Busse Recommendation

Joined
Mar 15, 2001
Messages
2,450
OK, I've looked at the sticky threads above, at other websites, etc. and I think I have some idea about the wonderful world of Busses (including that I'm going to be broke really soon :eek: ). I'm primarily looking for something to take hiking and camping. For reference purposes, I currently use a BK-7 or my Fallkniven Oden for these tasks. Here is what I think I'm looking for.

Blade: Black crinkle coat, 7-9 inches, not too thick at the spine - I want control AND chopping capability
Handle/Scales: Snakeskin, the ergo handles look like they would be more comfortable, but I'm not sure.

For what it's worth, my hands are medium size, so that may narrow the search a bit. (??)

So what model would you recommend? (and do you have a picture :D ) Am I missing any key characteristics in my description, above? Thanks in advance for any help!

- Mark
 
I think you should get a basic 7.

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Sounds like you might also take a look at the Steel Hearts.

The one in the picture below is a HOG (Heavy Ordinance Grade) Fusion Steel Heart, so it's 5/16" thick.

But in the Fusion series, there are two other sizes under the HOG. The Heavy Hearts and the regular FSH's.

Regular specs:
* 1/4" INFI Steel
* 8" Blade
* 14" OAL
* 58-60 RC

There are, of course, Steel Heart E's, but they're a bit harder to find. There's a Heavy Heart or two on the Exchange right now.

Links for you:

http://homepage.mac.com/zombiekiller/badmojo/04sh.html

http://homepage.mac.com/zombiekiller/badmojo/sh.html


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A Basic 7 or Basic 9 would be pretty easy to find.

The Muddy Mojo I just got is in your size range and it is made from fairly thin stock but I have never chopped with it.

A Hell Razor or SFNO is probably smaller than what you are looking for.

The BIBB would fit but they are hard to find.

I think a Steel Heart would be a good choice but I have never owned one.

If you expand your search to Swamp Rats as well, the Camp Tramp and Ratweiler are very nice.
 
I second the Fusion Steel Heart choice!! :thumbup:
I've never owned one either. But thats definitely what I would go with!
And you definitely have your choice of thickness, fit and finish.
If you're looking for Black Crinkle. I'd go with a Heavy Heart. (the name for a thicker version of a steelheart. Not as thick as the HOGSH, though) It is a little thicker than the origional, which will give you a little more heft when chopping.
 
...something to take hiking and camping...7-9 inches...ergo handles...So what model would you recommend?...and do you have a picture...

Ergos? Did someone say Ergos? :D Here's my 2 hiking companions. On the left is the Ergo Battle Mistress and on the right is an Ergo Badger Attack. I tend to favor carrying 2 blades instead of having one in the middle. The BM-E has a 9" blade and the BA-E has a 5" blade.

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If you're looking for more of an all around size, check out the Ergo Steel Heart which has a 7" blade. There's a SH-E on the Exchange right now.

Edit: Here's another SH-E on the Exchange.

BOTH of these are for sale by great guys and you should have no hesitations in dealing with either.
 
MAn, a ZTBM -- now that would be a sweet all arounder. Or, a ZTSH (zero tolerance steel heart) if you want the 7" blade... but those aren't cheap.
 
IMO, the FSH is the apex of Jerry's design work to date. It definitely fits your program, but it's still a hell of a lot of knife to be traipsing through the woods with.

What would be cool would be a ZT FSH. :D

Not to jack the thread, but it's precisely because of INFI's superior capabilities that the blades could be made thinner. Ironic that so many of them are overbuilt. A 1/4" spine is pretty freakin' thick for a general-purpose cutting tool, even if it does provide superior chopping capability. In practical terms, the HOG is a specialized chopping tool - still more versatile than a hatchet, but not a blade well-suited to slicing tasks.

I think it would be interesting to experiment with a variety of different thicknesses of FSH's, with different secondary grind angles. My guess is that a thinner spine with a more obtuse secondary grind would outperform (overall) a thicker blank with a more acute sharpening.
 
I have a Mini EU-17 and a Muddy Mojo.

They both have similar handles, they both weigh about the same.

The Mini has ~1/4" Infi and the Mojo has ~3/16" Infi.

I'm sure the Mojo would out chop the Mini because of it's length and ballence advantage.

The Mojo feels pretty quick in the hand because the ballence point isn't that far forward.

The Mini feels very quick because the ballence point is around the index finger.

I think my ultimate would be a ~3/16" SHSH in Infi.

I like the grip on a Battle Rat which was patterned after the Straight Handle knives. I like a knife that feels quick. The SHSH is probably just the right size to make a nice chopper that still feels quick.
 
Hmm....about the Hell Razor.

Mine has a 6 7/8" blade above the handle. Very comfortable grip, wide blade with corrugations to ease chopping, nice choil for control when needed. Spine isn't too thick -- about 3/16" (much less than my FBMs). My own hands are medium-sized and are quite comfortable on the HR's handle.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for this duty. And HR's can be had for somewhere in the mid to upper 3's (no sheath) -- given that you like the black crinkle coat, you could get it in the mid 3's.

For a picture, try: http://cgi.ebay.com/Busse-Combat-HellRazor-INFI-knife_W0QQitemZ170069035070QQcmdZViewItem

(I know -- it's ePray...but the picture's not bad)
 
I would recommend....... SFNO!!!:cool: :cool:

The best knife ever IMO.

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Thanks everybody for the suggestions! I think that the SH, HH, or HR look like the way to go. Do all three have roughly the same amount of sharpened blade length?

- Mark
 
The Steel Heart and Heavy Heart have very similar blades, the Hell Razor is quite a bit smaller.
 
Wash is correct. The HR is definitely at the small end for you -- though the blade is wide and...I'd say...a darn good chopper.

Doubt you could find an SH or HH for as little as an HR.
 
Hell Razor. Only because you mentioned "not too thick at the spine". It's a 6" long wide-bodied blade that's only 3/16th thick, strengthened throughout by Jerry's patented corrugated bevels.
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