http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=6861338#post6861338


I found what I am going for...unless it's crazy expensive.

Great minds think alike!!!!

Lol, indeed.

I am not an inducted HOG, and won't be going to the induction dinner, so I won't be able to buy one. Shame, too, as it's the knife I was most looking forward to.

I'm seriously bummed, with BLADE only a few days away I'm kinda thinking I will just swing by one day and see what they have at the yard and swamp booths, and spend the rest of the weekend backpacking on the AT.

looks like
i just found my one BLADE purchase

Send a message to Amy-O if you really want to be inducted as a Hog; that's what I did last year -- I'm JimBoar. Despite what "old school" Hogs say, Jerry says an online inductee is as good as any other. Last year, the rules were that requests should be accompanied by a list of what Busse Combat knives you own and three potential Hog names. It never hurts to ask, but I'd be surprised if those Killa Zs aren't priced up there with MOABs.

See that's the thing - I don't own ANY Busse Combat knives, just a few from the yard and swamp. I don't see any reason for them to induct me, which means there is basically no chance I'll be able to get one of these.

I was hoping the killa Z would be my first busse - start with a bang, I say! But it doesn't seem that will happen.

Jerry did state there might be some available in a gaanza 2 or 3 weeks after Blade.

you can try to score one here.....
"Any that are left over from the BLADE Show will be offered in the upcoming BLADE Showganzzaaaaa. . . approx. . . 2-3 weeks after BLADE '09."


its hard though. i have had limited success during the *****ganzaas though.

worth a shot

The odds of me managing to score one from a ganzaa are even lower than the odds of scoring one at BLADE. I start a new job the Monday after BLADE and I will most likely be crazy busy.

The new job is a big part of the reason I was ready for the killa Z - big increase in pay meant I could probably afford it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

At the time I made my request (5/17/08), I had 33 Busse Combat knives; I've added 30 more to my collection since then. It's quite possible that, if the is truly a "Test Team" concept, that a larger run may follow.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />


Wanna loan me a few so I can get inducted???? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I may not have much of a social life, but I do have knives.

same here just got a job that ill be working from 9AM till 10PM so i will most likely miss out on it too but at least i will have an income again and will have the money to buy more blades. And on top of that in about 3 weeks its time for me to hrvest the years hay and that means an extra 2,000.oo if every thing goes well.

I hope to be in Atlanta by early Friday afternoon. I have two blades to get for sure: the Test Team Killa Zilla and the new Condor Golok. My yard is a jungle, let the testing begin! This trip I am mostly looking at choppers and maybe a folder or two. Those are the blades I actually use most. The "normal" ones in between just sit around collecting dust.

You will make a true "tester" Vic....and those who do fill this criteria won't be many! I wish I could go!!

Nice looking knife, wonder how much it will be? My guess is around $650.00

It it is that much, I'll have to pass.

I would definitely test that sucker too, but I won't be able to get one. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I just hope I can afford to buy one. They may all be gone by the time I arrive, too. Those hogs with the special VIP passes will be ahead of me. If I am lucky enough to get one, I will surely test it! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Blade sounds rough, in before everyone else or SOL. Man, I hope to make it next year to meet the guys and gals and pick some blades up too.

The bummer with that is we won't be able to see Vic's test pics, since by buying one he has to agree to keep all of that confidential

Don't worry. If I get one for testing I'll save plenty of pics. Then after six months or so, whenever Jerry says it's ok, I'll post them. It isn't like the Killa Zilla will fail or something. All I chop is wood.

Well I wish you luck Vic, I sure hope there isn't anything at the Swamprat table that lures you away from the Zilla

Well, there's a "test team" scrap yard knife being released as well, so I dunno if it's directly meant to build appeal for a pricey knife.

I, too, am really curious about the "why" of this one. I'm bummed by the fact that I'm not part of the club that gets a chance to give Jerry their hard earned money in exchange for this product.

Jerry knows that there are some hard core kukri users out there. Handling, balance, edge geometry, comfort, and chopping performance will be evaluated. We know he likely isn't worried about them breaking.

