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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Tell me why it's a good choice.
- Thread starter rdnzl
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2000
- Messages
- 23
You've asked some of the wrong questions in my view. INFI is the best steel we know about now, and will know about until someone invents something better. This could be just next year, or maybe never. Nobody can answer that question unless crystal balls actually start working. What we CAN say is that it's the best money can buy at this time, at any price. Ceramic holds an edge better but won't take the beating. Carbon V will take the beating but won't hold the edge as well in most cases and that steel rusts like hell.
What do you want to use the Battle Mistress for? It's a poor fighting knife, as is my Steel Heart. A CS Recon Scout is better because it's strong enough and lighter. And a Randall #2 is better still as it is sharper still, and lighter, and can be had double-edged.
What Busse knives are built for is no-excuse backwoods performance where the knife is one of your major tools, and has to go days to weeks before it sees sharpening equipment. In a pinch, the knife will do almost anything, in the BM size, you ask of it, from emergency chopping to field skinning and dressing game including chopping bone to get the animal down to carrying size. If you sharpen the choil (which I have thought about doing on my Steel Heart) it will work on unfriendly animals since one can then work it out of an emergency insertion all the way to the hilt.
The handle won't fail in hot or cold weather. One of the most notorious failures on Cold Steel is the Kraton Handle. It's comfy, and stronger than flesh, but won't fare well if it comes into harsh contact with wood, steel or claws. The Busse hilt just won't go away in any human-survivable uses. Some of us, me included, have found the hilt a bit large for our hands, but, hey, it's not really THAT big.
The knife can be readily re-sharpened without re-grinding the edge for a very long time, and a leather strop and a bit of tin oxide in the loading compound.
When buying any knife, one has to ask what the point of the knife is. Form should follow the intended use. Busse knives, the NO, SH and BM, are big brutish knives that are intended to dish out a lot of punishment to what is in their way and take a lot of punishment in the process.
You got yourself a big brute of a knife. There is no better big brute that anyone has yet come up with. Have fun!
What do you want to use the Battle Mistress for? It's a poor fighting knife, as is my Steel Heart. A CS Recon Scout is better because it's strong enough and lighter. And a Randall #2 is better still as it is sharper still, and lighter, and can be had double-edged.
What Busse knives are built for is no-excuse backwoods performance where the knife is one of your major tools, and has to go days to weeks before it sees sharpening equipment. In a pinch, the knife will do almost anything, in the BM size, you ask of it, from emergency chopping to field skinning and dressing game including chopping bone to get the animal down to carrying size. If you sharpen the choil (which I have thought about doing on my Steel Heart) it will work on unfriendly animals since one can then work it out of an emergency insertion all the way to the hilt.
The handle won't fail in hot or cold weather. One of the most notorious failures on Cold Steel is the Kraton Handle. It's comfy, and stronger than flesh, but won't fare well if it comes into harsh contact with wood, steel or claws. The Busse hilt just won't go away in any human-survivable uses. Some of us, me included, have found the hilt a bit large for our hands, but, hey, it's not really THAT big.
The knife can be readily re-sharpened without re-grinding the edge for a very long time, and a leather strop and a bit of tin oxide in the loading compound.
When buying any knife, one has to ask what the point of the knife is. Form should follow the intended use. Busse knives, the NO, SH and BM, are big brutish knives that are intended to dish out a lot of punishment to what is in their way and take a lot of punishment in the process.
You got yourself a big brute of a knife. There is no better big brute that anyone has yet come up with. Have fun!
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2000
- Messages
- 262
I'm convinced that INFI is the toughest stuff on the market,it's really comforting to know you have the undisputed toughest knife on the planet BAR NONE. Jerry Busse posted recently that the steel for a BM costs him $90, compare that to the cost of the steel in the competition and busse's prices become comparable,meaning that there isn't really a big markup for the best.Lots of talk 'round here lately about the brute being a better deal,maybe it is.Maybe my schrade uncle henry is a better deal than a randall too....
- Joined
- Aug 1, 1999
- Messages
- 746
Frank,
Dad-burn, what are you masochistic?
