Mean Street question... First post here

[338375]

Howdy all. This is my first post here. I've been reading and looking at everyone's pictures for quite awhile though....

I will start off by saying I prefer my knives around 8-9 inches O.A.L. I have been hunting for almost 40 years. Elk hunting is my passion. We hunt hard, and I've spent a lot of time back in the wilderness areas hunting. I've never needed a big knife so I can chop wood, although I'm sure it would be fun, I've never had a knife big enough to do that with... When I buy a fixed blade knife, my first thought is, how it will work for working over deer and elk.

To be honest, while I have admired the pictures here, I always thought the Busse knives were to big for my use . That was until I saw the Magnum Bear Cub

I love those knives... After doing a little looking, it appeared they were no longer being made. Or if they are, I didn't look in the right place.
Watching the exchange, I found they don't often come up for sale, so I decided to look at the website a little closer.

That is when I found the Mean Street knives. OK, now I am enthused I REALLY like the Mean Street LE. Very cool. That would definitely work.
Then I noticed the Mean Street Anniversary model. Cool.. That would work too...

The LE is perfect just the way it is. The Anniversary looks great too, but I don't care for blade coatings. So, after all this rambling, is it possible to order the Anniversary model without the blade coating ? ETA: After doing a search, it seems it is possible, or at least it was... Usually when I search for something in particular, I never find it.

I have plenty of hunting knives, but there is a very good chance I will be going to Alaska in September, on a Moose and Grizzly hunt, and I am seriously planning my gear for the trip.
We will fly out of Kenai, and the flight will be 1 hour N.E of Anchorage. The plane will drop us off, and come back in 7-10 days to pick us up.
I need to keep my gear to a minimum because of the space and weight on the plane, so I only want to take 3 really good knives.

I may already have one worked out with a custom maker here on the forum, and I will take one of my favorites too, so I need one more knife.
If anyone has used the Mean Street for working on game, what are your thoughts on the knife ? Or do some prefer the Magnum Bear Cub ?

Sorry for the long ass post

 

[voracious1]

Glad you dropped in!
The magnum bear cub would work in a pinch, but IMO is on the small side. The anniversary mean street should fit the bill.
Take a look at the Elmax steak knives as well. Matter of fact there is a thread where the guys from the Busse shop processed a dozen or so deer without touching up the edge.

 

[338375]

Glad you dropped in!
The magnum bear cub would work in a pinch, but IMO is on the small side. The anniversary mean street should fit the bill.
Take a look at the Elmax steak knives as well. Matter of fact there is a thread where the guys from the Busse shop processed a dozen or so deer without touching up the edge.

Thanks. That's the kind of info I am looking for. I would like to order a knife soon, knowing that it can take awhile for it to be delivered. I don't want to do like I usually do, and wait until the last minute

 

[mainaman]

I do not think you can get the knife in Combat Grade with no coating, I was not able to get my BM this way.
But you can strip the coating easy with some paint stripper.

 

[Barbarossa]

Glad you dropped in!
The magnum bear cub would work in a pinch, but IMO is on the small side. The anniversary mean street should fit the bill.
Take a look at the Elmax steak knives as well. Matter of fact there is a thread where the guys from the Busse shop processed a dozen or so deer without touching up the edge.

What he said. Other models to look for would be and Active Duty or Leaner Meaner as well.

 

[2Dead]

You can still order the AMS LE from the shop http://www.bussecombat.com/anniversary-mean-street-limited-edition/. I think the only difference now is that they come with the anniversary etch instead of your choice of etches (although you can probably still request it if you call up). The CG coated models are less expensive but you can always strip the coating off, there's numerous threads having done so for various models. Size wise, here's a couple of GECs that arrived at the same time my 2 LEs arrived. GEC #65, #92 and #33 if that helps. I had a MBC but sold it because it was too small for me.

 

[RWT]

Tagging this to find it later. Stuck on a plane.

 

[338375]

I do not think you can get the knife in Combat Grade with no coating, I was not able to get my BM this way.
But you can strip the coating easy with some paint stripper.

Thanks. I wondered how hard the coating would be to remove.

What he said. Other models to look for would be and Active Duty or Leaner Meaner as well.

Thanks for the recommendations. I have a lot to learn about all the different models..

You can still order the AMS LE from the shop http://www.bussecombat.com/anniversary-mean-street-limited-edition/. I think the only difference now is that they come with the anniversary etch instead of your choice of etches (although you can probably still request it if you call up). The CG coated models are less expensive but you can always strip the coating off, there's numerous threads having done so for various models. Size wise, here's a couple of GECs that arrived at the same time my 2 LEs arrived. GEC #65, #92 and #33 if that helps. I had a MBC but sold it because it was too small for me.

