My Busse FFBM review

P

privateisland

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Nov 5, 2005
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77
Well,

I've been away from Busse's for awhile. I got a FFBM in a trade. It came partially stripped and has a KILLER Chuddy bear sheath.

First- Chuddy bear does some amazing work. The sheath was described as amazing, and it more then stood up to that.

Now for the FFBM. I was told this was a heavy knife. I was then told again and again that I must be ready for a big, heavy knife. Well, I was given exactly that. This knife is HUGE!!!! Not kind of big, BUT GIGANTIC! I feel like I'm carrying a gym weight with me. Including the sheath, wearing it makes the belt on my pants sag 3" while wearing it. I cannot even walk properly with it on. It's like strapping a rifle to your hip.

The knife is a better finished then my BM-E. But, I do not like these handles that much either. It feels like a golf ball in the middle and the pinky area is way to thin IMO. If the pinky area was a little less thin, then the handle would have been better IMO.

In comparison to my BM-E this thing feels like 3 or 4 knives glued together. So I was hoping that amazing abilities would make up for this monster's weight. It does indeed chop as well as people say. It's so heavy it's weight alone will break off most small branches. But, it also throws your shoulder way more then I would like. My shoulder was hurting after 20 hard hits. It weighs so much you cannot really "snap" your wrist. So you must use your shoulder to lift and drop the blade. Now don't think I'm a desk jockey. I am athletic and can bench 225 ten times. So if this is painful to me, I'm just wondering what it feels like to some others.


Now with the edge. It's much nicer then the older ergo blades. I feel this part was a large improvement. My ergo is a POS in the fine cutting department and it's much thinner. Busse has stepped up there game with the new edge.

Overall I think this FFBM was an overkill. Yes it does chop, but is not very practical to carry. I cannot see any realistic use for it. My friend came over (6'4") and even in his hands he felt the same way.

I like Busse, but think this knife should be sold as a intimidating looking- novelty chopper.

Just my two cents.
 
Last edited:
Forgot to add my ratings... out of 5 stars.
Look-****
Chopping-*****
Carrying it-*
Quality of the blade finish etc-***
Slicing-***
Overall realistic use (at least for me)-*
 
Interesting. I've had my FBMLE for a little while but have yet to use it because the mags on it are WAY too thick for me...especially in the middle. I love the feel of the knife though and can't wait to use it. I did, however, buy it JUST for chopping. With the distinct possibility of hurricanes down here it's a good idea to have a big, heavy chopper. I could have gotten myself a decent machete...but where's the style in that? :D
 
I'mGatMan, For chopping it's perfect. For home use it's perfect. For actual hiking with... I think it needs a shoulder rig IMO.
 
I love my FFBM I carry it on my hip. With the right sheath I think it works well for camping. If you do not like it put it on the exchange and it be gone in a flash.
 
You could maybe trade for a CG GBM. Same overall size but much thinner and lighter, and just about as good at chopping, etc.
 
I'm not planning on trading it... I'll use it more and see if I can adapt to it. It's just so much bigger then the BM-E. In pics, they don't look that much different. But in person there is a huge difference. I weighed them. THe BM-E is 1lb 5.6oz. With it's Cordura sheath it's 1lb 11.5oz.

Now the FFBM is 2lb 1.5oz and with the sheath 3lb 2oz.

That means the FFBM is 55% bigger then the BM-E. That's a big difference when you are chopping with your wrist IMO.
 
I looked at getting a FFBM but after playing with one and coming to the same conclusion as you did, I went for the CG ASH1 and I couldn't be happier. The ASH may not chop as well but it carries a lot better and should you need to chop something, you can get by the with the ASH. I'm not saying the BM isn't cool but I'd say the ASH is much more practical.
 
I will start off by agreeing that the FFBM is one big hunk of INFI. However, the FFBM feels great in my hands. BTW: I have standard handles not mags. The weight does not bother me at all in use. I have done a lot of chopping with mine and no unusual fatigue issues here. No problems snapping the blade, etc... I was really impressed with JAB's convexed FFBM.

Now as far as wearing one: I too find it uncomfortable to hang the FFBM on my regular belt. So I either wear a tool belt with it or strap it to my pack. That seems to have completely solved the problem for me.

But given how strong INFI is I would really like to try a ZT FBM or anorexic FBM.

Good & honest review.
 
I like Busse's so please don't think I'm a hater. I've owned them since 1999.

But, I just think this ones a overkill. I like the look, the handle is ok, I like the size, but I think the thickness is an overkill.

If INFI is as good as they say it is, then why have it so thick? Having it optimal for use, function, and strength is how it should be built IMO. It's almost 1/3" thick.... I have seen thin Cold Steel Bushman's doing amazing things on outings. I'm not doubting INFI, but find no reason to have a blade this thick.

It's called Busse Combat...So I think they should make knives for field use first and novelty second. just my two cents...

Just trying to give a "users" opinion.
 
I think a shoulder-rig would probably be a great way to carry an FBM. If you can find Knifehunter's "WVA Wild" post, there's a pic of him wearing an LE on his shoulder and he said it was close to perfect. I'll talk to T when he gets back from ATL and figure out how he made it or where he got it.

As for the handles, I'm going to send mine to be Banned, and it will include thinning the handles (probably to standard thickness) as well as a convex job. Might have him convex my BATACLE as well.

We'll see how all of that goes, and I'll make sure to post pics/reviews when I've had a chance to work 'em out.

I concurr with Ham Solo...good, honest review. Welcome back the trough.

J
 
privateisland: You do not seem like a hater at all. You bring up some very valid points. And this has been brought up more than once. Busse has a lot of variations. Just look at knives like the CG ASH-1 or the Off Duty. Super thick knives. Do they need to be? I don't think so. But with all the variations out there there is something for everyone. Some HOGS just like them thick.

I'd love to see a thinner comp. style chopper in INFI. Time well tell. ;)
 
Tyrkon, When I first started with Busse, they seemed to be made for soldiers etc. I'm just wondering if they are a different company, selling to a different crowd? I think that's why some people are going towards the Fehrman blades. I know first hand that they are being used in the Spec Ops community.
 
There's nothing wrong with variety. Busse knows that if they make it, people will buy it. Be it straight up combat knives, oversized choppers or neck knives.

I'm not aware of any other steel that can take the abuse like INFI, as far as I know - Busse makes the toughest blades. If people are buying other knives, mabe it's a design they like or they just can't afford infi - either way they aren't getting the same quality that they get from Busse.

As for ridiculous thickness - you know for sure the knife isn't ever going to fail you, Busse knows it and backs that up with their guarantee - so why not?
 
I enjoyed reading this post by the weekend I should have my FFFBM Green w/black micarta with a killer kydex sheath,anyways,I will be a first time owner of a FBM..always love the looks of and devastating cutting/Chopping abilities of the FBM ,so I saved for quite sometime to grab one and will give it a whirl and if it is not for me , well like mention earlier it will move fast ....
 
I totaly agree with you in regards to the FFFBM. IMO is is way overbuilt, I do not own one but my mate does and we have both put it through its paces. I was talking to him about the other day and he says he is planning on selling it as it is just not practical for him. I have two of the CG versions and I personally find these too heavy. I would love to see a 3/16" thick versin with a full hight flat grind and a competition edge, this would be an awesome cutter.

I will say this, variation is great and Busse does pretty well in this regard. I would definatly like to see more thinner blades.
 
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