The perspective from which the Killa Z picture was taken may make it look bigger than it actually is, but it appears larger than a NMFBM to me, and is convexed satin -- unless it's not INFI (which I suppose is possible), I think you may be optimistic on the price. Maybe it'll be priced as a "user", but the one in the picture looks mighty pretty.

Good point, Jim - if it ends up being 800 bucks or something, I will have done all this whining about not being allowed to buy one for nothing. I like khuks but I ain't paying THAT kind of money for one.

Sure, there is some marketing going on. It does create yet another class of Busse, the CE, SE, CG, LE and now TT. But it also lets Jerry get some input for the final design based on users comments. And it gives us folks going to Blade something special to seek out and buy. Sounds like good old fashioned capitalism to me. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Again I live in the wroooong country!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" />

It looks nice but I´m not a fan of khukris... I´ll probably survive without this one <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

+1, I am actually glad it is something I can resist, I need time for my wallet to get healthy again, especially with an INFI S5 coming soon <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" />

I'd definitly have to get a SY Kukuri if its under $200.00, that would be a killer deal !!!

Look at this monster. It's the 2009 Induction model.

That thing is going to sell for..... 2000 bucks in the ganza.. lol

SO sexy though.

I can't afford it, but I can lust after it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Wow, that Induction Blade is a LOT nicer than last year's knife. I'm confident that the 2008 Induction knife was ground under the influence of a great deal of alcohol. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Well, I am a huge Khukri fan....got my first one at 18 in the Falklands and have owned one or more ever since. I went to Knob Creek in the Fall and Jeremy Horton got an invite for us both to have a few drinks and some cheesecake with the Busse crew after the show finished on Friday night....from that meeting came Jeremy's famous photo with the Silent Knight and the caption "life on the inside" ....well we got a bit merry and I started telling the guys some tales of the Gurkha's and their use of Khukris....from those tales came the intention to do a khukri...I know this as I sent Garth a request for a price on a custom shop one off after I got home and he told me they were going to do them....NOW I find that the "grail" knife for me is something I don't qualify for as I am not a HOG nor am I able to make Blade....so for those like Mustard Man....imagine how it feels for me....I have used a Khukri for about 20 plus years and don't even qualify for this sort of Test Team "teaser"...LOL...and yet I feel like I had more than a small part to play in Busse doing these...so go figure?????

I don't think I'll be able to afford it either.

That's a shame, Peter. But the production models can't be too far away. I sold two Cold Steel Gurkha kukris recently just to help me finance the Busse one, but that still won't be enough to cover it, so I'll be selling off some fine steel at Blade. A Busse kukri is my grail knife, too.

Know how you feel SF. I am not as " connected" as you are-but I have bought thousands of $$$ in Bussekin knives and it does feel a bit like we are being left out <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />. First the Khuk- then the Regulator and to top it off the new Swamp release. I'll take one of each and really don't care that much what they cost. I have a really nice Ranger Trench Khuk made out of SR 77 that I picked up from a fellow dawg and have it in my rig under the seat. I would like at least a shot at this new stuff. I order " several" knives each time the boyz release and it does feel a bit like the loyal following is being left out <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />. Not knocking here- just being honest. Just my opinion-Thanks <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I don't feel all that well "connected" Ordawg....

There are always special releases at Blade. I don't make the Knob Creek shoot or other events, but I try my best to make Blade. It's the biggest knife show on earth. If we could get anything they have at Blade by just ordering it off the internet, what incentive would there be for anyone to go to Blade? Most Vendors have specials at Blade. It's where they introduce their new products.

Yep Steelfan and Ordawg, I'm right there rowing that boat with y'all. I'm not concidered special enough to own one either I guess. Maybe if I spent less time running around the globe in defense of this country and trying to run a business, I could make sure to be at all of the important Blade Shows so that I could wear rubber noses and be inducted into secret societies in order to buy a knife. You know, the Important stuff!

