SAR-3 sharpness?

D

DrBobK

Joined
May 30, 2007
Messages
24
I am interested in buying my first Busse, specifically the SAR-3. It is the perfect size for what I want it for. The problem I am having (besides finding one to buy) is that I have not found any glowing reviews on it yet. Most seem to like the knife OK but are not impressed with its sharpening potential.

I am used to by Bark River knives that come extremely sharp from the factory and can duplicate that at home. Will I be able to do that with the SAR-3?? or is there some property of INFI steel that prevents that.

Thanks for any info ya'll can give. Busse looks like a great company and hopefully I can move some of my buying that way:D
 
if you can sharpen properly, you can get it hair whittling sharp...there are quite a few videos that show how sharp INFI will get when given a proper mirror polished edge.
 
The SAR3 feels great in the hand, the handle shape and scale pattern/texture ensure that the knife stays in your grip. Some people including myself did a tiny bit of sanding on the palm side at the pommel end to round it over a little.

If you get a Busse that is not sharp enough or has ANY problems from the shop they will take care of it quickly and with a smile. Also if you get one and it does not agree with you it is easy to get back what you paid on the exchange.

My SAR3 is one of my favorite small blades, and it is scary sharp!

DSC_0450.jpg
 
My Sar-3's all came factory sharp, however the angle at the edge is very steep to promote strength. BRKT uses around 10-15 degrees at the edge, where a Sar will be more like 30-50. As long as you can strop accordingly, it's no problem keeping INFI razor sharp. The biggest problems and complants seem to come from folks who have trouble sharpening. Sharpmaker won't cut it here;)
 
I was able to get my SAR-3 very, very sharp. INFI is surprisingly easy to work with/sharpen. The SAR-3 is an awesome EDC!

DSCN1856.jpg
 
Finedges said:
Sharpmaker won't cut it here;)
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Couldn't agree more. My SAR-3 came pretty dull. I've been spending hours on it trying to get a razor edge. I'm mostly using a Sharpmaker but it isn't giving me great results. I wish I knew how to sharpen it properly (and I don't have a belt sander).

Chris.
 
A strop with some green compound is your friend.A mousepad and some sandpaper will also work, there are a lot of threads around here covering sharpening.

The SAR3 has a convex edge not a V edge. The Sharpmaker would work eventually after you re-profile the hell out of it.
 
If the sharpmaker is your tool for sharpening I would recommend reprofiling to a V edge so you can touch up on your sharpmaker. Although as stated above reprofiling on the sharpmaker may take some time without the diamond rods.
 
CPC said:
Couldn't agree more. My SAR-3 came pretty dull. I've been spending hours on it trying to get a razor edge. I'm mostly using a Sharpmaker but it isn't giving me great results. I wish I knew how to sharpen it properly (and I don't have a belt sander).

Chris.
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sandpaper and mousepad works for just not as fast as a belt sander.

A Lansky sharpening system will do the job quick and dirty. I used one for years.

Many good sharpening systems out there if you want a fixed angle system.

Free hand on stones if you have the knack.

Any way that works for you.

I sharpened most my infi on sandpaper to convex the edge on a soft backing. Then follow up with a strop.
 
Thanks for the info and replies everyone. I feel much better about it now.

Now the problem is just finding one for sale at a decent price:)
 
Busse knives don't always come that sharp from the factory, but they will take a wicked edge- even the .35" thick ones. Then, once they have that edge, they will hold it for a long time. When they need a touch up, "steeling" on a ceramic rod and stropping is likely all that they will need. Infi is great, but you pay for what you get. It may not look like it on the exchange, but it is a buyers' market. Because of how these blades are released, you will likely pay a premium on the exchange. However, with the Easton show there may be people trying to move some steel to pay for new blades. One can hope anyway. For reference, satin with micarta listed at $217, satin with G10 listed at $227, an the numbered limited edition listed at $237...
 
I just purchased a Double Cut Sar 3 from a fellow forumite in Brand new condition. I was a little dissapointed at the level of sharpness it had, wouldn't push cut paper, and after sawing on my left index finger several passes it wouldn't even break skin!

