Ok, I will start off saying that I have no pics of this blade yet. I picked it up from m dad’s house on Sunday and I did not get home until very late last night. I will get some pics this week.

When the pics for the KC Show were posted o Blade Forums my eye immediately went to a good looking blade. At first I was calling the Sinbad cutter because the blade looked like the old Sinbad blade profile from the movies. I asked here, and there, and many ideas were pooped of what it might have been. Well then came the pics. I immediately feel in love with the blade profile, just sexy. Then I saw the handle, and I lost interest for a bit. Well, Bussekin doesn’t turn out junk but what the heck since it looked uncomfortable. Well after the pics hit there was a lot of conjecture of what the blade would feel like and more than a couple of us questioned the idea of the handle. Well our own Eric came on and let us know that we would really like it if we gave it a chance.

Well, I had Architect proxy one of the Taz’s at the KC Show, talked to the fine Lexi on Tuesday and the Taz was at my dad’s house by Saturday. Unfortunately I was at a fund raiser all afternoon and evening on Saturday so I did not get the Taz until Sunday evening. As soon as I opened the box, pulled the surran wrap off the paper, and then the paper I was looking at one nice skull crusher and my favorite light color black handles. The hump on the handle was staring at me and I still was kinda questioning it but thought I would wait until I took it out of the cardboard sheath. To my happiness the sage blade looked even better than in the pics. Moment of truth time, the instant like or dislike of the hump on the handle------------PASS!


These are my thoughts so far on the Taz, mind you I have only cut paper thus far.

Handle-----The skull crusher is a nice addition, one that can be used for cracking items, starting a baton area, even a coconut splitter. The hump on the handle feels great because it hits that void in the palm of the hand. Another benefit I found with the hump and skull crusher is the ability to let the knife sit further out in the hand, making a little longer reach and snap slashing. Also with the hump it allows for a solid hold when moving into a high choke hold on the choil.

Choil-----Feels great and allows finer control of the blade. With the addition of the hump on the handle it does feel great.

Blade-----I am not sure what the front of the blade reminds me of, kinda a Hell Razor profile. The blade looks like it will punch through anything. I love the top area of the blade for batoning, this will be really useful. The rear portion is great for the thumb to sit and control for finer work.

Steel-----What else needs to be said about coated SR101? Oh yeah, definitely the sharpest blade I have got from the Busskin family. Just a couple swipes on the strop and I was filleting and slicing the news print paper that the blade came wrapped in.

Over all I am above pleased with the Taz. I need some pants for this blade, and it might become my all around carry blade.

Jeff, I'm glad you approve. The color combo I selected was the best of the lot (IMO), but I have to admit I was a little worried about you liking it.

Thanks for a good review <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> .

Thanks for the write up Sumo!

Weird that the Swamp/Eric have been so quiet on the blade.

I have to say I love mine. I wanted a 7 inch SwampRat blade to have as a user since my Ratweiler only gets admired. Anyway I agree with everything you said in the review, it is going to be a great user and I can't wait to take it out

looks like its gonna be even longer before the M7 comes out now because they look like similar sizes My m9 is a little big and the m6 probably a little small. I was really hoping for the next release to be the M7 but maybe in two releases or so.

would love to be able to by a swamprat at factory prices though. I've got some thinking to do. That is if its even released on the site.

I will say that this feels better as a all around blade than a M6 or M9.

Gary, you did great on the color combo!

I agree about it feeling better than a M9. I handled both side by side at KC, and the Taz felt better.

The "handle bump" that had everybody worried actually works very well.

To those of you who have handled the Taz, thanks for your insights. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

yep thanks a bunch guys

Nice write up on the Taz... but what is it they say about no pics!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I truly hope I will get a shot at purchasing one of these. It looks so amazing. Even though I still have a waki to pay for. ><