Need Help Identifying a Rare Vintage Busse – 2002 Steel Heart Variant?

王

王小明

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2025
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Hi Hogs and Busse Collectors,
I recently acquired this incredible piece and am looking for some help from the seasoned experts here to properly identify it.
I was told by a knowledgeable collector that this might be a rare Steel Heart Variant released at a show back in 2002 to commemorate Busse's 10th Anniversary. However, I haven't been able to find any concrete archive data or matching photos online to fully confirm the story.
Here are the specs and details I have:
Overall Length: Approx. 13.2 inches (~33.5 cm)
Blade Width: Just under 2 inches (< 5 cm)
Blade Style: True double-edged profile (sharpened top swedge/spine).
Finish: Double Cut (DC) finish, completely sterile (no logo or Custom Shop markings).
Handle: Classic canvas Micarta with three flared tubes, an ergonomic profile, and a prominent exposed tang pommel/skull crusher.
The fit and finish look undeniably like old-school Busse shop work, but the exact model lineage or show history is a mystery to me.
Thanks in advance for your time and expertise. Cheers!
 

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王小明 said:
A friend got it from an old-school collector, then sold it to me to fund some new gear. I love this tactical style and couldn't pass it up!
Click to expand...


Thanks for the reply. You have a very cool friend there! They would quickly be becoming my best friend! 😀 I’ve never even seen a picture of that model anywhere before. I’m guessing a one of! Congratulations!
 
Lends it self to a highly modified Steel Heart 2 in my opinion. Need some older hogs to jump in a d reply. Jaxx Jaxx
 
Last edited:
Very nice variant.

Way back then they were just called variants.
Some of us "long term members" were around then. since 2001
But Yes Jerry is always the one who would know best.

Most came from SH E or some other blanks. ( and that was not official, just everyone's best guess)

I won one SH variant in the great Vegas Scavenger hunt ( I need to get a pic of it :) )
basically Jerry and Crew went to Vegas and hid dog tags around the strip and "crews" of HOGs went looking for them. There were tons of prizes that were won.

One "Long Term Member" who collected specifically Variants was Eric Isaacson he had or still has one of the largest collection of variants.

Basically the variants back then were all pretty much One of a kind.
Some were similar but they all were a little different.

They would show up at Blade show mostly or there were even Ganzas they would be in.

But all in all they were just called Variants

The knives that commemorated the 10 year anniversary were the AA's that had it laser engraved on them
 
David Brown said:
Very nice variant.

Way back then they were just called variants.
Some of us "long term members" were around then. since 2001
But Yes Jerry is always the one who would know best.

Most came from SH E or some other blanks. ( and that was not official, just everyone's best guess)

I won one SH variant in the great Vegas Scavenger hunt ( I need to get a pic of it :) )
basically Jerry and Crew went to Vegas and hid dog tags around the strip and "crews" of HOGs went looking for them. There were tons of prizes that were won.

One "Long Term Member" who collected specifically Variants was Eric Isaacson he had or still has one of the largest collection of variants.

Basically the variants back then were all pretty much One of a kind.
Some were similar but they all were a little different.

They would show up at Blade show mostly or there were even Ganzas they would be in.

But all in all they were just called Variants

The knives that commemorated the 10 year anniversary were the AA's that had it laser engraved on them
Click to expand...
Thanks for the detailed reply and history! Looks like it's a Steel Heart Variant, likely a 2002 show special instead of an anniversary model. Appreciate your insight!
 
also looking at it.
It could have started as Steel Heart 2 (before they wee called Straight Handled SH) the rear of the handle does not really drop enough for a SH E and there is more material than a birds beak SH has.

Heck it even could have started as a old Battle Mistress
 
For comparison, here’s a Steel Heart II with brass tube fasteners. It seems the brass fasteners were only used for a couple/few years… maybe 1999-2002. The use of brass fasteners seem to have ceased part way through the ergo series.
IMG_4092.jpeg
 
David Brown said:
also looking at it.
It could have started as Steel Heart 2 (before they wee called Straight Handled SH) the rear of the handle does not really drop enough for a SH E and there is more material than a birds beak SH has.

Heck it even could have started as a old Battle Mistress
Click to expand...
Definitely not a SHe-v. 👍
My best guess is Steel Heart 2 also, but it absolutely could have started as a BM. 🙂
Very cool variant! 🤙

Steel Heart ergo variant vvv
SHV_Triple-grind_1.jpg
 
Thank you all so much for the incredible discussion and information! It really looks like the consensus is leaning toward a 2002-era Steel Heart II Variant.
 
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