Busse knives: Basic 7, Natural Outlaw, or Steelheart-E

S

Steelwolf

Joined
Jul 19, 1999
Messages
443
I typically buy folders because that is what I can conveniently carry and use. But once in a while, to partially satisfy my primal urges, I will buy a fixed blade. Those fixed blades are used primarily in basic camp chores during my infrequent camping escapes. But typically they are not used in food preparation (except maybe hacking up joints and bones) as I will have a folder hanging nearby that is much more convenient to use. They could be engaged in some whittling work though, if I have something I need to make. I also typically hike or cycle to where I want to go, so extra weight that doesn't deliver improved performance is frowned upon.

I have so far bought an old model Ka-Bar (planning to get a new one or the D-2 model soon, but I think I'll ask about that in another thread :) ), SOG SEAL 2000, 15" HI Ang Khola khukri, among others.

I think the time has come for me to sample from the Busse line. So the question is, for my typical usage, should I go with the Basic 7 (I believe the 5 is just a wee bit too small and the 9 may be more than I want to carry), the SteelHeart-E, or the Natural Outlaw? The SH-E and Basic7 are approx. the same length and weight, so there probably won't be much difference in functionality, but what about the material? I have heard that the M-INFI used in the Basic models is a little bit more brittle. Is it enough to warrant thinking about paying the little bit extra for the SH-E? On the other hand, the NO is smaller, lighter and cheaper, but is it capable of performing the same tasks as its larger brethren without additional difficulty since it is barely an inch shorter?

Has anyone tried all 3 knives and is able tell me if there is any difference in performance, ease of maintainance or other attendent factors?

Thanks in advance.
 
Save yourself the trouble & get all three :D Honestly the 7 is out of production & harder & harder to find the NO is nice but lacks the chopping ability of the SH so if it was me & it was me about a year ago I would go with the Steelheart & they are still a regular stock item. Oh & if you need a coustom sheath for it let me know:D
 
The Steel Heart is definitely the way to go. I am military and for years have depended on the robustness of the SH to get me through whatever I might encounter. So far, nothing has been able to challenge it.

I also carry one in my vehicle if any other unexpected encounter happens. I wouldn't hesitate to use it to crack open a wrecked car if needed.

Ed
 
Try to handle an E-handle, and see if it is comfortable for you. It doesn't fit me that well, but I really liked my NO other than that. It was actually plenty comfortable, until I went to chopping with it. The Basic 9 fits me better, and the 7 has the same handles. The Basics are also lighter than the Combat series.
I'd look for a Basic 7, personally, because of the handles, but you won't know which you prefer 'til you try them both.
Hard to go wrong with any of the knives you're looking at, IMO.
 
Hahahaha :) I knew that someone would suggest getting all three. But I can't afford it at the moment. So I would like to get something I want to use first, then later as spare cash comes up, get the next model (or move on to another maker).

EdwardB: You seem to be saying that the SH-E is definitely worth the extra. Have you tried the Basic models before? I would certainly like to know which feels better in the hand. I'm a little wary of those rubber-like handles as the SOG stuff leaves a little to be desired.
 
Keep in mind that Jerry warranties the handles as well as the blade on the Basics if you can find them.

I have the Basics #'s 5, 7, 9 and love 'em.
 
SteelWolf
The handles on the Basics are nothing like the ones you'll find on other production knives. The Resiprene C doesn't feel rubberlike and it is a very comfortable handle to use and use hard. Also as Blues has stated Busse Combat covers the handles under the lifetime warranty.

Having said all this, I would get the SH :D:D
I wish I would have started with the Steel Heart, it is a great knife for large and small chores alike.

Stop over to the Busse forum if you have more specific questions on any of the models.
 
I have both the NO and a SH II [straight handle]. Not a doubt in my mind. If you have to pick one, Steelheart!!!! It's really not much more unwieldy than the NO and although the NO is a superb knife too, it will not chop as well. I would take a second knife as well for finer work anyway.
 
