Busse Knives (INFI Steel): Is It Worth The Price?

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Altaraz

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Hey guys, I'm looking at a couple of Busse knives (one 11" blade gray coated and another 10" blade satin finish). Both cost around 500$ each. My question here is, is it really worth it? I don't have any previous experience with Busses so I'm not sure. But for that price, my expectations would be relatively high.

From what I've read about this line of knives, INFI doesn't chip, it just rolls. Then again I've heard of people doing amazing things with them, like hacking through bolts and other thick metal objects without much edge damage (if any.) That sounds pretty amazing - can someone with Busse experience confirm all the hype as fact?

For this price, I could also get a similar sized Fehrman knife, made with CPM3V. I'm trying to decide which I should get. Recommendations anyone?
 
It works like this... Busse makes INFI knives... they are IMHO the best knives being made in terms of edge retention and durability (hard as hell to sharpen though)

BUT, they cost 2-5 times as much as knives that will work JUST as well in almost every circumstance.

if your life is going to depend on it, cost is less important... otherwise, decide based on your finances and your willingness to spend large sums of money
 
I am going to lurk here. I am thinking about getting a busse (6.5-9 inch) and I plan on using it and later carrying when i enlist. [Also I would like to insert myself in here saying any recommendations all i see in here are abreviations that I don't know. I am looking for something with a bloodlet similiar to the Ka-bar (saw one on a boss jack proto? and team gemini) ]
I have seen people basically do stuff to their knife that would destroy any other knife using infini so I am wondering as well
 
Busse knives have a lot of hype and for good reason...they more than live up to it. These knives you can hand down to your grandchildren. Can't afford one at the moment, but one day I will. Yeah, one day.....
 
They are great knives, but they are way past the optimum point on the price/performance curve. IMO they aren't worth the price, and I say this after having owned and subsequently sold 4-5 of them.

I'm 100% there will be scores of owners who disagree with me.
 
I'm planning on ordering one of the team gemini light brigades in a month or so, until then I have no first hand experience just read and hear all the good things. I figure it will be worth it to find out just how good these knives are, if i find I don't like it I'm sure I will be able to sell it and get most if not all of my money back.
 
Altaraz said:
Hey guys, I'm looking at a couple of Busse knives (one 11" blade gray coated and another 10" blade satin finish). Both cost around 500$ each. My question here is, is it really worth it? I don't have any previous experience with Busses so I'm not sure. But for that price, my expectations would be relatively high.

From what I've read about this line of knives, INFI doesn't chip, it just rolls. Then again I've heard of people doing amazing things with them, like hacking through bolts and other thick metal objects without much edge damage (if any.) That sounds pretty amazing - can someone with Busse experience confirm all the hype as fact?

For this price, I could also get a similar sized Fehrman knife, made with CPM3V. I'm trying to decide which I should get. Recommendations anyone?
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A lot will depend on what you are really expecting and how the knives will be used.
 
The Busse knives come and go as far as availability, and they're cheapest if you buy them when they are currently in production. If you see a design you like and want, buy it. You can always sell it later and recoup your money if you are disappointed. The three currently available models are all good knives. The Sarge-7 and the Team Gemini are a couple of great 7 inchers.





 
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It's one of those questions that can only be answered by you, for me the answer will always be Yes.

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IMHO, A good 1095 will do 90% of what INFI will do at 10% the cost.

The real question is are willing to pay 90% more to experience that extra 10%?

If the answer is yes then rock on.
 
I bought my first one last month -- a black/blue (bruiser) SARGE-7 -- and am still in shock that I paid that much for a knife but I am in love with it. Never had a knife that looked or felt this good in my hand. It didn't come as sharp a I'd like but after a bit of practice I can get it shaving sharp even after hacking through a few small trees and splitting some kindling. Can anyone name a good knife that looks that good for half the cost? Some of it is the design for me -- this one is a beauty! And they do seem to hold their value since the runs are limited. Just my 2 cents.
 
Don't buy any Busse knives, if you buy and use one, you have to buy more and more 'til you in a poor house, but you'll be happy.
:D
 
You can also look into the sister companies of Busse. Swamp Rat and Scrapyard knives. Applying the same heat treat process to other steels and the results are amazing if you cant fork out the price.

However. I am new to INFI myself and I have the Basic 4. All I can say is my questioning of INFI is done.

I used mine in the kitchen, did some woodwork and cut a few other things like pipe etc, also my foot :) I just stropped and it shaved again. I have not experienced that with any other steel.

If YOU can justify the cost it is worth for you, if you cant, buy the other product that is worth for you. I love ESEE, Swamp Rat and Scrapyard. You get great quality for the price with those three companies in my opinion.

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elkins45 said:
They are great knives, but they are way past the optimum point on the price/performance curve. IMO they aren't worth the price, and I say this after having owned and subsequently sold 4-5 of them.

I'm 100% there will be scores of owners who disagree with me.
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I agree with you. I owned dozens of them. I got two of the first 300 SHBM's friom the shop. I own a single Fherman Final Judgment, and while I got mine when they were 360.00. I am contemplating buying a Satin finished one. Between that and all my folders I am set for two lifetimes. Serously look into Fehrman. When I opened the box and used it both, I dropped and shook my head at how great that knife is.
 
If you don't want to pay the higher Busse prices, you can get some great knives, at lower cost from their sister company's Swamprat, and Scrapyard. Sometimes using INFI as well, but their SR101 is also very good carbon steel.
 
To me, the best part about Busse knives is their ability to hold their price, making a Busse knife tryout a low risk endeavor.
Get one, play with it, and decide for yourself.
Also, keep your expectations in check; hacking through bolts without the obvious damage to edge the they do not.
 
For me the answer is an unqualified "Yes."

As a back country SAR volunteer, having a knife that has never let me down (no matter the challenge) is priceless.

Just my $.02...

Cheers,
8
 
For the size you mentioned, then I would say yes it will be worth it, smaller blades you can find a lot better performance from different brands for far less-- and " BePrepared dude" best edge retention and hard to sharpen??? what are you smoking?
 
I have found INFI very easy to sharpen. almost melts against a belt sander. they are great knives, but like many have said, where the price point meets the performance level is a little skewed. for $500 you could get a custom from any of the great makers here on BFC, that you would have a say in its design and materials, and could compete with a Busse any day of the week. not saying you shouldn't get a Busse, just for that kind of money you have a lot of good options that are worth exploring. Good luck!
 
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