NMSFNO...I just don't see much room for improvement...

[CPC]

What grinds/blade profiles was the NMSFNO available in? The LE looks convex but the CG looks flat, or are my eyes deceiving me because of the coating?

Chris.

 

[PeterPHWS]

The LE is a fully convex grind ... the CG retains the curved convex grind shape but has a V grind edge put on it. You can strip a CG and polish it into a fully convex LE grind no problem ... I did mine using linishing belts on a belt sander ...

 

[BOSS1]

Actually, I think there is room for a big improvement, which is currently available for purchase directly from bussecombat and it is called Light Brigade Team Gemini.

I think LBTG will outperform NMSFNO in any task thanks to its better grind, plus LBTG adds extra confidence with the guard. If you claim that NMSFNO is a better chopper than LBTG, I'd say that the difference is very tiny and I think that either one of these two blades is not an effective chopper (or something that I would choose for chopping) only in the case where it would be my only possibility.

If you are anticipating hard, forward thrusts/stabs into objects, I'd give the nod to the TG with its double guard and pointier tip as well. And if you are heck-bent on using your $400 knife as a hammer instead of that free rock over there, then yes, the butt of the TG will probably be more capable in that role. The biggest benefit I see for the TGLB right now is that is far more readily available and more economical than most other Busses.

People are absolutely dissecting every aspect of some knives, NMSFNO vs TG vs SAR vs Basic vs X,Y, & Z, grip, edges, angels, length, weight, grind, etc etc etc. This is a knife forum after all, so duh... and makes for good thought exchange. Plus I wouldn't be surprised if some decision makers behind the desk aren't taking notes. IT would be nice if you could have every Busse/kin in every variation on a table in front of you to do side-by-side comparisons, maybe even field test, but that's only a pipe dream for pretty much the entire planet of non-Busse employed folks.

If there is something not on the shelf that would be just perfect with a little modding here and there, try the custom shop, or maybe see if someone like Ban or NorCal could make the changes you seek. But truth be told, I have yet to find the one end-all, be-all perfect 'everything' knife. I have sorta given up trying, which is why I carry the fixed blade combined with a multi-tool and/or folder. If the nuclear meltdown precludes using the fire steel, I can use the folder/multitool. Also, all of my rods came with the scraper, which I don't toss in the trash, it stays tied to the rod. That 1/2 oz. of weight is hardly an issue and its there when needed. I also have butane lighters that will be the first choice...if they fail, then OK, on to the fire steel. Good to practice once in awhile, but why make things harder if you don't have too (whispered voice "Use the lighter").

I think we can all agree, Busse makes many good knives, and I don't see anyone being particularly ill equipped with one. So then, it comes down to personal preferences, normally based on a whole pile of considerations. And truth be told, two folks could be heading into the same patch of forrest with the exact same plan, and be better equipped with two different knives based on their individual preferences/skills/strengths/other gear and what not. There really is no wrong answer...a decent blade will do the job, in the end, the user and his/her skills will far outweigh a slightly different profile, grind, or additional upper guard.

So to that end, I am trying to move away from 'lets try everything new' and settling more on 'this is good, and it works for me.' In other words, its fun to banter about ideas on the internet, but I'm getting to the point of I just want to have the gear and actually start using it ALOT more (my outdoor time has been very limited over the past couple years). So while the NMSFNO may not be the absolutely-perfect-for-every-person-with-their- intended-excursion blade, its good and it works for me. Some times ya just gotta man up, pull the trigger, commit to something, and get on with it.

My $.02 worth, YMMV.
BOSS