INFI Testimonials to Durability?

[straitshot]

I have only one INFI blade (SS4) that I've used for a few mundane cutting tasks, but not yet put to a real world heavy test. I have a couple of others because of their reputation for durability, yet I know I will not intentionally abuse them just to find a limit. After doing a few searches I'm still looking for recent testimonials describing circumstances wherein the special capabilities of INFI shone through, and maybe know better what can be expected if ever badly needed.

I believe the SS4 will become a favorite hunting blade, and the BA is undecided due to the size (just a little larger than expected). I've not yet broken a knife so maybe INFI goes beyond my needs but I still would like to know their real world capabilities in use as cutting tools. I've seen the demonstrations and read the tests. I'm hoping someone is willing to share a story or two where INFI demonstrated superiority in a difficult task where another good knife would have been found wanting. Something like extended cutting of a difficult material where touch up was not used, or a season of big game use where sharpening was found unnecessary (I know how my Dozier performs here for comparison), or it was the only tool available for a ridiculous cutting task?

I'm hoping someone out there has been in a position to rely on INFI unexpectedly and how it turned out in comparison to what would have happened to a more common good knife. Any stories? Thanks in advance, ss.

 

[Cobalt]

you gotta be kidding right?

I would try to Narrow the searches down and peruse the countless threads that have discussed this. If the countless pictures, videos, reviews of so many different INFI knives aren't enough then you need to look elsewhere. There is absolutely no other brand that is so routinely abused by it's owners and proudly so. It is almost scary because Busse cannot let his guard down on his product because he has fools throwing his knives into metal objects like Microwaves and car doors, chopping metal road signs, concrete blocks and worse stuff. Things that knives were not meant to do these knives do. But eventually everything breaks and the busse warranty is what shines.


But I am sure that some of the more recent joinees to INFI may have some stories of their own.

 

[Keith_H]

you gotta be kidding right?

... It is almost scary because Busse cannot let his guard down on his product because he has fools throwing his knives into metal objects like Microwaves and car doors, chopping metal road signs, concrete blocks and worse stuff...

Is this the reason for the beautiful satin finishes with G10 ganza handles?

 

[Cobalt]

Is this the reason for the beautiful satin finishes with G10 ganza handles?

Kieth, quickkly, edit out your JERKIT before the Mods Ban you. Hamguy is serious about that one. Even though it is harmless in my opinion, it is a pet peeve of his.

 

[eb07]

I beat the crap out of my badger daily and it is still as sharp as when I received it

 

[Keith_H]

Thanks Cobalt, I never like to use it but i thought that if anywhere it would be used that would be the most appropriate.

 

[Cobalt]

Thanks Cobalt, I never like to use it but i thought that if anywhere it would be used that would be the most appropriate.

no problem. But to answer your question. Satin blades penetrate easier than coated blades and G10 is higher on the G scale than G9:thumbup:

 

[jarlaxle]

I beat the crap out of my badger daily and it is still as sharp as when I received it

there is no doubt that INFI is tough steel. But if you honestly "beat the crap" out of your badger "daily" there is no way it is as sharp as when you recieved it. All steels need to be sharpened, even the legendary INFI.

 

[Cobalt]

there is no doubt that INFI is tough steel. But if you honestly "beat the crap" out of your badger "daily" there is no way it is as sharp as when you recieved it. All steels need to be sharpened, even the legendary INFI.

he said he beats the crap out of his knife, not that he uses the edge at all

 

[eb07]

there is no doubt that INFI is tough steel. But if you honestly "beat the crap" out of your badger "daily" there is no way it is as sharp as when you recieved it. All steels need to be sharpened, even the legendary INFI.

