Jerry Busse makes a bushcraft blade?

PR
Mannlicher, my new nickname for you is Leroy Brown.



Now Leroy he a gambler
And he like his fancy clothes
And he like to wave his diamond rings
In front of everybody's nose
He got a custom Continental
He got an Eldorado too
He got a 32 gun in his pocket for fun
He got a razor in his shoe

And it's bad, bad Leroy Brown
The baddest man in the whole damned town
Badder than old King Kong
And meaner than a junkyard dog...
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I always loved Jim Croce. Gotta tell you though, I don't 'got' a .32 gun in my pocket. More likely it would be carrying a full sized 1911 in .45 ACP. :D

and Rick, I don't ride a bus of any sort. I'll leave that to you Canadians. :o
 
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Mannlicher said:
I am sorry that a couple of bucks is that monumental to some. Heck, I dumped more than the difference between the Busse and the Aurora, playing poker with the fellows last week.
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Well, if a couple bucks are not monumental to you, perhaps you could buy one of these for a poor unemployed knifeknut like me:D
 
wyattT said:
well, an aurora is like 190 and this is 300. thats not really close to the same price. im waiting for the constantly available price conscious models that were alluded to earlier.
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The "price conscious" models are the CGs. The CG BOSS Street just came off the site ($220), first in a black canvas/black blade, and then a desert color scheme, and one variation or the other had been up since January or so.

Seems, the way Jerry does things is that they stay up on the site (assuming it's not a designated limited run from the start) as long as sales are strong. When they weaken below a certain point, they get pulled. Don't quote me on that, it's what I think happens -- and it makes good business sense to do it that way.

As for his prices, remember he's amortizing the cost of having his own steel produced -- a steel that only HE can buy, since it's patented. He paid to develop it, he pays to have it custom made. He also paid (up front) for the cost of the R&D to get the numbers for the heat treat recipe -- which means many trials and errors of heat to bring the steel to, quenching cycle, cryo cycle, etc. All of that is very expensive.

Compare that to the Aurora (which I compare it to, as it's the one that has to be beat as farf as bushcraft goes, IMO), which yes, is $100 cheaper, but made of common A2. Then take into account that a lot of custom makers get their prices sometimes quite close to $300, sometimes over that, using common A2, O1, or 5160, sometimes even 10-series -- all easy to get, fairly inexpensive steels with easy heat treat recipes that have been worked out for you.

Take all of that into account and you still complain about the price?


Sorry, I know some people can't justify more than a $10 Mora for anything -- and I understand that, really I do -- but I'm getting the idea, looking at what some people do like and yet complain about Busse knives over, I have a feeling it really has little to do with grinds or thicknesses, or even the business model.
 
Looks like a convex grind? I like the knife except for the thickness (sorry.. :)) and the price. Would you stick this knife sideways into a crevice and climb on it to reach something? At 5/16", I'm not sure.
 
lambertiana said:
Well, if a couple bucks are not monumental to you, perhaps you could buy one of these for a poor unemployed knifeknut like me:D
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Can't take everyone to raise, but I have sent a number of quality knives, Randall #1 and RC-4, BRKT and Falknivens, to friends and relatives that were in the military, and heading overseas and into harm's way.
 
Halberdier said:
Looks like a convex grind? I like the knife except for the thickness (sorry.. :)) and the price. Would you stick this knife sideways into a crevice and climb on it to reach something? At 5/16", I'm not sure.
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You could probably do it with the earlier incarnation of the Boss Street. It was thicker. I remember good old Cliff Stumped jamming knives into trees and hanging on them. However, if you think you'll need to use a knife as a climbing rung, I think it would make more sense to just carry a few of these...

EzGlowRodTreeStep__300.jpg
 
The closest thing that I have is a SAR5, the balance is doubtless CrAp.
but the funny think is that to make the balance right , busse workshop ask me 375$;)
I put down the offer and I bought my second nmsfno....LOL:D
 
Peoples idea of a bushcraft knife differ. Just because some guys wont bow down to the glory of this blade, and find it too thick, thin, handle slabs too aggressive, edge too thick, price too much or whatever, that is their business.

Some people will never take a shine to certain products. Hell, my grandfather got by just fine with a buck 19 for many decades, and scoffed at anything else..Probably would have hit me with a shovel for spending 100 on a blade for fear that I have gone cookoo. You dont need 300.00 INFI to bushcraft. Some guys dont have 300 dollars to fork over for a knife. Or would rather drop 300 bucks on something else. I think its very pretentious to act like, oh, its no big deal to spend it.....To some it is. Those guys in this thread that have the money to drop on one, Good for you :thumbup::thumbup:, but to act like its no big deal for everyone to pisses me off. I dont understand why everytime a Busse thread gets started over here, anyone who doesnt like it or disagrees with the knifes features is wrong, and a Busse hater.