Thanks. That is a great picture. It's a great comparison showing them with the slip joints.

Tagging this to find it later. Stuck on a plane.

 

[Pokey1]

Welcome to the Busse forum! The Anniversary Mean Street is definitely a great blade all around. (I also carry a Magnum Bear Cub with me and I absolutely LOVE it). Good luck with your decision and please let us know if you have any other questions! We will be more than happy to help you out :thumbup:

 

[Busto]

Welcome to the Madness.....I have used the Game Warden in the past for processing game and then along came the Anny Mean Street...Awesome blade for processing game....I ordered a number of them for gifts and kept a couple for my own pleasure. You can order a "Double Cut" finish which is one that has no coating just double bead blasted finish I used to process some Tuna while fishing over in Hawaii....the double cut needs to be wiped clean if you want a pristine finish but I use my knives and wipe clean and just a wipe with some oil at the end....Good Hunting...:thumbup:

 

[lobo9er]

Soak it in quality paint stripper. Easy saturday, 6 pack and movie project. A brass brush helps things along.

 

[Lora7]

Welcome to the Busse Forum! Jody's suggestion for the Elmax blades is top notch, the boys took one on a hunting weekend and it surprised everyone with what it could withstand. It's definitely a knife to consider. Don't overlook the AMS though, it's an incredibly resilient knife as well. Both knives are a great size to keep with you for an EDC. Good luck in your decision. If you have questions about what is available and what isn't, be sure to send an e-mail to the shop. You'll get a quick and to the point response.

 

[Hindsight]

Some great suggestions. Good luck with choosing.

 

[evltcat]

What he said. Other models to look for would be and Active Duty or Leaner Meaner as well.

:thumbup: Ding! Right there with ya brother!

I have both too, and depending on what I'm cutting up I usually go for the LMS (Leaner Meaner).
I have bigger hands and it fits and feels better to me:

 

[RussMo]

Well, 1st of welcome to the madness Brother!!! 2nd, You say about an 1hr N.E. of Anchorage, Where are you going??? Now to pig stickers.
Here is a shot of a few I really like. L to R
Anorexic Boss Street, Meaner Street, AMS, BAD, CULTI, Game Warden. Blade lengths run from 4.25" on the ABS to 3" on the GW.

Blade widths run from .125" up to .171"


Now I don't know if you ever hunted Grizz before or Moose but either of them ain't nothing like Elk. These two varmint can dull the best of blades with out much trouble. Main thing to do is bring more than (1) better with (3). Good sharpening stone, rod, carbide what ever works for you. Also bring a folding saw and axe. A moose can run 800 to 1300 pounds real easy. Course you want harvest that much but the kill is easy. It the packing that is going to be the challenge.
are 4-wheelers on the vehicle list or is this by foot, raft etc, etc. Between now and then work out with and without packs. I know if you been Elk hunting you know what I mean.

Back to knives! All pictured are some outstanding blades but If I had to pic three knives out of this bunch the ABS, BAD or AMS & GW would be the three. I know some old boys down south that have skinned and butchered Whitetails all day long with a BAD. The ABS is my favorite as this knife is 4.25" X .140" and with the drop point it just keeps from poking through something you don't want to. The AMS is the real surprise of the bunch. I have about come to the opinion if I had one small knife that is the one I would go with. Balance, 3.7" X .165" blade, man it's just a real winner.

 

[David Brown]

Look for or put up a wanted to buy Military Overrun AMS and then you will basicly get a uncoated AMS the grind will be a little different but may be even better for what you want .

 

[338375]

Sorry for the long list of Multi-Quotes , But all the responses are good, so I couldn't stop...

Welcome to the Busse forum! The Anniversary Mean Street is definitely a great blade all around. (I also carry a Magnum Bear Cub with me and I absolutely LOVE it). Good luck with your decision and please let us know if you have any other questions! We will be more than happy to help you out :thumbup:

Thanks. I appreciate it

Welcome to the Madness.....I have used the Game Warden in the past for processing game and then along came the Anny Mean Street...Awesome blade for processing game....I ordered a number of them for gifts and kept a couple for my own pleasure. You can order a "Double Cut" finish which is one that has no coating just double bead blasted finish I used to process some Tuna while fishing over in Hawaii....the double cut needs to be wiped clean if you want a pristine finish but I use my knives and wipe clean and just a wipe with some oil at the end....Good Hunting...:thumbup:

Thanks. The Game Warden is another great looking knife. I don't worry much about keeping blades pristine. I have a fair number of hunting knives in 1095, which I really like, even though some consider it out dated

Soak it in quality paint stripper. Easy saturday, 6 pack and movie project. A brass brush helps things along.

