Does such a knife exist ?

blademik · Jan 18, 2015

Hi Folks,
A Busse newbie here with a question that I hope hasn't been asked to death, I'm having some issues with the search function lately, I did try.
I recently got a NMSFNO and love every thing about it ! The smoothed spine and edges, the convex blade, tha satin, the shape of it... I could go on and on...

My question is, is there a similar blade (smoothed edges, convex blade, satin, shape) with a smaller blade ? In the 5-6 inch range, or will i have to visit the Custom Shop ?
Thanks in advance, Mike

M67 · Jan 18, 2015

SAR 4, but the handle is done differently.

tuica · Jan 18, 2015

No NM, but a Skinny ASH1 may fit your bill....;-)

gk4ever2 · Jan 18, 2015

tuica said:
No NM, but a Skinny ASH1 may fit your bill....;-)

I was thinking skinny ASH1 (3/16" thick blade) or an ASH1 with a .22" thick blade - both have a 6.5" blade length. The regular SFNO has a 7" blade compared to the NMSFNO 8" blade.

JohnTheTexican · Jan 18, 2015

M67 said:
SAR 4, but the handle is done differently.

What he said.

SAR4 LE (2009) - Blade length: 4 7/8" Overall: 10.75" Thickness .220 Satin with Tigerhide Micarta
SAR4 SE (2009) - Blade length: 4 7/8" Overall: 10.75" Thickness .220 Double cut with Black Canvas Micarta

The Kydex sheaths by Mashed Cat were offered with these knives (for an extra $45) at the Busse Company Store.

I don't recall any smaller Busses with the meltdown treatment. For something closer in shape, but without the meltdown treatment, I'd look at the Badger Attack TAC LE.

Will York · Jan 18, 2015

SFNO fits your description other than the "meltdown" treatment--no domed spine, radiused choil, etc. But in terms of comfort, those edges can be knocked down very easily with a piece of sandpaper in a few minutes.

blademik · Jan 18, 2015

Thanks everyone !
Lot's for me to check out now !!

Father & Son Traditional Sharpening · Jan 18, 2015

Boss Jack for the win

Valeniiman · Jan 18, 2015

Nice handle colors, Mr. Dragnet. New Mexico?

Blade Runner 7 · Jan 18, 2015

Yup SFNO is the obvious answer and ASH is close too. Not convex ground though but you can always have the custom shop convex the edge and melt the edges.

Will York · Jan 18, 2015

al g blenny said:
Yup SFNO is the obvious answer and ASH is close too. Not convex ground though but you can always have the custom shop convex the edge and melt the edges.

I think the shop actually does the meltdown treatment in the annealed state before heat treat, so you might have to see if they have an SFNO blank the Custom Shop can build up from scratch if that's what you want.

Father & Son Traditional Sharpening · Jan 18, 2015

Valeniiman said:
Nice handle colors, Mr. Dragnet. New Mexico?

Thanks for the kind words….

Very close to NM, it's about 100 miles North of the NM border. The pics were taken at the Colorado National Monument (not an actual 'monument', but rather a National Park). If you're ever out that way, I'd highly recommend making a stop there if you can….

Valeniiman · Jan 18, 2015

Have traveled that region before, on a BMW motorcycle. Recognized the terrain...Cheers.

u812 · Jan 18, 2015

I would go SAR 4. Had two of them at one time. I have got to get one back,I really miss them.

Blade Runner 7 · Jan 19, 2015

Will York said:
I think the shop actually does the meltdown treatment in the annealed state before heat treat, so you might have to see if they have an SFNO blank the Custom Shop can build up from scratch if that's what you want.

They can do work on the blades after the heat treat.

Will York · Jan 19, 2015

al g blenny said:
They can do work on the blades after the heat treat.

Absolutely true, and Garth has thinned out and re-ground blades for many here including several for me, as well as grinding off skull-crusher pommels and blade-catcher guards. But I've specifically asked to send in a knife for the Nuclear Meltdown treatment and was told by Garth that they only perform that process on knives pre-heat treat. So unless the policy has changed, I assume that's the way it is.

mainaman · Jan 19, 2015

SAR 6 with slightly different handle shape

Blade Runner 7 · Jan 19, 2015

Will York said:
Absolutely true, and Garth has thinned out and re-ground blades for many here including several for me, as well as grinding off skull-crusher pommels and blade-catcher guards. But I've specifically asked to send in a knife for the Nuclear Meltdown treatment and was told by Garth that they only perform that process on knives pre-heat treat. So unless the policy has changed, I assume that's the way it is.

That's weird. I got a quote to have my TTKZ nuked. It's a little different but I don't see why they would do one but not the other. Oh well live and learn.

Father & Son Traditional Sharpening · Jan 19, 2015

al g blenny said:
That's weird. I got a quote to have my TTKZ nuked. It's a little different but I don't see why they would do one but not the other. Oh well live and learn.

I believe it's because they use a ball end mill (or some other type of machining) to do the NM, which likely can only be used pre-HT.

Idaho Jarhead · Jan 19, 2015

I'm thinking too that the SAR4 might fit what you are looking for.

Curious if anyone has ever skeletonized the handle on the SAR4? I've got one of the SE variety and while it is a nice knife, the handle is insanely heavy.