TGLB or NMSFNO?

J

joshiecole

Joined
Apr 29, 2012
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515
Having recently bought a Boss Jack on this forum, I'm no hooked on Busses, but I feel I need s slightly larger knife. I think the BJ is perfect for an urban SHTF scenario, but I didnt quite feel it had the chopping ability.


I'm looking for a medium-large blade in the 7-8'' range. Ideally it needs to have a decent performance to weight ratio. It doesnt need to have Mistress-like chopping skills (a tough ask), but should be able to chop reasonably comfortably. It should also be able to manage some lighter tasks as well. I guess you could say I'm looking for a 'Go To' knife. I dont really want to pay more than about 400 bucks, and the two designs I find most attractive are the NMSFNO and the TGLB


The philosophy of use for me would be something I can sling in a ruck (I'm into 'light' backpacking) and use to build makeshift shelters, dire prep etc... a comfortable (if not designated) chopper


I don't need an out and out chopper, because my sister is going to bring me back a nice Kukri from Nepal :)


From what I've read the NMSFNO seems to have the most fans, but I really like the style/weight of the TGLB, especially because it means I can order the pumpkin handles!


Share your thoughts with me guys! :)
 
I'd go with the TGLB because it is available now. You can always sell it later.
Al
 
Thanks Al, that sounds logical. It's not quite as easy to resell Busses in the UK -- it's a less liquid market and so prices tend to be more volatile. But you're right in that it shouldnt be a massive risk to suck it and see..

Does anyone have any performance comparisons between the two? Does anyone own both?

I don't require an axe-like chopper, just something that can comfortable deal with 3 to 4'' diameter poles, and still hopefully be able to peel an apple :p
 
You really can't go wrong with both and I personally think the performance difference between the two will be negligible. The chopping power of the nmsfno and its greater weight I believe is cancelled out by the thinner grind of the TGLB. As many people have said here, the rounded pommel of the TGLB might allow more ultimate versatility, but this too is up to you to decide....My opinions are based on handling and using an original TG and SFNOLE (same handles, and i find both to be very comfy), along with a few other busse-kin in the same size range, so take it for what its worth...

There is another active thread about the best survival knife (started by TaiChiWarrior) and a lot of good points and pictures can be found there...I'm posting from my phone and can't link you to it here but check the first couple pages of the busse forum and you'll find it :)

In my limited experience with Busse knives, overall performance has a lot to do with size, making these two pretty evenly matched...so I'd say go with the design you like most! Either way, you're in for a great time!
 
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You're right. The NMSFNO is really popular. If you want some weight behind your chops, you should go with it. Personally it feels too heavy for me for a knife that size. It's deceptive. I like the TG more, and TGLB should still give you great performance with less weight. Plus, I think it looks cooler. That counts for something, right? :thumbup:
 
TO USE, i'd go with the NMFSNO, but the TGLB is only going to go up in value, so i bought one

The NMFSNO is my the perfect general use camp knife IMHO, but i can't buy one, so i'm not stressing over it
 
The I had both and I think the main difference is that the NMSFNO is alot heavier and will probably chop better because of that.

Other than that I think you would be happy with both. They both have great handles and about the same usable edge.
 
Monster chopping power isnt really what Im looking for -- it seems unlikely that I will need to chop a large tree down. In a sense I like the fact that with a TG I might have be able to be more precise due to the lighter weight

Gary: Its funny, for a forum full of people who want to smash up oak trees and cars, we really do care about the aesthetics! I know I do, and I do prefer the looks of the TGLB

I liked the analogy that someone else used to describe the TG, likening it to the CS Recon Scout (apologies for mentioning CS here) which Ive always thought was an attractive blade in terms of function and style... I just didnt like the sound of the SK5 steel very much

Are there any major downsides to the TG that people have experienced? How does the shallow-hollow-grind bare out in practice?
--Having seen how robust the Skinny ASH was in the KnifeTest video, I have no real worries about the thinner INFI.... plus the TG is still 1/4'' at the spine!
 
joshiecole said:
Gary: Its funny, for a forum full of people who want to smash up oak trees and cars, we really do care about the aesthetics! I know I do, and I do prefer the looks of the TGLB
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If we can be so picky, why not :p

joshiecole said:
Are there any major downsides to the TG that people have experienced? How does the shallow-hollow-grind bare out in practice?
--Having seen how robust the Skinny ASH was in the KnifeTest video, I have no real worries about the thinner INFI.... plus the TG is still 1/4'' at the spine!
Click to expand...

