Well I know there is a lot of blade reprofiling, false edges, enlarged choils etc. Does anyone ever change their handle shapes?

I didn't think it was possible to modify Res-C handles.

Res-C "CAN" be modified. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> It can be "cut" and "sanded" to shape.

Modifying & Reshaping Res-C


I probably wouldn't use a power sander or at least be very carefull with any power sanders as friction will heat up the Res-C quickly and easily and the heat will melt any spots on Res-C pretty quickly. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

My modified Res-C DM:



Compared to YKLE:











--------------------


There are LOTS of ways to modify handles.

The Res-C handles are simply a "Hidden Tang" handle. If someone wanted, they Res-C could be completely removed and pretty much any common knife handle material could/CAN be re-installed. It has been done. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

You just need to know how. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />


I have seen MANY other custom re-handled Busse and kin knives.

Here are a couple of previously Hidden Tang / Res-C knives custom re-handled (borrowed pics from the web a few years ago - don't remember who to give credit to):

Battle Rat:



Camp Tramp:




I have seen others, but don't have pics readily available.

What are you thinking of doing? What knife? And what type of handle do you want?

.

Actually, I was thinking about Busse micarta stuff. I'm more than happy with my res-c!

P, your modded res looks great!

The only thing unique about replacing scales on a Busse is the flared pins/rivets.

Once you know how to remove those - Just clamp the knife in a drill press and drill out the rivets, then you can make and attach new scales just like on any other "Full Tang" knife.

Replacing scales on a "Hidden Tang" require milling out the scales to fit the hidden tang. Pre-fitting prior to gluing up and pinning is a little more detailes and important on a hidden tang.

In both cases, I recommmend finishing the parts of the handle near the ricasso "completely" prior to glueing up and pinning. In the case of most Busse knives, if you have an extended pommel beyond the handle, you would want to finish the areas around the pommel prior to attaching as well. As those areas are VERY hard to finish after installing scales to the handle.

Most people will finish out the scales to shape and fit at the spine and belly of the handle along with contouring after installing the handle.

However, depending on what type of pins you use and how you set them, it could also be good to have an approximate thickness of the handle pre-determined so when you set the pins they are at the correct depth. Some pins you just grind down with the scale material.

Busse scales are CNC cut to fit prior to installation and in almost all cases do not have any work done after installing.

Also, Busse and many other knife makers do not use glue or epoxy between the scales and tang. Some maker do for extra strength. However, in most cases, if the pins are flared or Corby bolts or some similar pins that grips the scales, epoxy is generally not needed.

If you use solid pins that don't flare, you "should" use epoxy.

If you want to replace the pins/rivets with Busse type flared pins/rivets, here are a few links to replacing the Hollow rivets/pins:

Replacing Flared Pins by Whicked

Hollow Tube Fasteners

Replacing flared pins by Randucci



Mods by Vic with other info:

Stripping and Buffing


---------------

Here are a few VERY good posts on making custom handles:


Neck knife scales by Nick Wheeler

Knife Handle Tutorial By Daniel Koster

Spyderco Mule Team Handle Tutorial by Quickbeam



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

.

For the record, the true "custom" re-handled Battle Rat and Camp Tramp are not mine or my work. I found those pics a few years back and saved the pics to my "archive" of knife pics. But, I don't know who to give credit to. But, the work looks VERY nice. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />


The stripped and modified DMCG is mine <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />.... and pales in comparison to the re-handled ones in the pics. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

KG, thanks for pointing that out but I never felt you insinuated the fancy one were yours.

I'm thinking about doing some buying, selling and trading and seeing if I can get a CGFBM or NMFBM(if I can find either for a decent price!). It would be a good way to bypass possibilities of needing another chopper...ever. Or needing a smaller machete/hatchet.

wheeew....eh...sniff....


That's a good one. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />


I almost thought you went for a second there.

But, good one. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />




"Decent price" is a relative term. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Since you will likely have to buy on the secondary market, I doubt I would assume any of those to often come at too decent a price.

Although, I did see a NMFBM sell on ebay for about $420 with two custom sheaths. The NMFBM was used, but I wouldn't personally care about a Busse being used. I would rather save a hundred or so for it being used on a CG since I would strip it anyway.

I "Scored" big-time on my Battle Rat. I bought it on Bladeforums used for $100 with a well fitted Kydex sheath. I stripped it and it has been my primary chopper since. - This was prior to the DFLE coming out..... which probably has some sublte advantages in my book as a chopper over the Battle Rat. But, I still do very fine with my Battle Rat. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I didn't get the NMFBM when it was first released. I have been struggling with some significant finance issues for a good while now and paying almost $500 for a big chopper knife is still just a hard pill to swallow for me. Good machetes can be had for $25 - $35 and can have their edges reprofiled to make "GREAT" tools. I also was concerned about the weight of the NMFBM.

