Fehrman Knife Guys

zakjak221

zakjak221

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Apr 3, 2010
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I've read some good reviews on the Fehrman knives, but wanted to ask some owners here their opinions,likes/dislikes.
Do they rank up with Busse?
Thanks!
 
I've been interested in getting one for a while too, would like to hear people's thoughts. One good thing is that the quality of the steel is independently verifiable. I find that since Busse use their own steel it's hard to find objective assessments of its quality, sometimes I wonder if INFI is really that good or if most of the online chatter about it comes from Busse fanboys. On the other hand CPM 3V is a well known and relatively widely used steel and a number of makers and users have basically said that it is one of the best knife steels around, especially in bigger blades. Of course that only addresses the steel, there are many other factors to consider, so far everything I have heard about Fehrman knives has been very positive though.
 
Great hard use knives that keep an edge. Don't have a busse.
 
They are better knives than Busse makes. I'm going by my personal experiences.
I prefer Fehrmans choice of steel and HT. I've owned dozens of Busse knives and only two Fehrmans,
soon to be three. The fit and finish is better on Fehrmans. INFI seems almost malleable to me when sharpening it. And I prefer solid screws over tube fasteners. I had two Battle Mistresses that the handles shifted on because the tube fasteners stretched.
 
Busse trumps Fehrman every day, all day, imho. Not that Fehrman are anything bad, actually they rock. They just dont rock as hard as Busse. Now, I'm speaking from actual real world experience, not internet speculation. I own, and have extensively used both although I confess I have more blades from Busse. Busse's warranty is second to none and Jerry handles a great deal of the customer service himself, again actual experience(I had a service issue with Busse and Jerry bent over backwards to make it right, the moment he heard about it). Busse also has way more designs to choose from, most will be available only on the secondary market, however. Busse offers more options with regards to scales, coatings, and blade finishes. Busse is always cranking out variants and special editions. Busse's only go up in value, even if you are using them and not storing them in the safe. Overall I find Busse's fit and finish to be better and the designs are more thought out. Busse has two sub-brands that allow you to still get hard use knives, but within the bounds of a tighter budget. Also, with the Custom Shop, you can have your Busse swooped up in a variety of ways, based on the model of course (be ready for a long wait though)

As far as INFI vs. 3V, that is simply a matter of choice based entirely an what a person is looking for in a steel. Having said that, I prefer INFI, it's a steel that is very good at many things. 3V is great but I often find that I have sharpening issues with it in the field which is frustrating(maybe it's just me but I doubt it) HT's on both Busse and Fehrman are absolutely superb.

Dont let any of that scare you away from Fehrman though, OP. They are great hard use knives that you can really beat the crap out of. The edge retention is fantastic. I've never heard anyone on any forum bad-mouthing Fehrman, but there may be a few nay-sayers out there. I own the First Strike and Shadow Scout and both are great, I've had some complaints about the handle ergos on both but that could easily be just me being picky.

Ok. Now, let the "Busse fan-boy" accusations fly!
 
My B10 out chops my Extreme judgement...but not by much. I love the feel of both. The 3v feels harder, and heavier.
 
For me it's Bloodmoon all day everyday!
IMG_9008_zps2baf84db.jpg


Which i haven't got my hands on!
 
I own both, love both. The Fehrman Extreme Judgment is their only true chopper, the Final Judgment can't compare with it......and Busse did make the EJ first under a different name. The 3V Eric puts out is perfectly HT'd and my only complaint is corrosion resistance. My EJ has begun to actually pit in a couple spots. Where my Infi is bright and shiny all day every day. The Fehrmans have basically one handle and while it's decent, some may find it lacking.

Finish on the Fehrman is spectacular, not without some fault
But neither is Busse. I can put a great working edge on either with an old busted lansky fine stone
That I free hand equally on either. Niether shines over the other in edge retention as they are both great.

You really couldn't go wrong with either.

One aspect to consider, Busse resale value vs Fehrman.......
 
but I often find that I have sharpening issues with it in the field which is frustrating(maybe it's just me but I doubt it)
Click to expand...

Pharaoh, can you tell us what the sharpening issues are? I'm curious now.

Thanks.

Joe
 
The Fehrman Extreme Judgment is their only true chopper, the Final Judgment can't compare with it.
Click to expand...

Final Judgement not a true chopper, can't compare with extreme? Huh? Aside from being a bit wider what's the difference and how much of a difference makes "can't compare with"? :)

You have me curious too.
 
Good feedback guys, thanks.
I've heard that Fehrman has attention to detail, and they come sharp from factory also have sheath options-- all plus's to me.
So what about sharpening?
 