Yes because you are an expert on how and where I use my knife. Thank you for correcting me. Of course I must be wrong because someone on the internet said so

 

[mymindisamob]

I have unexpectedly come across bedsprings, large rocks and metal fence posts while clearing with the Heavy Heart I used to have. It chopped through the bedsprings, and in most circumstances just needed the edge rolled back to straight and sharpened. I have fractured and broken other blades with less effort.
I have used a Game Warden to pry open cans and cut shims on concrete floors, and still been able to do finesse work on wood without resharpening.
Before my ST Rippers makeover, I had used it consistently for chopping campfire wood. Batoning, prying and beating it through knots. Then turning around and using it to cut meat for dinner.

 

[Keith_H]

http://www.bussecombat.com/infi/index.shtml

One of the great features of INFI is that simply stropping away from the edge (the way a barber strops a straight edged razor) on a ceramic stick is basically all that is required to resharpen INFI. Since you're not chipping steel off the edge there is no need to grind any steel away. This feature of INFI will, likewise, allow you to keep the same overall profile of the knife for a much greater period of time.

I really need one of those knives!

 

[barrabas74]

I have used my AD to cut up crabs ALL season and soon she's goin into whitetail mode. So far she's probably gone through 500-1000 crabs and I havent sharpened her and she's still sharp. No longer shaves but still sharp. Archery season started yesterday and I got her hair poppin again and out in the field. I have used my FBM extensivley on wood and brush and it has more than impressed me over and over. USE YOUR KNIFE!!! hahahaha.....see what INFI can do for you!

 

[barrabas74]

http://www.bussecombat.com/infi/index.shtml



I really need one of those knives!

and yes....YOU DO!

 

[eb07]

he said he beats the crap out of his knife, not that he uses the edge at all

Actually I do, daily. I live on acreage in the middle of nowhere and have 30K acres as my front yard. I hike a minimum of 10 miles every morning. I do a lot of woodcraft skills from making shelters to making fires. I also go shooting three times a week. I enjoy it, it is my hobby. I like honing my skills. I bought an SOG seal pup three months ago to replace my old Ontario Rat fixed blade and it would not hold an edge to the daily abuse I give it. I needed a small but reliable knife to perform these tasks. I did a lot of research online and ended up here on blade forums. After reading up on all the knives on the forum I ended up in the Busse forum andI chose my first Busse a few weeks back and I have been using it every day. I have cut, sliced, batoned, chopped, stabbed, dropped it onto rocks ( by mistake), dropped it off a ravine (again by mistake) and had to climb down to get it, thrown it into wood, and generally abused it. I want to make sure this thing is reliable enough before I spend money on the anniversary issue coming soon It has not lost it's edge and it is just as sharp as when I first got it. I also bought a Scrofa for kitchen duty.

You can see pics of the first few days I had it here going through my daily routine:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=496394

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=496537

and you can see my front yard/playground

I pretty much do this every day. Not pretty much. I do. So when i say I beat the crap out of it, I do. It gets daily use, more than a standard knife would get. This is bar none the best knife I have ever owned. I am eager to see how long the edge does hold up. It still cuts paper after 2 weeks of hard abuse.

 

[Cobalt]

oh, yah but have you ever spread peanut butter with one? That is a true test.

In a recent thread on the Camillus forum :



Will Fennel commented about cutting pop cans half filled with water with the Magnum Camp knife. I have wondered from time to time how difficult this is but never actually attempted it. Yesterday I finally got around to doing it. I took out some pop cans and dragged my brother Pat along as he has more reach and speed that I do.

My first cut was very off, much to Pat's amusement. I slammed the blade into the can and actually hit it below the lip and cut upward throwing the can upward in a nice arc and it landed about 15 feet away. Pat's first cut made a complete show of mine. His cut entered the can just above the 1/2 way point and cut on a slight angle into the water. He sheared nicely through the can and the end just tipped over and rolled off the table (it was not level and it was windy out empty cans will not stay upright).

