One of these days, someone has got to do a Busse Book

fbusmc

fbusmc

Joined
Jan 28, 2008
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After reading a book I purchased a while back called "the tactical knife" by James Aryes, "which has on the front three Busse/kin knives as the cover page" I was very disappointed that under the context of tactical knives, Busse only received about a paragraph where only the ergo Steel heart was even mentioned, and the pic had it along with about 6 other knives. Eventhough the book had good coverage of the evolution of the "tactical/survival" knife, and of coarse, men like Al Mar, Bo Randall, and Lynn Tompson got their just reviews, I was very disappointed that Busse did not... Because in my opinion, Jerry Busse and Busse knives are the epitome of what a tactical/survival knife is.
I did a search on Amazon to see if any other books contained Busse information, and found 1 book that made reference to Busse.
If I had to pick a blade to do all in a life and death situation, it would definitely be a Busse.. "dont' ask me to chose which ones.. just depends on the situation :)
My Question is: When is one of my fellow HOGS, who has the time, intelligence and the motivation, going to write a book on Jerry and his A2 and INFI? The Story and Pictures would be a best seller of the knife world... Busse knives are the best, but there is so much more to know about Jerry, his beginnings, Garth, Jennifer and the whole Busse clan, there needs to be a story. There needs to be a "BUSSE BOOK" I know my fellow hogs would gladly submit pics, stories and Jerry could be offered some of his favorite beverage to divulge Busse lore.
I also get ticked when I pick up the local Blade, tactical knife, magazines at my local walmart, and see all sorts of knife reviews of all the new benchmades, Zt etc.. knives, but have yet to find a review on Busse knives... What's the deal here, one of the Biggest attractions at Blade.. The Busse tables... get almost no publicity.. why?
Oh well, on vacation, too much thoughts here.. but please give me some input here my fellow HOGS :)
PS> we also need a Busse Store that offers clothing "in stock" and Busse memorabilia such as coffee mugs, jackets, hats, "the book mentioned" Heck, I would even buy Busse bumper stickers!
 
Well Busse were used in the military, and there were military issued ones but a lot of them are under wraps. Some of the knives can't even be discussed or pictures posted. But we all know the knives are good. It's proven to us, isn't that good enough?
I've used it to chop and I know it's incredible. After use it still sharp enough to cut paper... I do tell people about it but I don't know if it needs to be documented. If people hear about it, great. But I don't think Jerry Busse feels the need to have his name up there with some of the greats. From what I know of him, he is pretty humble and just glad to be able to share his knives with us that we appreciate his work.
I was just chatting with my HOG friend Aaron this morning, he has some of the greatest Busse at one point and just recently got to use one for the first time in his life. LOL, he can't believe how well it chops and he states after chopping "And the damn thing can still slice Paper!" "I have to say I'm impressed with it." I laughed because of all the Busse he has owned, bought and sold, it's the first one he has ever used...
So here are two of his pictures:



So Yes I think more people should know about our knives and if it was documented it would be nice. Even if we had a history of what knives were made when and what options it would be a great piece of history. But I don't think we NEED that sort of documentation in writing to know why we love our Busse knives. I think this forum and the people who share it is enough. The pictures and post of people using it here is enough for me. It's almost everyday that someone new tries a Busse and they are nice enough to share their experience with us...
 
Ok, Aaron wanted me to post this picture. This is what the knife went through and then cuts paper =)

 
I think that Jerry Busse deserves a book on the history of Busse Combat. Like Dan said though there is atleast one knife i know of that can't be talked about or pictures taken of. Although it would be a very interesting read. I think Skunk probably has enough Busse's to write a pretty good book on Jerry's knives :D

Doug
 
Liu Kang said:
But we all know the knives are good. It's proven to us, isn't that good enough?
Click to expand...

