My Busse FFBM review

[Grimspoon]

I hate to hafta disagree with you here, Grim, but I would venture to say (and I'd get some support from fellow hogs on this) that Fehrman quality stands up to Busse.

Nothing wrong with competition, but until I see Noss put a Fehrman through the same tests as the FFBM - and see it survive - I'm going to be extremely doubtful.

Also, keeping in mind that I've never owned one and that my exposure to them even in photographs is limited; I think some Fehrman knives look awfully similar to Busse's.

If Fehrman is making knives of similar size and shape, is as strong as INFI and costs way less than INFI - why is anyone even here at the Busse forum? You'd think everyone would be putting their loyalty and wallets behind Fehrman? I know there are some here who like Fehrman (and own some of their knives), but I don't see there being a mass following for those knives the way Busse has...

This isn't an attack on you or Fehrman, it's just an observation. Like I said maybe their steel is great, I just don't have any reason to beleive it stands up to INFI - this is the first time I've ever seen anyone say that. I'll believe it when I see the knifetest.

 

[I'mGatMan!]

Nothing wrong with competition, but until I see Noss put a Fehrman through the same tests as the FFBM - and see it survive - I'm going to be extremely doubtful.

Might want to consider that there aren't too many companies out there making big choppers in a thickness of .32-.33. Show me a crazy test on a Busse at .17 against a comparable Fehrman or CRK or Strider or Ranger and I think you'll have a better sample.

I think some Fehrman knives look awfully similar to Busse's.

If you take a look at Fehrman's site you'll see that ALL of their knives follow a very well-defined design aesthetic. While their knives may have similar form factors to those of other makers, I believe that has more to do with the fact that they are all knives than anything else.

If Fehrman is making knives of similar size and shape, is as strong as INFI and costs way less than INFI - why is anyone even here at the Busse forum? You'd think everyone would be putting their loyalty and wallets behind Fehrman? I know there are some here who like Fehrman (and own some of their knives), but I don't see there being a mass following like for those knives like Fehrman...

Have you ever seen another knife company that does what Busse does as far as marketing? We all know they're great knives, but let's not get too caught up in the fervor. We buy these knives because we like them...and mostly for aesthetic reasons. Some of us don't even use them, we just look at them. Matter of fact, last knife Jerry DID design that was purely functional (Sar5) he openly stated that he hated. Recently I had a long-time hog hit me with a PM and tell me that while he'd had to return a few Busse's for warranty work, he'd NEVER had to return a Fehrman to the shop.

this is the first time I've ever seen anyone say that. I'll believe it when I see the knifetest.

Check here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=524014 and you'll see some Hogs have good things to say.

 

[Grimspoon]

Like I said, I'm not knocking Ferhman, any knife maker who puts a lifetime guarantee on their knives clearly stands by their work and I'd be hard pressed to find any fault in that.

My comments are in direct response to your claim that "Fehrman quality stands up to Busse."

Might be true - I don't know. If I see Noss (or any like-minded knife owner) put a Fehrman through it's paces they will have made a believer out of me.

In any case, this is a conversation that could possibly get ugly and I stand by Jerry's belief in not bashing other knife companies. I'd hate to see this conversation lead down that road.

 

[Elen]

The FFBM is probably my favourite Busse, actually. The smaller Busse knives, like the GW, see more use and are more practical to EDC, but quite frankly: the smaller Busse knives aren't nearly as good small knives as the larger Busses are good large knives. Well, that sounded odd, but that's how I see it: the FFBM is far better as a large knife than the GW is as a small knife. And I do like my GWs a lot.

I'm not a big guy, but the FFBM doesn't feel too heavy for me. That may be because I enjoy collecting and practicing with swords, though. I wouldn't carry it on my belt while hiking, of course. Instead, I put it inside the backpack - it's not like I will use it while walking. What would I do with it? Chop air? But when I stop, I may take out the FFBM to beat things up - split wood for the fire, and such. In use like this, the FFBM isn't heavy at all - I'm no ultralight backpacker, and I don't rightly care for a couple of pounds of extra weight.

The FFBM is a great very large knife, in my opinion. It's fun, most importantly, but it does chop like hell, and will do a hatchet's job more than well enough. And compared to some kukris, which I don't like, it's actually quite light and thin, and certainly a superior cutting instrument...

I wonder if anybody can share actual experience with the FFBM in the field. Please, only mention experience that involved outdoors use for at least 3 days.