Ive owned quite a few Busses over the years, and some I liked, some I hated. They are just knives. plain and simple. There is absolutely nothing spectacular about INFI. INFI is ok, A2 is Ok, 1095 is OK, O1 is ok. People use what you like, and what works for you as far as your needs and budget. I prefer A2 in a convex grind to everything else Ive used.

I do like the looks of this blade, but its kinda silly to say its a great bushcraft knife when you havent even held the damn thing. (for those of you that havent) Who knows what you will think when you get it in hand, and actually use it. And not for the occasional feather stick, actually use it for a length of time and then make a judgement based on dirt time and numerous skills attempted and completed with it.
 
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Mannlicher said:
The blade is not coated, but has a satan finish...
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That sounds like a hell of a knife! :foot::o:p


Seriously, though, I think that's one of the most practical looking Busse knives I've yet seen. I really like the look of their smaller offerings a lot...if only I had the dough! :grumpy:
 
The combat grade Boss Street's were not as thin as these new LE models. CG was approx .220 and the new LE's are reported to be in the .150 range. Who knows if they are going to offer the cheaper CG grade in a thinner format. I have the CG and have ordered a LE with no choil. 3 bills is a lot of jack for a 4" user. Its a lot of jack for a LOT of people and saying so is not a criticism of Jerry or his work. It would be refreshing if his self appointed defenders would get that message. There are lot of things in life that you "get what you pay for". The general feeling over in the Busse forums "seems to be" that his products (materials, workmanship, customer service and warranty) justify the price. You have to decide that on your own for your purchases. The CG feels really good in my hand and I am very happy to see a thinner version with the satin finish.
 
Well, I've dropped enough this summer on Benchmades to have bought a couple of CRK's and Busse's... maybe even a sheath! I love what I have...

I do like a proper bushcraft knife. Of course, before my 'enlightenment', ie, finding out that proper bushcraft knives were more expensive that what I had always used to camp with, from a Buck 110 to a KaBar. They were fine whether camping with my van or jeep - or backpacking. I will admit that a Vic SAK only was a bit of a challenge when hiking.

My enlightenment wasn't inexpensive, but I found that Bark River makes some fine examples - and, A2 may not be INFI... but I don't have a single BRK&T knife with the grind marks as apparent on the blade as they are on the OP's picture. Perhaps that is why they coat most of their blades. Still, that - and that mounting lug on the blade's bottom - and the handle lines - detract from it's bushcraft utility to me. My Barkie Fox River, North Star, or even my Gameskeeper are better suited for my woods use. Bought in simple Micarta - with a very nice sheath - they were half or less the cost of that Busse alone - and available in days.

I've seen and fondled many Busse's - at shows and from a friend's rather impressive collection. Impressive in size and construction... and all were wrapped in paper or a towel - never sheathed. I elected to try a 'big' knife a year or two back - on the cheap, comparatively speaking, and bought a RAT (Now ESEE.) RC-5. Impressive... big and heavy - good chopper. You have to drag a ferrosteel across the edge for a spark, due to the coating. The Barkies' spine is fine for that... and they work great as knives. In my advancing age, I'll go back to carrying my little Plumb camp hatchet for a chopper. If I needed to filet a Fleetliner - or skewer a Studebaker - that Busse INFI might be a necessity. Skinning a Saturn is more likely... I think I have that covered. I'll watch for his next buschcraft attempt.

Stainz

PS I never say no... somewhere, there is a CRK 'Umnumzaan' with my name on it... maybe a large Sebbie... they are nice! Paraphrasing Sheryl Crow, "It's not getting what you want... it's wanting what you have!".
 
kurodrago said:
The closest thing that I have is a SAR5, the balance is doubtless CrAp.
but the funny think is that to make the balance right , busse workshop ask me 375$;)
I put down the offer and I bought my second nmsfno....LOL:D
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Jerry didn't like that knife from the get-go. He also said he was going to sell them but he didn't want to hear complaints. Probably quoted you that price because he did not want to see another SAR-5. :p
 
I have a feeling that some of the above were tossed out because of what I said about the price.

Apparently they haven't read my whole post, and just stopped at what made them mad.

Read it again, and see that I addressed two groups of people.

1.) People who honestly can't afford it. To which I said I understand.
2.) People who complain about the price, yet bought either customs or other high-end blades in the last year or two that are just as expensive, if not more so than this one. Which means they HAVE the money, but for some reason they just don't like it because it's a BUSSE.

