What's the difference between SR Knives and Busse?

C. STORR

C. STORR

Joined
Feb 6, 2006
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I am fairly new on the "modern" knife scene. I have mostly collected vintage stuff, WW II etc. Soooo, At the risk of sounding ignorant:

I have looked at Busse and Swamp Rat and see definite parallels, and have visted the SR website, which warns not to call Busse and inquire about SR knives at the risk of being forever banned from buying from SR. What gives?? What are the main differences between the knives of the two companies and how are they connected? It looks like only Busse offers INFI.

Also, I tried to order a Ratweiler from the SR website and when I click "order" it takes me to a page to fill out that tells me I'm ordering a "Rat Trap". I don't want a Rat Trap, I want a Ratweiler!!! ???????
 
Hi cstorr,

I'll try to clear up a bit of the confusion, unfortunately, be prepared to then be left with the question "When?!!" ;)

In a nutshell, Swamp Rat is a totally seperate company from Busse, owned and operated by Jennifer Busse. Swamp Rat knives are made in the same shop with the same equipment, but the Rat crews occupy the shop only during the off-hours of Busse (nights and weekends). Busse does not have a business connection to Swamp Rat beyond that. Part of Swamp Rat's contract with Busse includes the stipulation that the Busse shop will not be contacted regarding Swamp Rat's business. In leiu of that, you can ask Eric any questions that you may have either here or via his email at ratknives@insightbb.com. He's a great guy to deal with. :thumbup:

As far as the order page on the Rat site, right now you've come to the Swamp at a very interesting time (
banghead.gif
). All of the knives, with the exception of the Rat Trap, have been discontinued and we are anxiously awaiting the release of the new line. Hopefully they will be released soon, until that time all we can do is ask "When?!!" ;)

I hope that you stick around and join in the discussion. There's a great bunch of people both here and at the main forum at SwampRat.com.

Cheers :thumbup:
 
What's the difference between SR Knives and Busse?
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If you want to stick around here try and not say that name again.:mad: :D

Seriously, I can put it to you this way. When I found my Busse tag in TN I whipped out my Rat to dig it out of that old railroad timber.

I would not have thought of using a Busse in this instance, since the scratch would have cut the value in half.

Of course, once you scratch the finish on INFI it's all over with but the crying!

This example gives true meaning to the old saying "money shot up a hog's butt!"

Over here, we call those scratches character. :D

IM001398.jpg


IM001396.jpg




:D :D
 
I would not have thought of using a Busse in this instance, since the scratch would have cut the value in half.
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This is quite misleading to say to a new guy, especially since it is utter nonsense.

Both Busse and Swamp Rat knives retain their values quite well, even after use. (if resale is a concern for you) The fact that the Rats have been discontinued, and everyone is waiting for the new line has created a bubble market for sales, and currently people are spending big bucks for some Rats (even used ones) The bubble will undoubtedly pop once the new line arrives.

Both Busse and Swamp Rat offer great performance and warranty protection. Busse uses INFI, which is a bit better than SR101 in performance and a lot better in stain resistance. The Busse knives also are available in many finish options, usually, and are more expensive. They also offer a greater array of models and designs, (Like swords) Swamp Rat was created to replace and outperform the old Busse Basic Line of knives, and to bring high performance knives to customers at a more affordable price. Swamp Rat serves as the Gateway drug to Busse for many, including myself.
I love both companies, and buy from both. You can't go wrong with either one. :thumbup:

Welcome!
 
For those of you a little too serious on Friday night, my above post should be taken tongue in cheek. :rolleyes: :D

On a more serious note, both are great quality knives with great purchase and resale values.

The main difference is in the pricing from the company stores. Do you just want performance for the best price? If so, go with a Rat.

If you don't mind spending more, and would like more of a variety and availability right now, then go with the Busse.

You really cannot make a bad decision either way.
 
