Recommendation? Large Fixed Blade Knife Suggestion

[David Mary]

I've heard Busses are not well known for cutting ability, that they're more like sharpened hammers, and I get that's what some are after. But if you want good geometry, you'll have to regrind them yourself or hire someone else to. My only experience was with a Ratmandu, but it was like .045" behind the edge, and I always felt it was just too heavy for its size. That and a Busse BATAC I reprofiled and sharpened for a guy years ago, and it too felt like a tank. Nothing against Busse, but if I wanted it for cutting or carrying or extended use, I would give it a hard pass for something thinner and lighter with more efficiency.

 

[Dr Heelhook]

That Cave Bear looks amazing, definitely worth waiting for. Apart from that I'll suggest the Fällkniven Northern Lights 1. It has a stacked leather washer handle, which is not exactly what you requested, but still.

 

[Dr Heelhook]

I've heard Busses are not well known for cutting ability, that they're more like sharpened hammers, and I get that's what some are after. But if you want good geometry, you'll have to regrind them yourself or hire someone else to. My only experience was with a Ratmandu, but it was like .045" behind the edge, and I always felt it was just too heavy for its size. That and a Busse BATAC I reprofiled and sharpened for a guy years ago, and it too felt like a tank. Nothing against Busse, but if I wanted it for cutting or carrying or extended use, I would give it a hard pass for something thinner and lighter with more efficiency.

Yeah, I have a Scrap Yard 711, the edge angle on it looks like it's close to 40 degrees.

 

[AntDog]

 

[David Mary]

But they do look awesome!

 

[not2sharp]

But they do look awesome!

They work well as a wood processing tool. It always depends on how you want to use the knife. No knife is optimized for everything; you have decide if you want a large cutting blade or chopper. If you compromise you are going to be less than impressed with either performance. A machete approaches the ideal large cutting tool. It is light and though, and can take a fine edge. Just the kind of thing that you would want if you are going to be doing a lot of brush cutting. The Busse Battle Mistress is more of a hatchet and is primarily designed to handle limbing. For me a large knife and pocket knife combo can handle most things.

n2s

 

[Pilsner]

The Busse Battle Mistress is more of a hatchet and is primarily designed to handle limbing.
n2s

So the mistress is doing battle with tree limbs, this is the intended purpose of the knife? Not de-animating sentries?

 

[not2sharp]

So the mistress is doing battle with tree limbs, this is the intended purpose of the knife? Not de-animating sentries?

Zombies maybe, but if you want to talk about de-animating sentries, you will have to place a call to a Dark Ops.

n2s

 

[David Mary]

They work well as a wood processing tool. It always depends on how you want to use the knife. No knife is optimized for everything; you have decide if you want a large cutting blade or chopper. If you compromise you are going to be less than impressed with either performance.

I believe a machete can do both to an impressive level. In fact, I design and grind my machetes to do just that (unless specialization of one or the other is requested by the customer). I don't feel they slouch in either cutting or chopping. Here is one I made in early 2020. I get pumped up to hit the trails every time I watch this video!

ETA: I know the shakycam at the end was a mistake. Consider my face palmed.

 

[junglefighter]

I would recommend Bob Appleby as he has been making my big blades for about 10 yrs so far.. I have used them as edc and on the job when I was a police officer here on island.. Bob does outstanding work and is willing to take your concerns to ensure you get exactly what you are wanting

 

[deltablade]

You could get the Skrama which is a fine tool and this Maserin Cutlery Wild Boar Hunter which is another fine knife with an excellent flat grind, and still have money left over.