- Joined
- May 27, 2006
- Messages
- 91
Thought I would post some thoughts to better explain some of my past knife experiences. Since the last threads got out of control and some Busse owners and others had to get started with name calling and the such. So here are some of the experiences I have had with Busses, and why after owning several models ended up selling most of them. (no there is no agenda here, just a review of knives I have used over the last 5 years or so and yes some of my reviews have changed from 4-5 years ago after using them!).
As for the Busse Battle Mistress model that I had. It was a Zero Tolerance Model, with Desert grips. Don't really know the style, but was the style handle Busse was using in 2002. I was working in Cambodia in 2004, running wildlife conservation law enforcement patrols (Was working as the Project Manager at the time for the Maddox Jolie Project set up by the actress/humanitarian Angelina Jolie), in the Samlaut Protected Area ( like a National Park), located on the Thai/Cambodian border. Had taken 4 large style Machete style blades with me to Cambodia. A Al Mar Pathfinder, The Busse BM, Cold Steel LTC Khuk and a HI Khuk. The Busse was my favorite, due to the looks and design. But, after taking it out on one of my first patrols, where I had to cut down bamboo for some improvised shelters and also ended up having to cut down several 4 to 6 inch diameter limbs, to use to support some equipment being supported in the pack of a totyota hilux upon extraction, found the knife to not be that effecient in chopping down the limbs, took way to many chops in my opinion, and the way the flat handles were designed caused some serious blisters. After that I stopped using the Busse. Later did many tasks very similiar with my CS LTC and HI Khuk. No issues at all. Very effecient in the chopping and no blisters on the hand. Found the HI Khuk also to be very strong, the spine was pretty tough. Could use it for hammering as well. LOL PLus I am very partial to Khuks, as I have had three treks in Nepal and have trained with the Gurkhas and had them fighting for me in Iraq. Don't have one bad thing to say about the Gurkhas that worked for me. Anyway, ended up selling the BM, though a beautiful design, just did not find it practical. Also ended up selling the Al Mar pathfinder, again a very nice looking blade, but did not work out very well (found the blade a little too long and the double hilt was always getting in the way and rubbing against my thumb when chopping).
Sometimes I think we look at knives as beautiful peices of art almost and buy them because of the looks, but sometimes these more expensive examples are just not really cut out for the job, and/or impractical to carry and use. I also had several other Busses, Natural Outlaw, Air Rescue, Badger Attacks old and new styles, Neck knife, and a Paul's hatchet. Just my experience was that they did not cut very well compared to some other makers knives that I had. Found them to be a little to thick, the choil getting caught up on things, and the coating on the blade not so practical. Took two of them to South Africa with me, and they did not do a very good job skinning. Even the smaller ones were not very good cutters and slicers compared to some Knives from other brands I had. The only Busse I ended up keeping was the Zero Tolerance Natural Outlaw. Like the look and shape of this blade. And found it to be a better cutter with the 3/16 inch blade and polished blade rather.. Though still do not like the large choil, but wanted to keep one Busse in my collection. Plus the sheath I had custom made for it by Leatherman in pretty nice (but, I also think Randall and Chris Reeve leather sheaths are the best out there). So sold off all the Busses, except the one.
Now, I will mention a knife brand that I think is pretty tough and fits the bill, that Busse tries to fill as well, but cost a small fraction, no waiting periods and even comes with a decent Sheath. That is the Becker knives. About 3 dozen of the 5 1/2 inch models were bought for a company of the Cambodian 911 Airborne (Cambodian's Special Forces Company). These guys of course loved the knives! They took it with them everywhere and did everything with it. Very hard field usage in tropical jungle environments. No cleaning of the knives. They chopped with them, pryed with them, opened ammo cases with them, beat on them and cut with them. The knives took a lot of abuse and none of them failed. I do not know if a knife could be put through anymore than a knife given to a Cambodian field unit. So the Beckers, especially at the price (I think they were around $70) can not be beat. Plus they are good looking knives.