Now, I explained WHY they cost what they do -- and knowing a bit more than the average joe about how much it costs to develop your own steel and heat treat, I'm frankly surprised at how little they cost coming straight from Busse Combat.

Other issues:
You've never seen a BRKT knife look like that because the Anorexic Boss Street is a satin finish, BRKT is a polished finish.

INFI is better than A2 or O1 or 5160 for that matter. Things that would chip those steels, even done right, will roll an INFI edge that can then be steeled right out. it sharpens about like a standard carbon steel, and although not designed to be, is pretty rust resistant.
 
Enjoy what you have and save up for what you want. To complain about the price on BF is kind of ridiculous. I can go to any of the forums on this website and pay 600 plus for a slippie, or 400 plus for a hand forged fixed blade, and lots of other expensive and completely unnecessary knive, present knife included. No one needs this knife or any other knife either (very few people buy what they need they buy what they want). Complain about the price? Then don't buy it. I love my busse's, my barkies, benchmades, spydies, whatever. If it costs too much I don't buy it. Sometimes I just drool over the stuff I want but can't afford or justify. Stuff is expensive, get over it. Or don't. Complaining about it doesn't change the cost of a gallon of gas either.
 
Not I bro.....I read your post, and everyone elses. A few times as a matter of fact.

IMO, INFI is better is a matter of opinion. I find A2 better. Easier to sharpen, and stain resistent to a certain degree, and never had a chipping issue. Plus Ive never had a dull BRKT come from the factory. I have had INFI come dull, with a super thick grind that just plain sucked for woodwork.

As I said, Busse is just a knife. If people dont like it beacause its Busse, thats their right. A knife is a personal choice. Good for some, not so much for others. I have owned a few and actually used em, sometimes hard. I noticed 0 differance in INFI that I couldnt get from a well heat treated po boy steel. However, im not prying car doors, or chipping bricks. My BRKT gunny will do everything bushcraft related that the Busse will do. Minus batoning, a Mora will too.

I dont care if people like Busse, I dont care if they dont, what gets me is the cult like status in the knife industry. How the fanboys come out of the woodwork defending the blades and maker they choose to use, and dogpiling those who dont like what they like, or see what they see. Lots of companies get this. BRKT, ESEE, Becker, Busse......My thing is use what you like, and if you dont like it, pass it up. However dont jump on people saying they are haters(not you as much as others), because they disagree with what they see, and their opinions of the Manufacturer, and the price point, or what they see as good features and not so good features of a bushcraft knife.
 
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j williams said:
As I said, Busse is just a knife. If people dont like it beacause its Busse, thats their right. A knife is a personal choice. Good for some, not so much for others. I have owned a few and actually used em, sometimes hard. I noticed 0 differance in INFI that I couldnt get from a well heat treated po boy steel. However, im not prying car doors, or chipping bricks. My BRKT gunny will do everything bushcraft related that the Busse will do. Minus batoning, a Mora will too.
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I totally agree. I think that any good heat treated steel will stack up just fine in terms of normal bushcraft use. The place where I have seen a difference is in some of the larger chopping knives I own. INFI does impress me in terms of delivering a beating (on wood... I'm not one of these "Let's pretend I'm breaking out of prison while wearing a hockey mask" types) and keeping a good edge.

j williams said:
I dont care if people like Busse, I dont care if they dont, what gets me is the cult like status in the knife industry. How the fanboys come out of the woodwork defending the blades and maker they choose to use, and dogpiling those who dont like what they like, or see what they see. Lots of companies get this. BRKT, ESEE, Becker, Busse......My thing is use what you like, and if you dont like it, pass it up. However dont jump on people saying they are haters(not you as much as others), because they disagree with what they see, and their opinions of the Manufacturer, and the price point, or what they see as good features and not so good features of a bushcraft knife.
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Again, I agree. I would add that knee-jerk ANTIs are just as bad. Some folks have seen (or just heard about) one fat Busse blade with a thick beveled edge, and they assume they know everything about Busse knives. Breathe a word about Busses, and the "sharpened pry bar" and "Kool Aid" comments start flowing fast. The ANTIs are just as much of a cult as fans of different companies.

The OP was just trying to deliver some info about the option of a thin, no choil Busse in a "bushcraft" size--not crank up the anti-Busse attitudes. I, for one, am happy to see Jerry come out with this knife. Folks clamored for it, and he's delivering. I think it'll be a fun and functional blade. I also already know that the quilted micarta handles are some of the most comfortable in the Busse lineup, and the warranty is among the best in the business.
 
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