I just read in this thread that the sar3 are convex ground, but mine does not appear to be convex. I have a BRK Bravo 1 thats convex ground and several knives that are V ground, and my sar3 appears to be the latter. I'm a little lost, could someone clarify this point for me? I was under the impression that convex ground knives don't have a second grind line near the edge of the knife, rather they have only one grind all the way to the edge. Am I missing something? Thanks for info!

The next little gripe I have about my sar3 is that the grind appears to be significantly uneven. The tip being much thicker than the belly of the blade. Do my eyes deceive me? Is this intentional to provide additional strength to the tip? Or do I send mine back in for a sharpening/regrinding?

I hope I don't offend anyone by making these comments, that is not my intention. I really enjoy the two busse knives I own, I'm just having some issues with my newest little sliver of infi.

Thanks for the help!
 
weeblewooble said:
I just purchased a Double Cut Sar 3 from a fellow forumite in Brand new condition. I was a little dissapointed at the level of sharpness it had, wouldn't push cut paper, and after sawing on my left index finger several passes it wouldn't even break skin!

I just read in this thread that the sar3 are convex ground, but mine does not appear to be convex. I have a BRK Bravo 1 thats convex ground and several knives that are V ground, and my sar3 appears to be the latter. I'm a little lost, could someone clarify this point for me? I was under the impression that convex ground knives don't have a second grind line near the edge of the knife, rather they have only one grind all the way to the edge. Am I missing something? Thanks for info!

The next little gripe I have about my sar3 is that the grind appears to be significantly uneven. The tip being much thicker than the belly of the blade. Do my eyes deceive me? Is this intentional to provide additional strength to the tip? Or do I send mine back in for a sharpening/regrinding?

I hope I don't offend anyone by making these comments, that is not my intention. I really enjoy the two busse knives I own, I'm just having some issues with my newest little sliver of infi.

Thanks for the help!
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http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=790068

Call the shop, they'll fix you up pronto.
 
CPC said:
Couldn't agree more. My SAR-3 came pretty dull. I've been spending hours on it trying to get a razor edge. I'm mostly using a Sharpmaker but it isn't giving me great results. I wish I knew how to sharpen it properly (and I don't have a belt sander).

Chris.
Click to expand...

Same problem here. My SAR3 is the dullest knife I own right now. No luck so far sharpening with the Sharpmaker, it's a little better than when I got it but still not great. I'm not really crazy about sending it back to the US. :(
 
Rusty Shackleford said:
Same problem here. My SAR3 is the dullest knife I own right now. No luck so far sharpening with the Sharpmaker, it's a little better than when I got it but still not great. I'm not really crazy about sending it back to the US. :(
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I pinched a mousepad from work and will attempt to sharpen mine with some fine wet and dry sandpaper. I didn't realise the edge was convex. I feel like a moron. I'll let you know how it goes.

Chris.
 
My SAR 3 SE came pretty dull.. I was a bit surprised that Busse let something like this leave the shop. I have two other Busses which came with a perfect edge, but the SAR 3 was disappointing. What I read in other posts that problem has now been solved for the new knifes, thanks to Jerry who listens to his customers.. but still.. didn't make my SAR 3 sharp ;o)
So I took my Edge Pro and reprofiled it to an 18 degree V-edge and polished it up to the 3000 grit tape and finished it off with the ceramic stick.. WWWOOOWWW!! I love that knive now!! It is by far the sharpest knife I own!! Difficult to describe.. all my knives are hair popping sharp... but this just even pops them easier, cleaner, perfectly!! Let's say it like this.. other knives pop hair like a very sharp knife.. but this one now pops hair like a true razor..
I love a good convex edge on a larger hard use knive like my FBM (which came with the most beautiful and sharp convex edge I could imagine!!) but on a smaller knive like my SAR 3 I prefer a razor sharp V edge as I don't use it for anything else than cutting and am not afraid of rolling/denting the edge.

So now my SAR 3 instantly became the most used knive in my collection! Love it!
 
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