I can. I got my first FFBM January this year, and the longest I've been out in the woods with it was I think four days. It wasn't anything serious, as I had even a cell phone with me for watching some news and posting on the Ranger Knives forum and Bladeforums. I carried the FFBM in my pack, instead of an axe, and it did all I wanted it to do just great. Of course I didn't use it for any precision work, but then, I wouldn't use any large knife for that kind of work as long as I had a choice in the matter...

An axe is less tiring to use than an FFBM, but nowhere near as fun, for me at least.

So, anyone who doesn't like their FFBM can feel free to give them to me. I'll even pay for your shipping costs!

 

[I'mGatMan!]

Grim,

This ain't gonna get ugly. I just know there isn't a lot of talk about Fehrman's here so I was sharing some info and personal insight.

The truth of the matter is that knives are intensely personal things. Each person's preference is different. I doubt you would have seen two knights or samurais with the same swords/katanas/wakizashi.

In my opinion, the ergos on Fehrmans are better than any Busse I've held, and the only reason I let go of my Last Chance was because I liked the aesthetics of the Nuke Badger better. Again, preference.

I seriously doubt any of us would really damage either a Busse OR a Fehrman through regular use. What Noss and Cliff Stamp do to knives is NOT regular use.

All I know and care about is that if I ever DO damage one of my knives, it will be covered by an exemplary warranty and that gives me security.

 

[Grimspoon]

I just don't want this thread to turn into a Busse vs * debate and detract from the honest and insightful review privateisland posted.

 

[Fiddleback]

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.

You define quality solely by how much punnishment a blade can take? Thats your perogative, but its an extremely narrow way to judge all knives.



I own an FFBM. I like it. It does really well at exactly what its intended to do. A. Chop. And B. Intimidate.

Its not my biggest knife. Its not my thickest blade...

I can see what you mean about carrying it. Heavy knives like this on a belt are NOT comfortable or practical IMO. Thats why when I made a sheath for my FFBM I didn't even put a belt loop on it. Its got MOLLE straps on the back for attaching to my pack, and connectors for using a shoulder strap.

 

[Grimspoon]

You define quality solely by how much punnishment a blade can take? Thats your perogative, but its an extremely narrow way to judge all knives.

I'mGatMan! called me out because I said if people are buying other knives it might be because they don't like Busse's asthetics or are put off by the cost - and that they aren't getting the same quality of blade that they would be getting if they bought one made of INFI.

I stand by that statement. I'mGatMan! and others believe that Fehrman makes knives that are comperable to Busse; some prefer Fehrman's style, and they are cheaper. I can't say if they are as tough as INFI, I don't own one and I haven't seen anyone beat one the way Noss does. Today was the first time I've seen anyone claim Fehrman knives are as good as Busse. I remain skeptical.

I don't think anyone here is going to disagree that Busse makes a well rounded knife that performs. However, for a lot of us the draw to Busse is the all-out toughness INFI provides.

Is toughness part of my criteria for gauging the quality of a knife? Definitely. Is it my sole critera? Not by a long shot.

 

[Tyrkon Lawson]

Like others have said, get a CG. The fatty is used to make the mall ninjas pee their panties. The CG is for actual work.

Oh no! Not the old "Mall Ninja" thing. Does this mean I have to stop "using" my FFBM for chopping, prying, etc...?

Just remember that Busse has other models that do this variation in size thing. The CG ASH1 -vs- Skinny ASH, the Active Duty -vs- the Off Duty, etc... Each knife does what it does. All good. Let's not knock each other's personal tastes.

As far as Fehrmans go... I dare someone to send me one to test for a while. Please. Actually, I really like the look of them and have really wanted to try one out. I have only heard good about them.

 

[Fiddleback]

I don't think anyone here is going to disagree that Busse makes a well rounded knife that performs. However, for a lot of us the draw to Busse is the all-out toughness INFI provides.

Is toughness part of my criteria for gauging the quality of a knife? Definitely. Is it my sole critera? Not by a long shot.

I totaly understand that as a Busse owner. Good to know its not your only benchmark for quality. Thanks for clarifying.:thumbup:

 

[I'mGatMan!]

Hey Grim, I hope you know I wasn't sniping. No offense intended.

To get back to the point, the OP made the statement that he felt Busse's design aesthetic/philosophy had morphed somewhere down the line, and that there are operators he knows who prefer Fehrman's design aesthetic/philosophy over contemporary Busses. I think those operators will be well served by either Fehrmans or Busses, whichever they choose.

