Original Beauty, Absolute Performance

Andrew Lynch

Andrew Lynch

Joined
Feb 6, 2000
Messages
3,021
I really admire and appreciate Busse Combat's desire to keep striving for perfection. This is evidenced by their new E models. Although these new models look really nice and probably perform even better, I suggest that a hybrid between the old and the new to be a future consideration. I'm not saying Busse made a bad dicision about the new design, not at ALL. They're great. I'm just suggesting a future design possibility.
You could have the original Busse Battle Mistress blade (beefy, slight clip-point, breathtaking), just a little (5 degrees maybe, like the basics) handle to blade drop, quilted miccarta handles with the tubing, and a very slight repositioning of the hand guard at the back of the knife to make chopping slightly more comfortable. I know that's a lot to take in, but I think it would make one KILLER knife.
The Busse knives are GREAT the way they are now, I just thought I'd give my idea of the perfect knife. A hybrid between orginal beauty and performance enhancing features would be great. It would be one hellova knife (though there are so many Busse knives you could say that about!). Just my suggestion for a possible future Busse knife.

Thanks for showing interest!
 
Here is a picture of three knives. The knife on the top is the hybrid I suggest (computer generated), in the middle is the old style Busse Battle Mistress, and at the bottom is the new style Battle Mistress. On the hybrid, the angle of handle in relation to the blade is about 5 degrees and the guard at the back of the knife is modified a little. The handle is the new tubed style. Hope you like the hybrid!

(and I hope the picture comes out, it's my first try)

View
 
Andrew--Very nice adjustments, maybe open up the grip a tad by angling the front anchor talon/guard away from the hand a bit more. Nice grip-to-blade "power angle".

A pity if we were never to see such an animal prowling the real world. Ah, but to dream...

Actually, I would assume if demand remains high for the "Classic" models, they will be produced again in the future. Just good business. Where would Coca Cola be if they never went back to their original recipe?

When nostalgia meets progress: "Ergo nos?"
 
I agree with you Will, I think that there are definitely enough people to warrant a future production of the old style BM, or atleast something similar that still looks mostly like it but has had a few features changed slightly. A little like my hybrid possibly. I look forward to the possible future production myself. It would be even better if they could produce the new E models and the older/modified older one's in tandem, more choice for the customer. Now THAT would be great!
 
Exactly. More design possibilities equals a broader satisfied customer base equals more business. There's really no reason to drop the old line altogether. Why put a limit on supply, after going to such lengths to develop the strong demand enjoyed by the "classics"?

Of course, focusing on the "E" designs for a while, even to the point of producing them exclusively, may help to better root the new designs in the customers' mind. This could result in demand growing even stronger via a re-introduction of the "classics" later on--a double-bump effect.

Glad we got that settled.
 
How many of you buy Busse knives for their looks first, performance second (or at most, equal)? Be honest.
Though I completely understand the reasoning behind the ergonomic evolution of these knives, the E-versions just don't do it for me aesthetically. When compared side by side in the drawings above, the E-version handle looks like, well, like what happens to a man after he has had his fun, while the old version looks ready for some action! Make both versions, Busse!
 
I'd love to see some tests on the E models (especially the Battle Mistress). If the results beat the old BM by at least a bit, then these new models are a success. If not, then Busse, in my opinion, should really consider selling both the old designs and the new designs in tandem. Like I said before, THAT would be great.

And jki, I got to know Busse knives through thier reputation as the toughest knives on earth. They earned this reputation and deserve it. The aesthetic beauty of Busse knives (especially the old BM and SH2) captured my imagination and heart as well though. Nuclear toughness + rugged beauty = one helluva knife!
 
