I was hoping the S5LE would have been $140-160, but if you really look at it, why would Jerry allow Dan to sell INFI at those prices? People would start questioning Busse prices and he would have to drop them. That is probably the largest factor in the price. This way you get INFI, Jerry probably get business from you in the future because you want more, and Dan made a nice profit.

You even won, because you can still buy the knife and if you don't like it, you won't lose money. Just sell it at cost, it will be gone within minutes. Hell, you could even make enough money to go have a nice dinner somewhere.

I'm a newcomer to the Busse-Swamp-Yard, but as far as I can tell, part of the attraction is getting something you can't get anywhere else. Secret steels, limited availability, a great warranty, a sense of community, and the ability to offset your costs by selling it again all fits that bill.

$200 may be too much for some people, other people's limits may be $500 or $50. You get what you pay for, even if what you're paying for is hype, kool aid or a solid, well designed knife.

Bottomline: I will happily buy any reasonably priced blade from the Scrap Yard in the future, and considering the fact that INFI cannot be had any other way, the S5LE was just that, reasonably priced. If you don't care about the supersecretsquirrel steel, don't buy it and be happy with your fantastic S5CG.

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

+1

Monsterdog, you are largely correct. But, what you and a few others seem to miss is that I and a few others wanted a "SATI"N option at a "reasonable" price.

Clearly, "reasonable price" is subjective. To each their own.

My "personal" limit for justifying a satin INFI S5 was around $150 - maybe $160. The bottom line is I really just wanted a SATIN S5 at a price that was reasonable.

Yes, some feel the S5LE was reasonably price. And yes, compared to Busse/INFI, the S5LE was a bargain. And you are right again, MANY obviously feel Busse/INFI prices are Great prices and even bargains. I am not one of those. I LOVE INFI. I wish I could justify and afford it.... and I do "sometimes". But, only on VERY key knives - But, honestly, if I could replace the pieces of INFI I have with satin SR-101 options for the $100 - $200 LESS the SR-101 should cost, I would do it - easily. From my perspective, especially on a relatively smaller knife like the S5 is that I don't need INFI toughness. SR-101 is PLENTY tough enough for my needs. And so the only benifit "to me" of INFI over SR-101 is corrosion resistance - which is not worth twice the cost of the S5LE over the S5CG "to me". To me, "Satin" is expected. "Satin" is the "standard" finish on knives in the industry for 99.9% of the knives made in the world including "CHEAP" knives through expensive knives.




For me, it is a loose/loose and it is a bit frustrating. Sorry if that sounds negative. But, it is a negative to me as well.
IMO, the INFI satin S5LE was just too expensive for a rubber handled knife without a sheath. Don't get me wrong. I LOVE Res-C and mudders. But, Res-C should be inexpensive. And I LOVE INFI. But, for my uses it doesn't offer me much more than SR-101. Mostly INFI just offers much better corrosion resistance for my uses. And I just don't see the value in the WAY higher prices for INFI over SR-101... or even 154CM on certain knives.

I like SR-101, but I DON'T like coated blades, so I had to strip and satin finish my CG myself ..... AGAIN - which is a PITA. I am tired of "Paying" for what to me is an unfinished knife and having to go through the process of RE-making my knives.

So, one option is way too expensive and the other involves my doing a LOT of work to get the knife like I want it = loose / loose.

From my perspective, if I am going to have to spend so much time and effort, stripping coatings and grinding on blades to remove pits, machine marks and similar issues, I would we be better off with a cheaper "KIT" type option. Where Dan/Jerry would just provide heat-treated blades with primary grinds pre-shaped - And sell pre-shaped handle parts as options.

.... But, even "Kit" blade blanks have been given the decency of a satin finish without pits and machine marks..... just sayin'.


IMO, to make a Win/win/win scenario, Dan needs to offer a S5SE or something which offers either satin SR-101 or satin 154CM at about $115 or so. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" />

Personally, while I think the 154CM is quite good for this type of knife, I still slightly prefer SR-101 in satin. I know it will rust, but I would rather maintain it. It is VERY good stuff. IMO. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> - Of course the 154CM is pretty darn corrosion proof and holds a great edge. Arguably, 154CM is more logical. But, I just like SR-101.


Anyway, back to releasing S5SE. If Dan would release the S5SE in satin SR-101 or 154CM at around $115, we have:

Win: Those who want "Satin" finished S5 at a reasonable price with a worthy steel for it's size (in SR-101 or 154CM) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Win: Those who wanted INFI and were able to pay for it got it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Win: Those who wanted a "coated" CG in a VERY good steel got it at a good price.

.

That pretty well sums it up actually Bruce.

Scrap Yard with SR-101 or 154CM blades rule.
And if needing EXTREME toughness where "slightly" compromised lower edge qualities aren't as big a factor (say a Kukri, or other blades over 12"), then SR-77. ... But, the Waki shows that SR-101 does quite well there too, so I have to question my desire for SR-77.

Once you use INFI, the prices are so much higher that you can really only compare to higher priced INFI knives at that point.

INFI "IS" the best. And for those willing and able to PAY for the best, INFI is the way to go. But, for me, INFI "IS" on the high to VERY high end of the price spectrum..... and it just ultimately doesn't qualify for "Superior Performance to Price Ratio" - IMO.
To me, INFI is Ultimate performance at HIGH price. And I feel for my uses, INFI has achieved a level that surpases my needs in many ways. Obviously, others will disagree. Subjective opinions will vary. And some people just want the best even if they don't need it and can't utilize it's advantages and are willing to pay for it.
For most people, INFI is sort of like having a drag-car in your driveway or as a daily driver.



But, I do NOT like to own and use coated blades.

So, given my options, I really prefer "satin" SR-101.

But, I am just frustrated and tired of having to strip and satin finish them myself. It really is a PITA and frustrating to pay for a knife and have to do so much more work to a "new" knife that would have been VERY easy for a knife-maker with production equipment to do "PRIOR" to attaching the handle.

Reprofiling edges isn't so bad. I wish they came with nicer convex edges. But, that is reasonably easy compared to grinding out pits and machine marks.
And working around a handle = not getting a satisfactory end result - which again could have "EASILY" been achieved at the factory prior to attaching the handle. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" />

.

Never lost the roots, For an INFI knife we rocked the Performance to Price Ratio.

I do understand all of your points and it has not fallen on deaf ears...you Dogs are so demanding...cool <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Dan

The price point is basically what I expected, and I for one was excited that my first piece of INFI came from the yard. Thanks again Dan.

Trust Dan to know what he is doing and that he WILL take care of the Yard! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Dan's customers will do that! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> When I was at Blade 08' in Atlanta, Jim Crowell - Master Bladesmith and knife designer - stopped at the Scrap Yard booth. While looking at some of the knives, he was asking Dan a lot of questions concerning his production of the knives. Crowell just couldn't get over the fact that these are AMERICAN MADE KNIVES, unlike his designs that are made in CHINA! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Busse products are proud to be AMERICAN - be proud to be a Busse customer! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />