Randall vs. Busse, any comparisons?

[Walking Man]

Hello friends,
I am curious if anyone has ever done a Randall and Busse comparison.
I just checked Cliff Stamp's website, and it appears he has not tested any forged Randall's.
I am just curious how two of similar size (ie Satin Jack or NO)
would compare to an equally sized Randall.
thanks. Any info appreciated.

 

[TIR]

This would definitely be interesting as I don't imagine there are anywhere near Randall users as there are Busse users, but I could be wrong. Hopefully someone fills you in.

 

[Loki]

I own several Randalls but have only handled a few Busses. That said I'd wager the Busse knife is going to outperform the Randall in whatever cutting/chopping tests you might think of. Newer steel and more sofisticated heat treat. But I still like my Randalls.

 

[brownshoe]

Interesting that some would assume that a Busse would outperform a Randall w/o any type of testing. Personally, I'd vote for a tie or the Randall any day of the week. Experience does count for something. Busse is a pup compared to Randall. One thing the knife performance contests have shown is that design and workmanship will trump fancy materials any day of the week.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

That said I'd wager the Busse knife is going to outperform the Randall in whatever cutting/chopping tests you might think of.

The steel would give the Busse an advantage, but design plays a large part here. This is one of the advantages to Randalls in general, thre ae *many* more models available, and it is much easier to make customizations.

But yeah, picking a similar design, O1 is a decent knife steel, but it isn't near the top, Alvin wrote a long post on this a couple of months ago on rec.knives, going into detail based on materials references. I have used several blades in O1 (not from Randall) and would agree that INFI is directly superior.

You also have to look at other issues though, like balance, handle ergonomics, etc. . Then there are warrenty/support issues. Will Randall even state they they can be expected to match the demonstrated performance tests that Busse has done in public.

-Cliff

 

[roshi]

Both Randall and Busse rely on some level of hype and myth. I've had a Randall Model 1 since 1966. IMHO the newer Randalls aren't made as well.

I see most of the Randall line as being good all around slicing knives while the Busse's are more on the survival/chopping side of the aisle.

I can't speak much about Busse's as I've only had one. I was looking for a thinner lighter slicer than what I got in that Satin Jack but it was extremely well made.

At the risk of setting off flames, the average Randall $ 300 knife is $ 150 worth of knife and the rest is what you pay to own one (plus wait three years).

The Busse's have a much better performance to BS ratio but you are still paying what the market will bear for the name.

If I had to stake my life on one or the other, I would choose my Randall but only because after nealy 40 years, it fits my hand, and I know how to keep it sharp.

If you asked me which one to buy, I'd advise the Busse.

 

[DrClckWrk]

I've never owned a Randall, I hope to in the future. I have a Busse on my belt right now.

The way I see it they are both well designed for their intended application. 01 holds an edge well and I see Randalls (as Roshi said,) primarily as slicers, cutters, that are also very sturdy and reliable.
INFI's greatest strength has more to do with impacts, and I see most of the Busse line as being suited for chopping and other high stress applications, while having well rounded marks across the board.

As such I don't really see them as very direct competitors at least functionally speaking.

As far as the cost goes, I think to say you are paying for the name, with these knives, is to understate the fact that although you might get something similar from somewhere else a lot cheaper (well, you won't get INFI, but the point holds true,) with a Busse or Randall, you get something you can believe in with little doubt when it comes to reliability and quality.

 

[Walking Man]

Part of my intention of this thread was to address the question of how does a supersteel weigh in against a forged tool steel. My guess would have been the Randall would outperform the Busse, especially when you consider the cost of most forged custom knives. In another thread going around right now, many agree that Randalls are a fantastic deal considering that they are forged. Any thoughts?

 

[t1mpani]

I've bought several knives from makers right here on these forums that are forged, all of my Himalayan Imports khukuries are forged, as are many knives that I've bought other places. I'm sure Randall does a superb job with it, but forging doesn't make O-1 anything magical. It's a very good steel, and one of my favorites--I have a neat fighter out of it by Greg Covington and love it.

But INFI has succeeded in being a relatively stain resistant steel which still manages to perform like a tool steel in hard use, so I have to say advantage INFI. I've thinned out the edges on a couple of my smaller Busses, and bought one from Bill Siegle that he'd REALLY thinned out, and they still stand up to rough use and oodles of cutting superlatively, so it's not just the amount of steel that saves them. In fact, the newer Busse knives seem to be coming with thinner grinds.

For overall performance of steel, stain resistance, and full exposed tang micarta handles, I'd have to say they edge Randalls out for sheer durability. Randalls are, however, superb knives and some of the easiest on the eyes that I've ever seen. Someday, I'll have at least one.