Also, just because you make it to the show means absolutely nothing! You are very likely to be the first one to the table only to find out that the knives you were looking for, (and knew were there), were sold the night before or in the hours before the doors opened. There are several on this forum who know exactly what I'm talking about. It would really be more polite just to sucker punch all of your loyal customers in my opinion.

It seems as though having money in hand no longer makes you a customer anymore.

Sorry for the negative post guys, but this one has me pretty ticked off. I do like the knives, but if you guys will just stop and think this thing through, you will see the obvious face slap. I think there are people high up the chain who actually think this stuff is funny.

My reaction wasn't quite as extreme as yours tolly, but definitely a similar idea is in my head. A kukri is an amazingly useful knife for me, and I would gladly show up with cash in hand to buy one made from INFI, but because I haven't bought enough INFI in the past to earn the right to wear a rubber nose, I'm not allowed to buy one.

I'm still waiting to hear the conditions for the regulator bowie to see if similar silliness is attached to its purchase.

Well, I HAVE bought enough INFI in the past, but because I can't be there and go through the motions, I can't buy one. I am occupied with slightly more important things right now. Oh well.

Jerry and Dan have always supported our military and make special runs for them. I don't think that making special offerings available to inducted Hogs changes any of that. Like most folks on this forum, I have been left out of some hog only sales from time to time. I had to miss Blade last year because of my daughter's graduation. So I missed some sales of the CE Sarsquatch, but I eventually scored one later on. The kukris will be available to the general public at some point. Sure, some of it is silliness and fun. But I do not think Busses intended to slap any loyal customers in the face with this Test Team offering. So you think it is wrong to offer things at Blade that aren't available elsewhere? I may or may not score one. But I will sure enjoy the good company of some of my fellow knife nuts. I am to be inducted Saturday night. It's all in fun, and in no way makes me special or more important than any other customer. It just means that I asked for it, that's all.

BTW: SF & Tolly, I applaud those who serve in defense of this nation and Great Britain. Belonging to the Hogs or Dogs or Rats cannot compare in any way with those who serve in harm's way. I doubt if anyone thinks that. I'd be willing to bet that if you asked a hog or dog to get you a knife that he could get for you, he would. In fact, after the six months is up, if I get a TT kukri, I'll sell it at my cost to either one of you.

I agree Bruce- just can't see that kind of catering to the sales made at a show versus the internet. Maybe I am wrong- but have run a very successful business for many years and one must understand that these are very hard times. I admire the loyal bunch here on the forum and would value them as customers.I also can see Peter and Tolly's point of view and surely appreciate their service. Thanks guys !! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

These last few posts remind me of what a good crew we have here on this forum! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> I know from Vic's record that he has stood more than his "watch" on the wall defending the USA...as no doubt have others whose details I do not know...and thanks for the generous offer Vic. However if there is "one" soon to be HOG who can give some informed feedback on this knife it is you and you thoroughly deserve any place on a "Test Team" special issue and the pleasure of using and keeping this knife.

For me Tolly says it like I feel it...if you do have an interest in Knives and Guns "generally" or whether for a given time of your life they are the "tools of your trade"....my experience is that you share common values and perhaps see this sort of thing as a bit of a "nonesense"....just "games" to make your "market share"....which is fair enough...

If the knife is all the better for it six months down the road I will be suprised though...for many I expect the knife will find a shelf in the safe to come out for daylight six months down the line and either be flipped for a good profit or used as yet another form of "exclusivity" and "status"...which in fairness to "collectors" there is nothing wrong in that.

If Jerry was really serious about "feedback" I suspect "pricing" to be the one area where the "feedback" is needed....the "combat" part of the Busse title is probably insufficiently paid to "reach" for these Satin models....I could do it if I sold my other stuff which I might well do....even if I do so on principal...because for me these "games" are getting tiresome. I felt like this when the SAR4 LE was introduced through the store with no "heads up" that other cheaper models were in the pipeline...some of which would have done just as well for my use and saved me a fair bit as well...I feel the same over this sort of thing and the "games" are not for me. Life can turn out to be too short sometimes and even if you get the chance for a "good innings"...you are changed and no longer have time for stuff like this...to me "customers are customers" and I should'nt have to do more than "pay for" what I want to buy. Time to move on....

