What's so special about the Busses?

[Guyon]

Hey Guyon,

Since I see you're still here, what's your opinion of an Active Duty as a general purpose bushcraft knife?

Doc

Though I wish it were a little longer for said purpose, it's still a

in terms of shape and thickness.

It's actually a decent hunting blade. I killed a gobbler this past spring and dressed it out with an Active Duty. :thumbup:

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Think you could condense that a bit?

Doc

I think we were typing together. I really like the look of it and for most bushcraft applications, I like it fairly small, so who knows, if I see one on the site...................

I saw a picture of a Pumpkin Orange Satin Game Warden and thought those scales would look excellent on a AD.

Doc

 

[Guyon]

Think you could condense that a bit?

Doc

I think we were typing together. I really like the look of it and for most bushcraft applications, I like it fairly small, so who knows, if I see one on the site...................

I saw a picture of a Pumpkin Orange Satin Game Warden and thought those scales would look excellent on a AD.

Doc

I prefer the satin or double cut versions, but there were quite a few of the "muddy" (tan micarta scales with sort of a chocolate colored coating) versions that were sold recently. You might find one of these pretty easily if you put out a WTB notice. There have been some gorgeous custom Active Duties in the past couple of big offerings from Busse (Blade and Knob Creek).

Here's an Active Duty over a Leaner Meaner. For bushcraft, I sort of wish the AD were as long as the LM but with the same AD blade shape. Other Busse folks have expressed a similar desire; others long for an extended Game Warden--sort of a Game Warden "plus."

 

[DOC-CANADA]

I prefer the satin or double cut versions, but there were quite a few of the "muddy" (tan micarta scales with sort of a chocolate colored coating) versions that were sold recently. You might find one of these pretty easily if you put out a WTB notice. There have been some gorgeous custom Active Duties in the past couple of big offerings from Busse (Blade and Knob Creek).

Hey Guyon, sorry for all the questions, but I have more . I think I know what satin means, but what is 'double cut'? I went to the Busse Collector appendix but I couldn't find it. Also (Blade and Knob Creek)?

As far as WTB, I think I am going to let fate decide. If a AD comes up on the Company Store site and has the features I want, I'll probably buy it, but if not, I have other knives, and I really don't need to spend the money. So, I guess it's out of my hands now.

And thanks for all your help.

Doc

 

[David E]

"DC" or Double Cut means that it was "cut" again (twice or double) with glass beads to create a matte finish.

 

[on_the_edge]

Doc,
Since it looks like Guyon is offline right now, at the risk of stepping on his toes, please allow me to try and help.

Double cut is just another finish that Jerry offers on some of his knives. It is basically a bead blasted finish, less shine than a satin, but still a nice durable gray finish. For many it is their favorite finish, satin also being a favorite among many Busse fans.

Regarding the AD coming up in the company store, there were many different varieties that were popping up over the course of a few months. Cost on these varied depending on the handle and color combination, but the muddy Active Duties with tan micarta scales went for about $187 plus shipping each. There have not been any active duties offered from the store for several weeks now, which leads me to wonder if we have seen the last of them from the store. But like anything "Busse", a surprise could be just around the next corner and they may be offered up again. Otherwise, you might find some custom variations offered during a Ganza, but those will all likely be more expensive.

FWIW, I love my active duty. For a production knife, it is my favorite FB EDC--a little bigger than a Game Warden, but not more blade than you need. The Active Duties are so popular, and $187 was such a tremendous price, that you will be lucky to find one on the secondary market for under $210. But again, because so many were made, you have a better chance that someone will get rid of one at a great price. If you see one come up for $210 or lower anywhere, even if slightly used, I would jump on it. Believe me -- you WON'T regret it.

Hope this helps.

Guyon, sorry if I have stepped on your toesies here. Just trying to help a fellow knife-a-holic out here.

Hey Guyon, sorry for all the questions, but I have more . I think I know what satin means, but what is 'double cut'? I went to the Busse Collector appendix but I couldn't find it. Also (Blade and Knob Creek)?

As far as WTB, I think I am going to let fate decide. If a AD comes up on the Company Store site and has the features I want, I'll probably buy it, but if not, I have other knives, and I really don't need to spend the money. So, I guess it's out of my hands now.

And thanks for all your help.

Doc

 

[MORIMOTOM]

"DC" or Double Cut means that it was "cut" again (twice or double) with glass beads to create a matte finish.

yeah, basically it is give a rough satin finish (cut one), then the bead blast (cut two).

