Contemplating an Anniversary Mean Street...

[bkraus]

Howdy folks,

I've been away form the form for a few years and haven't really been in the Busse loop for a very long time. So please forgive me if I am asking a question that answer is blandly obvious to! I’ve tried searching, but I'm not coming up with the info I seek... I just have two quick questions before I make my purchase.

1. What's the difference between the double cut blade finish offered on the regular blade and the satin offered on the LE version? As far as I have been able to suss out, the double cut is more of a matte bead blasted finish whereas the satin is, well, a satin polish. Does this sound right? Or am I off completely in the wrong direction?

2. What makes the LE version LE? Is it just the satin finish and serial number? Or, once again, am I off center on this one?


Thanks in advance for your help! I’m looking forward to purchasing what I am sure will be just the first of a many Busse knives.

 

[evltcat]

Hey Brother,
#1 - Spot on. DC is a bead-blast matte finish that is done with two different size media. It's not offered on all blades.
#2 - Two for two! The LE's are a limited run with satin finish, individual serial numbers, and sometimes (but not always) blade or handle options not available on CG's. (Tigerhide on some older blades and the swedge on the ASHBMLE 300 set comes to mind.)

I've got an AMSMO that has the DC finish:

Satin on the ASHBM LE:

I'm thinking of getting an LE to go with my Custom Shop NMFBM too.

Good luck!

 

[bkraus]

Thanks a bunch evltcat! And thanks for the pics! That helps clear things up. Unfortunately it doesn't make the decision any easier... both finishes look awesome. Being as this is going to be a definite user knife, do you think either finish will hold up to heavy use better than the other? I suppose the satin may be easier to restore once if it gets banged up to badly?...

As a side note, your AMSMO is one beautiful knife! If they were available, I'd probably be ordering one of those along with the Mean Street.

OK, one last question. What handle material is that on your LE Battle Mistress? I like it a lot!

Thanks again for all of you help.

 

[evltcat]

Thanks a bunch evltcat! And thanks for the pics! That helps clear things up. Unfortunately it doesn't make the decision any easier... both finishes look awesome. Being as this is going to be a definite user knife, do you think either finish will hold up to heavy use better than the other? I suppose the satin may be easier to restore once if it gets banged up to badly?...

As a side note, your AMSMO is one beautiful knife! If they were available, I'd probably be ordering one of those along with the Mean Street.

OK, one last question. What handle material is that on your LE Battle Mistress? I like it a lot!

Thanks again for all of you help.

You're welcome!
There are 2 AMSMO's in the exchange right now for a very reasonable price from a fine Hog if you're interested! :thumbup:

If you don't mind scratches I really like the satin finish. I use my LMS in the kitchen every chance I get and all I do is clean with Mother's Mag polish wash her, and apply mineral oil.
It the scratches bother you, get a CG and save some $$.

The handles on the ASHBMLE are hand shaped Black/Green G-10. I'm in love with it now and its been on my last 3 knives.

 

[bkraus]

Thanks for the tip! I'll have to check them out. And I don't mind scratches at all; I may go with the satin LE after all...

 

[Lora7]

Good luck in your choice! :thumbup: Let us know what you decide.

 

[zakjak221]

Satin is Sweet, but does seem to scratch easy.
As Evl indicated--Mothers Mag polish helps tho.

 

[bkraus]

Good luck in your choice! :thumbup: Let us know what you decide.

Thanks! I will definitely post once I decide... If I decide. I'm not goood with decisions! lol

Satin is Sweet, but does seem to scratch easy.
As Evl indicated--Mothers Mag polish helps tho.

That sounds pretty good. Any thoughts on the Double Cut finish and scratching/ durability of the finish?

Thanks again to everyone for their help!

 

[kitkat4.4]

You're welcome!
There are 2 AMSMO's in the exchange right now for a very reasonable price from a fine Hog if you're interested! :thumbup:

If you don't mind scratches I really like the satin finish. I use my LMS in the kitchen every chance I get and all I do is clean with Mother's Mag polish wash her, and apply mineral oil.
It the scratches bother you, get a CG and save some $$.

The handles on the ASHBMLE are hand shaped Black/Green G-10. I'm in love with it now and its been on my last 3 knives.

I have a question too. When you first get the ASHBM LE and unsheathe it from its cardboard sheath, it's not scratched up then right? I am hoping you mean after you have chopped some wood with it. As I have a CG, and was going to have this one go from cardboard sheath to a Bills custom case. (I know laugh, one of my grail knives.) Please advise! Thanks!

 

[evltcat]

I have a question too. When you first get the ASHBM LE and unsheathe it from its cardboard sheath, it's not scratched up then right? I am hoping you mean after you have chopped some wood with it. As I have a CG, and was going to have this one go from cardboard sheath to a Bills custom case. (I know laugh, one of my grail knives.) Please advise! Thanks!

Not a single scratch. Every satin finished knife has a protective silicone mesh over the blade and between the cardboard from Busse and 'Kin. When you get it, its perfect and you can decide whether to scratch it or not! :thumbup:

 

[ManOfMisery]

I had a double cut version with micarta but ended up sending it to the shop for a makeover. It now has a satin finish, a swedge, a thinned out convex edge, and hand shaped G10 scales. It looks and feels much nicer to me now and slices way better as well. Even using mine quite often it hardly shows any wear. I say go for a LE.

 

[kitkat4.4]

Great to hear guys. Thanks a bunch! I already received the email for the LE from Lexi on the 2nd of March, so hopefully not too much longer. This baby is going into Bills case, I will beat the CG, and my second LE. I would rather wait an extra month for a 100% mint one if I had the option. All my other knives I can use without any problem. Even knives costing the same $800. The BM has been my grail for years. Thanks again! 4.4.2

 

[zakjak221]

I try to buy user knives--whether their Satin or CG.
Had a nice SFNO LE and sold it cause it was too purty to use & abuse.

 

[VoxHog]

The AMSLE is full flat and satin. The AMSMO is sabre and double cut with a cool swedge.

 

[bkraus]

I had a double cut version with micarta but ended up sending it to the shop for a makeover. It now has a satin finish, a swedge, a thinned out convex edge, and hand shaped G10 scales. It looks and feels much nicer to me now and slices way better as well. Even using mine quite often it hardly shows any wear. I say go for a LE.

Interesting, thanks for the info. Do you atribute the better slicing to the thinned out convex grind or to the smoother finish of the satin blade over the bead blasted finish of the couble cut?

The AMSLE is full flat and satin. The AMSMO is sabre and double cut with a cool swedge.

yes, I saw that.... I must say, I am tempted...

 

[Noxious Fumes]

I too have got the AMSMO. Hasn't been used outside yet. It's only seen kitchen duty, thus far. It's slices as well as any of my other kitchen knives, despite the wide spine. I do enjoy a nice stropping (er..... that doesn't quite sound right), it keeps it nice and sharp.

I'm waiting for the summer to get here. It'll return to my backpack as my main small chores/ belt knife, we'll see how it works out. I can't wait to see how it will hold up, out in the elements...... Please chime in if you've got experience with one of the Double cut finishes.

Oh yeah!!!..... DOES ANYBODY OUT THERE KNOW WHAT THE "14STF" ON THE BLADE MEAN.....