Now you are this big time Busse expert?
rdnzl,
The Battle Mistress is a big knife made from some of the best steel available. INFI has proven results in toughness and edge holding. I never thought I would like any knife, even as a chopper, with a cutting edge over seven inches until I handled the BM. It has balance. I have handed the knife to people who have never heard of Busse. They remark on the balance, then I remind then of the weight and they are even more impressed. I have chopped limbs with my BM and it chopped better that any other knife I have used. I have sharpened my Natural Outlaw, (sorry guys even after chopping several limbs the BM isn't dull yet, regardless of being laser cut) and it resharpened easy just by following the simple instructions Busse Combat has recommended. I dinged up the edge chopping deer bones after leaving it out in the freezing weather for several hours. INFI is still a metal you know.
I have watched Busse Combat as closely as anyone and I have seen them work to improve their product.
I have met both Jerry Busse and Dave Roberson. They are sincere about the product they make and Busse Combat takes a lot of hits, yet they remain on top. I know from my own observation, that you won't find a better warranty for any knife in the business.
Andy Prisco is a personal friend of mine. I can't think of anything I wouldn't do for him. I have seen him go the extra mile for his customers, even when some of them do the dumbest things. His phone rings constantly and he hustles to get what the customer wants. You won't find a better man in the business.
I know from personal experience that Busse knives hold and even increase in monetary value, even after hard use.
Only you can determine if a Battle Mistress is the best knife you will ever own. A knife is a tool. So is a hammer, but a hammer is lousy at removing lug nuts. I own five Busse knives and have two more on order. I still look at and even buy knives from other than Busse Combat. When I skinned three deer this season, I reached for a smaller knife; but, when I go into the woods I have one of my INFI knives with me. When I travel I have one in my truck.
You want an opinion? Well, inch for inch, dollar for dollar, Busse is on top of the food chain.period
Melvin
Dad-burn, what are you masochistic?
Now you are this big time Busse expert?
rdnzl,
The Battle Mistress is a big knife made from some of the best steel available. INFI has proven results in toughness and edge holding. I never thought I would like any knife, even as a chopper, with a cutting edge over seven inches until I handled the BM. It has balance. I have handed the knife to people who have never heard of Busse. They remark on the balance, then I remind then of the weight and they are even more impressed. I have chopped limbs with my BM and it chopped better that any other knife I have used. I have sharpened my Natural Outlaw, (sorry guys even after chopping several limbs the BM isn't dull yet, regardless of being laser cut) and it resharpened easy just by following the simple instructions Busse Combat has recommended. I dinged up the edge chopping deer bones after leaving it out in the freezing weather for several hours. INFI is still a metal you know.
I have watched Busse Combat as closely as anyone and I have seen them work to improve their product.
I have met both Jerry Busse and Dave Roberson. They are sincere about the product they make and Busse Combat takes a lot of hits, yet they remain on top. I know from my own observation, that you won't find a better warranty for any knife in the business.
Andy Prisco is a personal friend of mine. I can't think of anything I wouldn't do for him. I have seen him go the extra mile for his customers, even when some of them do the dumbest things. His phone rings constantly and he hustles to get what the customer wants. You won't find a better man in the business.
I know from personal experience that Busse knives hold and even increase in monetary value, even after hard use.
Only you can determine if a Battle Mistress is the best knife you will ever own. A knife is a tool. So is a hammer, but a hammer is lousy at removing lug nuts. I own five Busse knives and have two more on order. I still look at and even buy knives from other than Busse Combat. When I skinned three deer this season, I reached for a smaller knife; but, when I go into the woods I have one of my INFI knives with me. When I travel I have one in my truck.
You want an opinion? Well, inch for inch, dollar for dollar, Busse is on top of the food chain.period
Melvin
- Joined
- Nov 2, 1999
- Messages
- 2,805
This is a good thread....thanks for your kind words MTF....all should be aware that Frank is comin' full circle into the world of nuclear toughness!!!