Now, as for Busse, I think a lot of people like collecting them but many probably do not really use them (other than some backyard photos of them cutting a peice of wood to post on the forum LOL). (Same could be said for Randalls as well). Though there are probably some that do use them very often and are quite fond of them. They just were not for me, or the other two members on one of my teams who bought them from me and ended up selling them as well. I think what appeal to many about Busse, is the Cultish way the Busse owners and forum is. I am not saying that is a bad thing, just that when people buy a Busse they are buying more than a knife. They are buying into a small little Knife cult with their own nicknames, freinds, sales, gimmicks, banters and so forth. So Busse become a real hobby to many, hog this and hog that, etc.. To me Busse is just another company that is selling a product. Now, I personnally do not agree with some of the Bussiness aspects: long waiting periods, no sheaths, limited distribution, etc... When a person wants a knife they want to buy a knife to use now, not have to wait and they want it with a sheath. Busse to some it becomes like a family, almost a Religion, and pity anybody who does not hail to the fact that Busses are the best. I think that is why one forum member went out to say I had some sort of Secret Agenda or something against Busse directly, since he could not fathom why anybody would not bow down to Busse and claim them the best knives or would sell their Busses and use different knives and say that in their experience that other knives worked better for them than Busse. Again, if a person likes Busse knives, then go for it, collect away!
Now, I will state from my experience working in Cambodia, Iraq and Afghanistan, and Kosovo and a few other places over the last almost 6 years I have never seen another Busse, not saying they are not out there -this is just my observations, other than the ones I had and the ones I personally sold to two team members. Now the custom/high end knives that I have seen a lot of and have gotten a lot of use by people I have met over the years are: Randall (believe it or not, myself included, see a lot of military personnel still carrying and using), strider (a brand I do not particularly care for, but others love), and Chris Reeve fixed bladed knives. (now of course these are higher end knives, of course you see many basic Gerbers, Buck, cold Steel, Becker, KaBar, Bayonets etc.. as these are sold at the PX and or issued). But, also reality is that in most military or wilderness environments a big bladed knife is really not needed or hardly used. All you really need is a smaller folding knife and a multi tool and depending on the environment maybe a Machete type blade or axe. A bayonet, has many practical uses as well and is usually carried if in a combative arms type position in the military.
As for smaller/medium fixed blades knives my favorite are my Randall #15, still like the Busse Natural Outlaw Zero Tolerance though never carry it or use it too much anymore (though it did get carried during one of my tours in Iraq and held up pretty good), Chris Reeve "Rhino" skinner, and one of the original Chris Reeve Jereboam IIs made in South Africa. And for EDC it is Chris Reeve Sebenzas or a Bechmade 940. For the future I really am set on getting some additional Chris Reeve or Ryan Wilson Tactical knives. Also have back in the states several Andre Deviellers Custom folders that are great knives and very rugged as well. Andre makes some great knives, and used them with much success on a hunting trip I did in Africa with Andre. Also like a knife company called Citadel, they are custom made in Cambodia and mainly then sold in France, and Europe (and are starting to be sold/distributed in America). Met with the founder/owner a couple of years ago in Phnom Penh and he makes some really nice custom knives and Japanese swords. (going to Malaysia and Cambodia next week, and will probably buy a couple Citadel knives - plus buying them direct in Cambodia cost about 25% of what he sells them for in Europe and America!)
One thing also, about the Randall #15 Airman. Great service from Randall!! I was overseas at the time with the military in 2003. Called up RMKs and asked for a Model #15 with some custom modifications. They had it to me in less than 2 weeks!!!! And even gave me a good discount. Love the history and tradition that Randall has with the Military over the last 65 years. There is just something special about being overseas and having a Randall strapped to your belt!