Here's the way I look at it guys. If you wanna buy a pretty knife then you probably don't wanna get a Busse. I mean the Busse's have their own beauty but they are not pretty by the standard def. But they are the toughest knives in the world and we can all agree on that. Jerry made his changes not becuase it made it pretty but because of function. And I doubt he came to the exact degree of those changes lightly. I'm sure it involved much laboring over what makes the knife work in it's best light. The point of the knife I think will be a welcome change. A spear point is pretty hard to damage. It holds up will under all sorts of stress and abuse. Abuse where a clip point might fail. And the positioning of the handgaurd might not fit everyone. But Jerry can't make a single knife for all of us. I have big hands too but you have to take what you can get when you are dealing with the average hand size of every Busse knife owner. Some guys may think it's a little too roomy. You can't please everyone all the time. But IMHO I think the looks issue is not even an issue at all. Simply put you might think it's ugly but I betcha it'll work like a love machine. Because let's face it... if you wanted a pretty knife you'd buy a Hibben or the like. But if you want a knife you can confidently tangle with a gang of retarded-mutant-lesbian-disgruntled-crosseyed-albino-feminist-nazi-sadistic-horribly rude-lizard-man-things you want to get a Busse. Enough said IMHO.

------------------
If I'm goin down, I'm takin you all with me!
 
Before you sign off on the new handles I would strongly encourage you to try them out. If you have ever talked to Jerry Busse you will quickly realize that performance is very key to him. The handles look good to me in pictures and are based on performance issues. I look forward to working with an "E" model.

Andy, if you get a chance could you take a picture of a top down view of the new grip? I would like to see a cross section view.

-Cliff
 
I liked Jason's (Tatsu's) custom model so well, I've accepted his offer to sell it. It really does look quite a bit like Andrew's design, plus my suggestion on angling the guard forward. Thanks for helping me make up my mind, Andrew.

Tatsu--let me know where to send your money order. I still don't have your mailing address.

--Will
 
Just so everyone knows, I'm not signing off on the new E models. Not at all. All I'm suggesting is that maybe someday Busse could produce both the originals and the new models (or some sort of hybrid of the originals and the new models). Also, like I mentioned earlier, I'd love to see some tests comaparing the old model BM and the new model
BM. If the E model BM has better results than the old model, then the E models are a complete success. If not, then maybe Busse should consider either selling both the old and the new models or something of a hybrid of the two. I know this is repititious, but I'm just trying to get things straight.

By the way, that's a great Busse you got there tatsu (soon Will)!!
I've seen it and descriptions of it on different posts, somewhere in the knife exchange I think.
Congrats on deciding to buy it Will, it looks like your going to have one great camping/survival/fighting/anything knife!
Glad I could help you decide to buy it.
And I agree with you Will, it does look quite a bit like my hybrid with your suggestion about the front guard. The only major difference I can see is that the blade is more of a drop point than a clip point. It's a beauty!
 
Andrew--
I have nothing but praise for the "E" models as well, and have said so on other threads. I like them because they demonstrate clearly some very well-thought-out ideas on the uses these kinds of knives are meant for. But just because a new idea is a success doesn't make its predecessor any less a performer. And proven designs have a timeless quality that doesn't go away just because improvements are made.
Winchester is a good example. The Model 70 turn-bolt rifle introduced early in the 1900's was hailed as the "rifleman's rifle". It was a classic. After millions were produced, the design was changed in 1964. For years, the old actions were coveted and hoarded for use in custom rifles. Then, in the 1990's, a new "Classic" model was re-introduced with some very sound engineering improvements--but it's basically the same action that was being made back in the first half of the 1900's. I have a .300 Weatherby built by Lex Webernek of Rifles, Inc. that weighs under 6.5 lbs. with a 3x9 Zeiss scope. It's high-tech all the way with carbon-fiber stock, skeletonized action, and Shilen No. 1 contour barrel. Groups under 1/2 MOA. I love it. But I enjoy it no more than my grandfather's Model 70 Winchester, chambered in .270 Winchester. And the old warhorse will still put five shots inside a quarter at 100 yards. It won't beat the newbie, but it will never let me down, either.

Why not both?

--Will
 
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