tell-tail signs......A2 or INFI??

slag

slag

Joined
Jan 1, 2001
Messages
293
First I want to say that I did scour the 'backlogs' on the this topic. However, I found the results to be somewhat sketchy. So, aside from sending the knife in to the shop, is there any other ways to figure this out??(Knife in question is a SH)

For instance, when it was made? What it came with, or didn't come with? How about the type/style/look of the micarta slabs? The fasteners used? Perhaps finish of the knife? I know it is probably difficult to tell for sure, unless it is sent in to be tested...but even a "likely" or "probably" would keep me content for the time being.

thanks in advance,
slag
 
If your Steel Heart II has a birdbeak pommel
then it is "probably" made out of A-2. If it has a rounded pommel then it is "probably" INFI. There are, however, many, many, exceptions to this rule. I hope this helps.

Jerry Busse
 
I think if it were A2 it would definately have the slotted SS screws in the handle. Now this may be total fiction but I think the older A2 busse blades had a special coating that had a layer of black on the top and a layer of a blue material underneath. Perhaps there may be a blue hue right where the coating ends and the edge begins. I think that coating was some kind of space age jet fighter coating that Jerry used for a short time. Once again that might be just rumor and total fiction. Also the A2 model's handle seemed to look a little more streamlined and thin in profile.
 
I was told that the Basics were only made in modified INFI and never A2. I have a Basic with a smooth black coating on the blade, any idea how old and what material?
 
I have an A2 Badger with a small piece of coating that chipped off. No blue. I even had the chip to examine. No blue.

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Hoodoo

I get some pleasure from finding a relentlessly peaceful use for a combative looking knife.
JKM
 
I have never heard of an A2 Battle Mistress--has anyone else? It is my understanding that ALL Battle Mistresses are INFI--yet lots of them were made with SS screws. If I had to guess, I'd say there were more straight handled BM's made with screws than with brass tubes. With the Steel Hearts, Jerry switched from using A2 to using INFI BEFORE he switched from SS screws to brass tube fasteners. So I'd forget about trying to identify whether your SH2 is A2 or INFI based on the type of handle fastener. There are plenty of INFI SH2's out there that have SS screws, and conversely, just because a SH2 you come across has brass fasteners, that's no guarantee that it's INFI, since people can send their knives back to Busse to repair or replace the handle, in which case the new micarta slabs will be fastened with brass tubes, as Jerry is no longer using the SS screws. It is LIKELY that a brass tube mounted SH2 is INFI, but not GUARANTEED.

There was a period of time, when and shortly after the Battle Mistress first came out, that Busse was still making the SH2 out of A2. During that period of time, SS screws were used on all Busse Combat models.

As for the bird beak pommels, I don't see how a Steel Heart with a bird beak pommel could be INFI, as Jerry was still making A2 Steel Hearts long after he switched from bird beak pommel to smooth pommel. I guess an INFI Steel Heart could be custom made with a bird beak pommel if such were requested, though I have never heard of that. I think you can be quite confident that any bird beak pommeled Steel Heart you come across is A2, not INFI. As an aside, I have been under the impression that the pommel differences are what distinguishes the Steel Heart from the SH2. Can anyone correct this assumption, or clarify for me?

All Basic models are modified INFI. To my knowledge no Basics have ever been made in A2 or any other steel for that matter.

This is all I know about the subject. I'm not an expert--I just pay attention.

[This message has been edited by X-Head (edited 02-27-2001).]
 
Hi all,
First I'd like to thank everyone for their replies. I have the knife in hand, but am not sure it is doing me any good aside from the fact that I can describe it thoroughly.(BTW, the knife in question is a Steel Heart)
Here's what I know/see:
-about 2 years old
-kydex sheath (factory)
-smooth black finish
-smooth micarta slabs(they "dip"/are contoured between fasteners)
-screw fasteners, with six screw heads visible (per side)
-no finish on top and bottom edge of tang running the length of the micarta pieces
-fasteners are "dull", as is exposed tang

So at what time did the switch from A2 to INFI occur? Was it a gradual transition as in there was an overlap where both were used?
Offhand, when comparing to my SH-E, this knife looks much more "hand made", as in things aren't so perfectly matched, finished, etc.(No, I'm not saying it looks like crap
smile.gif
)

Looks as though this may not be able to be determined "in house". Might have to send it off even though I just got it
frown.gif


slag

[This message has been edited by slag (edited 02-27-2001).]
 
If it is only 2 years old I'd have to say INFI. Hey HooDoo, I think it was Andy who told me about the blue black coating (not sure) and I think it was like the first few runs of knives that got it. I think it was not cost effective and not as durable as what jerry replaced it with so it's time in the light was limited.
 
Alright, so now it looks as though it's A2....I talked to the previous owner, he said it was purchased in spring/fall of '99. All the INFI blades were sold out(at the show) and there was a wait on them, so he went with the A2 model.
What I now want to know, is what such a knife would be valued at? Am I wrong in assuming that it too, even though not INFI, would have appreciated in value? That is, since it is no longer available? I'm aware that the INFI SHII's have increased in market value, as now they are "collectable" and no longer produced.
BTW, this knife was purchased as blade and kydex only from the Busse booth. It is in "as new" condition.
 
:
Uhhhhhm, maybe Jerry should put a
*notch* in the handle under the micarta for future reference.
It would show up under an x-ray.
eek.gif



Yvsa, Running and Ducking while
LMRRAO!!!


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>>>>---Yvsa-G@WebTV.net---->®

"VEGETARIAN".............
Indin word for lousy hunter.
 
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