Question about design

[sketchbag]

What is the hole in the choil--which so many busse knives feature--used for?

 

[ColdOne]

Some folks use it to tie a dguard using paracord

 

[wetdog1911]

The Talon hole is a registered trademark of Busse Combat.

Rob

 

[theonew]

I keep a very small compass in it

 

[rbmcmjr]

Nominally, it can be a lashing point or mount for a D-guard. In practical terms, it serves as a secondary "Maker's Mark" that tells people it's a Busse.

Rick

 

[Progunner]

Some folks make their pin lock sheath use it as a retention point.

 

[mike biz]

I've heard it said that you can use it as a lashing point if you need to make a spear.:thumbup:

 

[David E]

Well, I'm going to chop out as many spears as I need and keep my knife at my side!!

 

[sketchbag]

Thanks guys.

Does anyone actually use it for a cord D guard? I think Ive only seen 1 picture of a busse set up like that in the picture thread. Maybe I'm missing the point, but it seems like a wrist loop would be more effective.

At any rate, I do like how it looks.

 

[MD13]

Thanks guys.

Does anyone actually use it for a cord D guard? I think Ive only seen 1 picture of a busse set up like that in the picture thread. Maybe I'm missing the point, but it seems like a wrist loop would be more effective.

At any rate, I do like how it looks.

 

[DWRW]

Well, I'm going to chop out as many spears as I need and keep my knife at my side!!

I agree... But, I doubt I will need spears very often. In any event, I will keep my knife at my side and not be throwing it away from myself.


If you are referring to the hole at the guard area, this is a trademark design that Busse calls a "Talon Hole".


I am not a fan D-guard or lashing my knife to a spear. I recently discussed this with somebody over on the Scrap Yard forum. One guy made a very fair statement about - having as many options as possible.

I agree to a point. But, options can also be compromises.

I am going to stand up and be the odd man out here as I tend to speak what I believe. However, I acknowledge that this is just my "opinion". And I know others have different opinions. So, there isn't really a right or wrong.

I can appreciate a "signature design", but I honestly find the Talon Hole to be more of a compromise than a benefit on most knives - Especially the smaller ones.

- It creates an unnaturally large extension gap to the choil (if there is a choil)
- It makes the edge of the blade further from the grip area
- On smaller knives it takes up about the same amount of area that could otherwise be a functional choil


I would much rather have a choil or have the choil in closer along with having the blade in closer in both cases and with a more functional guard.


Similarly, but less functional than even the Talon Hole, many of the Swamp Rat and Scrap Yard knives have an integral guard that is much larger than it needs to be - similarly causing the choils and blade edges to be further from the handle than I feel would be preferable. A smaller guard and bringing the choil and blade edge in closer would be more functional and more comfortable IMO.


With a more rational sized integral guard, the choils would be more natural and comfortable and the blade edges would be closer allowing for better detail work.

On knives such as the GW, AD and Meaner, the blades could be in much closer for better function or have a functional choil if they didn't have the Talon Holes.


.

 

[b-square]

I can appreciate a "signature design", but I honestly find the Talon Hole to be more of a compromise than a benefit on most knives - Especially the smaller ones.

- It creates an unnaturally large extension gap to the choil (if there is a choil)
- It makes the edge of the blade further from the grip area
- On smaller knives it takes up about the same amount of area that could otherwise be a functional choil


I would much rather have a choil or have the choil in closer along with having the blade in closer in both cases and with a more functional guard.


Similarly, but less functional than even the Talon Hole, many of the Swamp Rat and Scrap Yard knives have an integral guard that is much larger than it needs to be - similarly causing the choils and blade edges to be further from the handle than I feel would be preferable. A smaller guard and bringing the choil and blade edge in closer would be more functional and more comfortable IMO.


With a more rational sized integral guard, the choils would be more natural and comfortable and the blade edges would be closer allowing for better detail work.

On knives such as the GW, AD and Meaner, the blades could be in much closer for better function or have a functional choil if they didn't have the Talon Holes.


.

I agree. I modified my GW by completely eliminating the Talon Hole and replacing it with a useful choil. It feels far better in the hand now.

There is someone on the SRKW forum who has done very nice work modifying some of his Swamp Rats exactly to compensate for the placement and size of the normal guard and choil. Perhaps the "unexpected" placement of the thumb ramp on some of the factory knives can wait for another post...

Modified Mini Mojo
Modified Ratweiler

 

[Tyrkon Lawson]

It's where the Holy Terror goes.

 

[MD13]

It's where the Holy Terror goes.

BEST ANSWER EVER!!!

(Now where did I leave my HT? )

 

[DWRW]

I agree. I modified my GW by completely eliminating the Talon Hole and replacing it with a useful choil. It feels far better in the hand now.

There is someone on the SWRK forum who has done very nice work modifying some of his Swamp Rats exactly to compensate for the placement and size of the normal guard and choil. Perhaps the "unexpected" placement of the thumb ramp on some of the factory knives can wait for another post...

Modified Mini Mojo
Modified Ratweiler

I agree with Soup's modifications and believe he has taken the basic designs and tweeked and improved both knives to make them about as good as the finished results could be. They are both better than they were.
I think he did an Outstanding job on modifying and refinishing those knives.

I have made some similar mods to choils, handles, edge geometry (Zero convex bevel edges! :thumbup: ) and including some thumb ramp mods. I have been trying for quality finish, but my work isn't in Soup's league. I need some more and finer sanding belts and buffing equipment. For me, these mods are very time consuming.

Since I am such a big fan of Busse, Swamp Rat and Scrap Yard knives, I post my TRUE opinions with hope that these issues can be addressed in future knives and less modification work for me.


.

 

[foxyrick]

Thanks guys.

Does anyone actually use it for a cord D guard? I think Ive only seen 1 picture of a busse set up like that in the picture thread. Maybe I'm missing the point, but it seems like a wrist loop would be more effective.

At any rate, I do like how it looks.

I use one...

Rick.

 

[foxyrick]

I am going to stand up and be the odd man out here as I tend to speak what I believe. However, I acknowledge that this is just my "opinion". And I know others have different opinions. So, there isn't really a right or wrong.

I can appreciate a "signature design", but I honestly find the Talon Hole to be more of a compromise than a benefit on most knives - Especially the smaller ones.

- It creates an unnaturally large extension gap to the choil (if there is a choil)
- It makes the edge of the blade further from the grip area
- On smaller knives it takes up about the same amount of area that could otherwise be a functional choil


I would much rather have a choil or have the choil in closer along with having the blade in closer in both cases and with a more functional guard.


Similarly, but less functional than even the Talon Hole, many of the Swamp Rat and Scrap Yard knives have an integral guard that is much larger than it needs to be - similarly causing the choils and blade edges to be further from the handle than I feel would be preferable. A smaller guard and bringing the choil and blade edge in closer would be more functional and more comfortable IMO.


With a more rational sized integral guard, the choils would be more natural and comfortable and the blade edges would be closer allowing for better detail work.

On knives such as the GW, AD and Meaner, the blades could be in much closer for better function or have a functional choil if they didn't have the Talon Holes.


.

+1 on that.

 

[tsiloics]

I think the talon hole is just about the right amount of guard on smaller blades, and I like its reciprocal relationship to the choil - both from a functional and a purely aesthetic standpoint.