Don't worry, Fink. We won't chastise you too bad for not knowing the REAL value of Busse knives. :D
 
I have no idea if SR does refinishes, but Busse can and will just in case you accidently use it. :rolleyes:
Seriously, buy at least one to just BEAT THE HECK OUT OF! Then, and only then will I give you permission to buy some collection pieces. :D
These knives are tough, tough, tough, tough, tough.
For me, one of the greatest advantages Busses have over Rats is the corrosion resistance, YMMV. (that is, Your Milage May Vary)
 
Bravado said:
YOU ONLY NEED TO KNOW ONE THING INFI IS THE KING OF ALL STEELS!!:thumbup: :D
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INFI is the king of all heat treats!:thumbup:

come on now...It's not the steel, it's how you treat it...;)
 
The main difference is the Busse blades are great blades and the Swamp Rat blades are great blades. It's that easy to separate the two.:)
 
Originally Posted by Bravado
YOU ONLY NEED TO KNOW ONE THING INFI IS THE KING OF ALL STEELS!!

Well, SR101 is the Queen. . . plenty good, just a little higher maintenance.
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Now THAT is funny!!!


Cstorr,

These guys might try to castrate me, but here are some of my very preliminary conclusions after only a few months of research :D :

CORROSION RESISTANCE is the main difference -- naked sr101 WILL rust.
EDGE HOLDING is also a consideration -- infi will stay sharp a little longer (i know that is a VERY general statement.)

I thought that, given the price differences (original prices, not inflated secondary market prices) the Busses would also be significantly "prettier" and "feel" better in hand, etc... That's simply not true. I was surprised to find how similiar they were in fit/finish and balance when handled side by side -- it was hard for this novice to tell a difference. It makes sense to me now, seeing as how they both come from the same "design" and "production" minds and factory...

They also tell me that INFI is quite a bit "stronger" but from what I understand, any normal human would be hard pressed to break any of these hard use knives under any circumstance, much less under normal use...


My personal conclusion (up to this point in my very limited experience) --

If you want a Coated blade -- go with Samp Rat sr101.
If you want uncoated -- buy Busse INFI.

If I'm buying a coated blade, the edge holding value (and yes, ease of sharpening too) is just not quite enough to justify the much higher prices (IMHO). BUT, when you add the corrosion resistance of a satin finished blade to the edge holding advantage of INFI, it becomes more reasonable to go w/ Busse.

Again, these are just my opinions -- from a guy who's just a few steps in front of you in this SR/Busse infection. ;) :D Hope that helps a little...

Good Luck.
 
I think a more general summary would be:

Buy what you like! Nothing wrong with coated INFI. You can strip it and refinish it yourself, or use it as is. If I had lots of money, I would buy them all!:thumbup:
 
I don't have lots of money, but I still seem to be trying to buy them all!!! ;) :D

:thumbup: :thumbup:

You'll love ANY and ALL of them! I do...
 
Terry Newton said:
If you want to stick around here try and not say that name again.:mad: :D

Seriously, I can put it to you this way. When I found my Busse tag in TN I whipped out my Rat to dig it out of that old railroad timber.

I would not have thought of using a Busse in this instance, since the scratch would have cut the value in half.

Of course, once you scratch the finish on INFI it's all over with but the crying!

This example gives true meaning to the old saying "money shot up a hog's butt!"

Over here, we call those scratches character.
Click to expand...
So, whatcher saying is that the Swamp Rats are the safe queens (check out the exhange:eek: ) And the Busse's are the true users! :D When a Rat gets scratched up it rusts, when a Busse gets scratched I blast it and I have a new knife! :p So, why mess up a perfectly good Rat safe queen and risk rust? :o get a Busse and dont worry about what you do to it!:cool:


:p :p :p
 
I know SR-101 is tool steel. Is INFI considered tool steel as well, or is it a stainless? I'm asking this in terms of chromium content. I know that a certain amount catagorizes a steel as stainless, I can't remember how much. Also, if INFI is not a stainless, how does it resist rust so well?
 
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