I still can't see the value in the little Bear Cub HACK.
Jeff, have you ever had and used a 2.5 finger handled 5.5" oal knife with a Talon Hole and a Choil..... WAY SMALL to me. Not that you can't find honest and worthy uses for it.... like fingernails and cutting tags of stuff. But, I know for me, that there are just WAY many better folders that carry easier and would function better for me.
The HACK seems like a good candidate for a necker - even if smaller than most neckers. But, I don't like knives or anything on my neck. Neckers aren't my thing.... Neither are skelly's really.
I know I have bashed the HACK a lot. But, for those of you who purchased, I hope you like them. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" />
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For my purposes, although I would love a FBM or NMFBM, AK47 and a bunch of other big pieces of INFI, I could not find it in myself to pay or justify the price.
I USED the HECK and beat the SNOT out of my Tramontina this last week and it barely needed light touching up with light grit on the sander. Performed like a champ. I actually got this Tramontina for free. But, even if I paid for it - dirt cheap and "MEGA"-Bang for the Buck!!!
A NMFBM would ultimately be a drool-on knife for me. WAY to heavy to carry. But, coated blades don't make me drool very well. So, I wouldn't be impressed to have a gunk coated safe queen. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbdn.gif" alt="" />
If I don't want coated, LE is rediculously expensive and the CG is WAY to expensive to then spend MANY hours finishing out to then stick in a safe. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />
If I don't want to carry it, I am sure my (relatively cheap) axe will beat it. So, I couldn't even come close to selling myself on it.
Want - yes.
Pull the trigger - Not even close.
Similarly, I had a hard time when contimplating the FBM as I sold my HHFSH as I felt it cost too much to own and was too heavy to want to carry. My Tramontina weighs less and chops many things better.
I want and tried a few smaller pieces of INFI. But, I don't agree with Busse designs on smaller knives. They just don't work for me. I like the HRLM, SS4, Bog Dog, HCLE and MPLE and I would like to see the old style SHBA brought back with No Talon Hole and very little sharpening choil if any.
I would love the AD without the dang Talon Hole and terrible choil design (I know - broken record).
For me, smaller knives require more attention to detail and the Busse Line in particular just isn't inline with my preferences for smaller knives. there are many other makers (especially Bark River, but also Fallkniven and others) making Better designs in smaller knives with plenty good enough steels for smaller knives for me.... sorry.
To each their own.
For me, my justified pieces of INFI have been mid-sized knives: SJTAC, SARSquatch, Hell Razor, Skinny Ash and SAR5.... and the SS4's.
I honestly don't feel I need the strength of INFI in any of these knives and would be thrilled with any of them in A2 or SR-101 would be great as well..... and factory satin finishes!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" /> .... But, I do like the designs. (Well my SJTAC is significantly modified and my SAR5 need MAJOR handle over-haul - but, I was able to pick up the SJTAC for close to $225 or so and the SAR5 for $167 or something .... Oh yeah... not supposed to complain about the SAR5 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />)
The SFNO is one of my wish list pieces of Busse INFI if I can get one at what I consider a reasonable price. I have passed on some past opportunites at the SFNO as I will not pay the highly marked up secondary prices or the custom shop prices from some Ganzaaas.
I hope Jerry releases SFNO's for under $300.... and then I hope I can even come up with that in time. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> - Over $300 and I don't know.
I am dissappointed that Scrap Yard still clearly seems to be shelved on the back burner.
All the recent Dog Bowls were just left-over scraps from Blade Show. No signs of anything really new in a long time again. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
And sadly, I am a HUGE fan of SR-101 and that is even farther WAY back since anything new in SR-101. I think the Chopweiler was the last piece of SR-101 - that seems forever ago.
Plenty of HIGH dollar INFI for the Hogs though. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> I guess I can't blame Jerry for prioritizing INFI if INFI is what brings him the best profits. I just can't be much a part of that. I can't justify most of the INFI pieces at INFI prices. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
I am sort of hoping Dan has something more to the new business plan. And similarly, I was hoping for something from Swamp Rat other than a month old teaser line about: "something coming, but not what you think" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" />
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