A lot of dogs will be crossing lots of things on that one mate! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I voted $99 to $109, but I hope they cost much less. I definately want 2 or 3 of them, they look like some sweet little knives.

I am hoping it's not more than $79.95 - $89.94. I am hoping for a lower price point but I doubt it.

I guessed high hoping I was wrong. I've got a couple custom hunters with 4-1/2" or so blades in 154CM and I have always been very happy with them. I don't split or chop bone with them except on maybe rabbits or squirrels (that's been a while ago) and of course fish. Pardon the cut-n-paste but here is some steel info.

154CM/ATS-34 is a high carbon stainless steel generally regarded as a direct upgrade to 440C. It has a high wear resistance for a stainless steel and a low edge stability both due to the large carbide fraction with primary carbides as large as 25 microns. It is one of the more brittle stainless steels and in general works best on smaller blades intended for extended aggressive slicing.

440C has an increased hardness and carbide fraction than 440B and thus offers a higher wear resistance but lower edge stability. 440C can be considered to be a high wear upgrade to 12C27 where a high edge stability isn't desired. However for this purpose, other alloys are generally regarded as superior such as 154CM. Dendritic 440C is focused on extended slicing aggression and as very brittle due to the retained as cast carbides.

I'm voting for the $70-80 range, but as said by others, I'd be willing to pay a little more. It's a good looking knife.

just what i needed to hear. i also thought that it should be thinner, but a more brittle steel would need to be thicker for some strength. it's why mora's rock.

Anyone ever heard of a Busse kin knife that couldn't take a whuppin'??

(Still hoping for well under $100 for my puppy..)

I said just under 100$ because a lot of the cost of a knife particularly US made knives is the amount of hand finishing they take.

Also the steel from the auction was probably quite expensive because right now just like oil China needs lots of high quality steel and especially the alloys in really good steel to fuel her economy. Steel prices have gone through the roof recently.

I understand why some people are disappointed with 154CM and consider it subppar.
I am a huge believer in tool steel for knife blades as by far the best choice.
However S7 is not a good choice for a small knife like the Muppy or one worn very close to the body like the HC.
When I had asked for a SS4 I thought they might use 52100 which would have been a good choice but I also like 154 stainless as well. I am sure that the Busse testing and heat treat was extensive. These are not some hicks with a oven and a salt bath ,I believe Jerry was a university prof before Busse Combat and probably knows a LOT about metallurgy. I am confident it will be tough enough.
Really what matters is performance not a sexy steel although I admit I am a sucker for exotic alloys like the upcoming M4 Mule. A bigger concern for me is will it be to fat to cut? I hope it is going to be no fatter than the SS4 and a bit less so it has the same ratio(SS4 an inch longer so the Muppy should be an equivalent amount thinner).

I changed my mind. I want it to cost $324, so there will be plenty in the store for me.

Tan Tan Tan Tan