Determined to reproduce this I took more care and made a controlled cut. i got a similar result, clean cut and the can toppled over and rolled off. Pat duplicated his first cut. it then came to me that if I could cut at a higher angle I would force the can in place. I then took a 4x4 and stood the can on it and cut at about a 30 degree of so angle. The can was neatly sheared in half and the bottom piece stayed on the post.

A couple of notes on the condition of the Battle Mistress. It has 4 rust spots along the edge because a couple of weeks ago I wanted to see if it would rust if I put it away wet with no protectant. It did. I then left the rust on to see if it would increase. it did but very slowly. The edge also has a couple of dents about .2 to .1 mm in depth and about 1-2 mm in length as I was chopping up a coat hanger with it. I have some digging to do with it which is why I have not sharpened it yet. Before the cans were cut it was scraping sharp. This means I could shave with it but my skin would be irritated. The edge was not effected by the pop can's.

After the can cutting was finished I tried to cut a paint can in half. I could dent it up readily and sent it flying about 20 feet but not half it. I need to work on my technique.

-Cliff


[This message has been edited by Cliff Stamp (edited 04-10-2000).]

 

[eb07]

oh, yah but have you ever spread peanut butter with one? That is a true test.

I put it through that test already :thumbup:

 

[Keith_H]

Im I the only one who spreads jam and peanut butter with the back of a spoon?
no? at least have something to cut the bread into halves.

 

[THEGRATENATE]

That settles it the Badger is coming out of the cardboard sheath and I'm going to use it.

Well you know it must be a tough knife if it will spread peanut butter.

 

[Cobalt]

Im I the only one who spreads jam and peanut butter with the back of a spoon?
.

yes you are

What a night last night was! Actually the whole day was something else. A couple of us went hiking into the Linville Gorge wildnerness area in North Carolina. The trails are not marked, and according to reports, more people are lost in this rugged area than in any other part of North Carolina. Well, count me in on this number too...

After traveling down into the gorge and walking for several miles, we couldn't find the next trail that would take us out of there. When they named this a "wilderness area" they weren't kidding. We climbed over two thousand feet three times and just tried to get to the top of the gorge and make it out that way. However, we kept running into rock cliffs we couldn't get past. We decided around 6 that we were going to have to go back to the bottom and find a place to camp out next to the river for water. The trails are too narrow, steep, and rocky to try and navigate in the dark.

We got back to the bottom and had to set up a makeshift camp because we hadn't intended on staying out all night. That's where the Battle Mistress came into play. It came in handy several different ways. It had just started to rain and we had to get a shelter up quick and get a fire going. The Battle Mistress made quick work of several small trees/saplings, and we were able to improvise a lean-to next to a small rock overhang. By leaning the saplings against the small cave, we were able to increase the square footage of our living area, with the leaves and pine boughs helping to keep the water from straight down next to our sleeping area. It was a good arrangments, and the Battle Mistress shined in helping me get this done quickly.

By this time, the rain had started to pick up and we had to collect wood to get the fire started. There were a lot of dead trees lying about that were soaked on the outside, but once I chopped into them and broke them apart, I found some usable wood to get the fire started. However...While chopping into one, I heard this sick "pinging" sound. When I looked at the blade of my BM, I saw that I had hit something that chipped the blade. Talk about a sick feeling in the gut. I know these knives are to be used, but you still get a little woozy when you do something like that to a knife you love. By this time, it was getting fairly dark and I couldn't make out what I had hit. But, I was able to continue using the blade to gather up enough wood for the night.

A lot of people "in the know" talk about needing only a small 3-4" blade when out camping, saying that's all you need to get the tasks done around camp. Well, I couldn't have done half the things last night with that kind of blade that I did with my Battle Mistress. No, it wasn't a night of luxury (as we hadn't planned on being out), but we were able to rest in relative comfort with the supplies we had and inside of our shelter that had been made.

I examined the blade today, and there is a small chip. Something that did surprise me was that the blade edge already started to pick up some rust overnight. It was extremely wet out last night in the rain while we were working, and the lack of drainholes in the sheath trapped some water and I'm sure contributed to the blade edge beginning to corrode.

