It looks similar to A2 with less carbon and added cobalt,so it will perform similar to A2.Busse currently sells a fusion BM in 0.320" stock for 700.00+ all the extra helpings like camo coat,different slabs etc,so the total is 800.00.I do expect a good performance from INFI(unlike S30V),but a 50.00-100.00$ Greco A2 or 8670 blade may perform about the same.PS>I like some Strider designs,but their choice of steel baffles me,wouldn`t A2,5160 or S7 be infinitely better for the purpose and CHEAPER for them to use???
I don't know much about the merits of various steels so I'll leave that to you guys. But the price of $700-800 for a fusion BM is misleading, that is the price for the limited edition. The 'normal' one retails for around $400 + the extras, still a lot more than the $100 knife mentioned above but a lot cheaper than the $700-800 also quoted above, which is why I opted for that one.
On the subject of price and value look at diamonds. They are relatively common but companies like De Beers hold back lots to inflate price and people still pay these inflated prices as a result of good marketing creating demand and a limited supply set by the companies involved. It could be the same could be said of Busse. BUT, and this is a very big BUT, these inflated prices on the secondary market do not benefit Busse at all as they have already sold them for a much cheaper price, although admittedly not cheap compared to some other knives. But are these other, cheaper knives really better value?
In sticking with the car example / analogy used earlier in this thread then, Ferrari's don't cost the same as Ford's so Busse's don't cost the same as Buck's. Does that make the cost of a Ferrari a rip off as the cost of 10 Ferrari's could buy a private jet? It does if you want a jet and almost have the money for a jet then buy one Ferrari which stops you buying the jet. But it is the buyer's choice. It isn't a rip off if you already have the jet or don't want a jet or have enough cash after buying the Ferrari to still buy the jet. If you do want a jet but you are happy with the Ferrari and can wait for the jet then again it is not a rip off either. So how much of a premium should be paid for a Ferrari over Ford? That's the buyer's choice to make, if no-one buys at a high price the price drops.
It's the same with Busse knives. Nobody forces people to buy them, the buyers make that choice. If they want to spend the cash on something else they don't need to buy the knife. If after buying one they don't like it they can still recoup the cash and then some by selling on the secondary market at the right time, unlike with used cars. If they do like it then they usually buy more. You can dispute the cost of a Ferrari but people who buy them seldom say they are crap and won't buy another, unless they don't have the cash that is. The same with Busses, people usually cite the performance as justifying the cost. The reverse sometimes happens but usually not. This forum has plenty of fan boys for many knife makers as well as Busse. But there are also plenty of examples of Busses being put through some very hard paces by many here and the results speak for themselves. if price is a real problem there is always Ferrari Light or Diet Ferrari, oops I mean Swamp Rat Knives and Scrap Yard Knives. I started with Swamp Rat Knives and now have 5 with 2 on order and loved them. I then decided to see what the extra cash bought so opted for one Busse and have now ordered my second as I was pleased with the first. I guess my experience is not different to many others. Also I use them heavily but do not do destructive testing, I just use them.
Which brings us back to this thread. I see nothing wrong with destructive testing of any knives and some people on this topic have outlined the reasons and rationale for this very well. If the people doing this do so in a scientific way that enables results for different knives to be compared then this is great for those of us who cannot afford or chose not to do this. So the results of the Strider tests should make interesting reading. Possibly this is something all knife makers should do as a matter of course and the results be there for all to see - kind of like car impact tests.
As for warranties though, that is usually another matter. However some makers give a no questions asked warranties and if they use such warranties in marketing they should abide by it. If the warranty says normal usage only then destructive testing voids the warranty, if there are no qualifiying statements then all knives should be replaced. End of story.
Anyway enough of this - time to get back to my wine, movie and just arrived pizza. A Happy Hogmanay to you all.
Slainte,
Rab
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