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First Strike vs Hell Razor

K

kevtan

Joined
May 28, 2000
Messages
984
Well, been thinking of getting a camp sized knife and have narrowed it down to these 2. Not much diff in terms of pricing $8!! Am leaning towards the Fehrman as they have available a kydex sheath for $30 while the busse need to be sent to a sheath maker. So which do u guys think I shud get??!?!?

First Strike - Survival Series
Blade Size : 7.5" x 1.68" x .25"
Overall Length : 13"
Steel : CPM-3V
Hardness : 57-59 Rc
Handle : Linen Micarta, Cushioned
Standard Cost : $ 280 (Black Crinkle Finish)

http://www.fehrmanknives.com/fs.htm

BLADE STEEL INFI
BLADE 7 INCHES
OVERALL 12 1/2 INCHES
HARDNESS 58-60Rc
THICKNESS 3/16ths
HANDLE MICARTA

http://www.bussecompanystore.com/HellRazorAd.jpg

Starting At $287.00
 
Mate, although I havent handled either of these, I think they are quite different knives. As much as I like Busse and Swamprat knives, I think the Firststrike would make a better camp knife than the hellrazor. It would have more chopping ability and would probably be a better slicer. Hope this helps..

I think you will be pleased with either though..
 
I had a Hell Razor, and it chopped just fine for me. I demolished everyhting I set it to.
 
Edited the 1st post to put in the specs and pics link

Thanks perksy. If they have the weight it would have been more helpful.

Another thing is that I think that the hell razor is differentail hardened while the fehrman is fully hardened.

Arghhhh!!!!! Decisions!!?!?!?! But happy decision, no??!!!

J85909266, wat sheath didja get and what didja havta do to getit done? Asking bcus I live in Malaysia, half a world away!!
 
kevtan said:
Edited the 1st post to put in the specs and pics link

Thanks perksy. If they have the weight it would have been more helpful.

Another thing is that I think that the hell razor is differentail hardened while the fehrman is fully hardened.

Arghhhh!!!!! Decisions!!?!?!?! But happy decision, no??!!!

J85909266, wat sheath didja get and what didja havta do to getit done? Asking bcus I live in Malaysia, half a world away!!
Click to expand...
The HR is fully hardened. Busses all are. You are thinking Swamp Rat. I never got a sheath for it, but if I had, I would have went with a Leatherman sheath by Mr. Puckett. I preferre leather, and his sheaths are just too nice.
 
If it makes a difference to you, INFI is very resistant to rust, and CPM-3V is not.
I don't have any Fehrmans, but I have some Busse's- Great knives.
Both are excellent choices.
A Large Spec ops sheath should fit the Hell Razor nicely, but will cost maybe $30 or so?
 
As much as I favor Busses, I'd have to go with First Strike just because it's a bigger and thicker knife and would fare better at chopping/splitting. Not to mention the edge is very thin which makes it a great slicer if need be. WIth that said, I'd probably want to wait and see what Swamp Rat comes up with.
 
I think it depends on what you plan on doing with the knife? They are both great knives and I doubt you'll be dissapointed either way. If for camping and general outdoors work I'd probably go with the first strike, but that's just me. Good luck!
 
greens said:
As much as I favor Busses, I'd have to go with First Strike just because it's a bigger and thicker knife and would fare better at chopping/splitting. Not to mention the edge is very thin which makes it a great slicer if need be.
Click to expand...
?????:confused: ?????
Does this seem like a contradiction to anyone else?....
Better at chopping, and have a thin edge?
.
I would prefer a Busse because of the corrosion resistance, AND....
BECAUSE there's probably kydex sheaths already being made. Check with David Brown.... Or others.... If they don't have one in stock, one of them probably already has a Hell Razor to work with, so you don't have to send it anywhere.
 
Walking Man said:
Better at chopping, and have a thin edge?
Click to expand...

Chopping is just cutting done with a lot of force, it places similar demands on geometry so yes an edge needs to be thin and acute to chop well, while of course still having enough metal there to resist deforming/fracture. There is a side issue of binding if the cross section is too thin, but this has more to do with the primary grind than the edge profile. As Busse has noted on many occasions, they will adjust the edges on user request.

-Cliff
 
Just curious, kevtan, if you'd considered the Heavy Heart from Busse at all. Right now, they're available sporadically from the Busse Company Store. These knives are available in both regular ($321) and mag scales ($362) as I type this post. I usually don't like it when folks chime in with alternate options, but in this case, the Heavy Hearts seemed like a good fit to what you're looking for. Also, they're a special run. Once they're gone, they're gone, so I thought they were worth mentioning.

The specs are:
BLADE STEEL: INFI
BLADE: 8 INCHES
OVERALL: 14 INCHES
HARDNESS: 58-60 Rc
THICKNESS: .270
HANDLE: MICARTA

Heavy Heart with regular scales pictured (top knife)...

ThreePiggies.JPG
 
I have Busses and Fehrmans. I love them both, however I tend to favor the Fehrmans. The First Strike is a great knife and I am sure you will be happy with it. If I were making the choice I would choose the FS hands down. It is a GREAT camp knife. I cannot say enough good things about the Fehrmans. Plus Eric is a great guy to deal with. I say get the Fehrman!
 
Okay, the Heavy Hearts are gone again. You have to be quick when they're in at the Company Store! :D
 
J85909266 said:
Magnum scales are thicker. Many people preferre them due to comfort issues.
Click to expand...
NOT just thicker, but sculpted also. I don't have big hands, but I prefer the magnums. They are thick then thin then thick then thin then thick again.
I'll see if I can find a pic.
 
I think I would much prefer a Heavy Heart (or a Camp Tramp, or a Battle Rat...) to a Hell Razor as a camp knife. I love the Hell Razor but it lacks the heft I would want for a dedicated camp knife if chopping is involved. Now if I was backpacking 'em... ;) Hell Razor.

Pics of a couple of my "kids" to illustrate Mag handles!

Mag on a Heavy Heart
2.jpg

Mag on a Hell Razor
HRMag.jpg
 
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