No. I would say an electronic collection is probably more ecologically sound, but there is enough variety in the busse catalogue over the last 20 years to fill a book of 250+pages. Here are four benefits of a large coffee table book in a basic format of photo+measurements/weights and historical info:

-New people who want to look into busse combat as a company would have a resource to do so in a single comprehensive format, there would be no need to search and weed through the extensive drama that is often found on forums. A book like that isn't really about proving to us or anyone else why we love the knives. Either you get the aesthetic, beleive the user reports, or buy the knives and use them and determine it for yourself. A book isn't going to change that, it will only help to modify and fill out the information side of it.
-Fans could have a comprehensive resource at their fingertips instead of having to either memorize posts made 10 years ago by jerry mentioning a topic, or have to have 600 book marks identifying the release dates, weights, measurements, or history of a particular model or configuration
-Busse Combat would be a part of a very, very limited selection of makers who have such a book. Most companies that do are older companies like randall, I don't know that there is a modern knife producer that has anything like what I'm thinking of.
-You would have a big book of pretty pictures to flip through while sitting at home, or to show your friends. People who aren't necessarily into knives are much more likely to flip through a book then they are to look at a forum (if they aren't already doing so). "Hey come look through this forum, it's cool" doesn't have the same effect as "hey, look at this cool book".

In my head, I'd like to see a large book, something like 11"x13" with decent stock paper and good production quality/photography. Each handle type/series would have an intro page with a spread showing the entire collection, such as all the ergo's, all the basics, or all the tac handles. in the knife by knife pages, One side would be a large image of the knife, and on the other would measurements, weights, variations/lineage, and a description of the history of the knife if there is any (like the NARK being an "air rescue knife" for helecopter pilots, and it's lineage from 3rd gen handles to tac handles). The beginning would be a section dedicated to the history of busse. At the end would be a collection of images meant to show comparisons such as 3" blades, 4" blades, and so on to give a good idea of the size relationships.

Such a book are informative and very much worth the time.
 
Now that would be a excellent idea and would be quit the undertaking. From Jerry's early years right to present day. Production, Proto, Military Runs, etc. Would also require some good pic of say group shots of blades cause with all the different models he has seen made, the book would be very long and very expensive. I have many reference books in my library revolving around military blades from mid 1800's to 1945 and some of my books are $75-$100.00. If pics are to be included then color is a must. Another idea would be welcoming a photo contest and then make mention of the individual who took the photo. Is there anyone on the forum who has publishing connections???
 
I wonder what Jerry will think if this...

Whoever writes it will need to bug the crap out of him
 
i would buy one. it would be a neat somthing for them to throw in when some one either buys a large number of knives or their first busse. to be honest i cant think of any knife or brand of knives that i would place higher than busse. i also feel that their prices are reasonable for what you get in return.

They could give us the coffee table book as a gift for having to wait so long for the busse folder!
 
More people would hail the ruling class of INFI if they "liked" Busse Combat on Facebook.
 
Last Visible Canary said:
No. I would say an electronic collection is probably more ecologically sound, but there is enough variety in the busse catalogue over the last 20 years to fill a book of 250+pages. Here are four benefits of a large coffee table book in a basic format of photo+measurements/weights and historical info:

-New people who want to look into busse combat as a company would have a resource to do so in a single comprehensive format, there would be no need to search and weed through the extensive drama that is often found on forums. A book like that isn't really about proving to us or anyone else why we love the knives. Either you get the aesthetic, beleive the user reports, or buy the knives and use them and determine it for yourself. A book isn't going to change that, it will only help to modify and fill out the information side of it.
-Fans could have a comprehensive resource at their fingertips instead of having to either memorize posts made 10 years ago by jerry mentioning a topic, or have to have 600 book marks identifying the release dates, weights, measurements, or history of a particular model or configuration
-Busse Combat would be a part of a very, very limited selection of makers who have such a book. Most companies that do are older companies like randall, I don't know that there is a modern knife producer that has anything like what I'm thinking of.
-You would have a big book of pretty pictures to flip through while sitting at home, or to show your friends. People who aren't necessarily into knives are much more likely to flip through a book then they are to look at a forum (if they aren't already doing so). "Hey come look through this forum, it's cool" doesn't have the same effect as "hey, look at this cool book".

