Buying my first Busse?

[ThornStrike]

let me start by saying i have no experience with busse knives whatsoever. I have plenty of experience with knives other than busse though, i just never needed anything like a busse so i generally avoided them. Now though, i find myself needing a powerful, durable, beautiful quality fixed blade, and due to a recent increase in my spending budget, i decided a busse is the way to go.

However, just like i said, im a total newbie to anything busse. I'm sure i will grow to appreciate it, but as of now, i am thoroughly frustrated with the way busse sells their products. So i am the enlisting the help of you experts out there.

I cannot find a way to locate any specific busse knife, or even any category of knives.

I need a fixed blade, with about a 6.5-7.5 inch blade. How can i find all the busse knives in that category?
Is it possible to buy knives (not used) that are already off the busse website(out of production)?
Are there any sellers of busse knives other than busse and other people?
do i just have to wait until a busse product that fits my requirements comes into production?

Sorry about the obnoxious cluelessness and all the questions, im just new to these! I appreciate any input or assistance

 

[M67]

For pics of a lot of busse knives, there are several websites that you can check out:

1) bussecollector.com (really good for specs)
2) Lundestudios (bunch of high quality pics, like amazing pics, Ken's pics are great)
3) Here, bladeforums. Check out the users club or nothing but pics thread.

As for buying knives that are out of production, check the exchange, ebay, or a gun and knife show (Mike at the Indy 1500 usually has a good selection, he's not gonna be there this weekend though). A gun and knife show is a good option though, the prices are generally original price :thumbup:.

There's a lot to learn about Busse, a lot of history and past knives. The best way is too google Busse and read everything that pops up. Good luck on your quest.

 

[gormandu]

I need a fixed blade, with about a 6.5-7.5 inch blade. How can i find all the busse knives in that category?
Is it possible to buy knives (not used) that are already off the busse website(out of production)?
Are there any sellers of busse knives other than busse and other people?
do i just have to wait until a busse product that fits my requirements comes into production?

Why don't you want to buy a knife from the secondary market?
Busse guarantees the knives 100% against breaking, if you're the first owner or the 10th.
You can find some really great deals here in the Busse sale section.
Good Luck.

 

[Jroden5446]

Just turn and run as fast as possible before the madness takes you and you can't escape

 

[ThornStrike]

Why don't you want to buy a knife from the secondary market?
Busse guarantees the knives 100% against breaking, if you're the first owner or the 10th.
You can find some really great deals here in the Busse sale section.
Good Luck.

oh wow. Thats awesome. Originally i didn't want to buy from a second user because i didnt think things like warranties extended through like that. Well that sure does open up a lot of options.

 

[RedbeAR15]

let me start by saying i have no experience with busse knives whatsoever. I have plenty of experience with knives other than busse though, i just never needed anything like a busse so i generally avoided them. Now though, i find myself needing a powerful, durable, beautiful quality fixed blade, and due to a recent increase in my spending budget, i decided a busse is the way to go.

However, just like i said, im a total newbie to anything busse. I'm sure i will grow to appreciate it, but as of now, i am thoroughly frustrated with the way busse sells their products. So i am the enlisting the help of you experts out there.

I cannot find a way to locate any specific busse knife, or even any category of knives.

I need a fixed blade, with about a 6.5-7.5 inch blade. How can i find all the busse knives in that category?
Is it possible to buy knives (not used) that are already off the busse website(out of production)?
Are there any sellers of busse knives other than busse and other people?
do i just have to wait until a busse product that fits my requirements comes into production?

Sorry about the obnoxious cluelessness and all the questions, im just new to these! I appreciate any input or assistance

Have you met THE Knifehunter? He left the Ghetto years ago in search of a better life

 

[1kimo4u]

read the stickies at the top of the busse subforum page. lots of info.

you may be a very sick man............run for the hills man.

 

[HighDesertWalker]

I need a fixed blade, with about a 6.5-7.5 inch blade. How can i find all the busse knives in that category?

For that size range I'd shoot for the middle and get a 7" bladed Hellrazor.

 

[M67]

oh wow. Thats awesome. Originally i didn't want to buy from a second user because i didnt think things like warranties extended through like that. Well that sure does open up a lot of options.

Yeah, forgot to mention that. When Busse means life, they mean LIFE.

