Busse noob needs suggestions/help!

S

simpkin

Joined
Jul 12, 2007
Messages
14
Hi guys, I am a proud owner of my first Busse--an Active Duty (almost anyway, it's on its way from the BCS). However, as excited as I am to get it, ultimately I don't think it's exactly what I'm looking for. I can't seem to find a comprehensive list of the entire Busse line complete with pics and knife/blade measurements anywhere (the Busse line seems pretty large and complex), and I was wondering if any of you could give me some help by letting me know which Busse knife fits my general criteria. I'm looking for a 4- 4.5 inch long blade that's thicker than 1/8 inch but preferably thinner than 3/16 inch and with a drop point in INFI. Basically I'm looking for the Busse version of the Ray Mears/Alan Wood Woodlore knife or Stewart Marsh Bushcraft knife (I hope saying that isn't sacrilege in the Busse forum). Any suggestions?

Just in case it might help, here's my general background. Mostly I'm a rock climber now, but I used to spend a lot of time backpacking and canyoneering and I'm slowly getting back into it. Of the two knives I used to use on my backpacking trips, one got confiscated at the airport (forgot to take it out off my keychain) and the other got lost when I moved. I haven't bought a knife (at least a non-kitchen knife) in 15 years and was originally planning on buying a Benchmade or Cold Steel since I was familiar with those brands previously, but in doing some research I came across Busse and realized that was probably the way to go. The knife I'm looking for is going to be used for everything from kitchen prep to chopping up wood so it needs to be pretty versatile. I have a bunch of trips lined up this year both locally and internationally so I'm brushing up on my survival and bushcraft skills, but I don't do much hunting (though I have occasionally trapped small game). I like to pack light and I've never been comfortable using large knives, hence the desire for a 4-5 inch blade. (side question: Anyone take a knife like this with them while traveling overseas? Were you able to pack it in your luggage? Any problem with customs?) I feel like the perfect Busse knife is out there somewhere for me--anyone know what it is? Or will my Active Duty fulfill what I'm looking for?

Anyway, I'd appreciate any help you all can offer. Thanks a ton.

Blessings,
Brian
 
Sounds like you're looking for a Badger Attack TAC. There should be some available from the Co Store in the near future. Otherwise, you can probably pick one up on the exchange - I see them all the time.

Good luck in your search! And welcome to bladeforums! ;)
 
Brian,
Welcome to Bladeforums. Good first post.
I woulld suggest filling in your public profile a little more and turning on your "recieve email" option in your usercontrol panel.

I think the knife you are looking for will be the Badger.
http://www.bussecollector.com/subpage8.html
this link will show you a picture of the badger as well as most of the busse knives since Jerry started.
 
Thanks guys for the warm welcomes and the quick replies--I didn't think anyone would be awake and paying attention right now. Didn't know bussecollector.com existed, that's very helpful (also badmojo.tv).

Raining--when you say some Badger Attacks should be in the Co. Store in the near future, how near is that future? My understanding is Busse only releases the same model knife every 3 years. Is the Badger Attack cycle coming up soon? Or am I way off in how Busse works?
 
Brian:

The Busse Knife Company had a production run of the Badger Attack TAC earlier this year. Usually once a standard production run is finished, the Company Store carries the same model. Often with different options in blade or handle color. The Company Store is due to carry the BATAC sometime “soon”—e.g., before Christmas.

But I wouldn’t recommend the Badger for a bushcraft knife. It’s longer than you specified: 5 5/16” from tip to handle scale. It’s wide for a bushcraft knife: 1 9/16” from spine to edge. It has too much belly to give you the sharp point a bushcraft knife needs.

For a readily available Busse bushcraft knife I’d suggest the miliganza Meaner Streets. True, it’s closer to a clip than to a drop point. And it measures 3/16” at the spine. But it has a 4” blade that is 1” from spine to edge. It’s well shaped for bushcraft work, with less belly than the Badger, giving you a good point. A 3/16” X 4” INFI blade will stand up to anything normal bushcraft work can throw at it.

It’s available on the exchange right now, at a markup. And since the Company Store is selling the Active Duties, they will probably sell the Meaners sometime soon. Both were millaganza specials.
 
Brian, I think you're looking for an medium aged badger (ABA or BAIII), but it will be hard to find, given that RedWolfHowlin has scarfed them all up...

You can view his hoard here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=484348



Badger.jpg
 
I'd rather use my Badger III for bushcraft than my Meaner. So what? What good is it to advise Brian to use a knife that is, for all practical purposes, unavalable?
 
Raymond1000 said:
I'd rather use my Badger III for bushcraft than my Meaner. So what? What good is it to advise Brian to use a knife that is, for all practical purposes, unavalable?
Click to expand...

Just trying to give him an honest answer myself. I told him I was having trouble finding a BAIII, but I could be looking harder. Some like the challange of finding a knife, some don't. Thought I would leave that up to Brian.

I feel the meaner is to small for what he asked and the BATAC may be a little big,
just felt he needed to know about the BAIII at least. He can decide if he wants to track it down or not.

Brian, if you want to try a BATAC there are some one the exchange know at good prices. If you feel it to large you can always get your money back by selling.
 
simpkin, welcome to the busse forum, as others have advised i would think the badger is your knife. you might also look at one of the older satin jacks. it will have a slightly longer blade but is a very easy belt or pack carry and makes an excellent camp knife.





.
 
I feel the meaner is to small for what he asked and the BATAC may be a little big,
just felt he needed to know about the BAIII at least. He can decide if he wants to track it down or not.
Click to expand...

Fair point. But do we want to advise a noobie to go hunting for a rare model? I'd save that for somebody who is already hooked on INFI.

Brian did specify 4" to 4 1/2". The meaner qualifies.
 
Don't listen to Raymond, he is obviously putting up a smoke screen so that HE can hog all the BAIII's :grumpy: :grumpy: :grumpy:
 
Ken44 is right (always is) or you could get a Battle Mistress and have Porkducci grind it down to whatever size you prefer. :thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top