 

[Blackwind]

I can't help but chuckle when I see people post on the Busse forum with pictures of their pristine 100 knife collection of the "toughest knives made". What really is hard to understand is why anyone would want 35 of the same knife, with different handle colors...I could understand why someone might collect custom made knives where each one is unique/one of a kind/art work/ etc., but to get all excited over amassing dozens of the same mass produced knife, well, it seems no different than collecting beanie babies.

I also chuckle over the commonly seen picture posts done when someone gets a new knife, then 10 people post replies saying "wow! what a sweet knife!" when it is just another production model that everyone has already seen a 100 times and something anyone with the money can buy...

In sum, yeah, Busse knives may be excellent, but the fan club is off-putting....

Just my $0.02

Really?



Not everyone buys a Busse to sit in pristine safe queen mode Status. I buy to use.

When it comes to a blade that is going to take a licking and keep on ticking, I have heard time and again...try a Busse.

When I first researched the knives I was very much put off by the collector mentality many have, however I quickly realized, these folks have a reason to have such passion for a product, the company behind the product etc. I have owned my BATAC for less then a month and it has already been on several hikes, a camping trip, split firewood, etc. Can you buy other knives out there? Sure you can, and I do. (Fallkniven, Bark River, Zero Tolerance, Microtech, Ontario, Mark Terrell, etc)



When it comes to a Go-to Knife it will either be my Fallkniven A1, Bark River Bravo-1.....or my Busse BATAC. I have to admit....so far, the Busse is more then living up to the "hype."

 

[Wabajack]

Hey blackwind, can we get a side-by-side-by-side shot of your A1/bravo-1/BATAC?

 

[Blackwind]

Sure! It will have to wait for my little sister to return my camera however! LOL Just ONE more thing I have to take pictures of, added to the list!

Picture List so far:

• More pictures of the new Lowa Desert Seeker PT boots and review
• More pictures of my new HK P30
• Pictures of my new Kifaru backpack and a small review
• Pictures of Bravo-1, Fallkniven A1 and BATAC together three stooges style...check!

It has little to do with who can afford what. There are some Busse owners who regularly post in the Busse forum and who own only one or two pieces of INFI. They are treated with the same respect as the HOG who owns enough Busse steel to sink the Titanic.

Could not have said it better myself. I spend a long time posting and learning in the Busse forum well before I ever dropped money on a Busse. I own one Busse. The BATAC above. The forum members were very helpful with all of my questions and did and excellent job guiding me to the best knife for my needs. They asked a lot of questions and even inquired as to current favorite field knifes which of course were the Bravo-1 and Fallkniven A1. The knife was bought exactly where many Busse owners have already indicated right here.....on the Busse Exchange!! With a little patience and elbow grease I spotted a nice BATAC for sale and bought it. Easy!!

 

[Wabajack]

Sure! It will have to wait for my little sister to return my camera however! LOL Just ONE more thing I have to take pictures of, added to the list!

Picture List so far:

• More pictures of the new Lowa Desert Seeker PT boots and review
• More pictures of my new HK P30
• Pictures of my new Kifaru backpack and a small review
• Pictures of Bravo-1, Fallkniven A1 and BATAC together three stooges style...check!

Thanks a bunch!

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Doc,
Regarding the AD coming up in the company store, there were many different varieties that were popping up over the course of a few months. Cost on these varied depending on the handle and color combination, but the muddy Active Duties with tan micarta scales went for about $187 plus shipping each. There have not been any active duties offered from the store for several weeks now, which leads me to wonder if we have seen the last of them from the store. But like anything "Busse", a surprise could be just around the next corner and they may be offered up again. Otherwise, you might find some custom variations offered during a Ganza, but those will all likely be more expensive.
If you see one come up for $210 or lower anywhere, even if slightly used, I would jump on it. Believe me -- you WON'T regret it.

Hope this helps.

Guyon, sorry if I have stepped on your toesies here. Just trying to help a fellow knife-a-holic out here.

I thank you for your input, o_t_e, and yours, David E. BTW what's a Ganza?

As far as the AD not coming up in the Company Store again, I guess that's what fate is all about.

Doc

 

[Buffalohump]

There's a whole bunch of AD's going on the Exchange right now actually.... get 'em while they're hot

 

[Guyon]

I thank you for your input, o_t_e, and yours, David E. BTW what's a Ganza?

