I am new to forum and I've been bit by INFI. I now have a used SAR 5, new SAR 6 and am looking for a small skinner/general utility. I currently use a Knives of Alaska caper and like it, though the handle is to small. I am working on bobcats, coyotes, deer, hogs (no pun intended) and general cutting from hay bales to feed sacks. I would like to see the SAR 3, Game Warden Hack and BASIC 3 in a photo for comparision if anyone has all three. Also interested in any personal experience or opinions and the specs on each knifeto compare. I am having a hard time explaining to the wife I burned all of my commission checks this past month on 5 new knives, so I could use the help determining the next toy................I found Scrapyard before Busse.
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SAR 3 vs Game Warden Hack vs BASIC 3
- Thread starter RWT
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actively parsing hurf durf
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it may be worth adding the CABS to your list, it's a bit longer and heavier then the ones on your list, but it's not huge and it may have more versatility that will be appreciated later on.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=cabs+busse&aq=f
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=cabs+busse&aq=f
jimmyjones
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RWT, you should have asked earlier.
The SAR3 came off my belt.
The B3 has an Asymmetric edge, the GW HACK is convexed.
I did the handle shots based on your KA Caper comment.
The SAR3 came off my belt.
The B3 has an Asymmetric edge, the GW HACK is convexed.
I did the handle shots based on your KA Caper comment.
jimmyjones............... I should have asked. I did not figure anyone would have all 3. Now I am stuck after seeing the photos. I like the blade length and width of the SAR3, the satin finish of the SAR3 and the handle size of the BASIC 3. I think the CHOIL (is that correct?) and blade width of the HACK moves it out of contenion. Does a model exist of the items I listed made of INFI exist? Thanks for the photos, that is an awesome group.
jimmyjones
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The SAR3 is .160 thick, the GW is .220, and the B3 is .250, it's a tank.
You could add spacers to the SAR3 and thicken the handle. The AD has a larger handle, but less belly.
You could add spacers to the SAR3 and thicken the handle. The AD has a larger handle, but less belly.
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actively parsing hurf durf
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The basic series is the only modern busse knife set that isn't INFI. The only INFI basic is the Basic 11. You may be interested in the scrapper 5 from Scrap Yard Knife works which has a reciprene c handle and INFI steel:
(from member sharp dog)
It is however (as you can see) MUCH larger then the sar 3. The sar 3 is pretty darn small in the overall busse kin catalog
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/838420-Bussekin-amp-Friends-Epic-Fail
You might also consider a cultellus. You'll be had up to find any knife from any of the companies that doesn't have a choil, let alone one that is small. There have been a few modifications from scrap yard and swamp rat that are similar to the game warden hack, but none of them are infi.
(from member sharp dog)
It is however (as you can see) MUCH larger then the sar 3. The sar 3 is pretty darn small in the overall busse kin catalog
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/838420-Bussekin-amp-Friends-Epic-Fail
You might also consider a cultellus. You'll be had up to find any knife from any of the companies that doesn't have a choil, let alone one that is small. There have been a few modifications from scrap yard and swamp rat that are similar to the game warden hack, but none of them are infi.
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Maybe a CABS or Boss Street (although the BS {& CABS - .165”ish, but may be pricey} may be a bit big – 4” blade, .220” thick with an OAL of about 9” – but you can find a new one for relatively cheap for Busse INFI).
Matteo Escobar
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I have a SAR3 and had a GW HACK. The SAR3 is a much better knife in my opinion. Never had a Basic3, but it's not INFI. I would reccomend the SAR3.
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actively parsing hurf durf
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size of carry makes a pretty big difference on what your going to end up likeing. The sar3 looks great and is tiny compared to some of the other "small" busse's out there.
To give you some idea of the handle size of the basic 3 (the basic 5 shares the same handle), I have medium sized hands (9" circumfrance around widest part (across the knuckles)).
One big consideration is edge thickness. While the basic 3 might look nice - it is a tank. It's 1/4" thick and it's edge is built for abuse. The cabs:
Has one of the thinner stock thicknesses and 'right behind the edge' thicknesses. It about half the knife that the basic 3 is in terms of thickness, it will fly though things where you will fill the basic 3 drag. It also doesn't have a choil to snag on burlap
some other knives that might be worth considering:
BAD (boney active duty) - the one shown here is just a normal active duty from one of the first runs, but the size is the same. I sold it because anything under 8" should not have a choil for any reason, ever in my book. cut food netting (onions/bells etc) and bunched up plastic (pizza box wrapping, bags of chicken) and the choil was just killing me.
skeleton key is nice, but a little thin on the handle and a bit hard to sharpen being so not-tall.
The rat tail is a fantastic little knife from swamp rat, super ultra compact. one of the only truly 'compact' knives I've seen from any of the companies.
busse cultellus
swamp rat hairy carry
Busse Pork Belly Skinner and a swamp rat swamp warden
leaner meaner street, pork belly skinner, cultellus, and another option that may or may not work for what you want - the mini sus scrofa. It has the third thinnest edge and tip out of any busse I've handled next to the NICK or the CABS.
