Chop Off: Basic 11 vs BWM

At the urging of fellow dogs, and thanks to the generosity of sumoj275, I was finally able to experience the impressive slashing and chopping power of the Busse B11 and compare it to the Busse Bushwacker Mistress. First, let me be up front. I am a huge fan of the BWM. I own three of them, one fully convexed. I decided not to use the fully convexed one, which I ground thinner than I would for any person other than myself. After all, some folks don't have a belt sander to fix minor edge damage should it occur. Both the B11 and the BWM in this chop off have coated blades with very sharp convex final edges.


The BWM is 3/16" thick compared to the B11 at 1/4" thick. But the full flat grind and Res C handle make the B11 much lighter. It weighs about a pound on my scale, compared to 22 oz for the BWM. Balance point on the B11 is further forward than the BWM, but is so much lighter, it's still faster in the hand.



That light weight makes the B11 a better machete than the BWM, especially on limber vegetation. It slashed woody brush and palmettos cleaner and easier than the BWM.





I figured the BWM would come into its own in the chopping contest. Wrong again. The B11 bites deep and that forward balance gives it plenty of power in the stroke. The BWM took 30 chops to go through the wood. The B11 did it in just 25.




In summary, the Busse Basic 11 is a better bushwacker than the bushwacker. But I like them both.

Great review! I love the BWM as well...but being a minimalist (or trying to be)...this is exactly why I sold my BWM, and will be keeping the B11.

Thanks for the comparison, I will be looking forward to getting it back with that great edge.

Thanks for sending that over to our very own master sharpener and reviewer sumo!!!!
Another great job HD!!!
The B11 is awesome.
Thanks for taking the time to write this up with your pics.

I think you'll like it, Jeff. Working on that hawk now.

Thanks for the comparison and review. I had really wanted a BWM but didn't pull the trigger. Very glad I got the B11. It is a great blade!

Now if I can finish getting the nicks/dings out it will be perfect.

Dan could make us a 12" blade flat ground DF! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Check out this bad Hawk!

Congrats on the B11, Vic!!! I knew if you ever got one that you'd love it!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

As for the idea of a 12 inch DF.... HECK YEA!!! BRING IT DAN!!!!!!!!!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Nice Hawk too!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Well this one goes back to sumo. I am impressed. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I see... I bet you'll get one now though, if the right opportunity pops up... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Very nice, very nice <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

Traded into one and really like the feel of it but it went to a fellow Dog after I got the B-11. The B-11 just feels so great in hand.

I would be in for a 12 inch DF too.
Man the Hawk is sick looking.

great review. I am really kicking myself for letting go of mine. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" />

Horn Dog how do you compare the handles? Is the B11 too cramped for bigger users? I have a Dog Father and it feels pretty good.

Thanks. I've been waiting for you to do this review. Also thanks to Sumo for sending the B11 over.

While I prefer larger handles, this one was fine for the amount of chopping I did. I've always liked the RES C. No hot spots for me. The BWM handle works for me, too. No negative issues with either one.

I personally think that the BWM is a better looking knife but it is hard to beat those Res-C handles.

Glad you got to handle the B11 HD.There was no way I could have gotten mine to you as fast as Jeff,
plus I couldn't wait to take mine camping & beat on it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />
Thanks for the review. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Nice review Vic, what hawk is this? Looks pretty sweet <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

It belongs to sumo. I think it says Delawa on it, or something like that.

it would definitely do some forehead damage to those pesky zombies <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The hawk was made by Steve Lilly out of a jack hammer bit (S7 tool steel).

I should get the hawk and blades out by tomorrow. I had minor surgery today and two biopsies. Hopefully, all will be ok. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" />

Vic, that does not sound good!

No worries, smoke and prayers sent for you too.

Probably it will only be a little more minor cutting. I have had skin cancer several times. One looks to the doctor like melanoma, which I hope it is not. In any case, it should be ok if caught in time. I feel just fine and will get those blades shipped out soon. Who needs tattoos when you can have scars? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Chicks dig scars, or so I am told.

But only where they can be seen! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Horn Dog, look into medicinal mushrooms. Not magic mushrooms, which are also good, but medicinal. I have it straight from the mouths of well respected super food gurus that these can cure cancer. Look for a supplement that is a mix of multiple different types (reishi, maitake, shiitake, coriolis, agarius, shaga, etc.) These shrooms rejuvenate immunity, and are no joke.