Curious about Busse Knives and really need some help!

REGRM16

REGRM16

Joined
Apr 27, 2008
Messages
85
I have been watching the knife tests on You Tube and have been seriously impressed (if not amazed) by the performance of Busse knives. I mean holy crap that is one hell of a knife! I carried a Randall 14 in the Army (bought it with my jump pay) and it was tough but no where near that tough. It looks like you could skin a car with one of these.

That said, I have never handled one, seen one in person, or know anyone that sells them. I have never even met anyone who has one of the knives that I am aware of. So for the first time in many years I have NO idea how to proceed! I am certainly not afraid to buy quality (I carry Wilson 1911’s, hunt with Dakota Bolt rifles, and Heym double rifles so I like the absolute top notch gear and train with it). I think I want one of these (and I even have some really good ones to trade or sell to get it) but my head is spinning with the options.

After some exhaustive online research I have discovered the he has made dozens upon dozens of differing models, has apparently 3 brands (like Busse Combat, Swamp Rat, and Scrapyard) as well as a myriad of options for each of the semi-custom and full custom knives. He also appears to have one heck of a following! When I check out the ‘official’ website it shows 2 different knives for sale now however, it seems I can also buy one from some of you nice folks here on blade forums too. So…

Here are my quandaries:

How in the Good Lords Name do you decide which one to buy (buy a bunch and pick the best) and which brand?
How the heck do you know what is available?
Where the heck to you get them?
Are they really that good or did the guy who tested it just get really lucky?
Anything I should be aware of (like don’t buy the X version it is crap or if you can find a Y version then pay anything to get it)?
Anyone in Dallas/Ft. Worth that would like a free Starbucks or Beer (on me) just to let me see one of these in person?

What I am looking for in a knife is as follows:
The knife tested by Noss looks great and I would certainly take one of those (FFBM whatever that means) but it is not my first choice.

If I could choose the features I would like:
A 5.5 inch blade (legal for carry in Texas) would be nice but if not available give me something about 6.5 – 9+ in length good for field usage.

The rear ¼ of blade partially serrated (near the choil) for cutting heavy fibrous material. This is one of my real wants as 99% of the knives I use have it and I like it.

The aggressive Tanto point I saw a photo of looks quite effective but if it is not available then a quality penetrating tip would do (similar to the one tested by Noss)

I have large hands so I would guess I would like “magnum” handles?

Some sort of coating (either black, tan, grey/green, etc.) to protect the blade would sure be nice.

The blade should be as thick as practicable (I regard any knives I use as tools and thus really use them with gusto).

The ‘stepped grind” on the blade of the Hell Razor looked interesting and if it adds structural strength without sacrificing depth of cutting I would be interested in that feature.

So is there ANY knife with some or all of these features that is available? If so any idea how much? If I had to have one made how long should I expect to wait? Should I just shut up, quit asking silly questions and buy the XYZ model because it is the best? Am I smoking crack and just need to go away?

Thanks for any help you can give me!


H
 
There was a Custom Shop ASH1 with brown coating and serrations on the exchange, other than the tanto point, that sounds like it might be a good bet.

I don't recall Jerry doing many agressive tanto points and none that were partially serrated. If I were you, the ASH1 is currently available at retail price from the Co. and you can choose your color options. I bet it might just take a call and a little begging for them to give you an inch or two of serrations near the choil and what Jerry calls his "penetrator tip" job. Call the shop and ask, they may make you wait until after they come back from Blade, but you never know if you don't ask right.

Oh and welcome aboard, your first Busse will not be your last regardless of which Busse family you buy from. :D
 
1. part of busse is buy then sell thats how you pick the one that feels right to you.

2. go to bussecompanystore.com for over runs and stuf that a guy named skunk sells. good place to cheak every so often. or check bussecombat.com for the stuff jerry is selling. right now they have ASH-1 good starter.

3.both those wb sites are good place to buy but here on the forum they have an after market place that ragular people sell them. don't go to ebay support the forum :D

4. all i can say for this one is INFI :D

5. i dont know what you mean by X and Y but some different veriations are more money like brown coating "muddy" oh and be care of these Hogs they will trick you once you have a busse knife :D. you have much to learn so be prapered, but thats the price you pay for these knives but its sooooo worth it.

6. no i am in washington :)

ya progunner is right get a ASH and send it to the costum shop and tell them what you want.
 
Check out the catalog at www.bussecollector.com. It has tons of info and pictures. Some of them are much more rare than others.

Sounds like you may like a Badger Attack Tac (batac)... it is about a 5.5" blade and will handle anything you can throw at it.

badgerbbq004-1.jpg
 
The STRipper fits most of that description except it's 3/16" thick (I think). It's also very tough to find someone that wants to sell theirs.

If I were you I wouldn't worry about thickness too much 3/16" of Infi is incredibly tough.

A while back there were some Badger Attack Tac Variants with finger grooved handles. That would be almost perfect except the serrations are on the spine. You can see it here: #32

If you don't mind a knife with a less corrosion resistant and slightly softer but still tough as nails blade, check this out: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=518189
 
I do like the ASH1 on the site (6.5 blade but really nice). I may do the custom shop options (penetrator tip and serrations) in a mud brown.

