My 1st Busse...initial thoughts

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newbie_nick

Joined
Dec 2, 2008
Messages
83
Hey all!

I just got my first Busse (ASH at 0.22" thick) last week, and I wanted to share my first thoughts. As soon as I grabbed it for the first time, it seemed to fit my hand perfectly. I have fairly big hands and the magnum handles seemed to fit me pretty well. Balance seemed to be just ahead of my first finger, and it seemed like it would be a good chopper.

My only initial disappointment was that the bevel had some pretty serious grind marks in it. I got out my sandpaper and mousepad, and starting with 400, I started to work out the grind marks as I started to knock off the shoulder of the bevel and add a convex edge. Needless to say, I was nervous about sharpening it for the first time, but it seemed to go pretty well. I got the grind marks out with 400, and moved through 600, 1000, and eventually to a strop. The blade isn't exactly a slicer, but it was pretty sharp after that!

I decided to go out and make a little camp fire that afternoon because I wanted to try chopping and batonning with it. I had some aged firewood at my house that was black locust (I think), and it was pretty darn hard to split even with an axe. I whacked into a piece with the ASH and batonned it through the rest of the way. That wood was pretty hard, and I had to baton it pretty hard to get it through. The knife didn't seem to care, and split through it eventually. After I got it through a few pieces, I tested the edge again, and I was AMAZED to see that the edge wasn't even slightly rolled, marred, or otherwise dulled. I brought it back inside after my chopping and batonning fun, and it sliced through a magazine page just like it did before I went outside.

I realize that I'm a noob to Busse knives, and you guys probably aren't all that surprised to hear any of this. That being said, I am amazed at the knife overall. 1) It was surprisingly easy to sharpen for such a tough steel. 2) It took the meager amount of pounding that I gave it with no issue. 3) Edge retention seemed really good even though I beat on it pretty well.

Now, I'm hooked... I can't wait to beat on it some more!

Thanks for reading...
Nick

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That's a nice first Busse. And the Ash does fit pretty well in the hand, as for the grind marks in the bevel, it'll happen. It isn't that big of deal.

newbie_nick said:
I realize that I'm a noob to Busse knives, and you guys probably aren't all that surprised to hear any of this. That being said, I am amazed at the knife overall. 1) It was surprisingly easy to sharpen for such a tough steel. 2) It took the meager amount of pounding that I gave it with no issue. 3) Edge retention seemed really good even though I beat on it pretty well.

Now, I'm hooked... I can't wait to beat on it some more!
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And we aren't surprised about the result. INFI is amazing. But we love hearing about people getting enlightened on its toughness :D


When I got my first Busse, a NMSFNO, I batoned anything I could find. I batoned it over 30 times in some well seasoned oak and some knotty hickory and was as sharp as when I first started.

It's good stuff :thumbup:
 
That is a great looking Ash1, and probably the best thickness in that model. With a full height flat grind a .22 thick spine is great in that blade profile. I loved the .31 thick ash1, and would want that version if I was in combat, just for the massive thickness.

I think that color combo, finish is awesome as well.


By grind marks, I assume you are talking about the actual edge???? Busse does use a lower grit belt for sharpening than some. What that gives you is a toothy edge with a lot of bite.

I convex all my V grinds eventually anyway. Usually the first time I find I have hit some thing with the edge.
 
Great Score! The ASH is a great all arounder. :)

Agreed on the edges, its a thing of the past, but some of those before the new sharpening regimen were rather "toothy" for sure. :p
 
Awesome first Busse. It was the same for me. It's still my favourite all rounder. A great solid workhorse knife. Jerry nailed the design with this one I reckon.
 
Gotta LOVE the ASH!!! Congrats Bro and it want be your last, I promise...
 
Welcome and congrats the Ash is one great knife and it looks like you scored a nice one. Now you need a big Busse chopper next to really put things in perspective. :thumbup:
 
leatherman said:
Great Score! The ASH is a great all arounder. :)

Agreed on the edges, its a thing of the past, but some of those before the new sharpening regimen were rather "toothy" for sure. :p
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"Toothy"...lol... I've never heard of that one before. It was definitely sharp when I got it, but the grind marks ("teeth") just bothered me. It's good an polished now though!
 
I got the Busse bug about a year ago. Have two Combat grade .320 ASH's both with a satin finish in my collection. One with G-10 scales and one with Mag scales. Great choice for your first Busse knufe.
 
shaving sharp said:
I got the Busse bug about a year ago. Have two Combat grade .320 ASH's both with a satin finish in my collection. One with G-10 scales and one with Mag scales. Great choice for your first Busse knufe.
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That reminds me of a question that I have. These handles are "magnum black paper." I understand the magnum part, but does the black paper part mean black paper macarta? I really like the contour of the handles because it feels like I have really good grip on the knife, but I was curious about the material.

Thanks all!
Nick
 
Yes, paper micarta. Combat Grade knives usually get canvas micarta, and Busse has used linen micarta at times.
 
Congrats Nick and nice choice. You have one of the best all around camping/hiking knives ever made and yours is a beauty! The thin Ash's are my favorite. Light enough to take anywhere and do still whatever is needed.
 
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