Cold Steel vs Busse

It shouldn't be difficult to choose between these because they are so different. Busse knives are vastly superior in every area except for price. :D

--Bob Q
 
there is no comparison - Busse all the way.

Superior steel, handles, warranty, company. You should visit the Busse forum under Manufacturers here on Bladeforums, or visit their website - www.bussecombat.com.

You will find that many people become converts to Busse - but for good reason. They make the best extreme performance knives on the planet.
 
I don't own either but I would be INFInitely more likely to choose a Busse for the reasons mentioned above (e.g. "Superior steel, handles, warranty, company"...to which I'd add superior collectibility and designs).

Cold Steel products are generally cheaper although the new Swamp Rat series from Busse should close the gap...one possible advantage for Cold Steel might be that they offer stainless steel products but the coating Busse uses is said to be quite durable.

As for alternatives...Strider!!!!

RL
 
BUSSE......

All though they are not stainless, I don't have any problems with mine.
All of my users are satin or bead blast finish.
Some times not being cleaned off for a week or two after chopping up a pile of stuff.

They hold an edge better and are easier to sharpen.

If you want to close the gap in price look in to the Swamp Rats.
They will spank a Cold Steel for less money.......
 
As far as the steel I like the Busse, but as far as design, I like Cold Steel. Mix the two of em and you get some very nice knives!
 
I have often wondered what the response to a thread like this would be like.

While I make my own combat grade knives, I often like to look at and test the "standards" out there on the market. It gives a good comparison and alot of ideas to your own knifemaking process.

I have had about 3 different CS Recon Scouts and 2 different Busse Basic 7's. My impressions:

The Busse, overall, I like best. The handle is more durable and user friendly than the CS. I have had a hard time getting used to the asymetrical grind on the edge, but it is effective and the knife is a tremendous chopper and overall combat tool.

The CS Recon Scout has a better blade profile in my opinion. It has more of a point and lends to a more useful design for an overall combat knife. I also prefer its guard, although the top tine is not necessary. Integral guards like the Busse still make me a little nervous. I don't like the Kraton grip on the CS at all. It is too small for most hands although ample in length. I have also sucessfully ruined the grip on the CS in use. The CS sheath, the cordura type that came with mine, is aslo inadequate.

Both knives are make of GREAT steel and have superb heat treatments. I cannot tell an appreciable difference in the performance, Carbon V or INFI. Both knives are thick at the spine, and also very thick out to the edge, with a very steep edge bevel.

The Busse costs more but is worth it. If you have the urge to do some hand work, then rehandle a CS Recon Scout factory 2nd, and reprofile the edge a bit and you will have a serious contender.
 
I Really love Busse's products except for one thing.....most of their products are to big for most people to EDC. There are exceptions, I know (Assault Shaker, Bad Apple, some variants.) But if your looking for something to carry everyday....Cold Steel has more options.

Jerry? you reading this?
 
Originally posted by CUTIGER
If you have to ask....You would not understand

Yep!
 
Xrayed: Your post was awesome!

Which knife would I pick? Well, that depends. It seems that most peopel here think about Trailmaster vs. Battle Mistress when answering thsi question. What about, which would you pic if you wanted a folder? EASY! COLD STEEL all the way! Well for the near future, anyways.

Bottom line is, there are cold steel knives and Busse knives that will do most of the chores we'd want them to do. A trailmaster is quite capable of making a camp site. You will have to sharpen it more often, sure.

I am not knocking Busse or Cold Steel, but I just think this question is hard to answer. What I would pick would seriously depend on the intended use, and lots of subjective things. What XRayed posted would probably be the route I'd choose with fixed blades. I'd love a trailmaster, but I'd switch the handle out with some nice micarta or stabilized wood, instead of rubber.
 
Bladeswinger, what will your primary use be?

Which models of each are you looking into now?

I agree about some of the CS lines, to me, especially on the original Tanto line. I really don't care much for their other offerings...

When I started looking into buying the best knife for my hard earned $$, all roads led to Busse.

