Looks like Jerry beat the market

[Skrapmetal]

Although, I've read that lots of folks like them for striking a fire steel.
But I really can't comment on it... I don't use a knife for that.

.

Ditto. I'm no metalurgist, but I don't like the idea of exposing my expensive knives to 5500 degree sparks. If there's even the slightest chance of screwing up the heat treat, I'm not gonna take it. That's what old hacksaw blades are good for.

 

[leatherman]

What is the notch on the back of the Hoodlum supposed to accomplish?

All I can figure is wire breaker. But why its in the middle of the blade is beyond me.

Livesay was doing the RTAK back in 2001 so I dont think Jerry beat anyone to the punch with a thin chopper.

 

[Jack Shen]

I use the thumb jimping on my non-coated knives for fire steels a lot (non infi), There is one particular knife I use for this the most, and I haven't noticed any damage to the temper. I "think" since the blade itself is very cool, and it'd take a lot to heat up the spine to the point where you'd loose the temper, a few sparks landing on it shouldn't hurt it at all.

my 2 cents

 

[Eric Isaacson]

All I can figure is wire breaker. But why its in the middle of the blade is beyond me.

Livesay was doing the RTAK back in 2001 so I dont think Jerry beat anyone to the punch with a thin chopper.

And Jerry had the ZT BM at about that time, don't know exactly when, but the BWM is definitely not his first thin chopper. Wish I hadn't sold my ZT BM

 

[RussMo]

What is the notch on the back of the Hoodlum supposed to accomplish?

A break point in case you get the blade stuck!!! I don't care for any knife with a created week point:thumbdn:.

 

[moonwilson]

Not accusing anyone of anything.
BUT, The RTAK and RTAKII (both .187 thick 10" long knives) were very popular, and Jeff Randall said he was surprised at how many sold. We (including me) have been hollering to ESEE for an updated RTAK since RAT Cultery got started.
The Hood Hunter from Fehrman was popular, but people clamored for a lighter version.

So, no doubt makers have had them int he design stages for a while. Just pointing out that Jerry beat them to market, with what the market has been crying for, and at a price that isn't much more than some of the other company's models.

I didn't mean to accuse you of accusing anyone of anything. And you're right, Jerry was first to get this generation of "short, heavy machete" on the market. I still need to pick up a BWM at some point. Short machetes are kinda my thing these days. I must say, I approve of this current trend. :thumbup: I may have to trade into a BWM though. This recession has really put a dent into my purchasing power.

 

[resinguy]

and Ron Hood brings out his Hoodlum (10" blade, .187" thick, made of 5160).

Of course, I already have a big knife in 5160. And Bill Siegle knows his HT for this steel.

 

[CaptInsano]

In my unselfish and dedicated quest to provide those on the internet with chopping entertainment, I even bought another BWM and left the factory edge on it to compare it to the new Junglas. Trouble is, my house is now so full of choppers, compasses won't work within 50 yds. I need to have a clearance sale or something. Beckers, RATs, Rangers, Barkies only, so INFI hogs need not get their hopes up for scoring a discount Busse chopper.

You just let me know, big guy.

 

[leatherman]

And Jerry had the ZT BM at about that time, don't know exactly when, but the BWM is definitely not his first thin chopper. Wish I hadn't sold my ZT BM

Yup! And I have been trying ever since to get my hands on a ZTNO, almost ten years. I dont think my nick name is lucky!

 

[MustardMan]

Ditto. I'm no metalurgist, but I don't like the idea of exposing my expensive knives to 5500 degree sparks. If there's even the slightest chance of screwing up the heat treat, I'm not gonna take it. That's what old hacksaw blades are good for.

There isn't even the slightest chance of screwing up the heat treat, and you don't have to be a metallurgist to figure out why - a basic thermodynamics course will do.


Sparks are very hot but have almost no mass - that means they contain very little energy in the form of heat. That energy would dissipate so quickly on contact with a large chunk of steel that it would be difficult to measure any change in temperature in the steel, even at the exact point where the sparks hit.



You'd be more likely to damage the heat treat by leaving your knife laying out in the sun

 

[Longknife3]

Of course, I already have a big knife in 5160. And Bill Siegle knows his HT for this steel.

Rez
I'm no photographer, but that is a cool @$$ pic with the shadows in the background... Well done:thumbup:

 

[Horn Dog]

And Jerry had the ZT BM at about that time, don't know exactly when, but the BWM is definitely not his first thin chopper. Wish I hadn't sold my ZT BM

The ZTs were before I became aware of Busses, but there have been many choppers with thin blades. Condor's Inca knife, various camp machetes, RTAK, Becker BK-9, to name a few. All those are under .25" thick. Doesn't matter to me who was first, only who did it best. I love the new BWM. The SRKW M9LE and SYKCO DFLE make pretty good bushwackers, too. They are both light and fast, even at .25" thick. The full flat grind keeps the weight down.

 

[resinguy]

I'm no photographer, but that is a cool @$$ pic with the shadows in the background... Well done:thumbup:

Neither am I, but I get lucky sometimes.

Thanks

 

[rbmcmjr]

Of course, I already have a big knife in 5160. And Bill Siegle knows his HT for this steel.

5160 is a pretty good choice for a chopper. Mine are from Ted Frizzell (MMHW) and John Gonzalez (Dervish Knives), shown with a Ruck for scale: