I'm hosed

J

J. MacDonald

Joined
Jun 8, 2000
Messages
3,140
While my predilections to lean towards an Independence Custom Cutlery 5A1/5B1 are waning (price is really an objectionable/unbearable obstacle), and I prob will end up with a Busse Steel heart as they seem to be indestructible (and in my price range). I have (just today) been bitten by visions of a Randall Special #1 Fighter. I think this is the knife I really want (the lines, the reputation, the materials), but prices and wait times are way out of sync with my reality.

So while I'm not done yet, the Busses are moving way up my charts. If only I could hold one.

jmx
 
There are Randall dealers like Nordic Knives, Doug Kenefick, or maybe even Rhett Stidham that might have a #1 special fighter in stock for immediate delivery. If it's what you really want, it's worth asking around and at the Randall forum.

Dave
 
JMX--

I've used both the Steel Heart and the Randall #1, as well as other Busses (various) and Randalls (Fireman's knife and Mod. 25 hunter).

Three observations, and these are just my own predilections and reactions, based on my experience. No criticism of Randall's per se, as they have certainly proven themselves in the field for generations.

1.) Handle design. The Randall handles are round and comfortable--until they get wet. Then you lose the ability to torque the blade by applying grip alone, because the wet round handle turns in your hand like a bearing. The shape of the micarta handles with finger indents mitigates against this problem, but the smooth micarta they use is also slicker than the standard round leather handle. Personally, although the Randall handles are actually more comfortable to hold than the Busse "E" models, for my hands, the Busse's offer a much more secure grip. The Busse handle is flat, for power in torquing. It is also textured, for a non-slip grip. And its contours keep the handle in the hand during vigorous activity such as chopping or stabbing/chipping. The Busses are also more comfortable over a wider range of holds than the Randall grips with finger grooves, just because when you turn the handle upside down for a pull cut, you don't have finger grooves digging into your palm.

2.) Tang construction. Here again, Randall has a reputation for durability that I'm not qualified to question. However, the full tang of a Busse to me seems an obviously stronger design than the stick tang of a Randall.

3.) Steel. INFI vs either (a) Sandvik stainless or (b) the simple carbon steel used by Randall--don't recall what it is. I think that choice speaks for itself.

Although I've not tested the knives side-by-side, my impression from my memory of using Randalls is that the Busse's slicing ability is also superior, especially on harder material like rope, which is probably a result of Busse's full flat grind. I sold all my Randalls for the reasons given above, long before I bought my first Busse. I currently have 8 Busse's plus one on order.

-w
 
Thanks Will...informative review...appreciated!


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
Hi JMX,

The Randall Model 1 (R1) and the Busse Steel Heart (SH) are really two very different animals, an apples-to-oranges comparison.

The R1 is a quick bladed flicking fighter, sort of like a Ferrari - very fast & agile. While it may work for other jobs, fighting is its real purpose in life IMHO. It's a good blade to have in hand when you have a need to slash somebody three times in the blink of an eye, then stab them twice. But the blade is so light (or else it's that the balance is so neutral) that I think it would be a very poor chopper. I daresay it would be good for camp slicing/cutting chores. But to me it's not an overall strong enough performer to make my short list of blades to carry when I'm not sure what the mission will require. The Randall Model 14 (particularly with the Griffen single-finger handle) comes closer to my idea of an all-around knife from RMK.

The SH is like a tank - chunkier & slower, but totally indestructible. Its blade-heavy balance and thick drop point makes it a prodigious chopper which will also suffice for digging chores. The INFI steel & asymetrical edge have proven themselves very capable in terms of edge retention and resharpening ease under very tough field conditions. The SH will cut & cut & cut some more with minimal tending. But when it comes to being a fighting knife, the SH is a bludgeon, a "sharpened prybar" knife, not a quick dancing slasher like the R1. FWIW Busse knives make up my short list (all of it) of blades to carry when I'm not sure what the mission will require. While I own both Randall & Busse knives, it is Busses that I carry on a daily basis.

So I'd say it depends on what you want to do with the knife - dance like the devil (R1) or destroy everything in your path (SH).

HTH,
Greg
 
Check the Busse Forum for the next knife or gun show in your part of California and stop by the Busse Combat booth. I picked up my Satin Jack that way. If you buy a SH-E off the forums, just ask for a 3-day inspection period. I believe Busse Combat will honor that themselves as well.
 
I completely understand the diffs. I even mentioned in above post that the structural advantage the Busse has would make it a better knife for the purposes that I've stated I want this particular knife for. You made a good analogy with the Ferrari (something I have no real use for, desire tremendously and will probably never afford as I'm a knife junkie). I understand the differences, but it doesn't stop me from wanting both.

Imagine If I was deep in the back country and wanted to chop up firewood with the Busse and fight off attackers with the Randall, I'd have both! (like that would ever happen). The only reason that I mentioned the Randall in this thread is that I came across it during my search for what will likely become a Busse Steel Heart E in my collection, I found that Randall special fighter and think that it's an awesome looking knife with good lineage, much like the proverbial Ferrari. Perhaps not as useful in a utilitarian sense, but to me, desireable none the less.

I'm a traveling salesman. I find that in life in general you almost never know what the mission is, really. You just know what the uniform of the day is (if you're paying attention) and try to be as well prepared as the circumstances permit. For me a knife like a Busse will probably never be used for more than a camp/ hiking knife, but I've always been a believer in being over prepared when possible. You never know when a small day hike could go south so to speak.

I know there's many LEO and active military personel in these forums who go in harm's way deliberatly and need the best equipment and my hat's off to them. They all get my deepest respect. I have a 20 year old son on an amphibious assault tender in the Persian Gulf (I believe, as he can't tell me). I tought him to shoot, maintain his weapons and appreciate the value of a sharp and reliable blade but I don't profess to have the same level of need as these persons. I am never likely to have the daily need for these types of tools, but I've always believed in having one and not needing it, as opposed to needing one and not having it.

Sorry, I'm a greedy capitalist American pig and I want it all.

jmx

Sorry for the rambling post, I'm tired.
 
The steel heart is an awesome knife! If you get one and use it, you will see what I mean! You will really love the excellent edge retention mr. RokJok mentioned.

INFI steel is amazing! You can really keep going and going with a Busse knife when other knives would go dull. If you want a rock solid brute of a knife, go with the steel heart. When you hold one for the first time you'll know you made an excellent choice....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top