talk to me about SHBMs in INFI

@ rat - haha, that's pretty amusing now that I think about. thanks for the clarification. ;)

@ foo, papathud (and indirectly cobalt) - thanks for the detailed history lesson.

and Foo... that Custom Shop one is the nicest SHBM, or any BM, I've ever seen. That's exactly the sort of thing I have in mind as I dream of a SHBM for me. don't leave that thing lying around, I may let it hitch a ride to a happier home - I can tell it's just screaming to be used and abused - crying out in shame as it is. ;)
 
Something like that.

I think in 1997/1998 Jerry got hurt and 1998 production was slow.

The Hood Knife was about this time, while a few Hoods got made it did not go into regular production, I think 5 got delivered in 1999

There was a price jump January 1, 1999 and very shortly after that you could order any of the Busse production knives in INFI.

1999 the SHBMs look like the one xman got with one of Three hundreds showing up from time to time.

2000 being when the fully grooved handles being common.

That was a long time ago and my notes are still in storage.
 
DowntownDM said:
@ rat - haha, that's pretty amusing now that I think about. thanks for the clarification. ;)

@ foo, papathud (and indirectly cobalt) - thanks for the detailed history lesson.

and Foo... that Custom Shop one is the nicest SHBM, or any BM, I've ever seen. That's exactly the sort of thing I have in mind as I dream of a SHBM for me. don't leave that thing lying around, I may let it hitch a ride to a happier home - I can tell it's just screaming to be used and abused - crying out in shame as it is. ;)
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I don't know... she looks pretty happy to me. :)

Maybe one day I'll breakdown and beat her... but for now, the WASP fills my beating needs just fine. :p

Honestly... she (the custom shop piece) might just be my all time favorite.
Not sure I'll ever be able to let her go. :o


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Foo that custom SHBM is a beauty.

It makes me think about putting an order in for one, I can wait the 2 years as it'll take that long for the pound to regain it's strength against the dollar.
 
Lil' Foo said:
The mistress was introduced when Jerry came out with INFI...
So all SHBMs are made of INFI. :thumbup:

Here's the article introducing both... American Survival Guide - March 1998.

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Pg1.jpg


Pg2.jpg


Pg3.jpg


And the 2 remaining SHBM's that were featured in this article. :eek: :D

00aRHSHBMS0568.jpg


I'll dig up a good SHBM history thread in a second...

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I have that copy, thats what convinced me buy my first Busse. Only I waited too long and ended up with the BM-E instead of a SHBM. Great pics Foo. :thumbup:
 
Now this is a great thread.:D

At one time, Cobalt had so many SHBMs I could find his house, magnetically, from MEO (medium earth orbit ... up where the GPS satellites roam).:cool:
 
I've got to agree with horton....I've had 14 different shbms and when presented with the need to free up some quick cash, I was able to part with all but my smooth handle slotted bolt 1/300. It's nothing short of perfect...feel, handle shape, balance, grind, thickness, edge geometry, meat....you name it. It's the best performing busse I've had....and I've had/used all the big choppers.
 
This is an interesting post. As best I can remember I ordered my infi in 12-98 or 01-99. had read an article in ASG by a guy with the first name of Chris I think who does/did survival instructing in Alaska and did a review of folding knives and fixed blades including a steelheartII.

I think I had called the Busse shop earlier, probably summer of 98 hoping to get a knife in time for an upcoming trip in September but they said there was a significant wait and I decided to make due with another knife and was dissapointed with that knife and when I returned home I desided to order a Busse.

I then spoke to one of the guys at the Busse shop by phone and wanted to order the steelheartII. He told me they had just started making another model they called the battlemistress. He said I also had the option of getting the Steelheart in D2 or their new steel they called infi. Or, I could just get a Battlemistress available in infi. He described the BM as a larger, more of a bowie shape. I placed an order for the BM for $297 i think. It arrived 9 months later. Its a 1:300 with slotted bolts and grooved green/black micarta. After about ten years of losts of love the finish was looking a little rough and I recently stripped it. Busse has lots of great models but the original BM's are still my favorite.

Josh
-the dates are to the best of my recolection.
 
It is amazing how the first BM's are probably the best balance of weight/handling/performance if you go off the reports from those who have them and in my case a brief oppertunity to hold one....to hit on the ideal mix first time off is pretty good going....:thumbup:

The only pity now is that they are so scarce and expensive for many to be able to buy one as a user....maybe the "old school series" idea might resurrect some more?
 
I just did a little search work on the exchange and was interested to know which of the SHBM would be the rarest and most expensive? Is it Cobalt's fighter? Or would it be the WASP if it ever came on the market?
 
PeterPHWS said:
I just did a little search work on the exchange and was interested to know which of the SHBM would be the rarest and most expensive? Is it Cobalt's fighter? Or would it be the WASP if it ever came on the market?
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I paid $2500 for the WASP almost a year ago.... and I wouldn't even think about selling it for less than $3000. Maybe even $4000. :eek:

This is not an invite for PMs... she's not for sale. Period. :D

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Lil' Foo said:
I paid $2500 for the WASP almost a year ago.... and I wouldn't even think about selling it for less than $3000. Maybe even $4000. :eek:

This is not an invite for PMs... she's not for sale. Period. :D

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I'll take it. :eek:
PM sent. :D

:p:p:p
 
a thought that I continue to return to is - if the old shape and old knives are somehow so much better - why did the design ever change in the first place?

strip away the issue of collector value, ignore sentimental attachments, and what's left? if the Boss is constantly looking to make the best knife, why change?

too much JWB? secondary market value retention motivations? boredom? I'd like to think the new designs came about from a need for improvement. no?
 
Well that is what I thought regarding collectability....I did'nt expect those sort of prices though....crikey....:eek:
 
DowntownDM said:
a thought that I continue to return to is - if the old shape and old knives are somehow so much better - why did the design ever change in the first place?

strip away the issue of collector value, ignore sentimental attachments, and what's left? if the Boss is constantly looking to make the best knife, why change?

too much JWB? secondary market value retention motivations? boredom? I'd like to think the new designs came about from a need for improvement. no?
Click to expand...

Well sometimes you never know till you try.....but having at least handled them all....there is a special feel to the SHBM...and this is replicated somewhat in the NMFBM....shallower depth....straight handle....smooth grips....the NMFBM feels a lot lighter and faster in the hand than it looks and more so definately than the FFBM and with the FBM LE it is a close thing...but the SHBM feels even faster and better IMO...and I think others probably feel the same.

All told though....sometimes the physical dimensions of the maker play a part....the large Fusion handles can sometimes seem too big for some....and then you see Jerry's pic's and he has hands which can probably fill the Fusion grips.

In equal measure though....many can find the grips on the Basic series a bit too small in the smaller blades...similarly on the Scrapyard Dumpster Mutt size grips...so there are exceptions to what I have said.
 
Cobalt took pity on this piglet, and offered me this Mistress in a moment of weakness. He had three of them made, off of 1/300 blanks, but using the current heat treat schedule.

IMG_0267.jpg


DSC02346.jpg


DSC02345.jpg


DSC02331.jpg
 
resinguy said:
Cobalt took pity on this piglet, and offered me this Mistress in a moment of weakness. He had three of them made, off of 1/300 blanks, but using the current heat treat schedule.

IMG_0267.jpg


http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n28/resinguy/DSC02346.jpg

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n28/resinguy/DSC02345.jpg

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n28/resinguy/Play/DSC02331.jpg
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I would really love to have one of those some day.
Great "blind" birds beak detail to set them apart from the rest.

Congrats on a great piece RG! :thumbup:
Nice to see her used. :cool:

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