Question about Badger Attack

STR

STR

Knifemaker/Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Aug 27, 2004
Messages
12,955
Are all the Badger Attacks made of A2 steel? I ask because I got one mailed to me requesting something I am not sure I want to do or that is advisable. Customer requests bead blasting the entire blade to remove sanding scratches and finish imperfections, black micarta handle and all.

Seems like a recipe for rusting problems being that he lives near (basically right on) the ocean but what do you guys think that use these things? I wouldn't blast it if it were my own and that is generally how I prefer to treat things when they come in to my shop for work. But I mean if the customer wants that I hate to be a jerk about it also. Just kind of wanting feedback at this juncture so I don't do something that will reflect badly on myself and the knife later or maybe take away value even for the resale of the knife later.

Let me know your thoughts please.

Thanks

STR
 
Depends on which Badger Attack your referring to,
E-handles are all INFI
Straight Handles are divided, some A2, Some INFI

Do you have a pic?
 
Yeah I don't know about any of that. Just in the brief search I did it appeared they were A2 which in my experience is highly prone to rusting and pitting on the ocean.

Anyway, here is a pic of the knife in question.

STR
 
STR said:
Yeah I don't know about any of that. Just in the brief search I did it appeared they were A2 which in my experience is highly prone to rusting and pitting on the ocean.

Anyway, here is a pic of the knife in question.

STR
Click to expand...


AAGGGHH! What happened to it? It looks like it was rehandled, it is hard to tell now what it was made from.
 
Well, seeing as how it's already stripped and sanded, I wouldn't think the bead blasting would pose any additional risk. Suggest the client use Ren wax or something else to protect it.
 
I know nothing about any of that. This is the knife that came in the mail. For all I knew it was factory.

STR
 
I would tell your client what your concern was, that you did a little research to try and obtain more info, you could not definitively identify whether it was A2 or INFI, and that if it was A2, here are the consequences of doing what he/she requests. Really, it is up to the client. The only question is...does he have enough info to make an informed decision. I think I'd try to give him the info you have found and then let him decide. And btw, that definitely looks rehandled to me. And since that's the case, he may want it a certain way regardless of any long-term potential consequences for rust.
 
STR,



Advise your customer to send the knife back to Busse and have the original handles put back on.

It may be one person's opinion, but I think that handle mod looks hienous:barf: My SHBA is hands down one of the most comfortable knives I have ever held and to butcher one like that is just downright wrong:eek: .

I have to go hold my SHBA so everything is right in my world again:D

rjd
 
I agree with RJD, tell your customer that he has to put the original handles on it.:thumbup:
 
I've PMs out to him from before I started this but told him early on of my concerns and also that I was holding up on it until we could discuss it. He may know full well what he wants and already be so far ahead of me that none of this was necessary but I wanted to know personally. Its the first Busse I've ever handled. Honestly I'm glad to hear it isn't a factory one because I thought it would be very uncomfortable to use for anything heavy duty the way it is now, don't get me wrong. It looks great and all but its a bit thin for my tastes for any serious chopping. I don't know if the customer did this or if he bought it that way or what the story is. That is of little concern to me. I just didn't want someone to see it later with pits all over it and say 'who the hell bead blasted that blade?' Only to have them be told, "Oh, STR did that for me!" And then to have to get the hate mail that ensues questioning my sanity. See what I'm talking about? Not good. I'd rather not go there. :D

STR
 
You can find out if it's A2 or INFI very, very easily.

Get any $4 bluing compound, or a $0.99 bluing touch-up pen, and touch the blade in an area you can easily buff out if necessary.
If it blues immediately it is A2. If nothing happens, it is INFI. Well, you may get very slight discoloration with INFI, but the A2 will immediately and aggressively turn color.
That's it.
 
JWBirch said:
You can find out if it's A2 or INFI very, very easily.

Get any $4 bluing compound, or a $0.99 bluing touch-up pen, and touch the blade in an area you can easily buff out if necessary.
If it blues immediately it is A2. If nothing happens, it is INFI. Well, you may get very slight discoloration with INFI, but the A2 will immediately and aggressively turn color.
That's it.
Click to expand...


Yes what JW said should do it! Old SHBA's blued on top and bottom of the handle were A2, bare back..:D top and bottom handles were "INFI" as so the story has been told!


Jules
 
by looking at that curved plunge line,,,it looks to be INFI. as the plunge line on the A2's were nearly straight.
 
westllen said:
Yes what JW said should do it! Old SHBA's blued on top and bottom of the handle were A2, bare back..:D top and bottom handles were "INFI" as so the story has been told!


Jules
Click to expand...

Not to disagree but not all bare back's were INFI.
Some are A2, it's just depends on when they were made.
I agree that all of the blued ones are A2 but a blanket statement that all barebacks were INFI just isn't true from what I have seen.
With handling the blueing comes off fairly easily as well.
Another thing I have seen is an unused A2 knife that has been handled with no remaining blueing.
Just food for thought and not trying to be a smart arse here.

fox.
 
Ok. I should have thought of the gun blue trick. I've got some right here on my desk in front of me everyday as I type. Dah!

Anyway, its stainless. I'm off to bead blast it.

Thanks for the help guys.

STR
 
STR said:
Ok. I should have thought of the gun blue trick. I've got some right here on my desk in front of me everyday as I type. Dah!

Anyway, its stainless. I'm off to bead blast it.

Thanks for the help guys.

STR
Click to expand...

"Stainless"! Maybe it is a fake Busse copy?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top