I'm considering Busse/Swamp Rat/Scrap Yard for my next chopper?

M

mastiffhound

Joined
Dec 27, 2013
Messages
345
I've been looking around for another big chopper ever since I got my RTAK II. ESEE and TOPS were on top of my list until I found out about the Busse family of blades. The designs are exactly what I'm looking for, big heavy duty choppers that will take a beating. The fact that they look to be based in my home state is a big plus too.

Do they have dealers in Ohio that sell their blades? I'd like to handle a few, I didn't get to handle the RTAK II before I bought it and probably wouldn't have as the handle leaves a lot to be desired. The blades in the 9" to 11" length are just what I'm looking for, though it will probably be the offerings from Swamp Rat or Scrap Yard.

I really like the Resiprene C handles on the SYKCOs, they look like they would mitigate a lot of the shock. Problem is they are all sold out? Do I just order and then it's made? Or do I have to wait until it's back in stock?

If I can't get one the SYKCOs then the Rodent 9 looks to be the next step up. How comfortable is the handle for extended use though?

Lastly, I thought I saw something about them coming un-sharpened? Is this true? As always, thanks for all the help!
 
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I'll answer some of your questions and I'm sure others will add theirs. Busse and family don't have dealers, so no going into a store to fondle them, every one i've handled has had excellent ergonomics far better than the RTAK or Junglass. Not just flat micarta slabs. The Resiprene handles are superb at absorbing shock and make for great choppers, although the micarta and g10 based handles are so well designed that they don't tend to develop hot spots for most people.

Now for the tough part, buying one. You should watch the exchange on here, watch for Ganzaa sales, and you can order from the respective websites for which ever blade they happen to be making at the time. They generally do fairly short runs of certain designs so order while you can if you find one you like. Or watch for ganza sales and hope to score the one you want.
 
I'm still a newbie myself, but I would say something from the Yard would be a great choice,,but if you did spend a little more for a Busse, you would be hooked for life!
For the time being if you want something from Scrapyard your best bet is to watch the for sale area of the forum, and maybe even post a "want to buy" as well.
As far as handling them, just buy what you think you might like during a Ganza, if you don't like it you will have NO PROBLEM selling it for what you paid.
I'm sure others will have some great suggestions for your first.
Good luck!
 
RatMastiff! Considering your screen name is a hit and run! :D



Top: Rodent 9
Middle Mischief 9
Bottom: Rat Mastiff, my most used chopper.

Yea, Busse kin do come a little on the dull side but thats a good thing as you can modify the edge to your taste. I like a slightly fine edge with lots of meat behind it. Its much easier to take steel away than add it.

EDIT: to add, I have a Junglas, if you want to see any Bussekin chopper I have in that category beside it I'd be happy to take pics. I can tell you right now any of them fit my hand better than the Junglas, the handle is huge. I know the RTAK has even larger handles than the Junglas, so yea. An old school Fusion Battle Mistress isnt a bad idea either, i have one of those as well. YOu can also see a Battle Rat as well in the list, its a bit on the uncommon side these days though.
 
Keep a close eye on the same area,, a scrapyard 1111 went for a GREAT price today
 
I would send a late ganza email for a 911 and maybe you just might get lucky on a sweet (though zombie green) SYCKO chopper no longer normally available since emails have not gone out yet. Tell them it would be your first in the email... it can't hurt.
 
Watch for a 1311 on the market... or, join the B13 movement! See the link in my sig. ;)

Edit: Looks like there's a 1311 there that was just listed today. Not mine, no interest in the sale... just pointing it out. To this point those are some of the best choppers in the Bussekin family.
 
Skrapmetal said:
Watch for a 1311 on the market... or, join the B13 movement! See the link in my sig. ;)
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Yes, or join the Bolo13 movement lik Skrap said, I should have said that... :D
 
mastiffhound said:
I've been looking around for another big chopper ever since I got my RTAK II. ESEE and TOPS were on top of my list until I found out about the Busse family of blades. The designs are exactly what I'm looking for, big heavy duty choppers that will take a beating. The fact that they look to be based in my home state is a big plus too.

Do they have dealers in Ohio that sell their blades? I'd like to handle a few, I didn't get to handle the RTAK II before I bought it and probably wouldn't have as the handle leaves a lot to be desired. The blades in the 9" to 11" length are just what I'm looking for, though it will probably be the offerings from Swamp Rat or Scrap Yard.

I really like the Resiprene C handles on the SYCKOs, they look like they would mitigate a lot of the shock. Problem is they are all sold out? Do I just order and then it's made? Or do I have to wait until it's back in stock?

If I can't get one the SYCKOs then the Rodent 9 looks to be the next step up. How comfortable is the handle for extended use though?

Lastly, I thought I saw something about them coming un-sharpened? Is this true? As always, thanks for all the help!
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How do you like your RTAKII? I bought one at Blade this year and dont really like it after playing around with after purchase. The handle is huge! I haven't taken it out for any chopping yet though.
 
Where in Ohio are you? I have quite a few Bussekin choppers that I could show you. Even better, there is a group of us that meet out east of Cleveland to have an occasional GTG, where we chop up stuff, trying out each others knives. I will be happy to put you on our mailing list for future events. Right click on my name, and shoot me an email. We probably won't meet up again until September, it's too hot to chop for fun in July and August.

There is a member here that is the sole dealer for Bussekin at retail outside of the Shop. Good thing for you, he has a table at gun shows in Columbus. Your next handling and buying opportunity will be Sept 5/6. There is no guarantee as to what he may have on the table, it all depends on what the Shop sends him. OTOH, hanging around his table is a good way to meet and talk with fellow Busse knife fans.

