Gunner,
Your question seems fair, and I will do my best to answer each of your points. This point had been somewhat raised over on the Camillus forum in a post by the Knife Outlet. The Knife Outlet posted the following when comparing Becker knives to Busses,
The head scratcher for me was the price. These are a lot less expensive than the Busses. That's the advantage of having production in a larger company like Camillus where we will all enjoy the benefits of economies of scale.
Now, go over to the Knife Outlet website and look up Camillus fixed blades. The new Cuda Talon which is made from Talonite and has G-10 scales has a list price of $339.95! Thats $123.00 more than a comparably sized Busse Mean Street. Talonite is good steel, but not magic by any means. So much for, . . . the advantage of having production in a larger company like Camillus where we will all enjoy the benefits of economies of scale.
As listed on the Knife Outlet Website:
Camillus Talonite Fixed Blade
4" Talonite drop point blade, sculptured G-10 scales, lanyard hole. Talonite is an expensive and hard cobalt alloy that is completely rust and stain resistant and yet performs with some of the best cutlery steels. Designed by Rob Simonich.
$239.95 (Reg. $339.95
As far as Newts knives are concerned it is interesting to note that the knife listed below by the Knife Outlet is made out of the same steel as Livesay knives, 1095. It is also a little larger than the Talonite blade. Now, notice the dramatic difference in price between the Talonite blade and the one made from 1095. I am not very familiar with Newts knives but I would venture to say that they cost a bit more than the Pilot Survival.
As listed on the Knife Outlet website:
Camillus 5733 Pilot Survival Knife
5 1/8" black phosphate coated blade with sawtooth top edge, 9 1/2" overall, leather handle and sheath.
$27.95 (Reg. $38.95)
Material costs. . . Material costs. . . Material costs. . . They must justify the gain in performance. I can buy a simple high carbon steel for .58 cents a pound. That would most certainly bring the price of our knives down. It would at the same time, destroy the reputation that Busse Combat has worked 18 years to establish.
We are certain that the high price of INFI, the extensive heat treating, and never cutting corners or compromising on performance is more than worth the price.
Over 86% of our customers own more than one Busse Combat. Over 66% own three or more. We have a 6-8 month backlog on our Combat Grade, 2-3 months on our economically priced Combat Basics and a 3-5 year wait on our Custom Line. Why? Our telephone response time is horrible (improving daily). Getting a brochure is nearly impossible (working on that). Our website is from the Stone Age (updating soon). You have to go through hell to order a knife and then wait longer than hell to get it (catching up). And yet despite all of our shortcomings, the demand continues to grow greater everyday.
Why do people endure such hardships in order to get Busse Combat knives? Its simple. Its because we are knifemakers, not public relations experts. We stand alone in the industry in not only making performance claims but backing them up with numerous live demonstrations and a lifetime guarantee that will not be rivaled. When you finally get into the field with your Busse Combat blade and all hell breaks loose, it is our knife that will never fail you. Customer service has yet to save anyones life in the field. Our knives do so on a daily basis. Most people will never need the extreme performance capabilities of a Busse Combat knife, in which case there are plenty of great knives to be found. But, if youre one of the rare breed of individuals whose knife could someday be called upon to save your life or the lives of others, and you live in a world where compromise almost always means certain failure, then there is no other choice. Busse Combat knives are the only choice. I hope this answers your question.
Jerry Busse