For me, they are pretty much equivalent. The Fehrmans come with a more acute angle, and have better edge holding when cutting fibrous material. Busse has more variety and is supposed to be tougher. 3V at 58 or so is more toughness than I'll ever need. The only Busses I've been disappointed with are the "boney" series, the INFI is hardened to above 60, and you give up toughness for edge retention, but for me, the edge retention wasn't all that great. Regularly hardened INFI is fine with me.

For me, on either diamond or ceramic stones, they both sharpen up VERY easily. Both are excellent makers, IMO. I can get either extremely sharp with little to no effort. It all comes down to ergonomics and personal preference for you.
 
The Mastiff said:
Final Judgement not a true chopper, can't compare with extreme? Huh? Aside from being a bit wider what's the difference and how much of a difference makes "can't compare with"? :)

You have me curious too.
Click to expand...
Weight EJ 1.49lbs, FJ 1.36lbs not too much difference
Balance point FJ about .6" forward of scales
Balance point EJ roughly 1.1" forward of scales so it is a bit more blade heavy
FJ 1.62" high
EJ 2" at widest point
EJ .042" or 1.06mm thick behind cutting edge grind
FJ .072 or 1.83mm behind cutting edge

So the FJ is thicker at the cutting edge and a hair thicker than (.249" vs .247) the EJ so it tapers much more quickly to the spine thickness and wont bite as deep as the EJ. So each of these measurements aren't much individually, but all rolled into one package (the Extreme Judgement) and you have a MUCH better chopper than the Final Judgment. Also with the curve of the EJ, the sweet spot is more concentrated and makes for a VERY effective chopper. To sum it up, the EJ is heavier, taller, thinner grind, more blade heavy and has a natural focal point.

This is "my" experience with loads of use of both. Don't get me wrong, the FJ can be used as a chopper, but the EJ outshines it. The FJ is a 9" blade 1/4" blade, but so is a Chris Reeve Shadow I and Mountaineer but they are by NO means a chopper.

Hope this helps clarify my previous post
 
Busse

-Much more variety
-Better value holding
-Better corrosion resistance

Fehrman

-Better edge retention
-Much better fit and finish
-Came much sharper
-Have sheath
 
Thanks Gravelface. Excellent information.

I my hands I prefer the FJ. I feel better control because of the almost half inch less wide blade. I get better accuracy there because of it. I really can't say I notice any difference in chopping depth. If there is it's so slight as to not be a factor in my use. I do get fatigue in the forearms and wrist beginning faster in the EJ, but that's not all that great either.
In short I just prefer the FJ due to the better control it gives me. My chopping will be limited anyway as I much prefer axes or better yet mauls. I keep an 8 lb in my car even. :) When I was heating my house I used a 12 lb maul so to be honest chopping knives are not going to be primary at any of my perceived wood splitting needs. The chopping difference between the two Ferhmans is sort of trivial. I would feel that way even if that's all I had anyway. I'm more interested in accuracy and ergonomics than any difference in cutting depth. I'm curious. Have you compared bite depths in actual measurements? There is less differencein knives this close than in the differences between wood types ( Gum vs. Oak, or Birch. for example. Pretty large difference even on non knotty sections much bigger difference than between knife types. ), moisture contents and temps. ( below freezing is better). Now the difference between an 8 and a 12 lb maul is pretty noticeable. Two knives essentially 9 inches, 1/4th inch, and similar weight would have me thinking about comfort factor more than bite depth. The thickness numbers you gave are interesting but not difference makers to me. In fact, I never noticed the thickness differences in mine. The coating makes a bit of a difference though in my experience. I'll never buy another coated one. :)

Thanks again. I'll have to check measurements in the future. I didn't even notice them.

I've also never found 3V at all difficult to sharpen.

Joe
 
I had a First Strike as my end of the world knife, it was a fine tool that took a freaking beating, and had life not got in the way I would still have that knife. I prefer 3V over INFI then again I also prefer SR101 (52100) over INFI. I have used but have never owned a Busse but that is simply because I like Swamp Rats more :)
 
Below freezing is just something I dont have to deal with.....:D

My "can't compare" is a bit over exaggerated, but it's my excitement to tout on the Extreme Judgment that clouds my speech on occasion. It's great the FJ is your perfect blade and I had one for quite a while (still have my early keyhole editions) but the EJ for my "wants and needs" foots the bill so much more.

So Zakjak, there you have it........both large Fehrmans are VERY good knives!!!

But so is the Busse Battle Mistress in any incarnation :D
 
The problem with this thread is that it is just making me want to buy a Busse and a Fehrman when I can't really afford either...
 
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