What's Next?. . . Solve The Riddle And Win Big!!! . . . .

Guys, A2 is a great steel. Infi is my favorite, and SR101 has performed very well for me, but A2 can certainly hold its own. Based on my usage of all, A2 is pretty even with SR101.

I found SR101 to take a finer edge but stain and patina quickly; A2 is more stain resistant, but also gets very sharp with ease. A2 may hold its edge a little better, but the grinds on my knives were pretty different. The A2 I have is Bark River's Shining Mountain Bowie... it's a very big thick knife, convex ground... I recently split lots of wood for the fire that cooked a 50 pound lamb on a spit. It split the wood and carved the entire animal--and was able to cleanly slice through receipt paper afterwards.

With the Busse tempering and warranty, A2 is a total performer--and thus, winner. Hell, if I could get it without the top quillion, I'd do so in a heartbeat... but since I have an infi TGLB, I feel like I've got this covered.

Of course, if the price is right, I'll be placing an order!
 
Busto said:
You are on the right track with your assessment of A2 steel qualities. A2 is a Great Steel for Combat Style knives not wall hangers or safe queens and I suspect that is why Jerry chose this steel early on in Busse Combat Knives. I have used A2 and beat it like a Rented Mule much like I have done with INFI and I find it takes a WICKED EDGE at a Target 62RC and is indeed TOUGH. Any tarnish or discoloration is easily removed for those worried about those issues. When I state A2 is more than most people need its because for most buyers they would likely never push the steel to its limits.
So if Busse Never made a knife with INFI....And based on their reputation with early A2 would you still be a fan of Busse Knives?
Click to expand...

I am in agreement about A2 being a good steel for the intended use.

Honestly, I think people's reticence is more inherent to expectations from past experiences with the dominant steels that Busse-kin are made from.

I am hoping that the $ on this is within my budget because I really want a TGLB. I have a BGTG and it is an awesome knife. Well balanced, feels good in the hand, good looking. Being in A2 isn't a problem for me, especially since I already have a coated TG, I'd prefer to have a naked one (so the higher corrosion resistance of A2 compared to SR-101 is desirable).

But yeah, if the $ is reasonable...I'm in. If it's not reasonable, I'll just strip my BGTG and lament my poor fortune.
 
Pesonally, I don't pay as much attention to the type of steel as I do to who is doing the heat treat. Guys like Rowen and Bos can take very average materials and turn them into excellent performers. Ove never owned any A2 but if Jerry is doing the heat treat on it I'm sure it will be good stuff.
 
Dadgummit said:
Please correct me if I am wrong but this is not selling me on this at all. Busse knives are supposed to be the toughest beat the crap out of it knives in the world. "As good as most people need"; and "pretty tough" says Becker or ESEE not Busse!
Click to expand...

"experience can not be replaced with speculation" Something to keep in mind when discussing knife related things with established knife makers.
 
Nothing, absolutely nothing wrong with good A2. I don't need anything like a tg at present, think they're ugly, but my reason for passing has nothing to do with the steel selection. A2 is a very good steel, just keep a bit of oil on it. If you want a tg don't let A2 turn you off.

Please release a CABS or SAR5 in Elmax.
 
This really puts me in a quandary- I don't know sht about any of them other than I have both now and the shiny infi sure is purdy~ The absolute truth is, I'll never notice much difference because with what I've gathered so far, I'm convinced I've bought the best stuff I've ever owned to date- so whatever it is will still be better than anything I've ever owned. this A2 thing is a bit confusing for me because why wouldn't you use your signature steel instead of going to the archives? .... I'm sure there will be some more education to follow because everything I'm picking up is that they do things for a reason and I've not seen that yet....Back to being a sponge and listening intently.
I feel like even after this hits (and I will order one), I'll still be looking for that TGLB on the exchange- we'll see.
 
[QUOTE="Jerry Busse,]So far so good! Now that you all have a small piece of the puzzle solved, thanks to DD, it is time to move forward.