Personally if I had to choose only one knife company to go with, it would be Chris Reeve. Love their one peice designs, very strong and hollow handle. Some of their newer micarta handled Fixed blades and of course all their folding knifes with options of wood inlays or graphics.
Well, just some of my knife thoughts! Cheers.
As for the Busse Battle Mistress model that I had. It was a Zero Tolerance Model, with Desert grips. Don't really know the style, but was the style handle Busse was using in 2002. I was working in Cambodia in 2004, running wildlife conservation law enforcement patrols (Was working as the Project Manager at the time for the Maddox Jolie Project set up by the actress/humanitarian Angelina Jolie), in the Samlaut Protected Area ( like a National Park), located on the Thai/Cambodian border. Had taken 4 large style Machete style blades with me to Cambodia. A Al Mar Pathfinder, The Busse BM, Cold Steel LTC Khuk and a HI Khuk. The Busse was my favorite, due to the looks and design. But, after taking it out on one of my first patrols, where I had to cut down bamboo for some improvised shelters and also ended up having to cut down several 4 to 6 inch diameter limbs, to use to support some equipment being supported in the pack of a totyota hilux upon extraction, found the knife to not be that effecient in chopping down the limbs, took way to many chops in my opinion, and the way the flat handles were designed caused some serious blisters. After that I stopped using the Busse. Later did many tasks very similiar with my CS LTC and HI Khuk. No issues at all. Very effecient in the chopping and no blisters on the hand. Found the HI Khuk also to be very strong, the spine was pretty tough. Could use it for hammering as well. LOL PLus I am very partial to Khuks, as I have had three treks in Nepal and have trained with the Gurkhas and had them fighting for me in Iraq. Don't have one bad thing to say about the Gurkhas that worked for me. Anyway, ended up selling the BM, though a beautiful design, just did not find it practical. Also ended up selling the Al Mar pathfinder, again a very nice looking blade, but did not work out very well (found the blade a little too long and the double hilt was always getting in the way and rubbing against my thumb when chopping).
Sometimes I think we look at knives as beautiful peices of art almost and buy them because of the looks, but sometimes these more expensive examples are just not really cut out for the job, and/or impractical to carry and use. I also had several other Busses, Natural Outlaw, Air Rescue, Badger Attacks old and new styles, Neck knife, and a Paul's hatchet. Just my experience was that they did not cut very well compared to some other makers knives that I had. Found them to be a little to thick, the choil getting caught up on things, and the coating on the blade not so practical. Took two of them to South Africa with me, and they did not do a very good job skinning. Even the smaller ones were not very good cutters and slicers compared to some Knives from other brands I had. The only Busse I ended up keeping was the Zero Tolerance Natural Outlaw. Like the look and shape of this blade. And found it to be a better cutter with the 3/16 inch blade and polished blade rather.. Though still do not like the large choil, but wanted to keep one Busse in my collection. Plus the sheath I had custom made for it by Leatherman in pretty nice (but, I also think Randall and Chris Reeve leather sheaths are the best out there). So sold off all the Busses, except the one.
Now, I will mention a knife brand that I think is pretty tough and fits the bill, that Busse tries to fill as well, but cost a small fraction, no waiting periods and even comes with a decent Sheath. That is the Becker knives. About 3 dozen of the 5 1/2 inch models were bought for a company of the Cambodian 911 Airborne (Cambodian's Special Forces Company). These guys of course loved the knives! They took it with them everywhere and did everything with it. Very hard field usage in tropical jungle environments. No cleaning of the knives. They chopped with them, pryed with them, opened ammo cases with them, beat on them and cut with them. The knives took a lot of abuse and none of them failed. I do not know if a knife could be put through anymore than a knife given to a Cambodian field unit. So the Beckers, especially at the price (I think they were around $70) can not be beat. Plus they are good looking knives.