This is what you have to watch out for when your looking for knives for skinning or edc - the incredibly thick edges on some of the models. This is a standard boss street next to a standard mini sus scrofa. Sure, the boss streets stock thickness is almost twice that of the sus scrofa, but look at that tip. Just look at it. Think of what thats gonna feel like in use compared to the fine tip of the sus scrofa:
To give you some idea of the handle size of the basic 3 (the basic 5 shares the same handle), I have medium sized hands (9" circumfrance around widest part (across the knuckles)).
One big consideration is edge thickness. While the basic 3 might look nice - it is a tank. It's 1/4" thick and it's edge is built for abuse. The cabs:
Has one of the thinner stock thicknesses and 'right behind the edge' thicknesses. It about half the knife that the basic 3 is in terms of thickness, it will fly though things where you will fill the basic 3 drag. It also doesn't have a choil to snag on burlap
some other knives that might be worth considering:
BAD (boney active duty) - the one shown here is just a normal active duty from one of the first runs, but the size is the same. I sold it because anything under 8" should not have a choil for any reason, ever in my book. cut food netting (onions/bells etc) and bunched up plastic (pizza box wrapping, bags of chicken) and the choil was just killing me.
skeleton key is nice, but a little thin on the handle and a bit hard to sharpen being so not-tall.
The rat tail is a fantastic little knife from swamp rat, super ultra compact. one of the only truly 'compact' knives I've seen from any of the companies.
busse cultellus
swamp rat hairy carry
Busse Pork Belly Skinner and a swamp rat swamp warden
leaner meaner street, pork belly skinner, cultellus, and another option that may or may not work for what you want - the mini sus scrofa. It has the third thinnest edge and tip out of any busse I've handled next to the NICK or the CABS.
This is what you have to watch out for when your looking for knives for skinning or edc - the incredibly thick edges on some of the models. This is a standard boss street next to a standard mini sus scrofa. Sure, the boss streets stock thickness is almost twice that of the sus scrofa, but look at that tip. Just look at it. Think of what thats gonna feel like in use compared to the fine tip of the sus scrofa:
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+1 on looking at the CABS option- the slightly longer blade but the lack of choil is SO worth it. There's no place for flesh, bones and hide to get hung up on while field dressing, skinning, & deboning. The edge was stout enough for me last season popping through whitetail ribcages without an issue.
It's the only Busse I'm keeping 2 of because I expect to wear the first one out.
It's the only Busse I'm keeping 2 of because I expect to wear the first one out.
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sar-3 would be my choice out of the ones you mentioned :thumbup:
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I am with Skunk. I have and adore my GW but the SAR3 feels a lot better in my medium sized hand. One thing though if you decide to go GW go thin. I couldn't imagine one of the thick ones.
RokJok
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A few other options for a small'ish general-purpose utility knife from the Bussekin family. I used links rather than inserting pics in consideration of those who may be connecting via dial-up.
Swamp Rat Bog Dog and Vexillarius (Vex) both in D2 steel. The Bog Dog's mudder handle is the same Resiprene-C material as the Basic 3 handle, in a different more-square shape than the Basic handles, while the Vex has canvas micarta.
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m186/RokJok/knives/Bog_Dog_and_Vex_4787a.jpg
Vex again.
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m186/RokJok/knives/Vex_4794a.jpg
Busse Boss Street. Note that I have pretty small hands, so the handle may be short for you if you have hams for hands.
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m186/RokJok/knives/boss_street_5482a.jpg
Swamp Rat Dog Skinner and SAR Rat.
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m186/RokJok/knives/DogSkinner-SAR-zigzag.jpg
Swamp Rat Howling Rat Little Mischief (HRLM)
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m186/RokJok/knives/HRLM_5241a.jpg
Swamp Rat INFI Bandicoot (INFIcoot)
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m186/RokJok/knives/inficoot_okuden_desert_81a.jpg
Busse SAR-5
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m186/RokJok/knives/SAR5_4591a.jpg
Swamp Rat Bog Dog and Vexillarius (Vex) both in D2 steel. The Bog Dog's mudder handle is the same Resiprene-C material as the Basic 3 handle, in a different more-square shape than the Basic handles, while the Vex has canvas micarta.
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m186/RokJok/knives/Bog_Dog_and_Vex_4787a.jpg
Vex again.
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m186/RokJok/knives/Vex_4794a.jpg
Busse Boss Street. Note that I have pretty small hands, so the handle may be short for you if you have hams for hands.
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m186/RokJok/knives/boss_street_5482a.jpg
Swamp Rat Dog Skinner and SAR Rat.
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m186/RokJok/knives/DogSkinner-SAR-zigzag.jpg
Swamp Rat Howling Rat Little Mischief (HRLM)
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m186/RokJok/knives/HRLM_5241a.jpg
Swamp Rat INFI Bandicoot (INFIcoot)
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m186/RokJok/knives/inficoot_okuden_desert_81a.jpg
Busse SAR-5
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m186/RokJok/knives/SAR5_4591a.jpg