I'm sure KG can give better answers, but here are mine:
1) Because 154CM is a very fine stainless steel and some of us like stainless.
2) Whatever it is that makes his SR101 and SR77 better than 52100 and S7.
3) As a limited edition Busse-made knife in a premium steel, I don't consider it particularly expensive.

Yes.... this is common on quite a few things. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

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I consider the Hairy Carry to be made in an appropriate steel for an EDC small knife. I doubt that it is as "tough" as INFI or SR77, but edge holding and corrosion resistance should be very good. As far as Jerry Busse's heat treat, I'm confident that he has experimented with stainless steels and knows them well. If he didn't think 154CM was a good enough steel for some of his Swamp Rats, he would not have bought it.

Vic,

Your answers are more than sufficient. I can't add much. But:



- I agree. Some people want stainless. And 154Cm and many other stainless options would be fine for this size knife. Plus, much of the excitment probably isn't so much the steel as the nice design - speculation on my part.


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Yes! I mostly and generally agree.
I think it is generally safe to assume Jerry's heat treatment will probably be a little tougher than many maker's who have used 154CM. Jerry definitly takes pride in his heat-treatment. He might just harden it to some "ideal" hardness. Some makers might make it to hard and brittle. Others might make it to soft and less edge qualities. Heat Treatment is always a balance and compromise of qualities to some degree. Jerry is pretty good at finding a good balance.



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I don't know that I honestly consider 154CM a "Premium" steel these days. I consider it a pretty good and VERY functional stainless steel for many knives up to about 5" and sometimes 6" or so - depending on intended use. Aside from that, I have mixed feelings on the price. For various reasons, I can sort of see and justify the price. G10 is more expensive as raw material and more expensive to machine. The glass in the material is hard and hard on bits, blades and belts. Plus, it is just generally harder to work with. So, I justify increase in cost for that. I will buy one. On the other hand, for various other reasons, I sort of think it should be priced more in the $118.95 range. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

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I agree with all of Vic's above statement.


That said, I am a pretty fair fan of VG-10 and honestly probably prefer it over any 154CM I have owned so far. Jerry might bring 154CM close - ?????


But, yes the F1 would appear to be very similar in over-all size.

From specs and speculation on the picture, I am guessing the Hairy Carry has just a little bit smaller blade and a little bit larger handle than the F1. I am pretty confident I will be good with those dimensions on the Hairy Carry ... I am also fine with the F1.

I can't say anything bad about the F1. It is a GREAT knife.

But, I can tell you I have the micarta version of the F1 and the micarta F1 "Usually" costs quite a lot more than the Hairy Carry.

I made a "Great" deal (steal) on mine at about $125 - $135 if I remember correctly (?????).

But, it usually sells for around $175.00 - $190.00.

Again, G10 costs more than micarta.

The micarta F1 is an LE. Fallkniven's LE is a pretty close to mirror polished blade and very smooth polished micarta, white liners and a nickel silver bolster.


But still, maybe that helps put the price of the Hairy Carry into perspective for you. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

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......... If you feel you need to.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

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We've seen what the Busse boys did with D2, I'll assume the 154CM is a similar deal until I know otherwise.. Unlike Fallkniven's 2 year warranty, the HC is warranted to last!

BLD, my answers to your questions-

1/ It's a well thought out design, the handle size and shape make it a real user. I wanted a small stainless full tang blade.
2/ D2 Bogdog...
3/ Because they will sell it for that- supply and demand. Plus it's well tempered decent steel with a good handle and a great warranty.. I would have liked to have seen it for less to be honest, but I want it and can (just) afford it. It'll be my first and penultimate Bussekin LE (my other LE will be the S7 when they come out).

You know me too well mate! I can't wait to hit the hills with the HC and a nice shiny S7- as you never know when you need a sharp prybar... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />