What's so special about the Busses?

jarlaxle said:
What is the blade thickness on the wardens for sale at BCS.??
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Not sure if they are 0.22" or 0.20" at the moment. You would need to ask someone who has bought one recently (probably best on the Busse forum).

Seriously, if you are in the US, you could buy one from the BCS and resell it to get your money back (certainly most of it) if you don't like it. If you hold on to it a while, it will probably appreciate a little. You could probably make an instant profit on evilbay with a worldwide sale.

It's not such an easy option in the UK though, as we get charged about 30% of the knife and shipping cost in import fees, so getting our money back is a bit tougher.
 
foxyrick said:
Nothing wrong with sticking with what you have though, they're good knives.

In all honesty, I'll probably never use a Busse hard enough to tell the difference between it and the likes of spyderco, becker, etc. I do like them though.
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I took part of this quote to make a point. I agree 100% with that statement and think that most people will never really test them to that level. Busse addicts seem to feel that they are the best hard use knife money can buy period, and they are a very loyal bunch over there. Many of them are willing to spend thousands upon thousands on knives that will never see any use at all. Its their hobby and passion to collect them. It's fairly easy to get caught up in that mindset if you spend a lot of time over in their forum.
Are they really that good? I can't say. I think you would have to do side by side comparisons with other knives made of other steels to really know how they stack up. I have read many times that Jerry has performed those tests against many of the top steels out there. He used other steels before INFI, is said to have mastered his heat treat process, and must have his reasons to stay with it. They most certainly do have a cool factor to them that coupled with the "belief" that you have anything that is the best in its class is attractive to many.
At least thats my opinion on the answer to "What's so special about Busse's".

It's all a moot point for me because my Busse's get dull when I use them just like all other knives do. I don't bend em to see if they will return to true, I don't cut 2000 pieces of rope to see if it will still shave, I just use em for normal chores and sharpen them when they get dull. I have several different knives by various makers and I like them all.
 
Busses are chock full of hype (from forum members here) its a clanish type thing, that is to say a club of guys holding their very expensive knives out and saying lookee what I got. Like a vette or a colt python or anything else that screams I have money, look at me. Is there a god damn thing someone can do with a Busse they couldn't do with a Becker, absolutely....they can say they spent three to five times as much.
 
I don't know if they are the best. Holding my new A1 that cost $130.00 and seeing as most Busses with 6" blades will probably cost at least $300.00 makes me wonder. However, I will tell you this: I have bought many Busses, SwampRats, and Scrappers and I have never sold one for less than I have bought it for. I think I'm averaging a 20% return on turning these knives. This has caused me to try to convince Mrs. Q to liquidate our investments and focus our funds on purchasing Biusse knives. However, I am having a hard time convincing her of the wisdom of such action.
 
The Chef said:
Busses are chock full of hype (from forum members here) its a clanish type thing, that is to say a club of guys holding their very expensive knives out and saying lookee what I got. Like a vette or a colt python or anything else that screams I have money, look at me. Is there a god damn thing someone can do with a Busse they couldn't do with a Becker, absolutely....they can say they spent three to five times as much.
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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
 
kuribo said:
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
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The way I look at it is, it's their money, they enjoy it and they aren't hurting anybody, so why not? If I could afford it, I'd probably buy a couple, myself.

Doc
 
DOC-CANADA said:
The way I look at it is, it's their money, they enjoy it and they aren't hurting anybody, so why not?

Doc
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Why not indeed.....It just makes me chuckle, as I said...No logic to collecting as it is purely an emotional pursuit.
 
The danger about that test is that hogs and to some extent rats are more expensive than the s6 tank. Whenever Noss does his anounced follow-up with the BM we will see if Infi is superior.

Regarding the initial question I prefer rats and dogs because they are affordable so you don't feel bad using them. Their designs are also more conservative and in a sense practical which when it comes to blades is a good thing, good steel and a great warranty. What more do you want.
 
I own a couple, one of the neatest things about them is how active Jerry and the entire staff is on the Busse forum. I guess its sorta cultish, I've never really thought about it.

I don't have any multiples, and I've used all but one. They stay sharp and I dont have to worry about chopping them. I've chipped thicker Spydercos, Emersons and Striders. (All of which I still like.) They are very expensive, I for one wish they were much cheaper.

I'd try a Swamp Rat first... I did, and it had me buying a Busse the next time I was in the market for a fixed Blade.

You'd be suprised how many of the 'Busse collectors' collect other knives too.
 
I'm a big fan of Busse, and have knives from all three family brands. I won't recount for you all the positives, because many have already done that (esp. Foxyrick). As I've said previously, if I had to be stuck in the wilderness with only one knife it would be one of my Busse SFNOs.

However, there are times when I go out with only Ontario RATs or Rangers and I don't feel I'll equipped. Moreover, I use them just as hard as my Busses. So if the prices or culture put you off, there are other good options.

Still, as Skammer points out, price really shouldn't dissuade you, since you can find a good Scrapyard or SwampRat knife for prices comparable to other knives we usually think of as on the upper end of affordable.
 
Heh. That reminds me of another thing that's hard on the uninitiated--those darned Busse acronyms. As far as I know SFNO stands for 'Steel Fusion Nuclear Orgasmatron' and I even own a couple Busses.

They're great knives but, as others have pointed out, they're not the only great knives. If you can find the style of knife you're interested in (can be tricky) and not have to pay too much of a markup in the secondary market (can be trickier still) or wait a few years for them to start making that model again (not tricky, but who wants to wait that long?), then they're worth every penny. If you can't... well... there are lots of other great knives out there.
 
If you ask me, the special thing about Busse is mainly the steel. INFI is good. No, it's not just "good" good, it's really bloody awesomely great. The warranty is also excellent, but unlike with the steel, some other companies do have similar warranties. This is the practical side of why Busse is special. Of course, for people who care about things like resale value, that makes Busse special as well.

With that said, though, Busse is by no means the best knife for all tasks. Quite honestly, for some tasks, Busses aren't very good at all. Like another poster already said, the strange obsession with putting choils on every darn knife is one thing that makes Busses suboptimal for some uses. On the other hand, if you want a knife you can abuse as much as you can imagine, then Busse is probably the way to go, if the price tag and availability issues don't bother you. I like my Busses a lot, but they're certainly not the only knives I like.
 
I don't own any Busses (yet - got a BATAC on the way) but as a relative newcomer to the party, my thoughts are this:

Jerry Busse is a very smart cookie. He is obviously a talented knifemaker and a very astute businessman. Most makers are either one or the other. The Battle Mistress is a classic design, but then to create your own exclusive steel is very savvy indeed. Also very smart is the two sub-brands: Swamp Rat and Scrap yard. Buyer thinks: "I can still own the magic even though I don't have $$$ for a Busse". And each sub-brand has it own personality - very cool. The branding is very well done for each of these. Don't under-estimate the power of marketing!

That said, there is a cult for a reason. The knives must be good, otherwise would people spend that kind of cash? Hell, no! Competition is way too fierce./ The key to the whole thing though is limited supply. Always a brilliant tactic. The message is: these things are scarce because it takes us so long to make one (ie, its crafted by hand - see also Rolex and Ferrari, among others). This creates demand and drives prices upwards. Which in turn feeds the perception that the knives must be good.

Also, Busse is a specialist item. Only fixed blades - and no sheaths! Wow, says the curious onlooker - what's up with that? Another subtle message is put out: this blade is so special and unique, you'll want a custom made sheath for it. Plus, fixed blades only. Very smart. Message: if you want a fixed blade for the great outdoors - Busse is the Best, cos they specialise!

And then there's that famous Busse guarantee. We'll fix it no matter how it broke. Brilliant! For most people, that is the clincher. "Man, this guy must really believe in his own product - he puts his money where his mouth is."

Please don't misunderstand me. I have laid money down for a Busse. Partly because I want to see what the fuss is about, but partly because I believe there must be something in it. I don't have a problem with good marketing - its all part of the good old free market mix.
 
At our last NE Ohio Chop-In we had a little cutting competition. I had the smallest knife (Busse Desert SH-E) by a long shot. The guys at the Chop-In told me I was crazy to use it against an actual competition knife, a Siegle camp knife, and another large custom.
I came in second place to the competition knife which is approx. 4 inches longer. I was 16 secs or so behind on the 2x4 cutting, and my form did not allow for 2 free hanging rope cuts.
So my too thick, too short, too hyped knife didn't do too bad. ;)
Oh, it also did not need resharpened after the competition. Still shaved right to bare skin.
Do some searches on the Busse forum. Ask if there is anyone in your area who would let you try some INFI. I know some eyes were opened after our informal contest. You gotta use it to get it, IMO.
 
cjpgeyer said:
At our last NE Ohio Chop-In we had a little cutting competition. I had the smallest knife (Busse Desert SH-E) by a long shot. The guys at the Chop-In told me I was crazy to use it against an actual competition knife, a Siegle camp knife, and another large custom.
I came in second place to the competition knife which is approx. 4 inches longer. I was 16 secs or so behind on the 2x4 cutting, and my form did not allow for 2 free hanging rope cuts.
So my too thick, too short, too hyped knife didn't do too bad. ;)
Oh, it also did not need resharpened after the competition. Still shaved right to bare skin.
Do some searches on the Busse forum. Ask if there is anyone in your area who would let you try some INFI. I know some eyes were opened after our informal contest. You gotta use it to get it, IMO.
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-That story is simply amazing...coming in second place in a three knife race and undergunned with a shorter blade; my god, imagine what you could have done if you spent more money on a longer Busse, you might have actually won. Maybe a Busse sword would be a good buy next...

No matter how much I read on this forum about the virtues of Busse product there is no buy in on my part. I have owned and traded away or sold every Busse product I've had for one reason or another but keep my Becker, Ranger and HI products. I don't feel bad in the least about beating them to hell, they always sharpen up again.
 
I had a Scrapyard Dogfather and a Swamprat Ratweiler with me, but the SH-E is my biggest Busse. The guys wanted me to use one of the others, but I had the SH-E screamin' sharp. Besides, at the Busse Chop-In, someone had to represent! :)
 
The Chef said:
Busses are chock full of hype (from forum members here) its a clanish type thing, that is to say a club of guys holding their very expensive knives out and saying lookee what I got. Like a vette or a colt python or anything else that screams I have money, look at me. Is there a god damn thing someone can do with a Busse they couldn't do with a Becker, absolutely....they can say they spent three to five times as much.
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Spot on, spot on. :D
 
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