Skinny Ash - where is the edge?

Venice Will · Jun 20, 2009

I picked up a very sweet Skinny Ash off the Forums...

Before I start...I'm just seeking information, this isn't meant to be
a criticism

Where is the edge ...? is it supposed to be relatively "un-sharp?" I pressed my thumb down reasonably hard on the edge and...nothing....paper cutting...well, it more "shred/ripped"

I figured with a "skinny" designation, it would have at least as sharp
an edge as the FFBM or NMSFNO I have....it is actually the least
sharp of the group....

my expectation off...? I run into that ....

thanks...

MustardMan · Jun 20, 2009

I've gotten relatively unlucky and pretty much every one of the few INFI blades I own has come to me pretty dull. I'm not crazy about that, but it was quick enough to sharpen them myself - and honestly, even if they were sharp, I would have ended up putting a better edge on them eventually.

The only bussekin blade I own that came with a "sharp enough for me" edge was my swamp rat M9LE. Others came sharp enough to slice paper, but I still reprofiled them.

banana-clip · Jun 20, 2009

All of my Busse knives came super sharp from the factory, especially my Jack Hammer.

GregS · Jun 20, 2009

I had a Skinny Ash with the same problem, the coating went almost all the way down the edge. I sent it Ban, problem solved.

However since Ban isn't around, either sharpen it, reprofile it all together or send back into Busse. I think this is a thing of the past, Busse has remedied the problem with the "Swine Shaving Sharpness Sheets".

kdstrick · Jun 20, 2009

I re-profile most of my knives. Busse included. It seems that most knives nowdays come with more of a 'working edge' which seems to be pretty blunt in order to sacrifice sharpness for durability. I can't fault a manufacturer for such a philosophy given the number of guys that will use a knife as a screwdriver.

Jerry knows very well that his knives will be used/abused much more than most manufacturers knives and applies the edge accordingly. Now, the convex edge knives from Busse are freakin' air bleeders! I've re-profiled most of my users to convex because i find it to be superior for my uses. :thumbup:

There are several guys on the forums that can put a lazer-like convex edge on your skinny-ash... with normal use (no cinder blocks) you will only have to strop it occasionally to maintain the edge.

LeftytwoGuns · Jun 20, 2009

convex it man.

Soulrack223 · Jun 20, 2009

My Skinny ASH came sharp! I have gotten a Culti that was butter knife dull and my HG55 was not "sharp."

silverdragon33 · Jun 20, 2009

i've only gotten a few Busses with acceptable factory edges. of the two that didn't need any work, one had a competition edge, and the other had an edge ground so thin that even the quick sharpen they gave it made it excellent. sharpening your Busses when you get them is something you'll have to get used to.

supposedly they only put a very basic edge on it so you can sharpen it however you like.

even if this is somewhat of an annoyance to you, the quality and durability of the knife should be enough to overlook that

Jerry Busse · Jun 20, 2009

Not a single knife has gone out of this shop in the last year with out being able to easily slice paper. That's why we include the sheet of sliced up paper with every order shipped from the shop. A knife that will easily slice paper will also shave, if held at the correct angle.

Now I realize that everyone has different expectations for relative sharpness and that's where the different denominations in the church of sharpness divide. We can make any edge sharp enough "to make the air bleed" if that is what the customer wants. However, as was pointed out, an edge that fine is not going to stand up to concrete block whacking or other heavy forms of abuse. Being that we make primarily for police and military, and are sought after by these groups because of our reputation to cut through Buicks in a single swipe, a finer edge would be the wrong geometry for these applications.

So, send it to us and we'll sharpen it up for you at no charge.:thumbup:

Then we'll drink and all will be well. :thumbup:

Thanks,

Jerry

oge14 · Jun 20, 2009

Jerry Busse said:
Not a single knife has gone out of this shop in the last year with out being able to easily slice paper. That's why we include the sheet of sliced up paper with every order shipped from the shop. A knife that will easily slice paper will also shave, if held at the correct angle.

Now I realize that everyone has different expectations for relative sharpness and that's where the different denominations in the church of sharpness divide. We can make any edge sharp enough "to make the air bleed" if that is what the customer wants. However, as was pointed out, an edge that fine is not going to stand up to concrete block whacking or other heavy forms of abuse. Being that we make primarily for police and military, and are sought after by these groups because of our reputation to cut through Buicks in a single swipe, a finer edge would be the wrong geometry for these applications.

