Help me decide...CRK one piece or Busse?

Dave Costin

Dave Costin

Joined
Oct 14, 2000
Messages
466
I kind of had my heart set on a CRK one piece w/a 5-7" blade but it seems that Busse gets all the attention in this area. So now this has me second guessing. I've read where the Busse "infi" steel is much better than the A-2 the Chris Reeve uses.

I want a knife for general "all around" use. For the most part it probably won't be worked all that hard but if called upon I want it to be able to handle most any task that a knife would be capable of.

I generally do light camping on the weekends but since I have a son who just turned 7 (and he loves the outdoors) we will soon (within the next few years) be taking longer and harder treks.

I am 6'5" and 265lbs so obviously I have large hands and want something that fits well. I have read where the Busse fits large hands very well but I have no idea about the CRK. I also don't know how well the new Busse Satin Jack would fit in a large hand either.

I will carry both ways I'm sure, meaning on my person and sometimes in a pack. Chopping will probably not be important but again I want the capability.

I do not have the luxury of handeling any of these due to the fact there are no cutlery shops in my area.:( So this is why I am calling on all of your expertise.

As I said I really liked the CRK but it seems that everywhere I read Busse is getting the big thumbs up for an all around outdoors knife. I only want to make this purchase once and will probably look at used because being brand new is not important to me if I can save some money.:)

Please help with this decision. I'm not in a big hurry but if someone has something in this area for sale let me know via e-mail. I was hoping to not go over $200.00 but I see that if I switch to a Busse I may have to.

Sorry for being so windy. As you can tell I am thourghly confused right now.

Thanks for any help, Dave
 
Eric, Thanks for the link. Yes I did read that thread and liked everything however it left a question in my mind as far as the handle size. He said he had smaller hands and it fit him very well. I am concerned that it might be a bit too small for me. I have no idea what the CRK feels like either though.

As for going to the Busse forums I have not really been there yet. I'm affraid you guys will get me in there and slam the door shut!:D J/K I just thought it might be a little more open minded here.:lol
 
Chris Reeve Project vs Busse Steel Heart (the 7" blades) is a pretty solid choice either way and I would presonally not be complaining about either one if I had to depend on it.

The handle is a big issue, fairly critical, as many will find the checkered steel grip of the project to be uncomfortable, some to the extent that it isn't functional. In regards to cutting ability, NIB, both will be high, with the edge going to Reeve as it will have a more acute profile. The Busse will outchop it, but again both knives are in the same league.

The Busse has more steel in the body, and is more flexible and tougher than A2 so it will make a better prybar and all around beater. But you are not going to snap a One-Piece that easily, though I would bet the flex point is rather low. Similar for the tip, the Busse is stronger, and the Reeve geared more towards penetration. Both have very solid coatings, and come with decent sheaths.

A2 is not as tough as INFI nor as corrosion resistant, nor as wear resistant, and Reeves puts his RC much lower than Busse has his INFI, so edge retention in general is going to be significantly below the Busse. However for general wood working this isn't going to be much of an issue, and the Reeves respond very well to stropping.

One of the real differences is in the level of customer support. I have seen Reeve time and time again ignore hard questions on his forum, and set policy that I don't agree with. Busse is far more open about why they do what they do, and stands stronger behind the blades, with far less fees for servicing. Busse does have an odd taste in beer though, and you can only trust someone so much when they don't drink Guinness.

My hand is 8.5" from middle finger to wrist and 2.5" thick (through thumb), and the Project fit me very well. I have not used the new "E" Busse handles, but I have not seen a lot of complaints about hand cramping compared to the old ones, which do fit me well.

There is more information in the reviews, and any specific questions just ask.

Greenjacket has used a Project extensively, and has handled a few Busses. He is quite experienced with a different perspective than mine on Busse/Reeve, which is worth reading. If he doesn't respond to this I would suggest you drop him an email.

-Cliff
 
I will offer my completely marginal opinion.

Having owned three smaller CRK models - I asked myself - Do I really need/want a hollow handle? (Answer - it is cool, but not really necessary).

I have handled (not owned or used) the Satin Jack and would recommend it simply based on the grip.
 
Flip a coin either will suite your stated purpose beyond your apparent expectations. Better yet, buy both!:D
 
If I were you....... hehehehe...... I'd take a 2 1/2 hour drive to visit Jerry Busse, if that's okay with him. You live in the same state as the Busse factory. Try out the grip on the knives, and see if they fit your hand. The grip is the big deciding factor here.

Or..... as you're not in a big hurry..... Wait a month or two. New knives should be coming out soon. One of them may just be a "no-brainer" for you.
 
Thanks everyone for the replies. They are very much appreciated.

I am leaning very hard toward BUsse but have fallen into another delima....Natural Outlaw or Steel Heart. Not sure if I would be happy with 6" blade at all times but not sure if I really need a 7.5".

I really like dedication and it seems that Busse has that, to say the least. When it comes to fixed blades CRK dosen't seem to have the loyality behind them. If I were looking for a folder Sebenza fans would be jumping all over this. I know because I went through this about two years ago and ended up with a small Sebenza. I love it too. That's why I'm counting on everyones help again.