Now, as for Busse, I think a lot of people like collecting them but many probably do not really use them (other than some backyard photos of them cutting a peice of wood to post on the forum LOL). (Same could be said for Randalls as well). Though there are probably some that do use them very often and are quite fond of them. They just were not for me, or the other two members on one of my teams who bought them from me and ended up selling them as well. I think what appeal to many about Busse, is the Cultish way the Busse owners and forum is. I am not saying that is a bad thing, just that when people buy a Busse they are buying more than a knife. They are buying into a small little Knife cult with their own nicknames, freinds, sales, gimmicks, banters and so forth. So Busse become a real hobby to many, hog this and hog that, etc.. To me Busse is just another company that is selling a product. Now, I personnally do not agree with some of the Bussiness aspects: long waiting periods, no sheaths, limited distribution, etc... When a person wants a knife they want to buy a knife to use now, not have to wait and they want it with a sheath. Busse to some it becomes like a family, almost a Religion, and pity anybody who does not hail to the fact that Busses are the best. I think that is why one forum member went out to say I had some sort of Secret Agenda or something against Busse directly, since he could not fathom why anybody would not bow down to Busse and claim them the best knives or would sell their Busses and use different knives and say that in their experience that other knives worked better for them than Busse. Again, if a person likes Busse knives, then go for it, collect away!
Now, I will state from my experience working in Cambodia, Iraq and Afghanistan, and Kosovo and a few other places over the last almost 6 years I have never seen another Busse, not saying they are not out there -this is just my observations, other than the ones I had and the ones I personally sold to two team members. Now the custom/high end knives that I have seen a lot of and have gotten a lot of use by people I have met over the years are: Randall (believe it or not, myself included, see a lot of military personnel still carrying and using), strider (a brand I do not particularly care for, but others love), and Chris Reeve fixed bladed knives. (now of course these are higher end knives, of course you see many basic Gerbers, Buck, cold Steel, Becker, KaBar, Bayonets etc.. as these are sold at the PX and or issued). But, also reality is that in most military or wilderness environments a big bladed knife is really not needed or hardly used. All you really need is a smaller folding knife and a multi tool and depending on the environment maybe a Machete type blade or axe. A bayonet, has many practical uses as well and is usually carried if in a combative arms type position in the military.
As for smaller/medium fixed blades knives my favorite are my Randall #15, still like the Busse Natural Outlaw Zero Tolerance though never carry it or use it too much anymore (though it did get carried during one of my tours in Iraq and held up pretty good), Chris Reeve "Rhino" skinner, and one of the original Chris Reeve Jereboam IIs made in South Africa. And for EDC it is Chris Reeve Sebenzas or a Bechmade 940. For the future I really am set on getting some additional Chris Reeve or Ryan Wilson Tactical knives. Also have back in the states several Andre Deviellers Custom folders that are great knives and very rugged as well. Andre makes some great knives, and used them with much success on a hunting trip I did in Africa with Andre. Also like a knife company called Citadel, they are custom made in Cambodia and mainly then sold in France, and Europe (and are starting to be sold/distributed in America). Met with the founder/owner a couple of years ago in Phnom Penh and he makes some really nice custom knives and Japanese swords. (going to Malaysia and Cambodia next week, and will probably buy a couple Citadel knives - plus buying them direct in Cambodia cost about 25% of what he sells them for in Europe and America!)
One thing also, about the Randall #15 Airman. Great service from Randall!! I was overseas at the time with the military in 2003. Called up RMKs and asked for a Model #15 with some custom modifications. They had it to me in less than 2 weeks!!!! And even gave me a good discount. Love the history and tradition that Randall has with the Military over the last 65 years. There is just something special about being overseas and having a Randall strapped to your belt!
Personally if I had to choose only one knife company to go with, it would be Chris Reeve. Love their one peice designs, very strong and hollow handle. Some of their newer micarta handled Fixed blades and of course all their folding knifes with options of wood inlays or graphics.
Well, just some of my knife thoughts! Cheers.
