives we get one hell of a good bargain compared to the other hand made knives available. Though of course the machetes and hatchets can be bought much cheaper - but they aren't hand made and they aren't as much fun as using a nice Khukuri.

 

[Ankerson]

Two knives that are close to the same length and close to the same weight sounds good enough to me - I look forward to seeing the fair fight and how they compare.

How much does that Busse sell for? I think it is clear that with HI knives we get one hell of a good bargain compared to the other hand made knives available. Though of course the machetes and hatchets can be bought much cheaper - but they aren't hand made and they aren't as much fun as using a nice Khukuri.

What now or when they were available from Busse?

They were under $400 during the model run, now they are a lot more.