I have the referenced knives and can tell you that you will not go wrong with any of them. I really like the Bsic #7 as I am a fan of the resciprne-C handles and like the size, shape and capability of the knife. I doubt that I will ever ascertain the difference between modified INFI and INFI within the realm of my anticipated uses.

With that said, I would get the Steel Heart II/E if I could have only one. It is the flagship of the Busse line and embodies that which is Busse within a single knife.
 
Ditto. The SH-E offers better chopping ability than the NO, with, IMHO, no material difference in handling.

Like Eric says, the Basic handles are nothing like any other I've used. Very comfortable, doesn't "gum" up like some others.

I love my SH (it is a straight handle model) and find it covers my whole use spectrum.

Mike
 
Steelwolf,
You mention that M-INFI is brittle. All the reports I have heard say that it is more ductile and forgiving than real INFI. Maybe some of you other guys might know?
Honestly, I have never bought a 7 inch bladed knife. The closest size to what you are looking for that I have bought is a Satin Jack CG out of 1/4" INFI. I am partial to the BM-E of the Basic 9. I think the extra two inches allows a great deal more of powerful chopping. I would personally go with a big knife because knives in the 6-7inch blade length IMO don't really do anything really well.For instance the 1/4" Satin Jack. Although it didn't do everything real well, it could do most stuff. The new 3/16" SJ would likely be a much better choice. Since a NO,SH,BM,B7 and B9 are all going to slice the same, I would say that if you are looking into a chopping blade, get the bigger knife. I do own a knife with a 7.5 inch blade. I combined all the qualities of the SHBM, SH-SH, a birds beak pommel, zero edge and the "cutco" feel for the handle out precision ground A-2 heat treated by Paul Bos. My BM-E will out chop it, but for being such a short knife(12 inches) it holds it's own. Plus the 5/16" A-2 always gives the blade I bit more massiveness. Best of luck finding the right tool for you,
Lukers
 
SteelWolf! Good to see another Busse boy in the making down under!

Shoot me an email, but you wont go wrong with the NO or SH. I will be in Perth on the 12 & 13, maybe we could catch up bro?
 
Thanks for the information and advice so far. I went ahead with getting the Basci #7 in the end because that's what they had in the shop at this time. Perhaps, if I really like the #7, I might get the guys at the shop to order in the SH-E at a later date. This super thick knife is really quite heavy when you get around to carrying it, but I can feel the weight really help in chopping.

Lukers: hmmm... perhaps I remember the reports wrong. I'll have to look it up again. One of them is a little more brittle, I think because of the lower nitrogen content? I go for 7" blades for this category because I find that is what I can comfortably tote yet still works ok. I know that a bigger knife will be better for chopping, but for chopping at that level, I have a parang, a machete, a 15" HI Ang Khola Khukri and an axe. (I also usually carry my flexible saw which was made from a chainsaw. :) ) The bigger blades tend to be left behind when I go off on foot, or they are stuck in the backpack where they are not immediately ready for use. Perhaps I might be able to carry a 9" in another position, but my 7" blades ride upside down on my load-bearing harness suspenders. 9" just didn't fit on my frame.

Gundy: Sure wish I could meet up with you, but I'm in Singapore and will be here for another month and a half. I'll only get back to Perth on 20th July.
 
Not to worry mate.....next time maybe.

Hey, tell me you don't work in the oil & gas industry (???)
 
Gundy, I don't work in the oil and gas industry. I'm just completing my final semester at university. They have some stupid modular teaching system that doesn't repeat units in both semester. So since I failed only the units in second semester, I need to wait until the second semester comes round before I can return to do finish my degree. *sigh* :(
 
'Bugger!'

...and good luck!

Be sure to fill us in on how the new Busse goes, and pop on over to the Busse forum and join in the chat!

Be safe!
 
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