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Tactical/Survival Knife Help
- Thread starter raptnblue
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Cliff Stamp
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RokJok
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Not a dumb question at all. If you can make the trip to the Knob Creek shoot in Kentucky (Louisville area) at mid-October, the Busse company will be there as outlined in the link below. There you could handle several of the Busse offerings to see if one of them fits your hands and buy it if it does. Plus there are likely to be some custom "one off" blades made by the man referred to in the link below as "Boss Hog", which is Jerry Busse, the president of the company.raptnblue said:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=365059
Buying a Busse at Knob Creek would be good for another reason: there is typically a wait involved with getting a Busse. The running joke is that the company always says the blade will be delivered in "two weeks", although the actual wait is more typically in the range of 30-180 days. Picking a Busse up at the show eliminates the wait.
Busse is strong enough on customer service, that would be a very likely scenario for them. You could call the shop and ask.
(419) 923-6471
Mon-Fri, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST
However, even if you didn't like the knife & the company wouldn't take it back, there are enough Busse fanatics running around Bladeforums who'd sell their grandmother to buy it that selling it for what you've got in it would be easy. Oh yes, all to easy.
Another avenue to get a Busse is the Knives For Sale Forum here on BFC. There are usually a few Busses of one size or another for sale there at any given time. Keep a sharp eye out there for the model you seek. Be forwarned though, the Hogs (an informal club of rabid Busse collectors) hover there like vultures scanning the landscape for fresh carrion. So if you see a Busse there that you want, don't waste time equivocating on whether or not you really want to get it. Email the seller an "I'll Take It" message right away. You need speed on your side, because those darn Hogs are FAST!!
Amen! When people who buy on the price alone whine about the relatively high price of quality knives or guns, I simply ask them, "What's your life worth worth to you?"
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As with many products, and with reference to no particular brands, price is not equal to quality. Some knives at the same price-point are "more equal than others." Some knives at a lower price are better than more expensive models. On the other hand, as you know, cheap rarely = value.
A maker/company with a good reputatation is more likely to make a good product out of appropriate materials (but you knew that).
Use of the "Search" function here at BF allows research on commments made about particular brands/makers. Google searches (name + knife or knives) can be useful.
Knife magazines are largely worthless. All of the "children" are above average.
Think about what you might be doing with the knife. Cutting back brush? Cutting small saplings to make a shelter? Prying open car doors? Processsing wood so you can start a fire? Processing food? Weapon? A 1/4" saber ground knife with a relatively obtuse edge will be better at some of these tasks than others. A relatively longer blade will be better at some of these tasks than a shorter blade.
When you ask, "What's best for me?" you often get answers about what's best for them.
Any reatively good quality, stout fixed-blade knife in a good sheath orr scabbard will put you FAR ahead of the average citizen in a survival situation. Most households have only cheap kitchen knives.
Tom
A maker/company with a good reputatation is more likely to make a good product out of appropriate materials (but you knew that).
Use of the "Search" function here at BF allows research on commments made about particular brands/makers. Google searches (name + knife or knives) can be useful.
Knife magazines are largely worthless. All of the "children" are above average.
Think about what you might be doing with the knife. Cutting back brush? Cutting small saplings to make a shelter? Prying open car doors? Processsing wood so you can start a fire? Processing food? Weapon? A 1/4" saber ground knife with a relatively obtuse edge will be better at some of these tasks than others. A relatively longer blade will be better at some of these tasks than a shorter blade.
When you ask, "What's best for me?" you often get answers about what's best for them.
Any reatively good quality, stout fixed-blade knife in a good sheath orr scabbard will put you FAR ahead of the average citizen in a survival situation. Most households have only cheap kitchen knives.
Tom
You'll surely get good suggestions here, but if you haven't also be sure to look around here:
http://www.equipped.org
http://www.equipped.org
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Will this blade be stored away in a BoB? If so, maybe your $350 bucks on a Busese could be better spent on a Becker or KaBar and the other 300 on other preparedness items like first aid kit, a good LED flashlight and other supplies.
It did not sound like you will be carrying the knife with you much so maybe you should start thinking about edc'ing a sound folder and a small multi-tool.
My BoB in my vehicle has an old KaBAr for a utility blade and has also doubled as a defensive weapon in wars past. It's well used but still very stout. $40 bucks. I also back it up with a Philippine bolo from a flea market at $7.00, it's made from spring steel and is 1/4 " thick at the spine, hella sharp and has some mileage on it but still very sound and a tomahawk from Dana Turner at Ft. Turner Tomahawks. Total cost of the 3 was less than a hundred dollars.
