If I have no money for a Busse and if A2 sucks? What options for a survival knife?

ukknifer said:
Hi

I just saw Noss4 test of Bark River Bravo1 in A2.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEABRcTeIE0&feature=related
This thread is not about how Noss4 tests are abuse or good tests.
This Thread is not About Bark river marketing strategies and the sort.

This is about A2 as a survival (not bushcraft) knife blade and if there alternatives for those who cant afford Infi on a Busse.
I don't like 1095 because I have seen it break easily in tests.
3V is as expensive as Infi (almost) and not available on production knives.

Any ideas?

Thank you guys
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From your expression, I believe your only option is to go Infi!!!

My survival blades consists of blades from 2 manufacturers only... One is Busse and the other is ESEE (all their knives are made of 1095 steel). Don't knock 1095 until you have tried it from ESEE. Heat treatment is what sets theses guys apart from the rest. I have Becker 9, Ontario RTAK 2, and ESEE Junglas to do side by side comparison with, the toughness of ESEE embarks to that of Infi. All 1095's are not the same!
 
ukknifer said:
This is another video of a custom bark river that failed its long but see the hole thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4ss8NtqEkw
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After reading further down the post, I came across the video u posted, and I'm very disappointed that this video is brought up. The Bark River being reviewed is clearly a "bush craft" knife, from what I remember in your first post you did not want a bush craft knife. The Bark River being reviewed is clearly a "cutter", and the guy in the video is clearly a moron. That Bark River is fine the way it is, it's not a battle knife but is being review like one. Seriously, if you don't want people to accuse you of being a troll, you need to straighten your point and stick to your own topic.

Bringing up reviews like the Cold Steel Recon Scout failing is relevant, but the video of the custom Bark River is NOT!

Again, if you absolutely want a knife for "Battle/Survival" purpose, I suggest you start saving up for a Busse.
 
Just remember, owning the latest most expensive survival knife
is no guarantee that you will survive.
In fact, owning the most bestest knife extrodinaire in existance may even put your
life in more peril depending on who is coveting your possessions w/o your knowledge.
If people are currently being slain for their SUV, sneakers, or sport-themed jacket
think how much worse it will be once we do reach the 'survival' mode.
I like the suggestion made earlier to spend the money first on survival classes.
After receiving the proper certification, survival is likely possible with a plain olde
production knife. As well as the realization there are other factors more critical to
survival than your blade steel.
Like having enough fresh water! And warm dry feet & ammo.....
 
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Nimravus Nut said:
Again, if you absolutely want a knife for "Battle/Survival" purpose, I suggest you start saving up for a Busse.
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With respect to you and others that keep recommending Busse, they don't make them anymore, so why recommend them? Why buy a second hand Busse, when there are so many other knives that are available. For me, I would buy a new one.

On a side note, can someone advise me why Busse no longer offer the BBM and SH:confused: Those were really great knives, I would like to have a chance to buy a new one.

Cordially,

BabyJWuu :D
 
BabyJWuu said:
On a side note, can someone advise me why Busse no longer offer the BBM and SH:confused: Those were really great knives, I would like to have a chance to buy a new one.

Cordially,

BabyJWuu :D
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That's just what Jerry does, he makes a particular model for a while, and then produces another.

As for the Steel Heart, I heard that Busse brough a lot of FSH to Knob Creek. Every once in a while, they'll bring OLD models to shows, but they are usually custom shop pieces with a lot of mods to them (nuclear tips, serrations, bolo blade, etc.) But a knife that hasn't been produces in 5 or so years are usually easy to find at gun and knife shows.

And buying a used Busse isn't bad. You save money that way and the warrenty follows the knife, not just the original owner. So if you're going to use the knife anyway, used isn't bad.
 
BabyJWuu said:
With respect to you and others that keep recommending Busse, they don't make them anymore, so why recommend them? Why buy a second hand Busse, when there are so many other knives that are available. For me, I would buy a new one.

On a side note, can someone advise me why Busse no longer offer the BBM and SH:confused: Those were really great knives, I would like to have a chance to buy a new one.

Cordially,

BabyJWuu :D
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I see brand new Busse knives on the exchange everyday. You might have to pay a little more for some models, but there are some great deals to be had right now. Like another poster said the knife shows that Busse attends ( Knob Creek, Blade, Easton Pa, Oklahoma) you can get some of the older models there too. There are many brand new never used Busse knives on the exchange now, you should check it out.
 
BabyJWuu said:
With respect to you and others that keep recommending Busse, they don't make them anymore, so why recommend them? Why buy a second hand Busse, when there are so many other knives that are available. For me, I would buy a new one.

On a side note, can someone advise me why Busse no longer offer the BBM and SH:confused: Those were really great knives, I would like to have a chance to buy a new one.

Cordially,

BabyJWuu :D
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Just like the guys have said ... you can find hundreds of new Busses' on the exchange right now.

I think it is part of the fun with Busse .... the thrill of the hunt.

Folks that sell/trade Busses' are honest and trustworthy so I wouldn't worry about getting a bad blade.

Some companies make the same model for decades .... It's nice ... to me anyway .... that you might own a Busse that there are only a handful of in that finish/handle combo.

Plus the warranty ... if you do buy a used knife the warranty follows it.

You only need to buy one .... they also have a sharpening and refinishing service.