And for the record, my attraction to Busse is equal parts quality and aesthetics. The warranty is just gravy. :thumbup:

 

[new]

i think everything is subjective.....we can't speak in definites because there are different strokes for different folks.....


the op is a big guy compared to me and he has difficulty using the FFBM for extended periods of time....i am 5'9" 140lbs and i have no problems using the the FFBM.....


one reason for this is, i used to be a user of HI products.....some of their blades are literally twice as thick as FFBM's.....check out their 18" Ang Kholas or a ganga ram......after wielding a HI blade, the FFBM feels like a machete......

i love the FFBM, but i really LOVE my FBMLE.....thickness of the FFBM with a full height grind......extremely quick in the hand......


and about fehrman blades, never owned any myself, but have heard nothing but good things about them from users and owners of fehrmans.....i would get one, but i just like busse a bit better.....i believe the final/extreme judgements are right around the $400 price point....for a smidge more, i could get BM......

i have 4 BMs and no fehrmans......the fehrmans also have that loong wait time, people must like them for some reason.....

 

[I'mGatMan!]

That wait time really depends on the model and what they have already cut and ready for grinding and treating. I got my Last Chance in two weeks, but I hear 12 weeks on some of the bigger knives. I also like the aesthetics of some of the Busse's more, but I will own a Fehrman or two again.

 

[Sagittarius]

I love the FFBM and think the blade thickness looks cool.
I have a monster custom in CPM 3V on order that will make a FFBM look skinny.
I love INFI but 3V is extremely tough with the right heat treatment.


Sag,

 

[I'mGatMan!]

I love the FFBM and think the blade thickness looks cool.
I have a monster custom in CPM 3V on order that will make a FFBM look skinny.
I love INFI but 3V is extremely tough with the right heat treatment.


Sag,

:thumbup:

Post comparison pics when you get her.

 

[papathud]

LOL,

It would seem that opinions do vary.

There are lots of Busse knives that I do not like and have no use for.

There are others that I tend to fondle every day and enjoy immensely.

When I buy a Busse knife, and then decide I do not like it, I find some one who does like it and sell, trade or gift the knife to them.

For instance, I so far do not care for the G-10 handles, so I tend to not buy them.

It is often tough to get in a position to handle a particular Busse knife before you buy.

I am always on the lookout for my next favorite Big Busse chopper.

I started with a strong preference for the Straight handled Steel Heart, then I found a particular One of Three Hundred Straight handled Battle Mistress, and that has been it for the last seven years or so.

But Still I Look.

I once had a Triple ground BME that was close, But I sold that one to a Marine Sniper Lt. who was deploying who needed it worse than I did.

The Search continues...

 

[Tyrkon Lawson]

What would Boss Hog say? Oh yeah! Let's Drink!

 

[I'mGatMan!]

Hey TL, I know you're a gangster when it comes to beating on your knives. What's your favorite and why? (I have a feeling it will be the NOe)

 

[Alex p. Schorsc]

If we didn't like Busses we wouldn't be here. I have a CGFBM and it also is a bit too heavy for field use. I am presently hand grinding off the ridges but it is still very heavy. It's good for use around the yard or in the workshop. Even though they're heavy, you gotta love these beasts. I had a Zero Tolerance BM which might, in fact, be the perfect knife for field carry. I, and several others here, are dreaming of a 7/32 inch or 3/16 inch BM with a full grind. The design of the Fusion BM is much more sophisticated than the ZTBM. I would say Busse is evolving steadily and their design is great and always getting better. As far as the Magnum handles, I think they are much better than standard. The G-10 handles are great. I have a black and green G-10 Magnum handle on my CGFBM and think that it is the PEFECT handle and the G-10 is great (like a tweed). If you don't have a lot of gear to carry I think the CG Mistress is good for the forest, although heavy, it has a big "Fun Factor". If you're doing a pro trek with a lotta gear, leave it at home and bring a lighter knife. Mt 2 sense!!!

 

[Alex p. Schorsc]

Just another word on Fehrman. I think that their knife point is a bit screwy. That's my taste, mind you. Their knife tips are kinda like an "American Tanto" style. I think a more classical knife point like Busse's is better because it makes for better cutting for typical chores like food prep and it's also easier to do one sweep sharpening.