It's easy to recommend to others when it's not money out of our pockets but I think you can get what you are looking for and more with your hard earned cash. Highend doesn't have to be excessively expensive.
It did not sound like you will be carrying the knife with you much so maybe you should start thinking about edc'ing a sound folder and a small multi-tool.
My BoB in my vehicle has an old KaBAr for a utility blade and has also doubled as a defensive weapon in wars past. It's well used but still very stout. $40 bucks. I also back it up with a Philippine bolo from a flea market at $7.00, it's made from spring steel and is 1/4 " thick at the spine, hella sharp and has some mileage on it but still very sound and a tomahawk from Dana Turner at Ft. Turner Tomahawks. Total cost of the 3 was less than a hundred dollars.
It's easy to recommend to others when it's not money out of our pockets but I think you can get what you are looking for and more with your hard earned cash. Highend doesn't have to be excessively expensive.
Ok, before running into you guys, I had been looking at some of the Benchmade fixed blades.... What do ya'll think? Would this be suitable for a general purpose survival blade? As I've said, my escape would most likely be from the suburbs into the Blue Ridge. If I ran into someone hostile, I'd probably use my Sig 9mm first. It's easy to lose a knife fight. I don't wanna lose. So, that brings me to cutting saplings, rope, etc., chopping, prying, possibly using the handle to hammer. Broken knives don't work well, so I want something strong. Alot of the survivalist sites talk of Benchmades.
I realize I am over-simplifying this process. I want a good quality knife to add to my kit. The whole process of setting up survival kits is kinda overwhelming---again you sorta have to know what you will be up against and that is the big question when dealing with survival. I just wanna get outta Dodge when/if the sh** hits the fan.
I realize I am over-simplifying this process. I want a good quality knife to add to my kit. The whole process of setting up survival kits is kinda overwhelming---again you sorta have to know what you will be up against and that is the big question when dealing with survival. I just wanna get outta Dodge when/if the sh** hits the fan.
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Raptnblue-
I'm not sure where in VA your at but I live in Bedford county. I have a couple of Busse's in the size range that your looking for, NO-E, SFNO, FSH. If your not to far from me and would like to handle them to help with your decision then let me know.
silas
I'm not sure where in VA your at but I live in Bedford county. I have a couple of Busse's in the size range that your looking for, NO-E, SFNO, FSH. If your not to far from me and would like to handle them to help with your decision then let me know.
silas
It seems to me you are becoming a knife collector, Raptnblue You get one good knife, but after some time you will decide to buy another one, then... Welcome to the club!
I would like to say only a few things, this is my personal opinion only.
(I wrote it actually a few times, but deleted because it was missing the point) I think it is really a phycological issue here, what gives you a sense of security. Even a kitchen knife will do well, many WW2 soldiers had them instead of combat knives. I do not think an emergency will be as bad as Stalingrad or Kursk battle anyway
Benchmade is a great company. A lot of US military buy their products. As well as Spyderco, Victorinox, Leatherman. Busses or Swamp Rats are not that popular, but it is an issue of price, I think. They all tested in combat, so I think it is more than enough for a civilian. Also, it is a question of fashion. For example, Russian forums will most likely recommend you Scandinavian knives. So, bear this in mind: there is a fashion on knives too.
Thicker blades, in my opinion, give you more confidence that they won't break in any situation. But they are more heavy and not that good for food preparation (the main task of my knives) because of weight.
If you want to check if you like the handle, you can make its shape from plasticine, it will give you some idea of comfort. Do not forget, blade thickness and blade's weight are very important. You can play with blade shape using cardboards or cut it from thin pieces of wooden sheets.
My experience: my hands are small, therefore many handles of Busse knives are too big for me. Often even expensive survival/combat knives cannot match the comfort of handles of Scandinavian knives. Scandinavian knives are usually much cheaper, not that tough (but enough in my opinion) and less prestigeous, though more practical.
You get one good knife, but after some time you will decide to buy another one, then... Welcome to the club! I would like to say only a few things, this is my personal opinion only.
(I wrote it actually a few times, but deleted because it was missing the point) I think it is really a phycological issue here, what gives you a sense of security. Even a kitchen knife will do well, many WW2 soldiers had them instead of combat knives. I do not think an emergency will be as bad as Stalingrad or Kursk battle anyway
Benchmade is a great company. A lot of US military buy their products. As well as Spyderco, Victorinox, Leatherman. Busses or Swamp Rats are not that popular, but it is an issue of price, I think. They all tested in combat, so I think it is more than enough for a civilian. Also, it is a question of fashion. For example, Russian forums will most likely recommend you Scandinavian knives. So, bear this in mind: there is a fashion on knives too.