So, send it to us and we'll sharpen it up for you at no charge.:thumbup:

Then we'll drink and all will be well. :thumbup:

Thanks,

Jerry

now that's what i'm talking about. customer service.

mfaster7 · Jun 20, 2009

It is true that some Busses come very sharp. IN fact, with my latest Busse, it was a real chore to chop air. Most knives push the molecules out of the way while a well sharpened Busse seems to slice through them. Slows my swing considerable. I just hope theres no nuclear mishaps though I am sure the knife would survive.:thumbup:

MustardMan · Jun 20, 2009

Jerry Busse said:
Not a single knife has gone out of this shop in the last year with out being able to easily slice paper. That's why we include the sheet of sliced up paper with every order shipped from the shop. A knife that will easily slice paper will also shave, if held at the correct angle.

The knives sold at BLADE didn't come with those sheets of paper - which probably explains why mine could have ended up so dull

Some, like my NMSFNO, definitely couldn't slice paper.

Still, it's less hassle to sharpen them myself, even if by hand, rather than send them in to the shop. Would I have preferred them sharper right off the table from BLADE? Heck yes! Will that stop me from buying INFI? Nope!

Horn Dog · Jun 20, 2009

Some of my Busses came sharp. Some did not. Since I am not military or police, and never chop concrete blocks, I always put a sharper edge on my Busses anyway. The hardest thing I am likely to chop is hard wood. My full convexed Skinny ASH-1 is one of my sharpest Busses.

Venice Will · Jun 20, 2009

Thanks for the kindly offer Jerry - I bought the blade from Vox on the forum, rather than direct....

full convex seems to be "the route to go" for an edge that will part your thoughts....

I have a Competition Sarsquatch and it is freaky sharp.....that's what I'm talkin about....

giant1 · Jun 20, 2009

Part of the fun with owning knives (any knife) is the ability to put a good sharp edge on yourself.

I never worry about factory edges or lack of because if I'm going to use it I will put my desired edge (depending on intended use) on it myself

Having said that, i must say that 90% of my Busse knives direct from the factory all slice paper no problem

kdstrick · Jun 21, 2009

This isn't meant to be a criticism. More of a comentary on the times.

You know... I come from a long line of knife knuts. Some of the finest steel in the past century (prior to the custom knife business) came out of Germany. Fine steel. Many of their knives were delivered unsharpened, with only a primary bevel, because they expected that any 'man' purchasing a knife would have the skill to provide his own preferred bevel to his blade.

Lots of things have changed in the past century. Still, I'd rather have a fine knife that will hold an edge over one that came with a fine edge but won't hold it.

:thumbup:

rangerover_95 · Jun 21, 2009

giant1 said:
Part of the fun with owning knives (any knife) is the ability to put a good sharp edge on yourself.

I agree with giant1. When I got my skinny ASH, the edge was pretty thick. It was so tough though, I had to beat up some concrete landscaping blocks.

After the frenzy, I decided to fully convex my knife (I was surprised to see it was sabre ground if Im not mistaken) by hand. After about 15 hours (and several cases of beer) later, I love the new edge and the new look.

I dont think there is a single knife that I have ever had that I kept the original edge on. Not even my Sebenza came with an edge I liked, but then again, I'm obsessive about sharpness

.

giant1 · Jun 21, 2009

rangerover_95 said:
I agree with giant1. When I got my skinny ASH, the edge was pretty thick. It was so tough though, I had to beat up some concrete landscaping blocks.

After the frenzy, I decided to fully convex my knife (I was surprised to see it was sabre ground if Im not mistaken) by hand. After about 15 hours (and several cases of beer) later, I love the new edge and the new look.

I dont think there is a single knife that I have ever had that I kept the original edge on. Not even my Sebenza came with an edge I liked, but then again, I'm obsessive about sharpness.

15 HOURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Damn, I bow to your patience and determination

Bye the way very nice ASH complete with edge :thumbup:

Bigfattyt · Jun 21, 2009

My only infi that did not come to me shaving sharp was one that some one else had convexed. The description was "scary sharp". Obviously my idea of scary sharp is not the same as his was. It would not scrape arm hair off. After a bit on my strop, however, nice and hair popping sharp.

My Ash1 cg, FBMLE, SS, and BAD all were shaving sharp when I got them.

rangerover_95 · Jun 21, 2009

giant1 said:
15 HOURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Damn, I bow to your patience and determination

Bye the way very nice ASH complete with edge :thumbup:

Yeah, it was my first mod. I did it the old fashioned way, and just started sanding away with some 220 grit (I think I went through about 5 or 6 5-packs) and I finished with some 400 grit for the satin. I am actually thinking about taking the edge thinner, like the one I put on my FBM. I think if I thin it out a bit, it might make a pretty nice hunting knife.