Steel Fan,

Usually, I have found myself agreeing with most of your decisions and likes in knives...... Not this time.

To me, that first Busse on your first post has to be about one of the UGLIEST Busse knives I have ever seen.... Talk about Tacti(NOT)"cool" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />

Not real big on the TOTALLY messing up of a GREAT FSH by serrating the edge and grinding the spine on the bottom knife of your second post either.

And that Custom SHSH would be pretty nice .... if the serrated and funky spine work hadn't messed it up. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />

.... But, just my opinions. I like simple and pure function vs. gadgets on my knives.

While I could possibly see some advantages to have a very obtuse edge on the back of some knives, I just wouldn't want it. I would view the compromises to outweigh any possible advantages. I feel it "would" hinder battoning or at very least cause you to need lots more batons. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

That notch in the choil area of the guard would mostly render the choil dis-functional in my book. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />
I don't care for the thumb notch treatment either. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I always like the Uncle MOFO, but I am NOT a fan of the blade catches on knives. To me, they are another useless feature (not realistic IMO) and are more detimental in use BY FAR, than beneficial. (IMO) Similarly, I have a Yard Guard and would never have any interest in the Yard Hook. Fit and feel in the hand are WAY more important to me than a non-realistic feature that hinders fit and feel. I can't say I understand those who bought a Hook of ANY variation from Busse. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I actually modify my knives all the time, but only with intent to improve them. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I would personally NEVER want a sharpened section on the spine of my knife as you have shown. While it might find some value in some VERY minor nitch (if at all) applications, I would find the modification WAY more detrimental to the knife than good.


Personally, I don't honestly use Ferro rods. Call me lazy. But, I like lighters and matches. I have used Ferro rods a couple of times... for the fun of it - I guess. But, anyway, if using Ferro Rods, I personally would tie or clip a small piece of hacksaw blade or sawsall blade to my Ferro rod and use it instead of my knives.... But, that is me. I don't like using my knives on Ferro rods.

Like Fuga, I would use wire clippers to cut wire. If cutting a BUNCH of wire for some reason, DEFINITELY carry cutters. But, if you are just anticipating a rare and worst case scenario, most barbed wire would only tend to lightly nick INFI and not disable a Busse. The small nick(s) could be fixed reasonably easy on INFI.


However, if your biggest concern is how to get a grind line started on a spine of a blade, try doing some research on "Plunge Line". I would use Google advanced and put in Bladeforums.com or Knifeforums.com as search sites.

It is a little more advanced and does require a bit more practice and deligent blade cooling, but if you have some edge profiling experience with a belt sander, this is just the next little step. The platten can help on plunge lines to help keep them straight, but I like a tapered plunge line... takes more skill though. I have done it and while a few attempts look pretty decent, I wouldn't say my results are exactly perfected yet.

I still need to imrove my grinder quality. But, I have done some improving (I think) in ability to control by flipping my grinder on it's back so the belt is horizontal. I find I have a LOT more control in this position for knives vs. vertical.

But, belt sanders are used to make plunge lines by the pros as a rule rather than exception. The belt sander is most custom knife-makers primary tool.

Volume makers use much more expensive CNC type machinery. But, there are a ton of custom makers who don't have CNC machinery and use the belt sanders/grinders..... although most of them have very nice $2,000+ KMGs, Baders, Burr Kings, etc.

Good luck with your modifications, but I would recommend thinking it through before messing up a good knife. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

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