Team Gemini LB Question

J

jeffrice6

Joined
Nov 5, 2009
Messages
101
I have a rare opportunity to finally own a Busse! One time shot (won't be able to afford again)

Will the skeletonized TGLB give up anything compared to the original? (Strength or durability )
Does the TGLB have enough girth to be a good chopper?
I'm looking for a real user (backpacking, zombies, end of days ~ only one knife) Does the TGLB fit the bill?

Being my only shot, just want to make sure the TGLB will be the end all be all do everything blade! Or should I hold out for the mythical/elusive NMFSH?

Thanks
Noob
 
Give it a try. If it isn't what you wanted, you can put it up for trade and see what other Infi you could get for it.
 
I started out about two months ago saying and asking the exact question you're asking now. I am warning you, you're going to get addicted. everyone tried to tell me, but I don't listen. I ordered 1 TGLB about 2 months ago. two days later ordered a second. Then I searched out and found a NMSFNO, couple weeks later bought another. talked my brother into purchasing a BATAC... my other brother got a HOGFSH... that being said, end of world scenario. I would take eny one of the knives we currently have. my TGLBs should be here tomorrow I'll check back with you on those, but I'm positive they will be my favorite :)
 
I personally love the TG. However, I can only speak for the regular version - not the "Light Brigade" since I dont have it yet. BUT...

I would not consider it a Busse classic. If you start this journey with the intention to own ONE Busse knife only, you might want to go for a design that has been praised as one of the best all-round knives in the 6-8 in range over-and-over again. Don't get me wrong, the TG is a fantastic all-round blade, but the two talon holes give it more of a military flavor. If I had to live with one Busse only, the TG would not be it. The most difficult part is to tell you WHAT ARE THE CLASSICS? In all humbleness and being aware that there are so many great designs around i'll give it a shot and advise you to have a close look at the following models that are great value for money imho:

- NMSFNO
- SFNO
- "skinny" ASH-1

If you like any of those: check prices (quotation from the Busse shop + search the X-change, ...) and see if it's affordable. Tipp: "combat grade" means "coated" and is considerably cheaper than the satin versions.

Good luck hunting :thumbup:
 
I would also like to know how does the LB versus regular TG holds up as a multi use single blade.
 
jeffrice6 said:
Will the skeletonized TGLB give up anything compared to the original? (Strength or durability )
Click to expand...

dante said:
I would also like to know how does the LB versus regular TG holds up as a multi use single blade.
Click to expand...


Perhaps if one were to hammer the points of both versions into a tree, and then jump up and down on the handles, one might be able to detect a difference... or not. In any kind of normal use it is unlikely one could find a strength difference
 
I'd order one now if I were you. If for some strange reason you decide it doesn't fit the bill, you can always sell it and recoup most if not all of what you have invested. If something else comes out down the road that you decide would fit your needs better, you can always either trade into it or sell the TG and use the funds towards the new knife.
 
This is the nicest knife I ever bought. It will be able to do anything i can think of. Its by far the biggest blade I would ever need. Its actually to big for a lot of things i need a knife for. But I would consider this the ultimate survival knife. I love it.
 
The TGLB is heavier than my Swamp Rat Battle Guard (pics/specs here), and the BG is a great chopper (tho it is a bit longer). I would echo the other opinions here. Buy one while you can, and trade/sell it if you don't care for it.
 
I would'nt go for a double talon hole knife as "my one and only ... can only afford to pay this sort of money once" Busse ... there are a lot of Busse's which have earned their spurs in this role which rank above a TGLE and which are a much safer bet ...

Top slot has to be the NMSFNO ... that knife just has a wonderful balance and heft to it in a size which is belt carryable and is able to be a great "jack of all trades" ... the following it has on here every time "the one knife" question is asked is pretty much "a majority".

A NMSFNO in a combat finish is usually available by someone selling one on the exchange ...

Some of us like a lighter knife and like a Res C handle ... good contenders here are the Basic 9 which is the same OAL as a NMSFNO or a Basic 7 if lightness eclipses the need for chopping power ...

Back to the full tang knives ... a SAR 8 is another good candidate as a "one knife" and so is a FSH ... likely harder to find ... the FSH you want depends on the weight you want to carry ... these vary a great deal due to thickness at the spine ... I prefered a simple FSH above any of the heavier models but then again I like a NMSFNO better than the simple FSH.

The SFNO is another good one but it's slightly bigger brother the NMSFNO always has more votes in questions like this ...