I just hope the CG model is cheaper than the test team version. I frankly don't care what color it is, I just want a big honkin' INFO kuk!

I'm still a bit irritated at the exclusivity of it, but it's starting to look like there will be enough other cool stuff there to take the sting out of it. I agree that the "test team" designation is a bit of a misnomer, because a fair number of those HOGs will be putting those suckers in a safe, never to see the light of day unless it's to snap some pictures for the "for sale" ad.

I might not be a HOG, and I might not own a single bit of INFI, but if *I* were on a test team, I would test the crap out of that thing - and test it against at least one other kukri in the process.

If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins. ~Benjamin Franklin

I'm with you Dogs. All make valid points. It's good to let it out.

We are talking about a knife right? I know I know, it's the principle...

I guess in the end the S5s actually take a bit of the sting out. Yes Art- it is principle- but like Peter says "customers are customers" and pay in USD or whatever should be enough. I truly think Dan & Jerry will have these availible to the " commons" in a short period of time. ( hopefully) I own MANY Bussekin knives as does SF and Jimmie. Plus my PMs have been full with dogs that feel the same way we do. If what Bruce says is true and internet sales mean very little to the guys- well- I guess quite a bunch are gone and doubtful they will miss us. Great knives- super nice people so kudos on that- but this " test team" stuff just leaves a bitter taste. We shall see in the next week or so. Just my thoughts-Thank You <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Let me say that I have nothing against the HOG fraternity idea...it is a good thing and generates camaraderie...and the people behind the companies in Bussekin do support the military and are first class in every respect... "marketing" is a hard task though and some of this may be unappealing to the likes of me....but it takes "all sorts" to make up a "customer base" and if I don't have much patience on the "tease" aspect it is perhaps because I see a more "harsh" side of life in what comes from military service and time is often seen for me in the "short term"...I don't know...for me these knives sell on performance...end of story...and the search for good gear which gives you better performance is "endemic" in any Armed Service...and the scramble to get something which "is good" is often encountered and the hardest thing for most of us is getting the "cash" to buy them. Once that is done...you sort of feel you ought to "qualify" to buy them....if that makes it clearer???

Good to see you posting Bob! Although, I have been gone for some time.lol. How has the recovery been? Hope all is well, let us know if we should send more smoke.

Thanks SF! That definitely makes it clearer. I see what you mean, I totally get the feeling of "qualification". Spending right now is very tight for most in the nation. To actually raise the funds for a purchase such as this and then find out you can't get one does hurt a bit. It's like waving food in front of the hungry.

It is a shame that current combat soldiers who use combat knives in their profession cannot be on the test team unless they can make it to Blade. Other loyal customers feel slighted, too. Maybe Jerry will find a way to make it happen. He did let some become hogs "on line" recently. Maybe he'll find a way to get some of his internet customers on the test team. I am pretty sure he never meant to slight any of his loyal customers with this test team idea. If I am lucky enough to get one and can afford it, I will give that Killa Zilla hell, I can promise y'all that.

Thanks Art- It was a long darn road back but I am jogging and working out every day @ 5 AM. I appreciated all the smoke & prayers and really missed you guys <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />. I had tons of steel ordered and it just sat until I was well enough to admire it.
I am old and grumpy and have ZERO patience so just bear with me as I vent a bit please. I guess I feel much like Peter- I have $$$- I want ( Need) steel. Period. Nothing against the Busse crew- as they have great knives- I just want it now. Or- at least just want to hand them my card and have an auto order. At my age $$$ is not a problem and don't want to croak thinking I at least didn't have what I wanted coming. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I'll hang in here and see what the guys come up with. Hell- maybe the squeaky wheels get the grease. i think Dan and Jerry will come through for us <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />. Thanks Again

Heck, Bob's doing a lot better now, his only problem as of late is that he is sitting on a pile of cash that he would like to throw around for a few new knives, unfortunately, much like a lot of us, he apparantly isn't "cool" enough to qualify as a customer any longer <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />.

