which knife would you rather have?

S

sevenedges

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if price was no object would you rather have the busse basic#5 or the chris reeve mkvI?
the knife would be an everyday carry knife.
 
Never handled an MKVI, but I REALLY like my Busse #5. I started saving for it as soon as I heard the basic line would be coming out, months ahead of time. All I can say is that I'm very happy with my purchase (though I'm not too crazy about the blade coating).

Felix
 
The CRK. Top quality backed by a great company. Not to take away from Busse, but I would jump on the chance to own any Chris Reeve product.

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James Segura
San Francisco, CA


 
I prefer the Busse to the CR for two reasons. 1. The modified INFI steel will hold an edge much longer than A2 2. The handle is much better on the Busse, designed to fit your hand and made from a tacky rubber instead of round knurled A2. CR fixed blades remind me of holding a metal pipe. I am not knocking CRK stuff, I have a Sebenza and love it, but I don't care as much for his fixed blades.
 
Chris Reeve. I wasn't that thrilled with my Busse 7. I had some edge deformation chopping some small black birch branches. In fact, I sold the knife. IMO you can't go wrong with CRK.
 
I guess you either like the Chris Reeves handles, or you don't. I absolutely despise them. I find them uncomfortable, I hate how they don't index at all. I haven't handled a Busse Basic yet, but the handle looks comfortable enough. Both companies make very good products, so I'd not feel bad about owning either. However, in this case, the CRK handles fall into my "unacceptable" bucket, and so do all CRK fixed blades. If you do like the CRK handles, it's more of a horse race.

Joe
 
I would go with the CRK. Its a solid piece of steel with a first rate leather sheath (IMHO kicks plastic any day)
 
After handling several CRK's for making sheaths for customers, I can say the quality and feel of those knives are impeccable. I think the smaller models, however, suffer from fat handles that are too short, even for someone with small hands like me. I would like to check out the Busse #5 myself.

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My Custom Kydex Sheath page:
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Palmer College of Chiropractic
On Two Wheels
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Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
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I've been fascinated with CRK's fixed blades for years, that is, until I handled one.
No way to index, uncomfortable knurling on the handle and as was mentioned earlier, the handle is too fat.
The blade itself was REAL nice, BUT(!), without a servicable handle, it is for naught.

I have a Basic #5 and it is a truly great knife. It's a definate keeper and a user.
I've chopped the daylights out of limbs and boards and manila rope and the edge is still rocking! And the handle is comfortable. A must have thing for a using knife.
INFI steel is the real deal IMHO.


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So, what IS the speed of dark?

 
I am a big fan of the Reeve fixed blades. They are simple and rugged. I find the grip to be very comfortable, but I can see how someone might find it rough. I my hands, the indexing is easily accomplished via the guards. I think the busse steel must be something quite special if it gives noticeably better edge retention, as the A2 is pretty good. All in all, I find the CRK fixed blades to be the end all for me. They are simple, nearly indestructable when used for what they are designed for, and the workmanship is spectacular. I have also found the hollow handle to be much more useful than I anticipated. I have never handled the busse products so I can not compare directly. Good luck in your choice...
 
I don't own a CRK, but I have held one a bit, and I'm really used to using the Bushman, so I think I can adjust to the round handle. I'd take the CR
 
I' ve handled a Busse #5 and it is very comfortable and secure in terms of handle shape and material. The texture on the Reeves fix blades causes pain from just casual use. I' ll have to agree on the "non indexing" factor as well. The entire Basic line, the 5 included has a dropped handle design which affords better leverage in either slicing or light chopping. The hollow handle feature and one piece construction of the Reeves gets the "cool factor" though. Overall, I prefer the Busse.

L8r,
Nakano
 
I have handled the CR at the shows and a friend of mine had to have one. I vote Nay on the knurled tubular handle.
Alex
 
CRK... Fixed blades are nice... Handle is okay IMO... I like the treatment!

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-Humpty

Proverbs 23:2
 
thanks for the thought guys. it seems to be a dead even race.it seems as if the chris reeve handles are bringing them down. however i have a question about the busse handles. do they peel back? or seperate from the blade in any manner? i ask the question because some cold steel products do. and the busse handles look like they must rub the sheath in order to snap into place.
 
Salamander,

Busse's handles will NOT slip off, peel off, twist off, burn off, fall off, wear off, or freeze off. Resiprene C is a new material for handles which SPANKS Kraton and just about every other synthetic in the "rubber" knife handle category.

The handle slabs do touch the Kydex, but the knife is retained by the print of the kydex on the blade and front talon. You will NOT wear or deform the handle.

As far as your dilemma about which knife to buy, a Basic #5 will out-cut, out-chop, and out-wear anything in its class.

Andy
 
thanks Andy, i just ordered the basic #5. i should get it in about two days. i'll let you know how i like it when it gets here.
i chose it over the chris reeve for several reasons: (1) the sheath, kydex will hold up better in the wet.(every time i go into the florida wetlands my knives get wet, or at the very least, quite damp.)(2) the handle. if it stays on the knife, i know i'll like it better.(3) the price is $70 less on the busse. (4) blade looks like it will do the intended job just fine. which will be almost everything except chop hardcore as my battle mistress should be here in a month or so. it was interesting to see half of you wanted busse, half chris reeve.
 
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