And there's nothing wrong with getting a used knife, it's cheaper and still INFI tough

 

[adrock1978]

I need a fixed blade, with about a 6.5-7.5 inch blade. How can i find all the busse knives in that category?

Hog Cult.com

Is it possible to buy knives (not used) that are already off the busse website(out of production)?

Yes, pre-owned but not used. Many people collect Busses and keep them pristine in a safe. They are pre-owned but as new as the day the left the factory. Check the exchange. Prices will be higher than original, but deals can be had. As mentioned, the warrantee transfers to any owner, new or used. If you plan to use and abuse the knife, sometimes buying a well used (user) can score you a cheap knife.

Are there any sellers of busse knives other than busse and other people?
do i just have to wait until a busse product that fits my requirements comes into production?

Nope. The only place to get brand new, never owned Busse knives is from the busse company store, or from Busse Combat. Occasionally "ganzas" go on here, where there is a small quantity of new knives offered, and the person with the quickest email can score the knife.

I'd recommend a Busse Skinny Ash-1. Regarded by many to be the perfect all around knife. It has a 6.5" blade, 12" over all, and decent (not too thick) thickness (.195"). Its a tough, very stout knife, but not overwhelmingly huge. It can chop or be batonned through good size logs/trees

Skinny ASH-1

My first Busse was a used Skinny. It used to be a black coated blade that I recently stripped. Good luck!

 

[ThornStrike]

For that size range I'd shoot for the middle and get a 7" bladed Hellrazor.

after doing some research i came to the same conclusion. either a hell razor or a SF Natural Outlaw. the only issue i could possibly think of with the hell razor is that the blade seems a little too wide (not too thick). Does all that extra steel server any purpose? maybe i'm just too used to the thinner knives from other manufacturers...

Also, would i be better off just waiting for a busse to come out in that 7" range or should i scour for a hellrazor or SFNO?



Edit: thanks adrock! ill be sure to add that to my wanted list too!

 

[HighDesertWalker]

after doing some research i came to the same conclusion. either a hell razor or a SF Natural Outlaw. the only issue i could possibly think of with the hell razor is that the blade seems a little too wide (not too thick). Does all that extra steel server any purpose? maybe i'm just too used to the thinner knives from other manufacturers...

Also, would i be better off just waiting for a busse to come out in that 7" range or should i scour for a hellrazor or SFNO?



Edit: thanks adrock! ill be sure to add that to my wanted list too!

If you are waiting for a blade with specific characteristics it might take a loooong time to find exactly what you want among yet to be produced new models.

The SFNO is a great knife (I've got a couple) but it may be a little more than you are looking for in a first Busse. The blade is slightly over 8" long and the thickness is a full 1/4" as opposed to the HR's 3/16". Thus the SFNO is quite a bit heavier than the HR. I think of the SFNO as being the smallest of the blades that are primarily choppers and the HR as being the largest of the blades that are primarily slicers.

Hope that helps. Good luck to you. :thumbup:

P.S. The SFNO blade is wider than that of the HR.

 

[ThornStrike]

If you are waiting for a blade with specific characteristics it might take a loooong time to find exactly what you want among yet to be produced new models.

The SFNO is a great knife (I've got a couple) but it may be a little more than you are looking for in a first Busse. The blade is slightly over 8" long and the thickness is a full 1/4" as opposed to the HR's 3/16". Thus the SFNO is quite a bit heavier than the HR. I think of the SFNO as being the smallest of the blades that are primarily choppers and the HR as being the largest of the blades that are primarily slicers.

Hope that helps. Good luck to you. :thumbup:

P.S. The SFNO blade is wider than that of the HR.

by all means, correct me if im wrong but, isnt the regular SFNO only 7 inches long and the Nuclear Meltdown SFNO is the heftier one that is 8 inches?

 

[Bigfattyt]

after doing some research i came to the same conclusion. either a hell razor or a SF Natural Outlaw. the only issue i could possibly think of with the hell razor is that the blade seems a little too wide (not too thick). Does all that extra steel server any purpose? maybe i'm just too used to the thinner knives from other manufacturers...

Also, would i be better off just waiting for a busse to come out in that 7" range or should i scour for a hellrazor or SFNO?



Edit: thanks adrock! ill be sure to add that to my wanted list too!

