Busse Natural Outlaw Review......

Marion David Poff

Marion David Poff

Joined
Oct 8, 1998
Messages
5,403
MDP,
Very fine review. I would disagree with you on one issue (and it's really not a disagreement) and that's the chopping part but only because for most of the kind of chopping I do, it's not akin to what people think of when they think of chopping. I typically chop small stuff. So I see the NO as a better chopper than say a typical small hunting blade.

The NO is similar in size to the Becker Companion, another lightweight that would be classified as a borderline chopper. But I carry it when I'm in the field for that very reason. I use it to chop off the paws of small game, to clear briars that cling to my pants or remove twigs that might poke me in the eye. This is not something I would do with my Marbles sport99. I need something bigger but not huge.

So really, I think there are two kinds of choppers out there. The big brawny types ideal for chopping rope at blade shows and building log cabins,
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and the small chopper that's just plain handy in the field and not so big it's causing your body to tilt to one side.

And as you point out, if you need to chop big stuff (such as in a survival situation where you need to build a shelter), you can baton the NO to quickly take out small saplings. NOW I'm wondering why I didn't pick one up at the Grand Rapids Gun and Knife show yesterday.
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The small big knife like the NO, Companion, Fallkniven A1, etc, has to be one of the handiest items around for someone in the field. You can do a lot of chopping with a knife that really isn't competitive with the big choppers. I see the small big knife as a practical chopper, not a great chopper. The big choppers seem great for kindling, large, heavy brush removal, and survival applications but as a regular carry for hiking or hunting, they are overkill for me.


------------------
Hoodoo

I get some pleasure from finding a relentlessly peaceful use for a combative looking knife.
JKM
 
Hoodoo brings up a good poit. Look at most knives as a compromise. I will gladly sacrifice some chopping ability in exchange ofr easier carry and better "overall" performance. Choppermania has caused many to ignore the time tested methods of the baton.

This is yet another opportunity for me to extol the virtues of the Chris Reeve One Piece Range; in this instance, my favorite: The Project 1.
 
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