Thanks

Welcome to the Busse Forum! Jody's suggestion for the Elmax blades is top notch, the boys took one on a hunting weekend and it surprised everyone with what it could withstand. It's definitely a knife to consider. Don't overlook the AMS though, it's an incredibly resilient knife as well. Both knives are a great size to keep with you for an EDC. Good luck in your decision. If you have questions about what is available and what isn't, be sure to send an e-mail to the shop. You'll get a quick and to the point response.

Thanks... Will do

:thumbup: Ding! Right there with ya brother!

I have both too, and depending on what I'm cutting up I usually go for the LMS (Leaner Meaner).
I have bigger hands and it fits and feels better to me:

Great pictures, and a great looking blade too :thumbup:

Look for or put up a wanted to buy Military Overrun AMS and then you will basicly get a uncoated AMS the grind will be a little different but may be even better for what you want .

Thanks. Great picture, and very nice looking sheaths :thumbup:

 

[voracious1]

Buy Bacon what is that blue thing?

 

[338375]

Well, 1st of welcome to the madness Brother!!! 2nd, You say about an 1hr N.E. of Anchorage, Where are you going??? Now to pig stickers.
Here is a shot of a few I really like. L to R
Anorexic Boss Street, Meaner Street, AMS, BAD, CULTI, Game Warden. Blade lengths run from 4.25" on the ABS to 3" on the GW.

Blade widths run from .125" up to .171"


Now I don't know if you ever hunted Grizz before or Moose but either of them ain't nothing like Elk. These two varmint can dull the best of blades with out much trouble. Main thing to do is bring more than (1) better with (3). Good sharpening stone, rod, carbide what ever works for you. Also bring a folding saw and axe. A moose can run 800 to 1300 pounds real easy. Course you want harvest that much but the kill is easy. It the packing that is going to be the challenge.
are 4-wheelers on the vehicle list or is this by foot, raft etc, etc. Between now and then work out with and without packs. I know if you been Elk hunting you know what I mean.

Back to knives! All pictured are some outstanding blades but If I had to pic three knives out of this bunch the ABS, BAD or AMS & GW would be the three. I know some old boys down south that have skinned and butchered Whitetails all day long with a BAD. The ABS is my favorite as this knife is 4.25" X .140" and with the drop point it just keeps from poking through something you don't want to. The AMS is the real surprise of the bunch. I have about come to the opinion if I had one small knife that is the one I would go with. Balance, 3.7" X .165" blade, man it's just a real winner.

Thanks. I responded to your post separate, because I knew it would be fairly lengthy

We are going to the Farewell Burn area. My best friends mom and step dad lived in Alaska for years. He was a plumber, and they had some great log cabins just North of Anchor Point, at Whiskey Gulch... My buddy and I went up and stayed a week with them about 9 years ago. We didn't hunt though. It was just a fishing trip...

His step dad has hunted Moose for years, and him and his friends always go to the same area, so we are fortunate to have people with a lot of experience with us. They fly a lot of the gear out early, and that includes 4 quads, so we won't be doing a lot of hiking, and we will be able to pack out with the quads.

This will be my first Moose and Grizz hunt. I still need to check the regs, and see if I can hunt with my bow. I've been archery hunting for quite a few years now, and would really like to hunt Moose with my bow. I don't know if it is even legal, but I'm not sure I have a big enough "set" to hunt Grizz with a bow though lol... If not, I will be going with my two favorite rifles. You can see what they are in my user name

Thanks for the great pictures... My favorite blade shape is a drop point. As soon as I saw the picture of your BAD, it clicked. That may just be the perfect knife for me... I still really want a LE Mean Street too though. Nothing wrong with having a couple different models, other than limited $$$
It really shows my lack of knowledge about Busse knives, because I don't know all the different patterns that have been made.
I'll get there eventually though.

As far as working out, I do every year. I usually start 3-4 months before the season. Mostly on a treadmill. I wear my hunting clothes, pack, and bow or rifle.
Starting out I do 20% incline. After awhile, I move it up to 30%. By the time season starts, I'm usually doing good.

 

[Gusbuster]

:thumbup:The BAD is Bad to the Bone! it's got a special heat treat with higher hardness. Great slicer



Even got me a custom one





The Pork Shank and CABS are pretty nice too:thumbup:



Here's a pic for size comparison, you got the Pork Shank, CABS, AMS, and Magnum Bear Cub