As far as the AD not coming up in the Company Store again, I guess that's what fate is all about.

Doc

Hey Doc, the guys above nailed everything about double cut and ADs. I'll add a couple of things.

There were also some Sage ADs along with the "muddy" versions that sold for a similar price ($187 + shipping). They had black micarta scales (Busse black micarta also has a fair amount of white/gray in it) and a gray "sage" colored coating. I had one but sold it after I got the double cut version. Here's the only pic I took. This one went to Moscow and (I think) on to someone else from there. Who knows where it is now?

As per your questions above, Blade and Knob Creek are both shows where Busse displays and sells knives. Blade Show is the giant yearly show in Atlanta, and Knob Creek is a machine-gun shoot and knife & gun show that takes place twice a year (April and October, I think) in Knob Creek, Kentucky.

After a show, if there are blades left over, or blades that were in production for the show but didn't quite get finished in time, Busse will offer them in an Extravaganzaaaa (Ganza) here on Bladeforums. Basically, Jerry posts up a bunch of pics and gets everyone excited about the knives. Then, during a pre-ordained window of time, he posts a "GO!" post in one of the Busse forums (Busse also has a home forum). If you want to score a knife, you just try to get an email to Busse faster than the other man.

Some folks find them off-putting because you don't just fill out a form and receive a knife, but I think Jerry does it for a couple of reasons. One, it draws a lot of interest and gets people talking about Busse knives. Two, with so few knives to offer, it's a pretty fair way to reward those folks who want to take the time to participate in the Ganza. Often, the Ganzas feature variants or one-of-a-kind custom blades that you'll never see on the Busse website or at the Busse Company Store.

 

[Guyon]

well, it seems no different than collecting beanie babies.

Point well taken. I don't get too much into the "lots of the same model" mentality, preferring to try different models/designs (though I do get duplicates sometimes as trade fodder for later on down the road). Still, I don't chuckle when other people do it. Collectors are collectors, plain and simple. One collector mindset is to get every version of a single thing. Coin collectors will try to get every date of a coin, even though it can mean acquiring the same basic coin fifty different times, the only difference being a date or mint mark. Is there any huge difference regarding these state quarters that folks collect? Unless you special order from the mint, they're made of the same stuff. kuribo must chuckle a lot in general at the human condition.

I also chuckle over the commonly seen picture posts done when someone gets a new knife, then 10 people post replies saying "wow! what a sweet knife!" when it is just another production model that everyone has already seen a 100 times and something anyone with the money can buy...

Now, I think it's a little unfair to single out the Busse crowd on this one since it happens on every single manufacturer forum at Bladeforums. I've posted pics and gotten similar responses in Buck, Chris Reeve, Spyderco, Himilayan Imports, and Swamp Rat. It's just a convention of the community at large--sort of an "enabler" function that helps fuel the passion for sharp, metal objects. As above: kuribo must chuckle a lot if this type of post makes him chuckle.

 

[Danno4017]

Read more about what the sacred order of Busse put into these these threads, forums and you'll see way too much talk of Infi and the magical (mithral) properties of it. Its a sharpened piece of metal, no more or less; if you stab it into something it should pierce then cut. I will always maintain that they are not worth the money, neither is Fehrman or Strider.

They are not worth the money as a users tool, but are as a collectors piece as there will always be those dedicated to them like the Harley Davidson, the Weatherby magnums and countless other things that carry a mystique for the elitists that can afford to use them.

Is Mithril the metal used on Bilbo Baggins Elven armour?
Crafted in the forges of Gondolin?

A Busse user?

This does not look like Jerry, fine looking man that he is.

 

[foxyrick]

My Precious:

 

[Zombie Zeke]

You guys are funny

Infi is not magical, its a good gimmick like the push rod v-twin and to those that love it, god bless. Its just not my cup of tea.

 

[mymindisamob]

Again with the comments like "Gimmick". Just have to be the one with the last jab at something you just don't get? It reminds me of dealing with psychology in art appreciation. People so often say "I know what I like" when the real meaning behind it is " I like what I know".

 

[leatherman]

Just when you thought it was safe to read this thread....... "The Return of the Chef"

Now, what the heck is wrong with the push rod V twin?!?!?!?!?!

Jeez bro, you've got a few "issues". Theres some with more than a little animosity towards Busse products but you seem to have an axe to grind.