I have to say that I am extremely pleased with the Battle Mistress. This was the first time that I had to use it in a situation that demanded fast and furious action. I had used it for similar things, but only to test it under controlled conditions. Last night was anything but controlled. The BM has a good heft to it, is well balanced, and did just about everything I needed, including helping to prepare dinner. The only modification I have made to my BM is with the handle. Previously, I had put some slightly padded rubber raquet tape around it. This protects the nice micarta slabs, and also gives me a better purchase on the thinner handle. This modification made using the knife extremely comfortable and I suffered no fatigue in my hands or wrists even with the extensive amount of chopping that I did.

Anyway, I just wanted to give a report on the performance of my Battle Mistress. I was extremely pleased with it, and I don't believe that I've ever had a knife that I have trusted as much as I do this one. That's important to me. I want something that won't fail, and will do what I need it to do when things get a little hairy.

Now, I've just got to figure out how to fix this chip in the blade so nobody thinks that I abuse my baby...

09-11-1999, 04:23 PM
What my Battle Mistress can do!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have a fairly large tree in my front yard which was in dire need of trimming for the winter. I decided to forget a chainsaw or pruning blade and use my BM for the job.

The branches I trimmed ranged from 3-4 inch thick to small twigs. I spent 1 1/2 hours wacking away on the tree. The smaller branches fell in one swipe. Sometimes the blade whistled through so easily that I almost lost my balance! The larger branches of course took a few more chops but large chips of wood were flying with every swing. With each swing the blade bit deeply into the wood. I am simply amazed at how the edge held up through this torture test. It shows absolutely no sign of any use. The blade still shaves the same as before I started. The coating shows virtually no signs of scuffing. I would swing the knife into the limb and then torque it a little to help break it out. It really does act like a sharp pry bar. The blade has a very rigid feel to it while working. Even though it would flex slightly when I was really twisting on it.

The handle was comfortable as far as not feeling much vibration. The little "parrot's beak" at the end of the handle did tend to rub my pinkie a little, but it absolutely helped me to lock my grip in on the knife while chopping. After 1 1/2 hours of hard work, it did little more than work a very small callous near the outside of my pinkie near the middle joint. I felt no hand fatigue while using this knife. I would liken the correct way to swing this blade to the same way you should use a hammer - let the tool do the work. When I let my hand and arm relax and just let the blade fall smoothly onto the wood, it felt smooth as butter!

Well, I know that Cliff Stamp and Mike T. are going to be putting the Busse production knives to the test here soon. I am here to tell you that I had more fun using this tool than I can remember with a knife. I have absolute faith that this knife would outlast me before I could use it enough at one clip to dull it or damage it. I literally used it nonstop for 1 1/2 hours and it is still unfazed. I, on the other hand, need a shower and some clean clothes.

I have no doubts that the testing of these blades will substantiate my belief that this INFI steel stuff and Busse's method of manufacture is the future of knife making. I can hardly wait for more people to obtain a Busse knife so that they can see for themselves what us lucky few BM owners already know.

I stand humbly before my Batle Mistress a worn out individual.

Chris Canis ...

09-11-1999, 07:19 PM

my first test of busse battle mistress

I got my battle mistress today, and went out to the brush pile.

I chopped for an hour on seasoned oak limbs and seasoned hedge(osage orange).

Osage orange (also called bodark or bow d'arc is about the toughest dried wood we have in Missouri. It is tougher and harder than seasoned oak or hickory or anything else we have here.

The battle mistress performed great. After an hour of chopping thru 3 and 4" limbs, it would still pop hair using the section which was used to chop. I am seriously impressed with this infi steel.


Next I am going whittle and chop some seasoned oak 1x2 boards with my badger attack to check it out.

I'll let you know how it works.

Thomas Zinn...