By the way, DD you just won a $50.00 shop credit good toward the next model!

Congrats my friend! . . . . and always look to the stars!

Jerry[/QUOTE]

Awesome! Thanks Jerry! This is the first thing I've won since a Stray Cats album in 1981.
This is WAAYYY better.
 
I'm sitting this one out too...

Can't see A2 being any cheaper for end line users than sr101...this is a real head-scratcher for me.:confused:

But what do I know? I don't make em...I just buy em. :rolleyes:
 
Come on now guys, A2 is still a great steel. Anyone claiming to sit out will prob be first ones to order especially if they are limited to only a small batch like #1-#35. :rolleyes:
 
StealthCaliber said:
Come on now guys, A2 is still a great steel. Anyone claiming to sit out will prob be first ones to order especially if they are limited to only a small batch like #1-#35. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Agreed...no bad steels- just different steels. :)

And this one will sell like hotcakes, probably >>> I hope for Jerry.

But this one's gonna have to have a "blow it out of the water" price tag...ie, cheaper than Battle Grade <can't see that happening>...to turn my head.

Cause just like Aias Aias said-- I've got my collector's piece and there's several other models I reach for in that size range for using from the Busse lineup.

I love the classic Americana military bloodlines of the TGLB...

And I'm a fan of A2...you've gotta be if you're a user/respecter of INFI ;) ...

But I think sr101 & INFI's properties have all the bases covered on this model.

How can an A2 TGLB outprice sr101 or out-perform INFI?

A2's gonna be like a "tweener" in a lot of categories. Kinda awkward fit it seems to me. :confused:

But now throw in some fancy/coveted handles, a satin or BIG or Comp finish and you've got a game-changer for some folks like me! :thumbsup:
 
hell if they come out at "highly unlikely" say old school prices of like $250 then come one... :) .... satin finish wouldn't care wth seel is, I want me some satin tg with tiger hide or whatever exotic "non standard color" g10 or micarta
 
would suck donkey if they did the A2's then at end of op2w came out with tg V2 though I dunno what there is to improve on :D.. maybe make the blade a bit wider or top swedge... or a Nuclear Meltdown TGHB
 
Last edited:
Classic case of "you can't make everyone happy...". :rolleyes: O.o

Folks, I know it's difficult, but maybe we should withhold speculation and complaining until we know more. I really doubt Jerry is going to go use a throwback steel without it being an amazing deal. A2 is no slouch either, especially with the legendary Busse HT. Let's all just take a step back and chill for a bit, and enjoy the holiday weekend. ;)
 
They'll be the fastest op2weeks sellout yet if Jerry numbers them. I call dibs on #27 :thumbsup::thumbsup::eek:

Jk. I want #1. ;).
 
I suspect the A2 is just a "getting back to our roots" sort of thing since it's a special anniversary model. Looking for big advantages in the alloy over what they've been using recently might be missing the whole point of the offering. It is one of the steels on which they built the foundations of the reputation they have today, after all. If I see an offering in "surgical stainless", then I'll get concerned...
 
hexenjager said:
I suspect the A2 is just a "getting back to our roots" sort of thing since it's a special anniversary model. Looking for big advantages in the alloy over what they've been using recently might be missing the whole point of the offering. It is one of the steels on which they built the foundations of the reputation they have today, after all. If I see an offering in "surgical stainless", then I'll get concerned...
Click to expand...

Agreed. FWIW, when INFI first came out, there was a LOT of speculation that it was mod A2 (similar to how SR-101 is a mod of 52100).
 
Freedom Pullo said:
Isn't it mod A8 Chip?
Click to expand...


If memory serves, the speculation started as mod A2, and moved more towards mod A8 later. Pretty similar steels, biggest difference (IMO) is one uses Vanadium (A2) and the other uses Tungsten (A8).

Also, pretty sure the current INFI has no Tungsten in the composition, which would make the current version more similar to A2. Need to find Cobalt's recent coposition analysis to be sure if that is correct.

(Chip???)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top