Thicker blades, in my opinion, give you more confidence that they won't break in any situation. But they are more heavy and not that good for food preparation (the main task of my knives) because of weight.
If you want to check if you like the handle, you can make its shape from plasticine, it will give you some idea of comfort. Do not forget, blade thickness and blade's weight are very important. You can play with blade shape using cardboards or cut it from thin pieces of wooden sheets.
My experience: my hands are small, therefore many handles of Busse knives are too big for me. Often even expensive survival/combat knives cannot match the comfort of handles of Scandinavian knives. Scandinavian knives are usually much cheaper, not that tough (but enough in my opinion) and less prestigeous, though more practical.
I'd take Silas up on his offer before making a decision. If you are going to (or seriously considering) plunk down that much cash, get your hands around one first if you can. I've been surprised both ways with a knife that looked good in a picture.
I stand by my first choice. Busse SH - E.
I stand by my first choice. Busse SH - E.
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raptnblue said:
I live in Forest. Send me an email and we can set something up. Everyone I've ever bought was by site only. I always thought it would have been nice to be able to handle them first but didn't know anyone close by who could help me out.
www.ktaylorm3@msn.com
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raptnblue,
Ontario Knife Company RAT-7, Canvas Micarta Handle, Plain, Cordura Sheath.....
That being said take a look at the Ontario line. The Randel Jungle Training stuff. The RAT-7 is a great knife and sounds pretty much like what you are looking for. If you can get your hands around that nine mil you should have no trouble with this knife. Goodluck!!
Ontario Knife Company RAT-7, Canvas Micarta Handle, Plain, Cordura Sheath.....
That being said take a look at the Ontario line. The Randel Jungle Training stuff. The RAT-7 is a great knife and sounds pretty much like what you are looking for. If you can get your hands around that nine mil you should have no trouble with this knife. Goodluck!!
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OmegaA said:
And upon what factual source do you base this statement?? Do you know the distribution all knives within the current or past military activities well enough to make a statement like that of Busses/Swamp Rats?? Do you know of the military users in international circles?
Please, explain your statement.
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No mystery, just as no reflection on product quality.
Just a story as old as the U.S.
The typical GI cannot afford a top-of-the-line production knife, and Uncle Sugar sure as Hell isn't going to issue one.
Many have posted here and elsewhere about knives they typically see in Iraq. IIRC correctly, the multitool is the most typical bladed tool carried, followed by knives carried in PX's - which do not include the fine Busse and SRKW products.
I have several active duty friends, all of who have done time in Irag. They love some of my good knives, including SR and Busse, products but simply can't imagine paying even $200 for a knife.
Incidently, they all agree that the private-contract security folks in Iraq have better gear in all respects, but then they are paid LOTS more to be there than GI's.
Tom
Just a story as old as the U.S.
The typical GI cannot afford a top-of-the-line production knife, and Uncle Sugar sure as Hell isn't going to issue one.
Many have posted here and elsewhere about knives they typically see in Iraq. IIRC correctly, the multitool is the most typical bladed tool carried, followed by knives carried in PX's - which do not include the fine Busse and SRKW products.
I have several active duty friends, all of who have done time in Irag. They love some of my good knives, including SR and Busse, products but simply can't imagine paying even $200 for a knife.
Incidently, they all agree that the private-contract security folks in Iraq have better gear in all respects, but then they are paid LOTS more to be there than GI's.
Tom
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Well I gave my two cents worth. There are better blade steels than SAk. I just thought that a knife with several useful tools would be in my survival kit.
Mr. Linton obviously has more expert knife knowlege than I. I still think a machete or big knife like a RTAK, Becker Combat Bowie, or even Cold Steel Trailmaster would be a useful survival tool. Never saw a Busse. Here they are very good. Had a Ranger RDP 7. Made a nice club. Darn thing was heavier than a loaded .45! Took half a day on my water wheel to make it cut, but it took a good razor edge. Price is always a consideration. The ontario camp machetes are really good for the money.
Spent some serious time in the Laotian jungle in my youth (studies and observations). Big knives that don't weigh you down are very good.
Mr. Linton obviously has more expert knife knowlege than I. I still think a machete or big knife like a RTAK, Becker Combat Bowie, or even Cold Steel Trailmaster would be a useful survival tool. Never saw a Busse. Here they are very good. Had a Ranger RDP 7. Made a nice club. Darn thing was heavier than a loaded .45! Took half a day on my water wheel to make it cut, but it took a good razor edge. Price is always a consideration. The ontario camp machetes are really good for the money.
Spent some serious time in the Laotian jungle in my youth (studies and observations). Big knives that don't weigh you down are very good.