How well does INFI throw a spark?

P

Peter La

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Mar 26, 2005
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I am waiting for my EU-17 Magnum and would like to get a smaller blade as a companion blade for my wilderness expeditions. I am thinking of an Anorexic Badger in tan finish and nukarta scales. Does anyone have any experience with this blade? It looks great and I want your oppinions on this particular knife. Also any other information on a Busse with a blade of under or about 5 inches would be greatly appreciated. I am going to get a Swedish Army fire steel from 1sks and it has a built in striker. However, I would still like to know how well INFI throws a spark if I need to use flint or quartz if I am forced into an (un)desirable situation.

What do you think of this combo: EU-17 Magnum and Anorexic Badger? I think it would be incredible. Both are about the same colour (I am sort of picky when I get knives, the colour has to match my gear and BDU's) and both look great and best of all,their INFI.

I would appreciate any information or advice
Thanks
 
Hi Peter,

Are you getting the bug to start some trips onto the Ontario lakes? :)

For my wife and I and our three "kids" (the oldest is 20), that's where we spend every possible moment of free time in the summer.

On to your question...

I have a Meaner Street (double cut blade finish; bought from the Busse Company Store), which is a 4 inch blade, 0.22 inches flat ground. It will be my main bushcraft knife, complimented by a Satin Jack Tac LE (6 inch blade, convex ground) when it arrives.

The Meaner Street throws great sparks off of a Swedish Steel. We have a wood-burning stove, and once in a while, maybe to make it feel like I'm out in the bush, I'll use the Meaner Street to throw some sparks onto some birch bark in order to get the fire going.

I'm afraid I can't comment on other specific Busse blades... the Meaner Street is the only one that I have at this time. I think it makes a great all around small/medium bush blade. It feels rock solid (at 0.22 inches, no doubt it is), and is great at making feather sticks (another thing I fool around at with the woodburning stove).

Here's a couple of pics of Stewart Lake, near Kenora, to get you motivated!:

campfire2.jpg


Sunset.jpg



Regards,

W
 
Thanks for the great pictures and the information. Any idea if the coating on the Anorexic badger would impair the performance on a firesteel? Yes, those pictures really make me want to get out for a good old expedition. How was it? It looks like you must have had a great time. I am planning on doing some up north (in the summer). Again thanks, I really wanted to know how INFI worked on a fire steel.

Edit: Those pictures really are incredible. We have a beautiful country and its a shame that their are those that never enjoy it. I do not know when I am going to leave but when I get back I will take some pictures of the scenery. And the knives! Again thanks.
 
Peter La said:
Thanks for the great pictures and the information. Any idea if the coating on the Anorexic badger would impair the performance on a firesteel? Yes, those pictures really make me want to get out for a good old expedition. How was it? It looks like you must have had a great time. I am planning on doing some up north (in the summer)...
Click to expand...

The trip was great, thanks! I can't wait for the ice to go; the river here is just starting to thaw.

I have a Swamp Rat INFIcoot, which has a desert tan coating. The curved recess of the choil just before the blade throws sparks really well. That area is likely hardened the same as the cutting edge of the blade, it has a harsh square edge, and on my knife the coating has been warn off there from use of a fire steel.

Just now I tried throwing sparks using the spine of the INFIcoot, and I didn't get much. The desert tan coating is still thick there on my knife, and the edge of the spine is not as harshly square as it is on the choil. I can't remember if the INFIcoot is differentially tempered, but if it is then the spine would be softer, and maybe that might affect the sparking.

My guess is that using the choil of a coated blade would work very well, as soon as the bit of coating there wears off. The choil area would be tempered quite hard, and it has a nice sharply squared geometry.

Mike
 
Mike Harlos said:
Here's a couple of pics of Stewart Lake, near Kenora, to get you motivated!:
Regards, Mike
Click to expand...
nice pics! the country reminds me of northern idaho, up where it buts into cananda. like you, the mean/meaner street is fast becoming one of my favorites :cool:
 
All the Desert Anorexic Badgers I've seen (I've had three) have had uncoated spines and tangs.

Jeremy
 
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