Congrats to all who scored on the Embrace the Suck!
I have owned probably 8-9 Busses over the years, but I am down to one for now - my SJTAC!
I am not saying the Busse's I have owned in the past were bad. They were all great in some way - mostly because the were INFI. But, considering there costs, I just haven't been able to justify keeping any except my SJTAC..... so far.
And with as many knives as I own, have owned over the years and have looked at in hand and on the internet, I don't think I have seen a knife I like as much as the SJTAC that is in between the size of the RMD and the Camp Tramp.
But, there really haven't been many mid-sized Swamp, Scrap or Busse blades that compare and compete well with the SJTAC in my mind. Although, the S6 is probably the closest contender. As much as I like the S6, I like the SJTAC more.
I passed on the Hell Razor because I can't get past the CBT. The CBT is ugly as "Hell" to me. Unfortunately, I totally missed the Mud Razor option. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I think I would have been interested in handling that one to see. But, at the current secondary prices and my current finances I will have to pass on the Mud Razor. Maybe Jerry will rerelease the Mud Razor in the future ????
Personally, for me, I just don't (didn't) like the thumb ramp placement at all on the SJTAC. But, since it had so many other great things going for it, I ground off my thumb ramp and have done a few other minor tweaks. My SJTAC is still a work in progress that I keep wanting to get back to, but haven't had or taken the time. So, mine is still in mid-stage renovation, but at least functional (for now). I stripped mine. But, I want to remove the scales to do a better job. When the scales are off, I will have to consider options for beefing the thickness of the scales a little and some slight re-shaping. But, I am not trying to make it sound like I have major issues with the handle. The handle still has a few minor issues for me, but I have already fixed most of the significant issues I had: mainly the thumb ramp. But, I also tightened the radius at the index finger right behind the guard to get a tighter grip in behind the guard. I brought the choil in tighter. And I smoothed some of the bump at the top of the pommel a little. Most others probably won't be as picky. But, I couldn't stand the feel and location of the thumb ramp - for me.
However, I LOVE the blade shape. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" /> The SJTAC has about the perfect shaped and sized blade for it's size IMO! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />
Personally, I like the blade shape so much, I also think it would be GREAT on many other different sized knives - and all convexed like my SJTAC! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
I also feel the SJTAC has a great weight, thickness, balance, feel and quickness in the hand for that size knife. With a 0.187" thick blade, the SJTAC is not a great chopper, but I don't look for that size knife to be a great chopper. It IS a Great mid-size knife IMO!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
If I had the funds at the time, I would have been all over buying a 2nd spare/backup SJTAC.
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