The Badger Attack Tac (batac) looks good too.

If I bought a blade off the forums can I get them to add serrations to it by sending it back in? Because an FFBM with seratiosn would be very interesting too...


Thanks for the advice! I can see I would own several of these (like a smaller one for smaller for EDC and one for field use).

I have a Sebbie (Reeve) that is my EDC and several of his fixed blades. They fixed blades are nice but are apparently not in the league with the Busse on performance.

I also have a bunch of collectible oddities from guys like Chance Priest etc but these are display pieces.
 
extremely hard to find, but how about a busse ARK(Air Rescue Knife)

4.5" blade, 9.5" overall....

partial serrations....


AirRescueKnife(ARK).jpg
 
REGRM... Welcome to the madness! These are great knives, and I'm sure you will really enjoy it.

Also, while you are doing your research, check out Texas Bill HB1815. It is our new castle law bill that also allows you, as a member of a non-socialist state, to carry a handgun in your auto without permit, as well as a sword, machete, tomahawk, or whatever the hell else you want to carry. :D:thumbup: Gotta love Texas! :thumbup:

So... If you want, carry your FFBM (if you decide to get one)... (and you will get one... it is mandatory);).
 
The more I think about it, that BATac variant is pretty much perfect.
Custom2.jpg

I bought one because it made me think of a Randall #15 on steroids. It's not for sale.
military-big.jpg

The #15 is in the middle.
 
The scrap Yard knife is quite interesting! The Air Rescue knife is a bit smaller than I was looking for but not bad. I like the look of the ASH1 or the FFBM. Heck if the HB 1815 allows us to carry heretofore "Illegal knives" then give me a FFBM and add some serrations ASAP!
 
REGRM16 - Get one of everything. :) I'm in Oklahoma City, about three hours north of you. If you ever get up that way I'll be happy to show you what knives I have. I have a CG Battle Mistress, BATAC LE, Hell Razor, ASH LE, and a GW. I also have a Swamp Rat Howling Rat. Might be worth a trip before you drop a few hundred bucks on a knife. If my wife lets me go to Six Flags this summer I'll let you know. :)
 
here are some better pics of my ARK

keep in mind that i have medium sized hands....

DSC00557.jpg

DSC00552.jpg

DSC00551.jpg
 
REGRM16 said:
The scrap Yard knife is quite interesting! The Air Rescue knife is a bit smaller than I was looking for but not bad. I like the look of the ASH1 or the FFBM. Heck if the HB 1815 allows us to carry heretofore "Illegal knives" then give me a FFBM and add some serrations ASAP!
Click to expand...

The scrapyard stuff is great also, especially for the price. I also like the swamprats SR101. But INFI is the bomb. I have hacked down more cedar and mesquite trees than I can count, and chopped up and batoned dried mesquite and oak with my FFBM... and the damn thing still shaves.

Go with the INFI, bro. You won't regret it.

Also, one pretty cool thing about your choice. It does not have to be permanent. Generally, you can at least get your money back by selling on the exchange. Sometimes you can make a profit... usage does not greatly depreciate the value of these Busse knives.

Good luck! :thumbup:
 
Based on your description of wants and needs I would suggest a BATAC, but you will need to look on the exchange for one second hand, they pop up pretty frequently. If not that, you will be very impressed with a CGASH1 or a Skinny ASH, both those are avalable now from bussecombat.com and bussecompanystore.com
Be prepared to embrace the INFI addiction.
 
H, beware the Busse addiction. I started with a lightly customized Badger Attack III that Jerry hooked me up with as a favor. I now have about 25 Busse knives.

Based on your request I think the Badger Attack Tac would best suit your needs. If money isn't all that important, I'd recommend one from the Custom Shop, which can be lightly customized to your particular needs. Otherwise you'll be well served with anything available in the Exchange here.

If you like what you see in the ASH, I'd recommend the LE or Custom Shop version, as the thinner .225 stock will be much more user and field friendly than the brutal .3+ stock on the combat grade. You'll spend less than twice as much for the thinner stock, but you'll be more than twice as happy with your purchase. Then once you're hooked on INFI get the combat grade bruiser as a truck knife. Or get the new Skinny ASH from the company store for cheap, while the last. Better hurry! :eek:

Also, it's good to keep up on all things Busse here at the forum. For example, 5 minutes ago I didn't even know about the Skinny ASH. Now I do, so you've got competition:D.
 
REGRM16,
Welcome to the Busse forum, I'm glad that you stopped by. Don't get overwhelmed by the options, stick around a while and it will all become clear. It takes a little while to get used to all the acronyms and styles but once you do you'll pick it up pretty easily.

They are hard to find but it sounds like this might fit the bill. Force One Variant, available at one of the Extravaganza's a year or so ago.

TeethForceOne.jpg
 
Sounds like a SAR5 would do it.
Send it to Ban for a regrind then to a custom maker like Veff to do the serrations.
 
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