Show off yer woods-loving Busses

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DOC-CANADA said:
A whole day, you say? That kind of proves my point.

I can't tell you how many times I've checked the company store (including just before I typed this). Also, I have some ideas what I want, not just any that come up for sale.

The other thing, and it's probably just that I'm somewhat quirky, if I buy one, I would want it to be from the store, not from somebody that buys up a bunch of blades hoping to make some money.


This is not to start some kind of controversy, just my honest feelings.

Doc
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Just to conclude my mini rant, norcalblacktail took it upon himself to locate some Active Duty's that are available at the Exchange in an effort to help the cause. I appreciate his efforts, however, after I gave up looking for an AD, I ordered something else, and the knife budget needs to recuperate.

Someday I would like to own an AD, and perhaps I will, but I really do find the search to be tiring. I don't fault Jerry Busse for his marketing strategy - it seems to work very well for him, but I just don't like the games.

Rant off!

Doc
 
gunknifenut said:
Fiddleback, what do you think of that thin Gamewarden? I have 2 and use the hell outta mine...ones still mint. I take it everwhere with me, its a great EDC and awesome wood carver. Gene
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I really like the GW. Its the knife that got me into the Busses. I EDC mine too. SWEET knife.

The only one I've gotten that I haven't liked is the BATAC. If that knife didn't have a choil, I'd really be into it too. The FFBM, and the ASH1 are so heavy, that I don't mind the choil. But that BATAC could be a mean slicer/bushcraft knife. The choil really irritates me on this design.

My favorite so far is my SAR. No choil. Edge right to hand. Great bushcraft knife.
 
Since there are a few Busse owners/users here, what would your recommendation be for the best thickness Active Duty, balancing wood carving ability with maximum strength? And any other relevant comments?

Thanks in advance.

Doc
 
Fiddleback said:
The only one I've gotten that I haven't liked is the BATAC. If that knife didn't have a choil, I'd really be into it too. The FFBM, and the ASH1 are so heavy, that I don't mind the choil. But that BATAC could be a mean slicer/bushcraft knife. The choil really irritates me on this design.
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I was tempted but didn't have the tools or guts to reprofile the metal on mine. I could see grinding off the loop, advancing wood/micarta scales and grinding the tang down in length. A Batac with a hint of choil and light weight scales throwing the weight more forward would would be outstanding!

Maybe the muks will be the answer...
 
I haven't tried it as a woodcraft knife, yet; but what do you all think of the Busse Meaner Street (.195 inch thick) for woodcraft?
 
Ramm9 said:
I was tempted but didn't have the tools or guts to reprofile the metal on mine. I could see grinding off the loop, advancing wood/micarta scales and grinding the tang down in length. A Batac with a hint of choil and light weight scales throwing the weight more forward would would be outstanding!

Maybe the muks will be the answer...
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I've considered that too. But hell, its a Busse. Why wouldn't I just make a knife that shape and leave the Busse whole for someone who loves the BATAC. Lots of people love that knife. Its just not my bag of worms.
 
Since those of us who are intrigued by Busses, but haven't had the experience, are posting here, maybe I will, too. I've paged through a number of threads on the Busse forum, but have yet to figure my way through the specialized language; also, it seems that there are quirks to how Busse Combat and the various apparently-related companies actually sell their knives, with which I'm unfamiliar.

Maybe I'll start with these questions--and if there are more that I should ask, but don't know to, maybe one of you Busse fans (I see a lot of "hog" references, but don't know the provenance) can tell me the answers to those unasked questions, as well.

1. It strikes me that a good, all-around knife in the typical Busse configuration would be one with about a 6-inch blade, maybe up to 7. Any particularly good models that are likely to come available in that size? And what's the lowest price one could reasonably expect to shell out for something made of INFI in that size?

2. How do you pronounce "INFI"?

3. I'm gathering that Busse (and related companies?) release their knives, or some of them, in batches, which are quickly bought up. True? How does one find out availability?

4. How does Scrapyard's stuff compare with Busse Combat's? While we're at it, how do Swamp Rat and Ranger compare?

5. How much information about INFI and SR77 is publicly available? I understand the companies' desire to keep their special materials and methods confidential, and I respect their desire to keep trade secrets, but I'm curious to learn whatever information is out there and generally available.
 