We had a few calls off line and some good conversation......now he's in play for a Big Variant....sharpened choil of course
------------------
Andy Prisco, Manager
Sharper Instinct, LLC
Phone: 1-201-493-2469
Orders-Toll Free: 1-877-557-5200
Fax: 1-201-493-2039
Visa/Mastercard Accepted
Authorized Dealers:
Busse Combat Knives
Busse Combat Custom Variant HeadQuarters
http://www.sharperinstinct.com/hq
Sharper Instinct Main Website
http://www.sharperinstinct.com/
------------------
Andy Prisco, Manager
Sharper Instinct, LLC
Phone: 1-201-493-2469
Orders-Toll Free: 1-877-557-5200
Fax: 1-201-493-2039
Visa/Mastercard Accepted
Authorized Dealers:
Busse Combat Knives
Busse Combat Custom Variant HeadQuarters
http://www.sharperinstinct.com/hq
Sharper Instinct Main Website
http://www.sharperinstinct.com/
rdnzl and Frank,
Welcome to the Busse family. If these ar e your first busses then I think you will come to love your purchase the more you use it. I have just about every model of busse combat knife.
Frank mentioned above the Carbon V will take a beating. Yes it can. But it is also a bitch to re-sharpen. I played hell trying to get an edge on my SRK. I finally just traded it to a fellow forumite.
Busse knives were not made for delicate business, that's for sure. I would not try to operate on someone with a Busse knife. But you can garauntee what ever you point them at will be dead by the end of the day. They are the most durable, dependable, high quality, down right hateful knives on the planet. And I love everyone I have. So there you go. When that BM-E arrives your are gonna be so happy. You may have to do a little work to it to make it work for you. I sanded my handles a bit casue though my hands are big they are also thick and i couldn't get a good grip. But once I fitted the knife to my hand we were as one, and much hell was raised in the woods on that day. The price will leave you feeling like "did I do the right thing here" but that will fade. It has nothing to do with the knife it's just mans natural seperation problems with 350.00 dollars. the blade is well worth it. Trust me. You will get more than 350 dollars worth of use out of it. Your gonna love that knife. It is quite a piece of technology.
Frank,
welcome to our little club. you will find we are nice people here. Just passionate. We are quick to fight, quick to forgive, just slow to forget. I made a bone headed post my first time around too. But the guys here gave me hell and then were real nice after that. You just have to learn the rules of engagement around here. Oh yeah... quit taking up Prisco's time on the phone. I would have liked to have spoken with him yesterday. LOL. You guys be cool I'm going to work.
------------------
First impressions are usually the scale by which we are judged unless we make our second with something sharp and pointy.
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/albumList?u=879893&Auth=false
Welcome to the Busse family. If these ar e your first busses then I think you will come to love your purchase the more you use it. I have just about every model of busse combat knife.
Frank mentioned above the Carbon V will take a beating. Yes it can. But it is also a bitch to re-sharpen. I played hell trying to get an edge on my SRK. I finally just traded it to a fellow forumite.
Busse knives were not made for delicate business, that's for sure. I would not try to operate on someone with a Busse knife. But you can garauntee what ever you point them at will be dead by the end of the day. They are the most durable, dependable, high quality, down right hateful knives on the planet. And I love everyone I have. So there you go. When that BM-E arrives your are gonna be so happy. You may have to do a little work to it to make it work for you. I sanded my handles a bit casue though my hands are big they are also thick and i couldn't get a good grip. But once I fitted the knife to my hand we were as one, and much hell was raised in the woods on that day. The price will leave you feeling like "did I do the right thing here" but that will fade. It has nothing to do with the knife it's just mans natural seperation problems with 350.00 dollars. the blade is well worth it. Trust me. You will get more than 350 dollars worth of use out of it. Your gonna love that knife. It is quite a piece of technology.
Frank,
welcome to our little club. you will find we are nice people here. Just passionate. We are quick to fight, quick to forgive, just slow to forget. I made a bone headed post my first time around too. But the guys here gave me hell and then were real nice after that. You just have to learn the rules of engagement around here. Oh yeah... quit taking up Prisco's time on the phone. I would have liked to have spoken with him yesterday. LOL. You guys be cool I'm going to work.
------------------
First impressions are usually the scale by which we are judged unless we make our second with something sharp and pointy.