I talked with Busse today and it was a pleasure. I agree with you Buzzbait, I really should make the drive but I wouldn't get to see the shop due to them making some government contract stuff so security is rather high right now. Otherwise I may have went.:)

As I said I am looking VERY hard at the Busse but no sure which. I may just pick up the phone and flip a coin while it's ringing. I know I said I wans't in a hurry but I think "the bug has bit".

So......NO or SH????????????

Although I really enjoyed reading Buzzbait's review of the SJ I am really affraid that the handle would be too small. I don't think I would be happy with it because of that.
 
Chopping will probably not be important but again I want the capability.
Click to expand...

If chopping isn't important, I really wouldn't go with either the NO or the SH. Chopping is their forte. The ¼” thick NO I had really was too thickly ground to be much of a slicer. At least not what you'd consider a slicer after using a Sebenza.

If normal cutting chores are the primary uses for the knife, you really should look at the LE Satin Jack or one of the Reeve knives. I personally love my Busse Satin Jack, but would never be worried about the quality of any Reeve knife. Both Busse and Reeve make top quality knives, and have extraordinary customer service to back them up.

Go with your gut.


Oh yah. Try asking this question in the Wilderness & Survival Skills Forum . You'll probably get a whole lot more feedback from people who have used both Busse and Reeve knives.
 
Originally posted by Cliff Stamp
Busse does have an odd taste in beer though, and you can only trust someone so much when they don't drink Guinness.

-Cliff
Click to expand...


GUINESS, YEAH!!!! :D :) :D
 
I wasn't going to comment but since DN already did then I guess. I can't say anything bad because I don't think I have ever had one. I do like a rich sipping beer at times but prefer my regular old "Coors Light".:) Matter of fact I'm having an ice cold one right now!:D
 
Now and then I like a bottled Sam Adams, cookouts with grilled food usually makes me reach for one. Most of the time I much prefer the taste of Guiness.....
 
Hi...

Well first off I want to say that the CRK line of knives are works of art.. Very well done ..They are a joy to work with...

However, first I should say that I've never did any work with a Reeve, since they are only stopping buy for a visit when they are here at my shop...
I've handled A lot of them, each very nice..

There are a couple of things that bother me about the one piece line..
Round handles are for me the worst part about the knife.. I find it very uncomfortable.. The second would be the tip,, I find them just a little too thin...

Other than that,, I'd love to own one, and probably will some day...

Now onto the Busse...

What can you say,, they are a Work horse.. An extremely tough knife to break.. Tip is strong and the handles are flat on the sides,giving a better grip and less fatigue on the hand and wrist in a heavy chop...

In my opinion,, I'd pick the Busse hands down for several reasons.....
There not much else to say about them...

I've had several of mine on camp outs and one survival course and the blades are just as sharp as they were new....(with a little help from a stick)

ttyle

Eric...
 
I have large hands and I've owned both.

I sold the CRK's and love the Satin Jack.
I'm 6'03" at a tiny 290, Jerry says my hands are huge.
I love the SJ.
The SJ's use to be made of 1/4" INFI, they have held up so well that Busse has gone to 3/16".

For the kind of use (and mine) you have in mind, it will surpass your needs.
Don't worry about the handle, it feels great in the hand.
Good luck.
Let us know what you come up with.
 
I really need to make the drive don't I?:D I didn't want to for two reasons. First I wouldn't be able to tour the shop because of newly enforced security and second I still wouldn't be able to hold a CRK.

Decisions decisions.:rolleyes: What to do. Maybe wait and see like Buzzbait said. They may come out with something new soon.:)

Whats a guy to do. Wait, before you all jump in and answer that, I can only afford ONE knife right now.
 
Dave, Please don't flame me ,but the Buck Nighthawk is a very
good knife to do what you say you need done. True, it isn't a
CRK or Busse but no more than this knife might get used give
it a try. I have one that I just beat the devil out of and it' comes
back for more wheather I digging, chopping,, prying , poking ,
or whatever with it. not to mention the handle is the best I've
ever held, wet or dry.

If you do a search you will find there are many of us here that
hold the Nighthawk in Hi regard. Yep, and with it's great Buck
warrantee and price it's a true now worries blade for any use.
 
No Tightwad, I won't flame you;) but I really want the best I can buy. I love to hold quality. I don't doubt that the Buck might do all (almost;) ) that I will expect but I really want to have a very good knife to keep and use for years.

I was a cop for almost 10 years before being forced into early retirement due to a shoulder injury. While there I needed and back up and off duty weapon. Even though a "cheap" model would probably have sufficed I chose a Walther PPK/S. At that time it was the best in my opinion w/o going into alot more detail.

Thanks for the input though.
 
Dave, OK, good luck with your search. One thought .....do you
have a beater knife? I kinda doubt that you want to put a Busse
or CRK on beater duty. The Nighthawk was Buck's entry into
the Navy Seal's knife contest a few years ago which why it's so
tough. Anyway , I understand what you mean about quality.......

Buy once.....buy the best......it's a done deal.

Cheers, mate.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top