FBM Options...

[PlayWithKnives]

im looking to purchase a FBM but i dont know about all the options available to me.
if someone could post pics of the variants i am most likely to see, it would be much appreciated.

 

[Grimspoon]

3x black coating and magnum black G-10 and 1x green coating and standard green linen micarta:

Sorry about pic quality, I'm no Lunde but I do what I can.

 

[moonwilson]

Oh boy, that's an interesting question. There are 5 main flavors of FBM:

CGFBM (combat grade fusion battle mistress)- ordered directly from Busse Combat, and also at least one version from the Company Store (the "mudsnake")
FFBM (fat fusion battle mistress)- from the Company Store only
FBMLE (fusion battle mistress limited edition)- still available at the Company Store
Prototypes
Customs

Within each of these categories, there are several variations. I guarantee you there is nobody out there who has one of every possible combination- there are tons. When the CGFBM was offered, you could select from several blade finishes and handle options- lots of possible combos, similar to the way the ASH-1 is currently being offered by Busse Combat: http://www.bussecombat.com/knives/index.shtml

And there is also the 2007 SE model, which is essentially a doublecut FFBM with G10 mags, IIRC.

All of the FBMs are very, very nice. There is no wrong choice. But there are a lot of differences between them. The CGFBM and the FFBM are quite different, with the CG being much lighter/ faster, and has the CBT (corrugated bevels). The FFBM is a very heavy knife, and is an extremely powerful chopper. The FBMLE sort of splits the difference between the two, and is probably the nicest out of all of the mistresses. (I don't have an LE yet, poor me.)

You can still find pretty much everything in the exchange if you are patient. There are several up there now.

Good luck! I'm sure someone will be along shortly to help you with some pics, if they haven't already, while I was typing this. (ETA- yup, there's Grimspoon!)

 

[lunde]

You might be best off buying a FBMLE at BCS and calling it a day:

See: http://www.bussecompanystore.com/

It's on Page 4, after clicking on the "Order Here" link. $697 buys you a stunning example of the FBM.

 

[jimmyjones]

Don't forget the CG's.

Currently a bit harder to find.

 

[soup_monger]

Ken Lunde's knife photography pages are an excellent resource.

http://lundestudio.com/knives.html

 

[Guyon]

And there is also the 2007 SE model, which is essentially a doublecut FFBM with G10 mags, IIRC.

Not quite. The SE is a bit thinner (.27" versus .32" for the FFBM), and the mag handles are not quite as "full" as mags on the FFBM. They fit my hand much better. The FBM SE is actually my favorite BM for use. I just saw one on the Exchange today and was stunned to see it.

There are lots of BM options if you want to pursue them hard enough.
L to R: MOASH (not a BM), SHBM, BM-E, CG-FBM, FFBM, FBM-SE, FBM-LE

There were the FBM Protos as well. Never managed to snag one, but to me, they look more like a SH on steroids than a BM. They surely have to be nice choppers as well though.

 

[Guyon]

if someone could post pics of the variants i am most likely to see, it would be much appreciated.

As has been pointed out though, the variants you're most likely to see are the FBM-CG, the FFBM, and the FBM-LE.

All are pictured in my photo above.

 

[soup_monger]

That's a great shot, Guyon.... thanks.

Nice FBM too. :thumbup:

 

[westllen]

Not quite. The SE is a bit thinner (.27" versus .32" for the FFBM), and the mag handles are not quite as "full" as mags on the FFBM. They fit my hand much better. The FBM SE is actually my favorite BM for use. I just saw one on the Exchange today and was stunned to see it.

There are lots of BM options if you want to pursue them hard enough.
L to R: MOASH (not a BM), SHBM, BM-E, CG-FBM, FFBM, FBM-SE, FBM-LE

There were the FBM Protos as well. Never managed to snag one, but to me, they look more like a SH on steroids than a BM. They surely have to be nice choppers as well though.

Hey Guyon, you never answered my question about adopting me? Awesome display of INFI as usual. :thumbup:



Jules

 

[Guyon]

Hey Guyon, you never answered my question about adopting me? Awesome display of INFI as usual. :thumbup:

Jules

That's a great shot, Guyon.... thanks.

Nice FBM too. :thumbup:

Thanks guys. Jules, do you mow lawns, paint, and do basic automotive maintenance?

soup_monger, this is actually my favorite FBM SE shot. :thumbup:

 

[soup_monger]

Thanks guys. Jules, do you mow lawns, paint, and do basic automotive maintenance?

soup_monger, this is actually my favorite FBM SE shot. :thumbup:

Yup... I like that one too, but, there is something about the composition of the first one that is just spot on... maybe the water drops on the ricasso... maybe the light on the blade.... just makes me want to get out to the woods.

Good work.

 

[Lil' Foo]

If you like recurves.

 

[lunde]

...or recurves in Double Cut goodness: :thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Elen]

Hey, Grimspoon, do you normally store those blades that way? A man might hurt himself on all those pointy objects looking his way! Great pic, by the way.

As for me, I suggest an FFBM. I like to CG FBM, but the FFBM is just love, baby! It chops like hell, and is fast enough - after all, I'm not going to do battle with it, so I don't need the speed. For battle, there are actual swords that will be far more useful. My FFBM is a black crinkle with black standard G-10 handles. It's just right, and comes with a nice penetrator tip.

 

[PlayWithKnives]

thanks all, i have really been impressed by the community here, on several occasions.


lets see if i have this straight. the blades with the corrugated bevels are Combat Grade FBMs? and they are harder to find?
thats the blade style i like the most but my hearts not set on anything yet...
and if a get one with corrugated bevels than its not going to be the "fatter" version of the FBM?

i like those recurves too but thats not what im looking for. standard FBM design is what drew me to the knife initially.

thanks again.

[EDIT:] The Zombie Survival Guide is awesome! have you read World War Z by the same author?

 

[mikeymoto]

the blades with the corrugated bevels are Combat Grade FBMs?

Yes.

and they are harder to find?

Yes. The FFBMs and FBMLEs (without the CBT and with thicker blades) are still being sold occasionally at the Company Store, and are prevalent on the exchange and at other auction sites.

if a get one with corrugated bevels than its not going to be the "fatter" version of the FBM?

You've got it! :thumbup:

 

[Andros]

Here are my FBM's aside from one, that I don't have a picture of it yet: a Leprechaun FFBM with Green linen mags and Penetrator Tip. Let's see what the others are:

Black FFBM with Magnum Pumkin handles and Penetrator Tip

Urban Grey FFBM with Magnum blue-red G-10 handles and Penetrator Tip

Leprechaun FFBM with Regular Green linen handles and Penetrator Tip

OD CG with Magnum Tan Canvas Micarta

Tan CG with Magnum Black Canvas Micarta

 

[737Ng]

Here are my FBM's aside from one, that I don't have a picture of it yet: a Leprechaun FFBM with Green linen mags and Penetrator Tip. Let's see what the others are:

Black FFBM with Magnum Pumkin handles and Penetrator Tip

Urban Grey FFBM with Magnum blue-red G-10 handles and Penetrator Tip

Leprechaun FFBM with Regular Green linen handles and Penetrator Tip

OD CG with Magnum Tan Canvas Micarta

Tan CG with Magnum Black Canvas Micarta

I love that pumpkin handled BM...Man I need to get one of those. Anybody care to donate?

 

[Solstice]

Pumpkin! Wow....man it's funny how that looks so freaking cool, but it's G-10!:grumpy: G-10 ain't supposed to look that cool....oh well, micarta was good while it lasted!