NMFBM......LE vs CG

F

falar

Joined
Jul 7, 2012
Messages
1,199
I've done a few searches and looked at pictures and can't really tell what the LE had that the CG didn't.

I've seen CGs with a Satin finish also so is the real difference the blade thickness?

I thought all NMFBMs came with the smooth handles too, but someone just put a ton of them up for sale that have normal looking slabs with sharp corners.

I'm going to buy another NMFBM off of the exchange, just haven't decided which yet as there is an LE and several CGs available and want to know the difference. I have one that will be my user since it is used and will get another one just to put away. On a side note, it seems that every single one I see pictures of online has a much "pointier" tip more similar to my FBM than the one I already have.
 
keep in mind that the LEs and formal CGs actually have very particular specifications because they were mass produced and sold to tight QA procedures. all these other ones are sold at shows an such and aren't necessarily supposed to conform to any specs--they aren't real LEs or CGs simply because they're satin finished or coated, respectively
 
uyotg said:
keep in mind that the LEs and formal CGs actually have very particular specifications because they were mass produced and sold to tight QA procedures. all these other ones are sold at shows an such and aren't necessarily supposed to conform to any specs--they aren't real LEs or CGs simply because they're satin finished or coated, respectively
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Ok I was unaware of that. I thought all knives fell into either CG or LE categories.
 
falar said:
Ok I was unaware of that. I thought all knives fell into either CG or LE categories.
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Would that it was that simple.

It starts out simple.

Jerry releases a CG blade on the site, specs are fixed, the only variables are slabs and coating. Then later comes along the LE version. Satin, numbered, maybe a different thickness than the CG, special slabs, and all the same save the numbers. Simple.

Then a year or two goes by, and we start seeing variants at shows. Coated versions made from the thicker LE blanks. DCBB versions from the thinner CG blanks. Hand shaped slabs. Show special colors. etc, etc, etc.

Now it's messy on the resale market. Similar blades, different thickness, different finishes, different slabs, no agreement on what to call them.

This model has been repeated several times. The wise piglet will do his piggy homework as best he can, and ask the seller questions. How thick is that knife? Was that a Busse Combat original release, or a show special variant? etc.

No regrets, it all good.
 
resinguy said:
Would that it was that simple.

It starts out simple.

Jerry releases a CG blade on the site, specs are fixed, the only variables are slabs and coating. Then later comes along the LE version. Satin, numbered, maybe a different thickness than the CG, special slabs, and all the same save the numbers. Simple.

Then a year or two goes by, and we start seeing variants at shows. Coated versions made from the thicker LE blanks. DCBB versions from the thinner CG blanks. Hand shaped slabs. Show special colors. etc, etc, etc.

Now it's messy on the resale market. Similar blades, different thickness, different finishes, different slabs, no agreement on what to call them.

This model has been repeated several times. The wise piglet will do his piggy homework as best he can, and ask the seller questions. How thick is that knife? Was that a Busse Combat original release, or a show special variant? etc.

No regrets, it all good.
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Thanks for the additional info. I didn't know anything about the "show knives" until your post.
 
Think I just picked up a "show variant".

Thickness is .296" vs the .245" version I already have. It isn't "melted down" to nearly the same extent and the coating isn't quite black and isn't quite tanker grey.
 
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0.296"?!?! That's a beast! I don't know if I would want to swing that more than a few times.

The original, 1st run CG version were the thinnest, IIRC. Something like 0.23"?
 
resinguy said:
0.296"?!?! That's a beast! I don't know if I would want to swing that more than a few times.

The original, 1st run CG version were the thinnest, IIRC. Something like 0.23"?
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Yep, calipers tell all. Actually upon remeasuring in several different flats it is all in the .285-.290" range. I only got anything close to .300" at one place at the top of the spine where the thumb knub is because I think the coating went on thick there.

It sucks because the sheath I bought doesn't work with either of my NMFBMs. The NMFBM that the maker uses to press the kydex around must be "in between" what I have.
 
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This is very informative, especially since I am seriously considering buying one.

Some things don't change. :)

I owned two of the first 300 BM's ever made. They both had clip point blades, but were totally different blade sizes, both in length and width. Both different by about 1/2".

Jerry just cranks em' out, and people buy em':D
 
Pretty sure Yours is tanker grey with red and black G10 mags, it came from knob creek, not considered a viarant though, just a unique variation (red/black machined mags werent a store option when a regular offering). Ive seen a cpl dozen nmfbms at shows in the last year or two. All of them have been .265-.295, the thicker typically being coated (coating adds .01-.02). Havnt seen a standard .25 that I can recall at any of them. Nice knife.
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The nice thing is that no matter what thickness you get it is a great blade. Built for chopping and short of a chainsaw nothing I own has taken down more trees.

Garth
 
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