I bought my first thinking "hey, only knife I'll ever need". Well, that is true, but it didn't turn out to be the only one I ever wanted.

I have a few now, and will continue to buy because of the durability, the warranty, and the level of customer service I have received.

These knives kick some major butt.

Get the Busse. You won't go wrong.
 
I'd say that would totally depend on what kind of knife you want.
I like some of Busse's offerings (and own/have owned several, and been very impressed by both the knives and the service), but Cold Steel has a much more extensive lineup. For similar style knives, say medium to large fixed blades, I prefer Busse, because of the better steel, better handles, and no-nonsense warranty. You pay more for those things, but they are worth it for a knife that will see alot of use, IMO.
Lots of good stuff out there. Too much to limit yourself to one brand or maker.
I say buy a knife that suits your needs, not a brand name.
 
I have Cold Steel for general use.

I have BUSSE knives, when I have to wager my LIFE on the dependability of the knife. Like my military duties.

Cold Steel is good, Busse is over the top!

Can't get much better than a Busse. That's why I have 8 and counting.

If you're looking for something a little more affordable, though, go for Swamp Rat. The Camp Tramp is great! Only been available for less than two months now, but a getting great reviews. I'm waiting on my second and about to purchase three more of the new releases.

Ed
 
For fighting--Cols Steel
For survival--Busse


For the Busses price buy a handmade Rinaldi Armagedden or something from Bill Siegle....
 
I would go with the Cold Steel, mainly 'cause of the huge price-difference. I could GENERALLY buy 2 or 3 Cold Steel Recon Scouts for the price of 1 Busse, and if I were to lose 1 of the Cold Steel, I'd STILL have 1 or 2 in reserve.
 
You CAN buy two or three cold steels for the price of one Busse. And you'll have to casue they break. I've owned every single Cold Steel knife at one time or another except for those new models they came out with in the last 3 years. And everyone of them just couldn't stand up to my Busse Knives. I have found three Cold Steel knives that are usefull. The 12" tanto makes a nice fast brush clearer. I would never use it to chop with but to clear out vines and weeds it's great. The tuff lite is handy on a key chain as a box cutter/letter opener, And the boar spear is pretty cool too. Now the Tantos are pretty. They make you just wanna pick them up and hold them. I've owned them all. But I gave up beauty for function a long time ago. And I think you'll find there is more beauty in function. I look at my Battle Mistress all beat up and old lookin and think it looks sweet cause I know it's indestructable. Buy two or three Cold Steels to one Busse. They only need to fail you once to get you killed. Busse knives don't quit.
 
Originally posted by Crayola
It seems that most peopel here think about Trailmaster vs. Battle Mistress when answering thsi question. What about, which would you pic if you wanted a folder?
Click to expand...

I don't think anyone would ask that question, if he was looking for folders. The assumption that we are talking about fixed blades is IMHO valid.
 
Originally posted by Ryu
You CAN buy two or three cold steels for the price of one Busse. And you'll have to casue they break. I've owned every single Cold Steel knife at one time or another except for those new models they came out with in the last 3 years. And everyone of them just couldn't stand up to my Busse Knives. I have found three Cold Steel knives that are usefull. The 12" tanto makes a nice fast brush clearer. I would never use it to chop with but to clear out vines and weeds it's great. The tuff lite is handy on a key chain as a box cutter/letter opener, And the boar spear is pretty cool too. Now the Tantos are pretty. They make you just wanna pick them up and hold them. I've owned them all. But I gave up beauty for function a long time ago. And I think you'll find there is more beauty in function. I look at my Battle Mistress all beat up and old lookin and think it looks sweet cause I know it's indestructable. Buy two or three Cold Steels to one Busse. They only need to fail you once to get you killed. Busse knives don't quit.
Click to expand...



Busse are made by humans they can be broke. I might want to remind you that US special forces carried plenty of humble USAF pilot survival knives in Nam' and there were few complaints. That think was not made out of thick super steel....treat your knives like your other lidesaving equip. and take care of them. Do this and your chances of breaking are minimal...
 
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