Thanks for the additional information and insight, Guyon. You know, most of us dogs are looking for a bargain Busse or we wouldn't hang out here. I was one of the few around here who bought a HG55LE. I just love it. I have no idea why an old man needs such a pretty combat knife, or any combat knife. I just like it! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> So if the SAR4 foats your boat, that's cool, too.

Oh, I like the looks of the HG55 too. I just don't foresee any use for it in my pack. If it were on the anorexic side, however, I would buy one to use as a hunting knife.

I too was hoping for a lower price on the SAR4, and my first thought was $357 or $367. However, when I found out that it's the same overall length as the HG55 and just 1.25 inches shorter (overall) than the ASH-1, I understood the price a little better. INFI is INFI, and it's the same steel under the slabs.

I truly think there will be a lot more of these in coated combat grade. I'm hoping for a touch thinner, but it's hard to tell with Jerry.

Like some have said, a squared-off choil would be nicer for firesteels, but the thumb jumping might work pretty well in that regard. Honestly, I carry a striker anyway, and the only reason I'm going to use my firesteel is if my Bic won't flick and my waterproof matches won't strike.

I like this knife a lot (minus the thumb notches), but even if they do come out with a CG, I don't see it being significantly lower in price.

I hope the thumb notches on mine look like the ones in the pics above. They don't seem quite as sharp as some of the ones I've seen on the HG55.

The notches can help with grip and control. One point of reference here is the Koster Bushcrafter that I own. I have some better pics somewhere, but it can be seen in this picture in the lower left.

Ah here we go... I like the way the thumb grooves feel on this one.

I prefer the finer thumb grooves to the fat notches. Originally before Skunk posted the price, when I thought I might have chance to score one, I figured I could easily round off the edges a bit in the corners and make it much more comfortable.

Yeah that's the type I like, same one on the NWA knife.

I have handled the notched thumb grooves on one of Jeremy Horton's knives. They seem comfortable and functional to me.

Jeremy's knives are sweet! I base my opinion on the thumb notches just from observation, I'm sure they feel better in the hand.

Pink how did your grinding go yesterday.

This may be a "more" fair comparison, but it doesn't change the silliness to me.

True there has always been a HUGE difference in price between the Busse CG's and LE's and this SAR4 is shown and priced as an LE, but I have always been irritated by Busse's LE knives selling for WAY more than the comparable CG blades.

Heck I ALREADY think the CG blades are VERY high priced. The up-charge for satin LE's is just REDICULOUS to me.

I have said MANY times and nothing has changed my view, SATIN finished knives are an INDUSTRY standard and there is no justification for charging $200 - $330 premium for satin finishing blades other than collectors being willing to pay the prices.

There "ARE" certain things I really do like about the Busse SAR4. BUT, I can buy "Custom" HIGH quality award winning SATIN finished knives of similar size to just the "LE" markup alone by Busse to satin finishes. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

If collectors are now willing to pay those prices, then SOL for me. I may "want" some of those knives, but I am NOT willing to pay that level of mark-up. BUT, SOL for me again, because I do NOT like coated blades. I strip all of my Busse blades that I intend to use. But, it is a PITA that irritates me.

From my perspective, I am paying VERY HIGH PREMIUM prices just for the Busse CG blades and I don't like to have to pay those prices and then turn around to spend HOURS "Fixing" an ugly coated finish and less than satisfactory factory edge. I am effectively "Re-Building" knives to get INFI. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" />

I love MANY things about INFI and other Busse and kin blades, so I keep buying many of them. But, I WILL be selective. I don't drink the Kool-Aid.

I have enough Busse and kin knives at this point. Everything else will have to be better than what I have or unique enough in some way that I also still desire.

Jerry and the investors can keep / have all the over-priced "LE" blades for themselves. I may want certain ones. But, I am NOT willing to pay STUPID pricing to get them.

INFI is my favorite knife steel, but it's prices and the efforts I have to put into "fixing" coated blades all have their costs "to me". At some point, I WILL look at other options. There ARE some other great knife steels and very good knife-makers out there. Sorry to say, but I personally like the B1 more than the SAR4 and the B1 while not INFI is made of VERY good steel, comes VERY well finished with quality craftsmanship (IMO), it is SATIN and costs about 35% - 40% of the SAR4. = EASY choice for me. I own a B1 and won't own a SAR4. .... I could go on mentioning other GREAT options that I like better and at small fractions of the cost of the SAR4. But, to each their own.

Same goes for many of the knives on the secondary market. I want quite a few of them, but I will NOT pay stupid pricing for those either.

As much as I would like to have a SHBA or similar knives, there is now way in heck I am going to pay a FRACTION of what some people are paying for them or trying to sell them for.

I may be frustrated that I can't have certain knives I want. But, I have to accept I have other choices and other options at WAY better prices.

There are MANY better knife options out there for WAY less money.

To each their own.

Good luck to Jerry selling at those prices and I hope those who like those knives at those prices continue to be happy.

Personally, although probably viewed as mean on my part, if I can't get certain Busse knives because investors are buying them as investments and driving the costs up as investors, then I personally HOPE those people LOSE on their investments. I would love to see those prices come crashing down to reality. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> ... sorry.

I collect knives and use knives out of passion for them. I do NOT buy for investment. I do sell from time to time, but I am MORE than happy just breaking even. I do NOT look to make a profit. On the other hand, if I "have" to take a bit of profit to help me "off-set" these over the top prices from time to time, I will. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

.

I haven't gotten my hands on an INFI blade yet, but you've summed up my feelings on the matter quite well - for Busse LE prices I could get some pretty amazing one-off custom knives. It's a trend I hate seeing, and reminds me a bit of cold steel. Cold steel used to make pretty good beater knives that could be gotten reasonably cheaply and performed well for the price, but the more they exaggerated the goofy marketing, and the more stuff they released in "san mai" laminated steel, the worse the cost-to-performance ratio became. Not that I'm saying CS is on the same level as Busse, but I think both companies have rabid fans that have driven up the cost of their blades to ridiculous numbers.

I have some old cheap CS kukri that works very well, but no way would I buy one of their current kukris at their ridiculous prices.

I doubt that my opinion will be much different for Busse blades, which might be a whole lot better than cold steel, but they come with a price premium to match. If I can get some REASONABLY priced INFI from the yard, I will jump at the opportunity, but 400 bucks for a 5 inch production blade is downright ridiculous.


As an aside, I've not spent too much time on online knife forums, and am unfamiliar with the acronyms - what does B1 stand for?