Not just buying a knife ... it's an experience !!! :D
 
Kershaw makes a nice 3V knife for their Zero Tolerance line. Model 0100. Nice knife.:thumbup:
 
Like I always say about the INFI.. it seems to piss people off that Busse and their fans stand behind it so strongly and that it is a Busse exclusive but I have now read hundreds upon hundreds of satisfied customer posts and have yet to read ONE post where someone was dissatisfied. That says alot when you think about it.
 
M67 said:
That's just what Jerry does, he makes a particular model for a while, and then produces another.

As for the Steel Heart, I heard that Busse brough a lot of FSH to Knob Creek. Every once in a while, they'll bring OLD models to shows, but they are usually custom shop pieces with a lot of mods to them (nuclear tips, serrations, bolo blade, etc.) But a knife that hasn't been produces in 5 or so years are usually easy to find at gun and knife shows.

And buying a used Busse isn't bad. You save money that way and the warrenty follows the knife, not just the original owner. So if you're going to use the knife anyway, used isn't bad.
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I could not have said it better myself.:thumbup:
 
Let me just put in my 2 cents, Yes half of noss4's test are utterly ridiculous, BUT they do serve to weed out the bad knives he can't test 50 knives in the bush for 1 year to see if they hold up and If a knife loses its tip into a 2x4 or if it snaps in half on the second strike with the cinderblock would you trust that knife in the wild assuming it was a chopper? The last few videos always do get utterly ridiculous though.

@OP Any knife can fail or be defective, if you are worried buy 2 cheaper knives such as GI tantos or beckers and take them both, more weight but if they both break then God really hates you. A lot of companies will replace the knife if it fails in normal use, KABAR/Becker is really good about this and so are ESEE.
 
1095, D2 & A2 are my most favored knife steels. You'll find INFI in that list too, and you may find its a variation of any 3 of the for-mentioned... ;) Warranty is the most important thing these days, along with customer service. Without it, you still have a broken knife...

Still, knife steel depends on application and if I am not going around popping the top off of a tank, then 1095 and A2 can not be beaten in my opinion. I would not be so quick as to put these steels to the side, and as per comments above - just because you may think you have an indestructible knife, doesn't mean you'll last 5 minutes in a survival situation. A person wont last long if they don't know squat about what they need to do... :D

It sounds like you want a knife to inspire confidence in yourself using it (??)- which can be important too. If that's the case, then get the Busse INFI as there are deals around if you search hard. Good luck with the decision making!
 
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Brennanscott said:
Like I always say about the INFI.. it seems to piss people off that Busse and their fans stand behind it so strongly and that it is a Busse exclusive but I have now read hundreds upon hundreds of satisfied customer posts and have yet to read ONE post where someone was dissatisfied. That says alot when you think about it.
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Cognitive Dissonance

Could one pay upwards of 500$ for a knife and not like it? Cognitive dissonance suggests not.

I think it pisses people off when they see collectors saying how great they are as user knives, I dunno thats my guess as I myself am not a fan of parrots. They have a kick ass handle design thats pretty unique, and their not afraid to make a thick heavy knife, both pluses. It adds fuel to the fire when people quote lab results and INFI fans dispute it claiming its impossible to accurately analyze a metal.

Swamprat more then meets my needs. I don't much buy into the idea that Busse invented a super-steel that not one competitor bothered or even can emulate considering the massive amount of $$$ they would make. Capitalism is the name of the game after all.
 
mat_890 said:
Cognitive Dissonance

Could one pay upwards of 500$ for a knife and not like it? Cognitive dissonance suggests not.

I think it pisses people off when they see collectors saying how great they are as user knives, I dunno thats my guess as I myself am not a fan of parrots. They have a kick ass handle design thats pretty unique, and their not afraid to make a thick heavy knife, both pluses. It adds fuel to the fire when people quote lab results and INFI fans dispute it claiming its impossible to accurately analyze a metal.

Swamprat more then meets my needs. I don't much buy into the idea that Busse invented a super-steel that not one competitor bothered or even can emulate considering the massive amount of $$$ they would make. Capitalism is the name of the game after all.
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I agree somewhat in the fact that Busse knives have created a very lucrative fan base/cult following - by limiting models, some kick*ss reviews by Noss, chopping cinderblocks and most do perform really well.

That said, I don't have a link but INFI is no "secret" they publish the composition of INFI - I've read it but am not a steel expert. I would never lay down the kind of $$ they ask. I did once and after getting a crappy "full convex" edge that was V ground and not sharp, I sold it in favor of the ESEE Junglas that chopped rings around it.

Right afterward, Mr. Busse stated in his subforum that these dull knives were an oversight and he would take care of any and all that were sent back for sharpening. I really liked the knife and G-10 handle upgrade that I selected, but I wouldn't pay more than 1/2 of what I paid for that knife again.

The exchange is loaded with them and they don't really appreciate in value much - at least the ones I see. Guys are selling them off every night, so you can probably try one out at a good price if you watch closely and snag one.

Great knives, overpriced IMHO, BUT nobody is twisting people's arms to buy them! :)
 
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cziv said:
That said, I don't have a link but INFI is no "secret" they publish the composition of INFI - I've read it but am not a steel expert. I would never lay down the kind of $$ they ask. I did once and after getting a crappy "full convex" edge that was V ground and not sharp, I sold it in favor of the ESEE Junglas that chopped rings around it.
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If that outchopped a Busse it sure wasn't one of the FBM's.... FFBM, NMFBM etc.

Or even a Basic 11. ;)
 
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