In the end, I caved when they had the VetDay Ganzaaa and bought a NMFBM. It is an impressive knife to hold and there is no doubt in my mind it will chop like crazy. But honestly, I can't say I think it is such a great knife considering the price.

Also, while the NMFBM has more power due to size and weight, the same size and weight starts to slow it down and make it more laborious to use and weild. The Battle Rat and DFLE are just about the perfect balance of size, weight, power and agility for a large chopper. Anything much larger becomes a hassle to carry around and tires you out in one-handed use. Of course adding and maintaining a "good" edge ALWAYS improves efficiency! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

My honest opinion is that while I am sure the NMFBM will chop through wood in less chops than any other Busse and kin knife, I still think both the DFLE and Battle Rat are better knives to have around as tools. They are lighter, more versatile, much more nimble and easier to control, MUCH better price/value/Bang for the Buck, and many other benefits.

I would actually like to see a comparison between the NMFBM or similarly heavy FFBM compared to a DFLE or Battle Rat (maybe even the CGFBM) in a timed event. Which one does the most cutting in the least amount of time - minimum chopping 5 minutes per knife.

I am sure the powerful heavier knives would take the lead earlier for most people. But, I would bet for a LOT of people, the lighter easier to manage knives would start to have some advantages in the long run due to more efficient uses of energy to use..... Just a theory for now. But, I would like to see a big group test along those lines.

-----

For now, I will keep my NMFBM. But, I don't know if I will use it as I may have to sell it some day. For the exact same reasons I didn't buy it when originally released, even after caving and buying through the Ganzaaaa, I still feel it is just WAY too expensive a knife for a chopper and I am just not sure it has enough justification to own for what it does. I honestly personally believe there are better choices at much less cost. Probably QUITE a few Kukri options that could compete in chopping for WAY less money and still be more than sufficiently tough.

---------------------

I never did buy the CGFBM. I just don't like the CBT grooves. But, I am pretty convinced that even without ever holding one, I would think it would balance and work VERY well and I am sure I would think it to be a more versatile tool than the over-sized NMFBM. I am pretty confident I would choose the CGFBM as a "user" over the NMFBM.

The FFBM was just too thick and heavy IMO. From what I have read, the FFBM weighs close to what the NMFBM weighs. I am not one who feels than knives need to be 1/2" thick. (exagerating ... I know).

There was a very limited release of the FBM with a satin finish in CG thickness and without CBT grooves. I can't remember what it was called. I think it was an over-run sold via a show or Ganzaaaa that I unfortunately missed. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
In pics, it looks just like a FBMLE. But, the FBMLE was 0.312" thick. But, this one has a satin finish and is 0.25" thick like the CGFBM. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
If I were to be in the hunt for a FBM, that .25" thick satin finished FBM would be the one I would hunt for...... But, that's me. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />


Personally, I would recommend picking up the NMSFNO. It is not going to out-chop a CGFBM, but it is a very impressive all-around user knife and available at (for Busse pricing) a good price right now.

If nothing else, it might very well make a good trade knife for a FBM down the road (?????). I have a strong feeling the NMSFNO's will appreciate well.

My other recommendation is a full height flat grind FSH. It again, won't out-chop the FBM, but it is an AWESOME all-around large knife. And while I haven't compared the NMSFNO vs. the FSH in a chop-fest, I beleive the FSH would nudge the NMSFNO <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

Of course, I still feel the DFLE is probably the king in the Bang for the Buck choppers. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" /> - Followed very closely by the Battle Rat. I prefer the Battle Rat's SR-101 steel for it's edge properties. But, IMO, for a chopper, the slight advantages of the DFLE's perfect size (just slightly larger than the Battle Rat) outweigh the Battle Rat's edge properties. The were comparably priced enough to call a wash in price.

Just my $0.02.




Good machete's and hatchet's will always have a place in my book. To me, they are just different - like crescent wrench vs. plyers. They can both turn a nut, but sometimes one is better than the other depending on the situation. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />


NMFBM vs. FSH:



NMFBM vs. NMSFNO:



NMFBM vs. DFLE:



DFLE vs. FSH:



DFLE vs. NMSFNO:




DFLE vs. NMSFNO:





FSH vs. NMSFNO:



[img]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j183/DWRW/Busse-FSHwithNMSFNOblack-blackandta.jpg[/img]


DFLE vs. Battle Rat:

[img]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j183/DWRW/ScrapYard-DFLEwithSwampRatBattleRat.jpg[/img]



.

Best bet for reshaping a handle it to remove the original material and apply whatever handle material of your choice...

I had a couple CGFBMs and sold them...can't complain I made a few bucks. Thanks for those comp photos. I really didn't remember them being that much larger than the DFLE! I just kinda liked the thought of the better edge holding and was not totally wild about the FSH.

Wouldn't a rerelease of the DF be great?

The NMSFNO just doesn't have the "curb appeal" that some of the others do. But your right 500 bucks for a knife is a big chunk of change. Is it really worth it?

A NMSFNO is what? 327?

Knifeguy,
Thats a nice looking mutt!