Help with picking the right Busse...PLEASE!!!

N

NickZac

Joined
Mar 26, 2006
Messages
904
Hello
I have always loved looking at the pictures of all the different styles that Mr. Busse makes. I've decided I would like to get some INFI for myself. I am on a limited income and don't have a whole lot of money to spend. With that said, I want to get one Busse (as hard as I am sure that is) to be my primary fixed blade which I will use heavily for outdoor usage. It can be as plain as could be in terms of finish.

I am looking for a fixed blade with a length of 6-9 inches, around 1/4 inch thick blade, a handle material that works while dry or wet, can be used with or without gloves to baton heavily, and can be used for long periods without cutting your hands up too much. I am not sold either way on serrations and I am open to any advice. The Tank Buster w/ a G10 handle seems like a great outdoor fixed blade but I am not used to the extensive amount of customization options. I am a plain person and a plain knife would be fine as I also assume it is less expensive; I'm buying to use it heavily and don't want to destroy a beautiful finish as it will make me sad. I would like to know which upgrades make the knife better for outdoors usage?

Finally, can anyone direct me to the best places to get the knife you recommend for me?

Thanks so much for all your time!; Zac
 
If I had to pick just one blade, it would be a SFNO LE (1/300).
Surprisingly too, the LE is the cheapest SFNO in the exchange currently.
It's a buyers market.
 
get a sarsquatch or a SJTAC. or, you know, just go ahead and order a tankbuster. if you're going to be wearing it on your belt, a blade that's slightly thinner will be lighter and so more comfortable to carry on hikes and stuff.
 
+1 on the SFNO also if you wanted to go a little longer blade the NMSFNO (same knife with a 8in blade) is hard to beat and you can find them for cheaper than what the SFNO LE's are going for now
 
SFNO, NMSFNO or Fusion Steel heat or the tankbuster I would get micarta over g10 less slick and lighter
 
I would say the NMSFNO is right up your alley in that size range.

If you want to order a Tank Buster, about as plain Jane as it gets would be No Choil, No Swedge, pick the color you like, pick the color handles you like, any of the micarta or G10 handles work fine wet or dry.
 
It's a good time to buy some Infi.

6" Tank Buster (I'd spring for the satin finish here)
7" SFNO LE
8" NMSFNO
 
I love the NMSFNO. A real perfect all rounder!

One of the great things about Busse's Zac is that resale is generally very easy with very good returns......so if you get something that turns out to be wrong just move it on to a new home........

So fear not.....go forth and welcome the maddness:)
 
To be honest you could try and find an older style knife and try to obtain that, but I don't know why on earth you would want to. Seems like an easy decision to me, Tank Buster. Get one made to your specs. If it is one thing you will learn about Busse, they are made to be used and are backed by the best warranty I have ever seen in my life. Now is the best time in the world, you can pick exactly what you want. There are no plain Busse. Well to me the ergo are kinda plain but you would be spending more money, so you are probably better off order exactly what you want. Some colors fade faster or more then others, pick something that won't stand out as much. Enjoy!
 
Personal recommendation: NMSFNO

You can get a tank buster right now though, and they are very nicely priced, and you can order it how you like it.
 
I must concur: Tank Buster is your best bet and greatest value. Yes, there may be more optimum knives that you discover later, but you can get started and have a reference point if you have actually handled and used a Busse. From that point that you can come back to this forum and discuss more arcane or esoteric matters.There are a lot of minutiae you could agonize over, but that will simply bog you down and detract from the overall experience. To meet your criteria of value, its best to order direct. You just read that the design of the knife will meet your other criteria in this very thread. I think your best first experience with getting a Busse is to be found in this avenue. It will most likely be my first avenue too. I knew what I wanted right off and will be most grateful if I get a shot..I know it won't be just so if I wait for the aftermarket to get what I wanted and price as low as possible. Busses's just don't seem to get cheaper and cheaper..its blind luck if someone sells one too low not knowing what they have. I think you would be doing yourself a favor too---Joe :thumbup:
 
I have to say, I think the ASH is my favorite overall outdoor knife. With a 6 inch blade it's not so big it's too unwieldy but it's big enough to handle the tough chores with ease. If you're going to be doing any backpacking, weight is a concern: Go with a skinny ASH. The blade is (I think) .210 which is still quite enough to beat the hell out of but it's significantly lighter than the regular ASH.
 
In that size range, and trying to keep the cost down, look for a SARSquatch, ~$300, or a used NMSFNO, ~ $325.
 
The thing that really makes the NMSFNO shine above the others mentioned, is that he says he wants it to be able to do heavy batoning, which is always easier to do with a longer blade.

Of course, if the cutoff was 10" at 1/4" thick, rather than 9", he could go for a Battle Mistress. ;)
 
Hard to argue with the NMSFNO, although the SFNOLE is a bit purtier. Tankbuster will work, too, but you will have to wait a few weeks, maybe many before you get yours.
 
Cpl Punishment said:
The thing that really makes the NMSFNO shine above the others mentioned, is that he says he wants it to be able to do heavy batoning, which is always easier to do with a longer blade.
Click to expand...

You're right, the swedge on the SARSquatch will be harder on a baton. But batons are cheap. :D
 
Thanks so much for the replies! I would consider longer than 9 inches...the Battle Mistress is a gorgeous knife but I always assumed it was wayyyy out of my price range.
 
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