Recommendation? Good first Busse for camp/outdoors tasks?

Dadpool

Dadpool

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Howdy! I've been drooling over Busses for the past year or so and might finally be ready to buy my first one. :D

I'm looking for a knife for outdoors and camp tasks, including chopping, and I live in the Pacific Northwest. That combination makes me think I'm after a larger blade (7" and up? But not in the machete range), in INFI for the added corrosion resistance (and probably coated as well), with an ergonomic handle. I will pair it with a small folder for food prep and lighter tasks, so it doesn't need to be strong in those areas.

I love the look of the TG-SE, and the recent A2 run looks like a good spot size-wise. (Same would go for the TGLB, I think, but I usually see them outside my price range.) Not sure how A2 stacks up to INFI, but based on reading threads here the general consensus seems to be quite nicely.

I also love the look of the ASH-1 and SFNO, and I like that both of those (unlike the TG) offer a thumb rest without a guard on the back. The ASH-1 seems a touch short for my use case, at least on paper.

All of that said, there are a staggering number of Busse acronyms and variations, and I'm sure I'm missing some! :eek: Am I on the right track looking at those three? Am on the right track with my general specs?

While I recognize that "you can't stop at just one!" is a thing, buying a second Busse would be unlikely for a long time. I'm trying to nail it on my first outing. Thanks for any help you can provide! :D
 
Hey Dadpool,

Certainly some good options. I have a Skinny Ash that can do most everything and am still looking for an SFNO (combat grade or cereakote, reasonably priced wink wink, for whomever is reading this).

Some would say the Sarsquatch is the best over all camp knife Busse ever made, but at the moment, if you are looking for Infi, and cost is an issue, you can still find the SH-E's that were released only a couple years ago. They should be right in the wheelhouse.
 
I'm a heavy Team gemini fan but the sfno would be a better chopper, and has better lines/appeal . The battlegrade version f the SFNO isnt too bad prise wise or you might splurge for the thicker stock infi original
 
One thing about the tgLB though, that you probably wouldnt hear anyone else say about a busse blade is... I wish it was heavier. The new A2s weight and balance feel perfect in hand comparing the 2.
 
Welcome to der madness. Many good choices abound, and please investigate the Busse Bad Mojo website. Not official Bussekin site, but chock full of info, especially the older models. Good luck in your future choices. Yes, there will be more than one Bussekin in your life. And please don't ignore the Swamp Rat, and Scrapyard offerings.

And many great used deals appear on the BF Exchange page with great regularity. I purchased a used Battle Rat, with sheath, for $200 a couple of years back. Think that type of Swamp Rat would suit your needs nicely. Just an example, (it's not for sale). And bottom knife in pic. Think the one above is a Camp Tramp? Good luck, and watch that money outflow...;-)
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Don't underestimate SR-101....and you are on the right track. I think a NMSFNO would suit your specific need perfectly. I am a TG fan of course, but I like em all. A Basic 8 is a perfect choice also. Right now since my recent arrival...a KZ II LE is what I am trying to do all things with. Welcome!
 
SFNO, ASH-1 in .25 or less and the Sarsquatch are my favorite all around knives. I am really looking forward to the Hog Badger that will be shipping in the next couple months, if you like the specs and look of them you will never be able to buy them cheaper than when they first hit the exchange as people receive them and dump them to buy new offerings. IMO the best bang for your buck on an awesome mid to large user is the SHE-II from a year or two back. They are often on the exchange new in the $400-$450 range which is basically new cost. If I was starting from scratch and wanted a knife in that size range that would be what I would buy.
 
Wow! Excellent recommendations, thank you! I'm off to Bad Mojo to do some side-by-side comparisons. Lots of models that weren't on my radar at all to look at.

Off the cuff, man does the Steel Heart look sweet!
 
zombieassassin said:
Don't underestimate SR-101....
Click to expand...

Sorry, forgot to add: I'm not opposed to SR-101, just not that knowledgeable. From looking at past threads on SR-101 vs. INFI, INFI seems to come out ahead on corrosion resistance.

95% of my experience with knives is with stainless steel, and given the local climate and my desire to try to buy "just one" Busse, it seems like I should be looking for INFI.
 
Im in swampland louisiana. sr-101 takes and holds a sharper edge than infi but it will rust if not cared for in high heat plus humidity areas. Infi has more overall toughness and corrosion resitance.
 
my first was the ash1 but i found myself using the ash2 more for things like a small machete, chopping and basically a wider rang of jobs.
 
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