Hey- I'm cool- just old. You are just jealous of all my new customs <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />. All my bucks stacked up while I was down and now I need to spend it before my girls want it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Vic, I would also like to make it clear that in no way did I mean to imply that you do not deserve a Test Team knife. You certainly do. I can think of noone else that would give a better review. I hope you are able to score one of each so that me, Bob, and Steelfan can live vicariously through you. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Bob is so cool he wears sunglasses at night! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

HA! Good one Jimmie. Bob's bathroom:

That pic was taken in Bob's downstairs bathroom. The nice bathroom has Franklins on paper roll. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Hey Bob it is good to hear you are working out and on the mend! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

You're not the only one though who is getting a bit "old and grumpy"...me too...

I have been training to get back too, after a dose of Lyme's disease...of all things it is the soles of my feet which have gone a bit soft!!! Been doing some big distances as I will likely have to show up on some of the training/selection marches to just let people see I am back in the groove...it's been a while though since I had blisters on blisters LOL...I should have remembered to harden my feet with some surgical spirit beforehand <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Wishing you all well and I think Jerry will be aware of things and will sort out availability to all at the Ganza...I sent in an e-mail and had a fast response...and got to give credit where it is due in that regard!

Great to see you are running on all cylinders.Jimmie has kept up on my progress and keeps me going. We shall hang in and am sure the Busse boyz will come through-Thanks <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Guys, my Jeep is gassed up and the steel is loaded. My personal defense pistols have one in the pipe (Atlanta, you know). I guess I'll get a shirt or two with a collar and a fresh pair of hiking pants out for dinner attire. Too fat for my dress slacks. Priorities of an old retired guy. Ordawg, Peter, and Tolly, I wish y'all could be there. We would have a high old time. Wish me luck. I'll take some pics. Gotta try and get some sleep. I am going to try to get to Atlanta by noon so I can make the "team", if I have enough money. Should have looted the girls' college funds, but they are doing so well, I can't justify it. Good night. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Go get em Vic !! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Give em' hell Vic! Put your running shoes on and knock them young boys out of the way!

Have a great time Vic and wishing you all the luck you need to score a Khukri!

Hey SteelFan, I was playing with the Chey Tac M200 the other day and I thought about you.

Hi Jimmie, how's things doing? I hope your Dad's better and your brother and his mate are on the mend? The Chey Tac M200 is good but massively expensive and a bit too heavy for me....check out Lawton Rifles...Barney sadly recently passed on but his son is doing a grand job at the reins...I am putting together a bit of a lighter .375 CT with one of their barrels on a BAT action which they did for me in a Mac Millan A5 heavy calibre stock. I would love one of Dean Machelis (?spelling on surname might be wrong ) special bi-pod's which have a high over the barrel postion like on the M200 as this for me was the best feature on the rifle...really made for a much more stable and controllable shooting platform...and am busy searching out some good bullets for ELR...Lawton sent me some dies and cases and I am looking forward to getting a load developed and seeing what it can do.

Dad, brother, and HillBilly are doing great, thanks for asking.

The Chey Tacs are definitely too much money. The one we have right now is on loan to us so that we can run it through the wringer, but I'm sure they want us to buy one. We were also playing with a .416 Barrett and a couple of really cool little short action custom wildcats. One is based on the old 350 Rem Mag, and the other is based on a shortened 404 Jeffery. Imagine a short barreled sniper system that is very lightweight, wicked accurate, and doesn't have a lot of muzzle blast. I'll send you an email about it.

The short action wildcats sound very interesting....as a business proposition I was thinking buying up some of the surplus AI .308's as we are now going .338 LM and re-barreling them for something "potent" would be a good way to go. So looking forward to the e-mail! Don't want to go too off topic here...will speak more by e-mail...glad to hear all are doing well though!

i like the idea of the test team....i wouldve done it different though. id contact people person by person, to people who you know beat on knives and are busse customers, be it armed forces or civis. i totally understand how all of you feel. i personally dont want a killa z id rather have the waki....