Bottom line is that the NMSFNO is a safer bet :thumbup:

To help with recognition ... Basic 9 on the top, FSH custom shop variant in the middle ... NMSFNO on the bottom.

P1010035.jpg


SAR 8

P1010513.jpg


SFNO

P1010514.jpg


Skinny Ash

002.jpg
 
+1 for NMSFNO. If I could only afford to keep one Busse in the do-it-all size range, it'd be the NMSFNO

BUT, the TG should not be overlooked. I really like mine and am picking out colors for my second one now. The double guard does not get in the way at all, in my opinion. The grip is fantastic, the balance is great, it is quick in the hands, the blade profile is killer, etc. The LB treatment doesn't take much of anything away from the blade. Sure, the extra weight and convex grind of the original TG would help you chop a bit faster, but you could always carry a small foldable saw for that purpose. bottom line, the TG LBS should not be over looked for what it is -- a fantastic mid sized blade, capable of taking the use and abuse that any Busse does.

That being said, if I put myself in your mindset, I don't think I'd go with the TG as my only Busse.

What I would do is buy one AND a few others. Pick what you like the best, and sell the rest. You likely won't lose a dime if you shop smart and may even come out with a few extra bucks. The importance behind doing this is that one HOGs favorite blade could end up not being the right fit for you, and visa versa. It's happened to me with the BWM and NMFBM; I just couldn't get used to the handles. It took me having to buy them to realize this, but I don't regret it one bit. In fact, I've done this a lot and now have a collection of only the blades that I really like. There have been a few blades that I didn't think I'd like when I bought them that turned out to be some of my favorites. You really have to handle a blade to know if it's right for you.

Good luck! Can't wait to see what you get!
 
Last edited:
The top talon on the TG is only as wide as the steel blade. It isn't very big. It's not like the huge rectangular finger guards on some big knives. Your thumb can go over and around it in many cases. If you get the original TG with the solid handle, you can grind down the top talon and have a knife not too different than a NMSFNO in size. I like the handle on the NMSFNO better, but it's refreshing to see a knife with working finger guards for a change. I love my SARGE-7, but the talon on that one is more of a ski ramp than a finger guard. ;)
 
shunsui said:
The top talon on the TG is only as wide as the steel blade. It isn't very big. It's not like the huge rectangular finger guards on some big knives. Your thumb can go over and around it in many cases. If you get the original TG with the solid handle, you can grind down the top talon and have a knife not too different than a NMSFNO in size. I like the handle on the NMSFNO better, but it's refreshing to see a knife with working finger guards for a change. I love my SARGE-7, but the talon on that one is more of a ski ramp than a finger guard. ;)
Click to expand...

Agreed on all counts!! There are some blades that I don't use in fear that with one wrong move my finger will pop over the front guard. It's happened, and I have the scars to show for it. The elongated guards on the TG LBS only add to the blade, in my opinion.

Here are a few pictures to show you some of the different grip options that the TG allows (they are all comfortable and usable):


imagerme.jpg

imagerclx.jpg

A few grip options:
imageshm.jpg

imageubf.jpg

imagezcj.jpg

Zombie Gutting Grip:
imageqbu.jpg


I posted this shot in a thread last night, but figure it makes sense here. It's a picture of the TG LBS with some of my other favorite and comparable mid-sized Busses:
imagedrr.jpg

In Order:
HBC & MBC :D
NMSFNO
TG LBS
SAR-6 LE
ASH 1 SE
BJ LE
RMD LE
 
Last edited:
Another combatant for NMSFNO.

NMSFNO - large enough to chop well and be a great all around camp knife, small enough that it's actually reasonably practical to carry it.
The NMSFNO has plenty of chopping power, but it's not huge Knife.
I would much prefer an NMSFNO or TG 24/7. for a camp knife, because I can do it all with easy, but I wouldn't want to clean a deer+fish with a double guard knive. The NMSFNO its perfect....perfect balance, perfect length, just an elegant design with a frightening beauty included. (~~)

before
Kuro-NMSFNO.jpg

after
NEC_0648.jpg
 
If ya like it buy it,everyone has a different favorite,I started with a CGFBM Been hooked ever sence,,My favorite is the Bolo,,and the battle rat with guard,,I have the first TG didnt feel i needed the new one,till i read a review here in the forum,,now im debating on the LBTG but im addited to infi so soner or later one will cross my hands,,Good luck with your Quest buying your first Busse
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top