J.D. - Sorry I can't help you with all the questions as I am pretty new myself. My best advice would be to hang out in the Busse forum and try to pick up what you can, thats what I'm doing.
 
Return of the J.D. said:
Since those of us who are intrigued by Busses, but haven't had the experience, are posting here, maybe I will, too. I've paged through a number of threads on the Busse forum, but have yet to figure my way through the specialized language; also, it seems that there are quirks to how Busse Combat and the various apparently-related companies actually sell their knives, with which I'm unfamiliar.

Maybe I'll start with these questions--and if there are more that I should ask, but don't know to, maybe one of you Busse fans (I see a lot of "hog" references, but don't know the provenance) can tell me the answers to those unasked questions, as well.
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Maybe I can help you out with some of these.

1. It strikes me that a good, all-around knife in the typical Busse configuration would be one with about a 6-inch blade, maybe up to 7. Any particularly good models that are likely to come available in that size? And what's the lowest price one could reasonably expect to shell out for something made of INFI in that size?
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The ASH-1 (6.5 inch blade) is available right now and fits that size. It probably won't be up much longer. The cheapest version is $297.

Since there's only one model in production at a time, your other choice is to find what you want on the secondary market. The Busse For Sale subforum here is usually the best place to look.

Another choice in that range would be the Satin Jack TAC (SJTAC), those go for around $350-400. A slightly smaller (5 inch) Badger Attack TAC (BATAC) can be found for around $300 and should be plentiful. If you do some research regarding prices beforehand, if you buy something and don't like it you can usually get your money back...or even come out ahead.

2. How do you pronounce "INFI"?
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In-fee

3. I'm gathering that Busse (and related companies?) release their knives, or some of them, in batches, which are quickly bought up. True? How does one find out availability?
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Busse typically has one model available on their site at a time. It will be up for a certain amount of time and you can order it while it's up. It may be there for a while before they actually start producing them as they're working on the previous knife or other orders (such as mil runs). You aren't actually charged until just before the knife will ship to you, usually about 10 days or so. Jerry will usually give some warning of when a knife will go off the site so that if you're on the fence on it you can order before it does. This is by far the easiest and cheapest way to get a Busse, the downside is the model for sale may not be the one you want.

There are Company Store only or limited production Busses that are sold by the Company Store. This is separate from Busse Combat. Anything that is for sale there is in stock and will be shipped within a day or two after you order.

Swamp Rat and Scrapyard sometimes have knives available and sometimes don't. They tend to be hit and miss.

All 3 companies + the Company Store often give hints of new releases on their respective forums. It's one of those things you have to check often to find out. Look for posts by Idahoskunk on the Busse Forum for news of the Company Store. New knives put up at the Company Store can sell out very quickly.

4. How does Scrapyard's stuff compare with Busse Combat's? While we're at it, how do Swamp Rat and Ranger compare?
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Scrapyard offers very good value for the money. I like the Resiprene handles on them, however some people don't. The steel obviously isn't up to INFI standards, but I have no complaints with it. I've never handled a Ranger so I can't comment on that question.

5. How much information about INFI and SR77 is publicly available? I understand the companies' desire to keep their special materials and methods confidential, and I respect their desire to keep trade secrets, but I'm curious to learn whatever information is out there and generally available.
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Jerry says the heat treat is the big secret to INFI. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=555904

I would imagine the heat treat makes a difference in the other Busse family steels as well. Swamp Rat uses SR-101 (modified 52100), Scrapyard uses SR-77 (modified S-7).
 
I dont have a busse but ...

I got a little knife I made that cuts up tin cans with no hassles at all
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others that can take being shoved thru car hoods and take no damage at all , but stay sharp
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I NEED to get me a busse tho , I want a seriously tough knife that I can do silly things with and it not take any damage from it :)
 
Anyone know which model of Busse Ron Hood endorsed in the "knives" section of his "Survival Basics" DVD? I've heard that at some point Hood and Busse collaborated, and there are rumors that there was some kind of falling-out thereafter. However, I'm curious to know what it is that Hood is using in that video. (He mentions it right alongside a Randall.)
 
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