Outdoor small util knife: AD vs Gamewarden

M

Mindz_I

Joined
Nov 6, 2002
Messages
435
Hi,

A long time busse fancier, but someone who's never taken the plunge and purchased one I'm a little curious.

I recently saw the Game warden in someone's signature and it got me looking at busse knives again.

My favourite busse was always the Active duty and I have to admit I still prefer the looks of the AD over the GW.

The only time I'd be carrying this would be camping / hiking where its use would be a small util knife.

I don't hunt and food prep is almost exclusively opening of packets or the cutting of sausage etc.

My heart is telling me the Active Duty is the one to go for, but my head is telling me the GW might have some better properties due to its name.

Could anyone shed any light and help me out? Furthermore, could anyone possibly do a side by side photo of the two knives?

Cheers for any help.
 
I have a user of both and if I was only going to get one of them its an easy choice. Active Duty. The Game Warden is nice and certainly easier and cheaper to procure at this point. If I had my GW on my hip in the woods I certainly would feel good about that, but the AD just brings more to the table. When Jerry makes the GW an inch and a half longer, keeping the same drop point profile, then I will change my mind. The only true improvement in the GW, for me, is the EDC minded grip shape. I don't need the extra lanyard hole, theres plenty in every Busse already. Bottom line is that either way you go, you can't go wrong. Let us know what you get (with pictures).
 
The Game Warden would be easier to find and the price will be less than an Active Duty.
 
They're probably even harder to get than an Active Duty, but a Leaner Mean Street is my favorite. I ground the butt to look exactly like an Active Duty. It's the same thicknes with a 4" blade.
 
Here ya go! :)
top to bottom:
Meaner Leaner LE
Custom Shop Active Duty (w/ enlarged finger choil) My favorite 'user'
'Tiger' Game Warden
Cheesy quick shot, but it'll work. :thumbup:

EDC-3.jpg


Jaxx:cool:
 
Cheers for all the help guys.

I guess it's stupid to say, I don't care about the money but I think to a certain extent that is true, in that I don't mind paying a little more for something that you just know is right when you look at it.

I've always liked the saying "buy nice or buy twice". It applies to so many things, especially knives. Whilst I'm sure either busse is 'nice', I'm the kinda guy that would sit there with one in his hand, pining for the other and eventually selling it to get it. 'cause of things like that I tend not to mind spending a little more upfront.

Jaxx: Thanks kindly for the image. Going on looks the AD Is still my fav I think.
 
The AD has a slightly longer (0.5") blade, but the GW has more belly and a smaller choil. The AD is probably a better general use knife, but the GW is better as a small hunter.

Rick
 
Some time back Jerry hinted at an enlarged GW, around the 4"+ blade range, this would be the perfect EDC Busse.
 
What about a Public Defender, just to mess with the mix further. A bit longer than the Meanie w/a Tanto-esque blade. :)

Mine fits my Scrapyard sheath just perfect. Glad I got 2 sheaths. :)
 
Hmm Public defender is a nice size, but the blade shape doesn't appeal Tanto style I've always found a little hard to work with.

Bravado; we can't legally carry a fixed blade for EDC, no. This includes any knife with a lock (e.g. Leatherman wave, Opinel, just about any folder) as they're legally classed as a fixed-blade due to a rather stupid quirk of British law.

We can however carry fixed blades should we have a good reason; camping, hunting, professions etc being included in those reasons. I only tend to carry my fixed blade (currently an Spyderco Moran featherlight) when out hiking as it's easier to clean than a folder).
 
Tough call. The GW is wider and has a full-height grind, so in .14 stock it slices better. The AD has a nice utility point.

All 'round, they are pretty close.
 
Mindz_I said:
Hmm Public defender is a nice size, but the blade shape doesn't appeal Tanto style I've always found a little hard to work with.

Bravado; we can't legally carry a fixed blade for EDC, no. This includes any knife with a lock (e.g. Leatherman wave, Opinel, just about any folder) as they're legally classed as a fixed-blade due to a rather stupid quirk of British law.

We can however carry fixed blades should we have a good reason; camping, hunting, professions etc being included in those reasons. I only tend to carry my fixed blade (currently an Spyderco Moran featherlight) when out hiking as it's easier to clean than a folder).
Click to expand...

Yeah that's what I figured, I feel for you brother.:(
 
The first one looks like green linen, the second is the snakeskin. Someone smarter please chime in if I am wrong.
 
I have both and began carrying EDC (in my pocket) the GW. So for me, the GW won out because of its smaller size...and I also prefer the grip and feel of it in my hands.
 
I currently carry my AD the most, but that may change if I ever get a GW ;) I like the AD a lot, but I think the GW's smaller size would make it easier for me to carry and carry more often

:D:D
 
I like the Warden and the AD but a Warden with a slightly large blade and maybe a ½ more of handle would be a killer knife. And the blade does not need to be 4 inches, in fact I hope if the large Warden is made that it is 3.5 to 3.75 inches and keeps the same small choil. I have a Dozier that is about that size and it is a PERFECT size.
 
Tony G said:
I like the Warden and the AD but a Warden with a slightly large blade and maybe a ½ more of handle would be a killer knife. And the blade does not need to be 4 inches, in fact I hope if the large Warden is made that it is 3.5 to 3.75 inches and keeps the same small choil. I have a Dozier that is about that size and it is a PERFECT size.
Click to expand...

Ughh......that's pretty close to AD size.
 
Bravado said:
Ughh......that's pretty close to AD size.
Click to expand...


Yes but the blade shape is what I'm after not the blade size. For me the AD is too pointed for a perfect outdoor knife. Your opinion may be different but that (bigger GW) is what my perfect backpack/outdoor/camping edc would look like. Something like a smaller BA-III.

All said I love my AD and it would be one of the very last Busse knives that I'd sell.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top