A few people have taken out their TGLBs for test runs and nothing came up. For all my user TG resources, I trust cricketdave. That seems to be his go-to knife, and he really goes places with them. If I remember correctly, he loves his TG, yet found his TGLB to be superior because of the lower weight.
Got my TGLB this morning
Camping and backpacking with the tglb

Some people don't like the rear guard, or are worried about it causing an uncomfortable grip. I've never found this to be the case, and this thread should help out: Team Gemini grip review or should you get an LBTG thoughts PIC HEAVY

The hollow grind seems to be a non-issue and is in fact an improvement, making a thinner edge without being weak at all. Makes you wonder--why not just make all Busses with this grind from now on.

And finally, the TG is sexy.
IMG_3584.JPG
 
FTR-14c said:
Don't forget the SARGE 7
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Definitely a worthy contender! And there may be some left at the busse company store, meaning you can have it in your hands within a week or two (however long it'll take to get through UK customs)

Feels great in hand, punches well above its weight as a chopper, and makes for an awesome do-it-all blade...

I only got rid of my SARGE so that I could get myself my current CGFBM...no regrets at all since I absolutely love my new mistress but I'd be lying if I told you I didn't miss my SARGE immensely. Considering your intended uses, it's definitely worth looking into :thumbup:
 
LBTG should be a good fit for you ,I was thinking about a NMSFNO but I liked the looks of the LBTG also ;I went with the LBTG and I am happy with my choice. And you could always get a LBTG for now and shop around for a SFNO then compair and sell the one you like less.
 
Here is a pic for you , I have both ... NMSFNO I think is best , easier to tie a D ring on and looks better with it . Both good for what you want to do .

102_0040.jpg
 
Aesthetics/koolaid aside:
In actual repeated use the performance to weight with a full tang goes to the SAR series... 6, SARGE, SARsquatch or 8, with the TGLB right behind them. The NMSHBM will be one to watch for when it comes out.
The regular TG, SFNO and the NMSFNO are all on the lower side of the performance to weight ratio. Yes they perform, but so must you by carrying the additional weight for a minimal gain in performance.

Still, the res-c handled 711, 911, Camp Tramp, Battle Rat, Basic 9, 10 or 11 all take the performance to weight crowns in their respective size categories. As a user who tests most of the blades purchased, my vote is for a Scrap Yard 911 (essentially a factory priced Battle Rat remake) if you are serious about performance to weight and keeping your cost down. That or just get a B11 and be done with it.

Here is my album of various user shots for you to peruse, which are just a sampling of the fun I have had with mine. ;) Sadly, most of the fun just doesn't make it on a camera, and I am getting to lazy too just keep posting the same pictures over and over. :o
http://tinypic.com/a/1vzol/3

 
Thanks everyone, really helpful advice all round as I've come to expect from the Busse crew...

I have just bought an unused original TG from a fellow member of British Blades -- it was cheaper and more convenient than ordering from the shop. Hopefully the extra weight won't be too much of a pain, and might be worth it for the extra chopping power.

Should be here by the end of the week -- Im SO excited about it. Btw, with my boss jack, it really didnt come very sharp, which didnt surprise me because I'd read several reviews which noted this. Has anyone noticed this being a problem with the TG? It's not the en of the world, its just that at the moment my sharpening skills seem to make my knives duller than they were in the first place!! (I feel like a bit of a muppet!)

Thanks again guys!
 
Haha, thanks, maybe the NMSFNO will be next lol!

It's funny, people seem to be drawn to this forum in search of the ONE ultimate knife. And from what I've seen it doesnt look like anyone sticks to just one!!

Having said that, my next purchase will be a quality folder like ZT0350 or 0300, or an emerson cqc-8... one of those with my TG and the kukri my sister is getting me from Nepal, I should have a nice little set-up :)
 
fbusmc said:
NMSFO, is the knife
SANY2573.jpg
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Yea, maybe for a knife collector.

In my opinion, LBTG is an improvement over NMSFNO in all aspects of use thanks to its improved grind. For chopping, I wouldn't choose any one of these two blades (I'm thinking about chopping wood). At this moment there probably is no video test proof of these two blades compared in chopping but I don't think that the heavier design of NMSFNO would eventually outperform the better grind of the LBTG.

If I had to choose one of these two, I would always go for LBTG. The weight, the design, the grind, the guards...its just better knife for me overall.
 
That was my thinking. However, I think a lot of these things really do depend on the preferences of the user. I've seen videos of people trying to show that the CS Trailmaster was a superior chopper to the CGFBM. Given the weight length advantages of the CGFBM, I think what this shows is that what a person feels comfrtable with and enjoys using will probably work best for them (within reason :p... I don't think the Culti is going to out-chop the BM just because someone finds it easier to use lol!)

I'm going to reserve judgement until I've actually tried out my new TG. Until then, my opinion --formed largely from other people's comments and pictures -- is worth very litte
 
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