The knives are certainly not unsharpened, but they may not have a primary edge angle and degree of sharpness that meets your own expectations. I will reprofile the users to a thinner convex edge on the HF 1x30. YMMV.

 
SRWeldon said:
How do you like your RTAKII? I bought one at Blade this year and dont really like it after playing around with after purchase. The handle is huge! I haven't taken it out for any chopping yet though.
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The factory edge held up fairly well, it would push cut receipt paper before I took it out for an hour of path clearing, after two trailer loads of thorn trees it would pull cut the receipt paper. It did well for the price but the handle wasn't great. Too many corners and the next day my hand didn't feel all that great. For the price it's okay, but like most things you can tell that for a little more money you'll get a better blade.

resinguy said:
Where in Ohio are you? I have quite a few Bussekin choppers that I could show you. Even better, there is a group of us that meet out east of Cleveland to have an occasional GTG, where we chop up stuff, trying out each others knives. I will be happy to put you on our mailing list for future events. Right click on my name, and shoot me an email. We probably won't meet up again until September, it's too hot to chop for fun in July and August.

There is a member here that is the sole dealer for Bussekin at retail outside of the Shop. Good thing for you, he has a table at gun shows in Columbus. Your next handling and buying opportunity will be Sept 5/6. There is no guarantee as to what he may have on the table, it all depends on what the Shop sends him. OTOH, hanging around his table is a good way to meet and talk with fellow Busse knife fans.

The knives are certainly not unsharpened, but they may not have a primary edge angle and degree of sharpness that meets your own expectations. I will reprofile the users to a thinner convex edge on the HF 1x30. YMMV.

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I live in the Zanesville/Cambridge/St Clairsville area about 2.5 hours away from Cleveland. I'll have to try and make it to the show in Columbus on the 5/6 of Sept., I'd love to handle a few.
 
How much do you want to spend ?? That is probably the starting point for most advice people here will need. And yes, the 1311 (as some pointed out one is up in the EX now) is a brilliant chopper if that is your primary need.
 
Andy the Aussie said:
How much do you want to spend ?? That is probably the starting point for most advice people here will need. And yes, the 1311 (as some pointed out one is up in the EX now) is a brilliant chopper if that is your primary need.
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I was thinking around $250 to $350, the 1311 may be a little too big for me. I already have sheaths for 9" to 11" blades, plus those sizes are my comfort limit for humping around my property. They both secure above my knee when strapped to my leg, any longer and it gets into that weird uncomfortable area. The 1311 does look like a beast though, if I was taller it would work out well I'm sure.
 
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mastiffhound said:
I was thinking around $250 to $350, the 1311 may be a little too big for me. I already have sheaths for 9" to 11" blades, plus those sizes are my comfort limit for humping around my property. They both secure above my knee when strapped to my leg, any longer and it gets into that weird uncomfortable area. The 1311 does look like a beast though, if I was taller it would work out well I'm sure.
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sounds like this is what you may be looking for:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...tainManDu-and-Friends?highlight=mountainmandu

do a search for "MountainManDu" & you will get additional 411...

they come up fairly regularly on the Exchange here...

apart from that, you could see if there are any black & white ceracoated ones left over from BLADE Ganzaaaa by emailing in a request to Lexi...happy hunting!:)
 
For @$300 +/- you are going to be looking around for a 1111, 1311 or Dog Father from Scrap Yard, if you want a shorter blade than the 1311 I would look for a used Dog Father. ResC and a great blade !!!!! The MMDs that are floating around from Knob Creek/Limited Release/Blade15 will also do the business for you, they don't have the ResC grip of course. If you spend some more $s the Buchwacker Mistress (an INFI steel Busse) are great value and chop well !!! A new ASHBM direct from Busse is more $s again but lots of steel for the $$s when compared to a FBM etc on the second hand market !
 
I would recommend doing the research, then watching BF Exchange for a good used example from your list of choices. I paid $300 for a used Dogfather LE, and $200 for a used Battle Rat. Both in great shape, sheaths/shipping included; 9"-10.5" blade range. Welcome to the madness, and enjoy the hunt...;-)
 
I hope this isn't in bad taste but on the exchange right now is a basic 10 choilless, it's a sweet piece of INFI for a great price. $399, it's more than you stated wanting to spend but this is INFI not sr101. Ina big chopper I would always rather have INFI. It fits your sheaths, res-c handle, INFI greatness. It's worth a bet, that's for sure.... My 2¢
 
mastiffhound said:
...
I really like the Resiprene C handles on the SYKCOs, they look like they would mitigate a lot of the shock. Problem is they are all sold out? Do I just order and then it's made? Or do I have to wait until it's back in stock?

If I can't get one the SYKCOs then the Rodent 9 looks to be the next step up. How comfortable is the handle for extended use though?

Lastly, I thought I saw something about them coming un-sharpened? Is this true? As always, thanks for all the help!
Click to expand...
Resiprene C handles are great for comfort! I would especially recommend a Basic 9, 10 or 11 (I prefer the blade profile of the B9 & B11, but that is just my personal preference). Many people may not be aware, but the Basic 9 blade length is just over 9 3/4" (so almost 10"); it was the longest of the original Basic series, so being older it will likely be harder to find. B10s & B11s can be found for sale in the BF exchange more frequently than B9s. One advantage of the Basics is the INFI steel (M-INFI for the B9) is more rust resistant than SR-101 and SR-77 used in Swamp Rat (SR) and Scrap Yard (SY) knives. I like the feel of both the Res C material and grip shape of the B9, B10 & B11.

All Busse, SR & SY knives are sharpened at the factory. Some people advertise their knives for sale as "un-sharpened", or in other words they still have the factory edge.
 
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