NO is a great knife but...

T

TerryL

Joined
Dec 28, 1999
Messages
103
Dont forget that the NO is a special purpose knife, and not exactly a general purpose utility. Although I use it for general purpose utility, but not for opening letters or cleaning my fingernails.

When I working in back forty and I need to cut some vines, or pry a fence board, or go hiking or camping - it the NO I reach for, not a pocket folder.

When the going gets tough, and I need a full sized fixed blade, well then, the NO gets the nod. Dont blame it because its not small and convenient, your pocket folder cant do what the NO can. Its a brute of knife, and thats what it does best.
 
This is a good point.

The NO could be optimized for cutting, with a very thin edge and thin stock (and possibly adding a full-height hollow-grind). However, this would weaken the knife and reduce its chopping ability and edge durability.

It could be optimized for penetration with a fine point and a double edge. However, this would also weaken the knife, especially the tip. If a tanto was used, it wouldn't be as versatile.

It could be optimized for ease of carry and concealment with thin stock and a smaller handle. This would weaken the knife and reduce its chopping ability as well as reduce handle comfort, especially for hard use.

While the NO will not outperform these specialized versions of itself, it will still do it all, and do it all well. It is a do-all, bomb-proof knife that you can take with you and do almost anything with it without fear.

Don't get me wrong, I would still like to see Busse come out with a smaller blade with thinner stock. Also, I don't think there's anything wrong with a Marble's knife (I've been impressed with many of their designs). It's just in a different category (most of them at least).
 
Originally posted by TerryL
Dont forget that the NO is a special purpose knife, and not exactly a general purpose utility. Although I use it for general purpose utility, but not for opening letters or cleaning my fingernails.
Click to expand...

Now you tell me!:eek: :D
 
Actually, I think that Marbles and Busse could make an excellent outdoor combination. The NO, SH and BM all seem to be a bit on the thick side. This makes for excellent chopping and makeshift prybar ability, but lacks the finnese for smaller chores. The Marbles knives are wonderful for average camp chores.

I will admit though, that I'd jump at a Busse that was made to compete with the Marbles Fieldcraft. Maybe a "zero edge" run of 3/16" thick Mean Streets, or something like that. That might very well be my ultimate hiking knife.
 
Maybe the folder will be able to fill that bill. I reprofiled the edge of my Mean Street to a full convex, its one mean sob! SHARP!
 
Uncle Screwtape - You better lock your doors tonight, 'cause I'm comin' for that Mean Street!!!!
 
And that didn't become a standard part of the Busse line of knives? There must be some part of the Busse marketing strategy that I don't understand.
 
BTW, I have nothing against Marbles. They seem like tough knifes for very good prices. I was thinking about getting one a while ago.
 
I only have a couple beefs with Marbles, which has led me to Busse. First off, there's the warranty. Marbles had a recent change in warranty, which does not inspire as much confidence in the company. I much prefer the Busse warranty for a working knife.

Secondly, I really want something with a full tang. Something in my mind says that a full tang must be stonger. I also prefer the aesthetics of a full tang over more traditional fixed blades.

I absolutely love Marbles, and they fill 95 percent of my wants and needs. That’s better than maybe any other knife company has done for me. But I’m still searching for that last 5 percent, and hoping that I’ll find it in a Busse. :)
 
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