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/albumList?u=879893&Auth=false
Well, I just got back from a trip where the only wood we had available to use was over 3" in diameter and it all had to be split to get it to burn well. The wood was frozen solid (hemlock, ironwood, spruce) and we probably cut well over 75 lengths for the fire. A few logs were about 5-6" across and the BM-E cut 'em great but split them like butter. My buddies were cringing when I started wacking the thing to get it through and a few times when it would come upon a knot you could look down and see the blade deep inside with a significant bend from conforming to the grain (actually it looks pretty cool knowing it'll come out straight
. When they took the reigns they were smacking the edge straight into the wood
after a while they got the feel of it and were going through the wood beautifully.
When I got home we checked the edge. It would slice paper alright, then after putting it to a smooth leather and then a little steeling it would slice paper cleanly and just barely shave (I like the edge so it's a "rashy shaving" sharp
I also found out how tomato based food stuff will discolor INFI fast. It seemed to leave some light oxidation on my MS.
I would definately say that my BM-E IS the best blade I own. In conjunction with a MS (or Badger) and an SAK your set for any trip.
[This message has been edited by Strabs (edited 01-09-2001).]
When I got home we checked the edge. It would slice paper alright, then after putting it to a smooth leather and then a little steeling it would slice paper cleanly and just barely shave (I like the edge so it's a "rashy shaving" sharp
I also found out how tomato based food stuff will discolor INFI fast. It seemed to leave some light oxidation on my MS.
I would definately say that my BM-E IS the best blade I own. In conjunction with a MS (or Badger) and an SAK your set for any trip.
[This message has been edited by Strabs (edited 01-09-2001).]
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2000
- Messages
- 169
I have never used my Busse Combat Knives in the extreem manner that our Mr. Stamp has. It is, however, reassuring to know that the knives will actually withstand situations they were intended to ( and some they were not!). His knife reviews are a literal pleathora of the scientific method gone mad.
This, and my own less zealous usage of my knives, leads me to recommend them whole heartedly. They do not dissapoint.
This, and my own less zealous usage of my knives, leads me to recommend them whole heartedly. They do not dissapoint.
I just recently placed my order for a Busse Custom Variant! wich will be the first Busse
for me.I liked the "Basic" Busse knives but they did not fit exactly what I was looking for.This one will fall alot more into the "Combat" or "Tactical" knife area.
Maybe David,Jerry or Andy could post a pic
when the knife/sheath is complete?
rdnzl,You mentioned ease the pain, I know what you feel
{$$$$}
mine cost alot more than the BM-E just wait till you get the knife and put it to work!
Frank,Cold Steel knives are great Knives for the money, I have owned three of them {sold}
Do the RS and SRK still have those crappy
sheath that rattle like hell when you move
around with them?
for me.I liked the "Basic" Busse knives but they did not fit exactly what I was looking for.This one will fall alot more into the "Combat" or "Tactical" knife area.
Maybe David,Jerry or Andy could post a pic
when the knife/sheath is complete?
rdnzl,You mentioned ease the pain, I know what you feel
Frank,Cold Steel knives are great Knives for the money, I have owned three of them {sold}
Do the RS and SRK still have those crappy
sheath that rattle like hell when you move
around with them?
UffDa
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 11, 1999
- Messages
- 42,596
I don't quite understand this hangup on stabbing bears or other tough critters. When was the last bear attack in Livermore? When was the last knife fight in Livermore? Dang!
If you have to resort to fighting off a bear with a knife, you're dead. Forgedaboudit.
Now if you are really worried about your blade not sticking, maybe the gerber MkII is your baby. I would also recommend reading Ed Fowlers comments on sticking things in a slaughter house.
The Busse knives are multi-purpose knves that will stand up to chopping, digging, prying and all sorts of other abuse. Stabbing is not their strong suit. What more do you want or expect? Come on, grow up and get real. OK, forget about growing up.
The above is my opinion and is worth exactly what you paid for it.
If you have to resort to fighting off a bear with a knife, you're dead. Forgedaboudit.
Now if you are really worried about your blade not sticking, maybe the gerber MkII is your baby. I would also recommend reading Ed Fowlers comments on sticking things in a slaughter house.
The Busse knives are multi-purpose knves that will stand up to chopping, digging, prying and all sorts of other abuse. Stabbing is not their strong suit. What more do you want or expect? Come on, grow up and get real. OK, forget about growing up.
The above is my opinion and is worth exactly what you paid for it.