In my head, I'd like to see a large book, something like 11"x13" with decent stock paper and good production quality/photography. Each handle type/series would have an intro page with a spread showing the entire collection, such as all the ergo's, all the basics, or all the tac handles. in the knife by knife pages, One side would be a large image of the knife, and on the other would measurements, weights, variations/lineage, and a description of the history of the knife if there is any (like the NARK being an "air rescue knife" for helecopter pilots, and it's lineage from 3rd gen handles to tac handles). The beginning would be a section dedicated to the history of busse. At the end would be a collection of images meant to show comparisons such as 3" blades, 4" blades, and so on to give a good idea of the size relationships.

Such a book are informative and very much worth the time.
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I see your point and agree with you 100%. And with most of your post, I think you are the most subjective and know how to obtain photos and information and I think you should write the book. I am sure many people here would agree with me, you are like a huge wealth of knowledge. And yes, I would defiantly buy one! I think you are the best mad for the job!!!
 
I don't have the resources to produce what I'd like to see. If I ever win the lottery, I'll definitely make it a primary hobby.
 
Last Visible Canary said:
I don't have the resources to produce what I'd like to see. If I ever win the lottery, I'll definitely make it a primary hobby.
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I would gladly help you with it, I have done most of the searches and have pictures. I can take specs and pictures of lots of the knives I have. I know it would be a great book if you did it. And you would be worshiped by all that come here... sides, you know it would be fun! You want to do it and you know it =)
 
Where is Dr Ken Lunde? He has experience getting books published and the top notch photography skills necessary?
 
fbusmc said:
After reading a book I purchased a while back called "the tactical knife" by James Aryes, "which has on the front three Busse/kin knives as the cover page" I was very disappointed that under the context of tactical knives, Busse only received about a paragraph!
Click to expand...

& you go brother...this guy wrote few Good but very short sentences.
He wrote devoted, pages on top pages to other Co.
'm kind disappointed.....too!
You out there, this ain't a busse book!
That's all on the pic:eek:


NEC_0235.jpg
 
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thanks kurodrago for posting the section devoted to Busse... here is the pic of the book cover that has a SFNO, a swamp rat and a scrap yard.. Great pic of Busse/kin knives, but I still will never understand why Ayres used them for the cover of a book where Busse gets a paragraph... The book wasnt' a bad book for what its purpose was.. the evolution of the Tactical blade. however:
Z6614TacticalKnife.jpg

The reason I would like to see a Busse Encyclopedia is because of the impact Busse blades has had on the knife world. These ARE the most indestructible blades out there, and they have set the standard for all other survival knives to follow. Not to say there are not other good knives out there, but again, I anyone who has owned a Busse, and knows what they can do, really gave thought to it.. Busse is the blade to take into the most extreme situations.
That is where the book comes in. If it were not for coming across Blade forums, while looking for some blade years ago, I would have never found this community of fellow HOGS, and the stories they have about their INFI, "and occasional drama too" But think of the person who does not have that much computer suave. There is nothing like laying in bed with ones favorite book looking and pics and reading about something that interest you, that you can write comments on.. make want list and just have to show people who are interested in something. "I've loaned my book Patriots so many times i can't count"
I just think that those who are looking for information that can be had even when the power is out, or when time is not available to look through all the old post is handy. and yes.. the large 11 x 13 style book is what I'm thinking as well. lots of colorful pics and my favorite.. the old Busse advertisements! Those are the bomb! I love Jerry's old flyers with the pics of his bending INFI!
Don't forget the full scale Busse store at Waseon OH where we can come visit and buy Busse goodies :)
SANY2374.jpg
 
Soulrack223 said:
Where is Dr Ken Lunde? He has experience getting books published and the top notch photography skills necessary?
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That is exactly what I was thinking last night. He takes about the best "real life" pics I have seen. Plus, like you said he has experience with publishing.
 
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