SHBA vs. Basic 5 - opinions?

Josh Muller

Josh Muller

Joined
Jun 22, 2003
Messages
3,049
okay, i just got a basic 5 and a basic 9, and i am simply blown away. i cant think of a single flaw in them. its a lot like how i felt when i got my SHBA, but now that i have both a SHBA and a basic 5, im not sure that the SHBA is worth the extra 350-450$ that could go to schooling at the moment. from the cliff stamp review, its apperent that the basic line is nearly indestructable (i hoenestly dont think ive seen a broken ergo blade yet from busse...), and that was after it was thinned down. its got a lot of the same features as the shba, but at a lower weight.... soooooooooooo..... opinions?

shba = longer curve in the blade
broader blade (from spine to edge)
full tang handle
larger handle in general, more pronounced swell
extended tang
smooth micarta handles
infi
(on mine) smooth coat
3 tube fasteners+tang and lanyard hole
more substantial feeling

basic 5= longer blade
longer straight edge
resiprene c handles (warmth+shock absorption/protection)
much, much cheaper
m-infi
lighter in the hand
added textures on the handle for added grip


for you guys, why would the shba be worth keeping then the basic 5 - specifically, for edc and every day use. collectablity isnt really an issue with me, if im not going to use it or carry it, i dont want to have it.

thanks for any opinions voiced :D
 
Seth,

If you Backpack, then the #5 is an easier carry,,I think it weighs about half as much as your SHBA.
My wife has access to her choice of Busse knives. :eek:
She chooses a Basic#5 for the Bugout bag in her car and a SHBM for her big bugout bag in the house.
 
and for the sake of doing it because i can - photo comparisons :D

the difference in carry size a sheath can make -
basic-5-shba-sheaths.jpg

basic-5-shba-sidebyside.jpg

basic-5-shba-inhand-sidebyside.jpg




i was wondering about the grind to ricasso junction, on the basic its a striaght square, where as on the shba its a smooth slope... is there a structuraly strenghth difference between the two styles?
 
also, what do you think the current market value of the shba and basic 5 are? i got both in trade, and i know what the total trade value for the shba came out to, but im not sure that would translate into a sale...
 
i can't answer your question but i can make it easier by saying i'll buy the infi badger if you want to sell it. you will have to e-mail me though cuz if you put it up on the exchange forum i'm sure the man with the VORACIOUS appetite will get it :( ;)
 
:confused:
huh???
actually i'm pretty happy with the shba i have now.
now if it were a basic 5 , that'd be another story. ;)
porkacious
 
what makes things worse is i keep looking at that ad you're selling. must resist,must resist, save my money :eek:
 
I have a basic3,5,9 and love the **** out of them and I use them allot. I also have a SHBA wich I also love and use. I don't think the BA is worth 350 more though maybe 100-200.
Peace
Bob
 
Basic 5 is my favorite Basic and was my EDC until I got my first SHBA. The SHBA became my favorite Busse blade bar none and my EDC. No other Busse feels so right in the hand. Nuff said.

Rob
 
Seth,

I have both a smooth and crinkle coated Basic 5, and an SHBA that looks virtually identical to the one you have. The Basic 5 and SHBA are both great knives, and you made a lot of good observations about them, along with Andre's comment about the weight difference.

My older smooth-coated Basic 5 has the same style grind to ricasso junction as the SHBA, while the newer B5 is like yours. I'm guessing that in the vast majority of uses the difference really does not matter when it comes to the strength of the junction, and certainly for everyday cutting chores the difference would not matter at all.

Regarding prices, here they are over the past 2 years:
Basic 5 - average=174, low=105, high=267
SHBA - average=325, low=212, high=495
Note: both new and used ones are included here, and this also assumes they actually sold for the listed prices. The average price is $217 for the last 3 Basic 5's that sold, and they seem harder to find than they used to be.

I recently acquired my SHBA, and have not used it yet. I have used the Basic 5, and really like it, especially due to the Resiprene C handle - it gives a very secure grip, more so than the smooth micarta on the SHBA. Because of the full tang and micarta, I would give a slight advantage to the SHBA in strength, but for everyday cutting my choice would be the Basic 5, mainly because of the handle. Thank you for the pictures!

Gene
 
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