Here's one: Leaner Meaner VS. BAIII

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pbubsy

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Now I understand this is largely opinion, but what do you guys think about one VS the other in terms of a light hiking/camping knife where I wouldn't want to even pack a SARsquatch let alone a SHBM? Which is better? Both are around .170'' ish.

It wouldn't be an EDC for me at all being in CA and folders being sufficient....and legal :p but it WOULD be on my belt on hikes mainly and camping situations where I would have no need of a larger knife. Some bushcraft, some utility, some food prep.

What are your opinions?
 
For me, BAIII! I like it better and there's a bit more knife for some of the more difficult tasks. You are right though, this will come down to personal preference.
 
I would much prefer the BAIII as far as a camp/hike knife goes. I once had a CPJABA that I miss dearly...:(
 
I'd probably go the BAIII route, but I also have a "Banned" Meaner that would likely out slice it. Tough call...

BTW...you should make this a poll. I have found that a lot of folks respond to a poll without posting in the thread itself. Either way, it's an interesting question.
 
BA3. For whatever reason, I've never liked the Meaner. Maybe the blade shape turns me off. It works fine. Just not me.
 
Well, another vote for the BAIII. My Snake+Black has a thinned, convexed edge and it slices and push cuts like a dream!
 
BAIII for your chosen duties but for EDC the Leaner Meaner get my vote any day. I don't have a BAIII but my Black/Blue BATAC has been around a few campfires and served me well.
 
ABA DABA DOO!

I like the BAIII too.


You can do a little chopping in a severe pinch with the baIII . It also has a much nicer blade profile IMO for your intended purpose
 
BAIII in ABA form all the way!

Two GREAT choice's but the ABA's size and straight handle make it my favorite Busse.

The ABA LE is .150, My DABA I checked was .160, MY Black/snake BAIII is .190 and much heavier.

The original Flat ground MrS is .220 and the Saber LrMrS is .150

The more recent sabers Meaners are .195, and more the recent flat ground Meaners are .170

I would go with a .150 or .170 which ever you go with.
 
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SAR5. :p

ABALESAR5.jpg
 
The SAR5 would be the winnah with a slightly lighter handle. I love the FEEL of it, but too much rear-weight. I still gotta send one or more to BAN to get mod'd.
 
I don't have a BAIII but I have a Mnr. To echo everyone, I'd rather have a BAIII for what you describe but as an EDC the Mnr is great.

Sometimes I contemplate making it a Mean Warden.
 
BA III

I love my meaner but I do see them as an edc knife. I'd want a little more in a camping situation. I thing the BAIII would make a better bushcraft blade.


+1 on the SAR5.....:D


.
 
The BAIII is one of the all time great banging-around-in-the-woods knives, while the Leaner is more of an EDC'er, IMO. Number of reasons for that.

If "light" is the operative concern, I think I would look more at an ABA than a Leaner. The ABA would be more of a large/heavy utility knife and the BAIII would be more of a small/light camp knife.
 
Would someone help a poor ol' hillbilly out and post a side by side pic of both?
and you all that said BaIII, would you sell me a leaner?
 
Hey Guyon, thanks for the comparison pic... I didn't realize that the two were so similar in size. I'd love a BAIII or an ABA, but I love my SAR5 (especially for the money). :thumbup:

The SAR5 has a lot of blade in a relatively compact package. I did some slight mods to mine to improve it IMO.

Kind of difficult to see with the lanyard, but I stripped her, and did some grinding on her butt (I hate fat butts), and smoothed it up a bit. She rides on the fatboy daily. ;)

fcdb4009.jpg
 
Thanks for all the responses guys :D just seeing if you guys think along the same lines ;) I'm more partial to the BAIII myself....I don't know what to call mine as it isn't a ABA OR a BAIII as it's about .170''.....my leaner is the 2007SE, so I think it's about .170'' as well. For small blades that seems about the right thickness for a good combination of stregnth and slicing ability.
 
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