In my experience, the wider blade (edge to spine) or "taller" blade gives you a better slicing geometry. For example, two blades with identical thickness spines, and one had a taller height from spine to edge means that knife will typically have a shallower grind angle. Meaning a better slicer all other things equal.

I typically like a taller blade for most applications. One area where this might not necessarily be true would be a dedicated bushcrafter. There are some intricate carving situations where a shorter blade height will make the job easier.

 

[HighDesertWalker]

by all means, correct me if im wrong but, isnt the regular SFNO only 7 inches long and the Nuclear Meltdown SFNO is the heftier one that is 8 inches?

You're absolutely right TS. I don't own the non-nuclear SFNO so I tend to forget it's out there. But the 7" SFNO is still thicker than the HR and would therefore be heavier. The fact that I don't own the regular SFNO indicates my own preferences, but there are many who would choose differently.

 

[resinguy]

Now though, i find myself needing a powerful, durable, beautiful quality fixed blade, and due to a recent increase in my spending budget, i decided a busse is the way to go.

Well, you have certainly come to the right place. We are ready to help you spend your money!

Personally, I never liked the ASH-1, but the SFNO is a great all-rounder, a little stouter than the Hell Razor. You could try a WTB on that Forum.

Another possibility is the Team Gemini 7, which wil apparently be unveiled this weekend at the Blade Show. It might show up on the Busse Combat site later, or be offered as part of the usual post-Blade 'Ganza. Or pick up one off the Exchange.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=714698&highlight=gemini

Yes, the Busse sales model can be more than a bit frustrating for noobs, so it's not just you.

Good Luck on your quest! :thumbup:

 

[d762nato]

after doing some research i came to the same conclusion. either a hell razor or a SF Natural Outlaw. the only issue i could possibly think of with the hell razor is that the blade seems a little too wide (not too thick). Does all that extra steel server any purpose? maybe i'm just too used to the thinner knives from other manufacturers...

If i were you i'd start with a FFBM or NMFBM after that all the other Busse knives seem smallish. And welcome to our Mad little World here. :thumbup:

 

[adrock1978]

I personally wouldn't get too caught up in the thicker knives. Even the thinnest Busse starts out thicker than most knives. Even comparably thick knives just aren't as tough as Infi. If you're looking for a good all-around use blade, don't just assume .27" or .32" is damn tough and will be bomb proof. For the longest time I thought I really wanted a CG ASH-1 at .32". I borrowed one, and once in hand realized I had no use for a knife that thick.

Calling the skinny ash, skinny is like calling the original M1 Abrams a "light Tank" compared to its newer generations.

Did I mention I like the Skinny ASH-1?

 

[ThornStrike]

Thanks for all the help! i feel like i have a better understanding of how the world of busse works now. I think either the Hell Razor or SFNO will do, so ill get the first one i am able to buy.
but id also like to know, how do scrapyard and swamprat knives compare to busses?
I have heard that they arent the same level of quality, but how much of a difference is there?
Scrapyard and swamp rat seem to offer more of a selection in the medium-size (6.5-7.5") range.

If the bussekin are not too far down from busse, then i might consider them
But if they are around the same level as ESEE/RAT, then it would be easier just to get a ESEE since i wouldnt have to hunt for one and its in the same price range.

IMO ESEE is a very high quality of knife, but what separates them from busses is that custom touch and beauty. I doubt theres anything i would use a busse for that an ESEE couldnt do, but im paying that extra cash for the quality craftsmanship and looks. (I think ESEEs are amazing knives, but they seem very standard and boring)

But i digress. anyway, how do scrapyards and swamp rats compare?

 

[adrock1978]

Personally I think from a realistic stand point, they are just as good... or let me say just slightly below (maybe) but still light years ahead of other companies. They use the same principles of design. I wouldn't put any less faith in a swamp rat or scrap yard knife when used for any practical application. Jerry himself has pointed out pros and cons of all 3 steels depending on the use. Infi is better for some applications whereas SR101 (swamprat) is better for others.

INFI seems to have better corrosion resistance across the board though. The thing with Busse and family knives is that they are designed and made so much better than other knives that between them (busses) the differences and advantages are much smaller. You're splitting hairs. You're not comparing a Busse to a Schrade or a cheap smith and wesson knife.

If a Swamp Rat or Scrap Yard knife peaks your interest, is more readily available or fits your budget better go for it. They are excellent knives. Only the knife snob inside you will eventually force you to get a Busse... just because.