Which Busse to replace a Chopweiler?

[dduangrat]

I started out with Swamprats. First the Desert Jack, then the Ratweiler, and finally the Chopweiler. The Chopweiler's humped back was too pronounced for me so I took it to a grinder and now it's become my "experimental" knife. I almost got it to where I want it

The NMSFNO would be the closest blade to the Choppy. I think the Busse handle is much more comfy. Once you hold one, you won't really want to chop with a Rat.

If you really want to "trade up" get a FBM of any type...CG, Fat, LE, etc. You will not regret it.

Both families grind out some of the best utility blades in America. I won't hesitate to grab either a Rat or a Busse in a mad dash into to the outdoors.

 

[dduangrat]

They're not easy to get, but there are a few older Busses with a similar handle, including the EU17, some Terror Monkey variants, the Ripper and the STripper. I've attached a few pics (If anyone wants me to take them down, just let me know. Only the regular EU is mine.)

They aren't easy, but if you love the handle, it can't hurt to look...

This is the EU17? I want one!

 

[dante]

I couldn't find a side-by-side of the two knives, but here they are in sheaths. Both fit a Spec-Ops large quite nicely. From the left, SH-E is the second knife, and the Chopweiler is the third knife.

They are both in this pic. Chopweiler is in the middle of the table (just above the fillet knife), and the SH-E is just under the butt of the fillet knife.

I feel... small :barf:

:thumbup:

 

[DWRW]

First - Keep the Chopweiler. (* Especially - keep it until you have your "Theoretical" upgrade in hand to compare the two in performance to value!)

The SHe is so similar and SO MUCH higher priced that I SERIOUSLY don't see the return in functional value. I would keep the Chopweiler for sure!!!

But, if you want to upgrade (in addition), the most rational upgrade due to price and availability is the NMSFNO as you can buy it from the store. The NMSFNO is larger and an all-around awesome knife. But, the larger size makes it different (less of an apples to apples comparison) and the larger size and weight makes the NMSFNO harder to carry.

The SARSquatch might look similar in pictures to the Chopweiler, but the SARSquatch is much thinner and lighter than the Chopweiler. I would say the SARSquatch is a more versatile all-around camp knife (AWESOME Camp knife!). But, the Chopweiler is a better chopper than the SARSquatch. So, how much of a priority is chopping?

The FSH in full height flat grind isn't much heavier than a Chopweiler, but the FSH is a little better chopper and a little better all-around knife compared to the still very good Chopweiler (IMO). The FSH would be my first recommendation.

The SFNO should be pretty close, but at a much higher cost for little return compared to the Chopweiler.

.

 

[Guyon]

I feel... small :barf:

:thumbup:

Those are just the users. I have to admit though that the mint, "put back for a rainy day" Busses are slowly vanishing. Not that many of those knives left.

 

[Dennis in MA]

I must say - the E handle is pretty sweet design. I never really liked the SH-E I owned, but hte handle was great. (I guess the whole package LOOKED too odd. The blade was just "wrong" for me. I dunno.)

I think for a big camp knife, a BM-E would be near perfect. And stupid me selling my ZTBM. (I can't use a mint knife. Just can't do it.)