Busse knife handling characteristics

H

Harold Mayo

Joined
Nov 12, 2001
Messages
30
I have been thinking about getting a Busse knife for quite a while but just never got around to it until now. The current series looks quite good in terms of strength and durability, but what about handling? The current line all look like choppers. I'm concerned that whatever one I get might be unwieldy for anything but chopping, which would be better done with an ax or hatchet, anyway.

I'm looking at one of the following: Steel Heart, Natural Outlaw, Badger Attack, or Mr. Mojo. The BA is my least-favored choice and I'm not all that interested in it, but can anyone tell me how the others feel?

I would like to mess with them myself, but don't know where I could find them. I live in Indianapolis. Does anyone know where the closest dealer might be to me?
 
One of the more important aspects, balance wise, of the combat line is the index finger cutout on the blade. Even on the blades with the heavest balance (straight handled Battle Mistress), if you use the cutout to shift your grip forward, the blade becomes very light in hand. If you want to go lighter still, you might want to check out the Killer B series.

-Cliff
 
Hi Harold,

My first recommendation: Call the Busse shop to locate a knife show you can attend so you can handle the various models. By attending a show, you have the opportunity to check out all the current production models and oft-times some of the custom units as well. Your ideal Busse may not be one of the standard units, but rather a non-catalog knife. A half hour or so of handling the various Busse models will tell you more about which one is right for your hand than any opinion I can offer. You know what your needs are for the blade, now it's just a matter of finding which model will most comfortably fulfill that mission.

I concur that most of the Combat Grade blades are chunky chopper-looking units, which is usually a very good choice for ultimate survival blades. However, there are lots of us whose activities will more likely fall into camping, hunting, trapping, fishing, yardwork, and household cutting than in the realm of actually needing our knife to keep us alive for a few weeks in the boonies. You may want to consider some of the not-so-chunky non-combat-grade Busse blades, because having the combo of INFI and Jerry's asymetrical edge makes for a very durable knife no matter what your needs are for the blade.

I recommend looking at the Satin Jack as a more generally utilitarian blade than the BM, SH, NO, or BA. The SJ's slimmer edge to spine aspect ratio makes for a more maneuverable tip in delicate operations. Its 6" long clip-point blade configuration makes it a very convenient sized general purpose knife, assuming that you won't need to chop with it.

If you don't mind the cord-wrapped handles, the Purebred Fighter line has slimmer blades than the CG models. These were supposedly a limited time offer during August or September IIRC, but may still be available if you call the shop. Alternatively, you can contact Andre Dumochel (Papathud here on the forum), who has always proven to be very enthusiastic about Busses, to see if he has any in stock or on the way.

Another alternative, albeit a rather more expensive one, would be to look at buying a used Lean Mean Street. They occasionally show up in the For Sale Forum here on BF. The price is typically in the $300+ range. However, the LMS is a very handy little blade that draws pretty enthusiastic praise from those who own them.

Yours in nuclear slimline blades,
Greg
 
I'll second Cliff's assessment of the very functional choil on the standard Busse line. Even with the Steel Heart, my favorite, the weight of the knife disappears when you put your index finger through the choil, with your thumb atop the spine, to do finer work. My hand does not get tired even during extended work in this hold. You can also place your middle finger through the choil, with your index finger along the spine, for effective slicing and even legitimate point work for such a big knife. Both holds are secure and comfortable.

The unique edge geometry and flat grind on Busse's knives maximize cutting efficiency, which lowers the amount of effort one must expend on most tasks, and makes using these big knives no more cumbersome or tiring than using much smaller knives in other configurations. At the same time, in the broad, thick standard Busse blade profile you have a powerful wedge and/or lever to use when called upon, that is without peer among utility knives, IMO. And the chopping power available via backing up on the "E" handle, especially on the Steel Heart, is something that has to be experienced to be fully appreciated. The Busse Steel Heart performs the broadest range of tasks, without compromise, of any knife I own.

-w
 
It would be in your best interests to handle one for sure. I have a couple of Mad Dogs (Fighter models, not utility), a Busse NO, and a Satin Jack on the way. There is quite a bit of difference in the handles between the Mad Dogs and Busses, but both fit my tastes. The Mad Dog feels lighter, much more like the fighters they are, but the Busse actually feels like it covers both - utility and, if need be, a fighter as well. I have handled one for a couple of minutes, and then the other, trying to pick a clear winner. I can't. I have much more "Time in hand" with the Mad Dog, but I really like the style of the new Busse line.

Different strokes for different folks.
 
My only Busse is a ZT NO. When I ordered it, I asked how it feels in the hand, and the comment was it is quicker than the CG NO. I can tell you that in the speed department, the ZT NO is a dog compare with my Randall #16. But everything in this world is a compromise, it depends on your priority. For my camping trips, I definitely pick the ZT NO over the #16. It chops, slices, and cuts much better than the Randall.

Barnaby
 
It really depends on what you plan on doing with the knife.

The Natural Outlaw is my favorite because it suits most missions profiles. I really like the relief cut out of the choil area. It performs at previously stated.

Though the NO is my most used, I really like the SJ. It's slim, sexy and fells lively in the hand. If it were not for the fact that I was so hooked-up with my NO I would almost say the SJ could be my favorite.

Keep in mind, that if you are willing to give up just a little bit in chopping ability in exchange for nice handling capabilties, do not rule out the Badger Attack. Though it lacks the choil relief I like so much, it is a great general purpose carrying fixed blade with that great Busse INFI.

The BA is not to be written off. In fact, it is, IMHO, one of the more versatile among the Combat line, along with the NO.
 
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