Only a true expert, professional knife maker can craft an outstanding folding knife. This is a challenge to the Busse family. I hated to see the Rat Trap that was put out. The design was nothing new and the steel was every day knife steel. The Busse family has the BEST fixed blades in the world but now it's time to complete the circle. I have seen INFI in several thicknesses so why not in a folder? Right now I believe Trident/Crusader Fordge has the best folders but the price if CRAZY. Come on guys gives use what we all have been waiting for. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

Do some digging, there is a Busse folder design. I posted the patent here a while ago. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

However who knows when production will start. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I have been wanting to try one of those Trident folders......but I could hardly bring myself to use the $140 Rat Trap. I really want to try a Strider RC, but the price tag on those....I have just been using small fixed blades instead. I trust them more and don't worry about locks breaking and folding on my fingers. But I would like to see a hard core folder from the Busse Combat Group.

Hi Jason! How are you doing these days?

Decent enough. Going rounds with VA...as usual. The Mental Midgets are messing with my physical therapy. They can't fax a referral to my therapist and suggest I come by to get one. Did I mention I live 400 miles from the hospital where I got the surgery. I go on Thursday for a follow up and to get the referral. So I have been doing all I can, but careful not to push too hard....but then again I don't know what is too hard because I have yet to see a therapist.

But on a good note, the wife and I get to hear the "bun in the oven's" heartbeat on Wednesday. Also we have been looking at property around the parish we live in. Really looking at 10 acres of woods to call my own.

PSG,

Don't get me wrong.... I personally think S30V is great steel - especially for a folder. Personally, I would probably rank S30V very near the top of my list for a folder. But, I am (a little) confused.

You kind of bashed Swamp Rat (Busse) for releasing the Rat Trap and using S30V steel. You said: "and the steel was every day knife steel." - said with a derogatory tone. Then you praise a company that seems to use S30V exclusively.

What did I miss? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Granted the Trident Crusader folder has a very stout looking handle, but it is very bulky looking for something I am supposed to put in my pocket.
I have owned (and sold) a few fairly bulky folders.

Examples:

Large Lone Wolf Harsey - VERY stout, solid, smooth opening/function, very heavy duty liner lock, well made knife for MUCH less than the Trident! But, this knife is too big for a folder (IMO). I would take a fixed blade at this point.

Al Mar - SERE (Old style lockback) Very stout, heavy duty, too big, give me a fixed blade.

REKAT - Sifu - Interesting, but (???) can't explain. I liked it, but it was just a little .... gangley. Too big for pocket carry. It became worth too much. I sold it.

Al Mar - SERE 2000 - VERY well made knife. I haven't handled the Trident, but I own two of the SERE 2000 knives. I would guess if the Trident and the SERE 2000 were priced the same, I would choose the SERE 2000. But, I can find the SERE 2000 for closer to $100. I consider it a pretty good deal. I like everything about the SERE 2000 - it is built like a tank that functions like a micro-fine tuned well oiled machine... except, for a folder that only has a 3.625" blade, it is too bulky. I would rather have a slimmer longer folder or a fixed blade. I keep my SERE 2000 just because I flat out love the quality of the knife. The blade movement and lock are the "HANDS-DOWN" slickest and smoothest factory movements I have ever seen. The blade feels like an oiled bearing moving on polished steel (maybe it is?)

SOG - Tomcat - Solid built knife, solid lockback.. too bulky.

SOG - PEII - Nice... a little too big.

I don't personally own the Spyderco Manix - I don't care to have a lock-back for an EDC folder and I don't like thumb-holes. But, aside from those two issues the knife looks to be a great design and very heavy duty. Many people swear by this knife. It can be had for near $100.

Benchmade - RUKUS - My current Bench"mark" for a solid, heavy duty, large folder! But, I had to make quite a few modifications to make it "somewhat" reasonable to carry. It is quite bulky. After mods, I can only carry it sometimes.. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> It is just still a little too big. Can be had for near $140 - $150.

I am sure I left out many, but I got carried away as it were....

If a knife is going to be that "Bulky", why not a fixed blade. If a fixed blade, why not one of the great offerings by Busse/Swamp Rat/Scrap Yard?

I don't personally think the Trident Crusader folder looks so outstanding.

*** But, I will concede that opinions vary - I don't expect everyone or anyone to agree with me. I am just voicing my opinion.

I think it is reasonably hard to come up with a design that is completely new. I am pretty good with minor improvements on existing designs.

Personally, I think the Rat Trap had a VERY good blade shape. I would have personally preferred a thumb stud over the hole. But, they did make the hole oval. That is sort of different.

G10 scales, liner lock, good simple clip. I am good with all of these features. However, I am very certain I have a list of a few things I would change... at least for my preferences. I strongly considered modifying the Rat Trap to make it closer to what I wanted, but it became worth too much. I sold it.

I have heard others say they felt the Rat Trap was the best folder they have ever seen. To each their own.

I think some of the Trident Crusader fixed blades actually look fairly interesting, but at $350 +/-, they can keep them!

The Trident Crusader folder is listed at $495.00!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbdn.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbdn.gif" alt="" /> - Trident can DEFINITELY keep that! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />

If Busse or Scrap Yard were to release a folder in that price range, they could keep it as well.

I want an AK and/or a Ruck K, but I can't justify the price.

I would rather have the following made by Scrap Yard or Swamp Rat and with the price around $275.00 or so:




.... but, I may be repeating myself <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

.

Well put Knifeguy. I own a small slim pocket knife. I have sold the bulky ones. They were just not practical to carry every day.

I have some Benchmades, Spydercos and other smaller ones but it is the CRKTs that I carry everyday. They just seem to work for me.

Until I find a knife I like better, I'm sticking with my CS voyagers. They are light, strong, and sharp. My heavier Benchmades, Kershaws, CRKT, Gerbers and others stay in the drawer. The best knife in the world is the one you actually have with you. My SAK either rides in a belt pouch or hiking pants knife pocket. The knife I can deploy and use in an instant is my Voyager in my front pocket. I can appreciate the workmanship of some of the more exotic models (Cold Steel makes those too), but the light weight and sharp edge make my Voyagers the EDC choice for me.

I like the CS Voyagers and carry the 5 inch model in my edc bag. I used to switch back and forth between one of my CRKT models, Sog Flash II, or my spyderco police model. The new master of the pocket is the emerson. i think that will be my main carry knife for some time to come.

I see many bash S30V for any number of reasons on various forums, but I have not seen any issues with it in the Spyderco line and I have not talked to anyone that's ever mentioned a problem in person. Guess I am just lucky. I have no reason to stray from $50 Spyderco's and SAK's.

What prolem did you have with the steel on your Rat Trap PSG1?

I'd have to say that I'm fairly content with the folders I carry. My SAK and Leatherman server well. For a hard use EDC I prefer a small fixed blade. Like GF said, a small fixed blade doesn't have moving parts and locks to worry about.

However, I'm sure the Busse family will probably some day release another folder. I'm in no real hurry for it, but I'm sure I'll be in line for it when they do. The only question for me is would I actually carry it if I had it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />