Meaner Streets vs. Leaner Meaners

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rpn

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Mar 17, 2008
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I've really reduced my fixed blade collection a great deal and getting an itch for something...well..mean! Can you guys school me on these two? Even the specs aren't clear to me. Pics are always welcomed of course! :D Wondering if the Leaner Meaner is still up for mistreatment or if I can lose the tip?
 
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I grabbed this Leaner Meaner Street beauty from KnifeHunter:
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Specs:
Busse Combat
Model: Leaner Meaner Street
Edition: 2013 Blade show
Blade Steel: "INFI"
Blade Length: 4.00"
OAL overall length: 8.75"
blade thickness: .1545"
Grind: Flat
Edge: Convex
Handle material: Jungle Storm G-10
Weight: 6.1oz

I love this little knife and I'm always looking for an excuse to use her. She fits my hand very well and slices like mad. :D
Done a lot of kitchen duty with her! :thumbup:

I'm pretty sure he's still got at least a few for sale.
 
According to Busse Collector, the Meaner Street was 0.22" thick, with a flat grind IIRC, and the Leaner Meaner Street was 0.15", sabre grind; back in 2004. Since then the Shop has muddied the waters by making knives at various thickess in between, so there is no clear understanding of the names. Some people use the term 'Tweaner' for those newer Show specials.
 
evltcat, I love that one! Ended up getting the Active Duty with the same color combo. But I'd really like a satin Leaner Meaner.

I can't tell you about specs though, sorry.

Here's mine - - - Leaner Meaner Street (I think)
 
i've had both, & prefer the meaner; it just feels better in my hand. :thumbup:
 
resinguy said:
According to Busse Collector, the Meaner Street was 0.22" thick, with a flat grind IIRC, and the Leaner Meaner Street was 0.15", sabre grind; back in 2004. Since then the Shop has muddied the waters by making knives at various thickess in between, so there is no clear understanding of the names. Some people use the term 'Tweaner' for those newer Show specials.
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YOur spot on, I still have my two from the first release. :) I dont remember ever seeing a full flat grind Meaner since that initial run of .22 knives. I've seen Leaners like the one above (very nice by the way!) and those saber ground models all over the place. I do like the look and feel of the original .22 Meaners as well.
 
Thanks all! Great pics...it's such a fine looking knife. :thumbup:

I don't know why my googling didn't capture some of that info. Sounds like a Leaner is more my style and .15 is plenty tough really.

One more question please- if a got a proxy for Knob Creek or Blade, do you think I would have a chance on a combat grade leaner? Or this just to be had on the exchange?
 
rpn said:
Thanks all! Great pics...it's such a fine looking knife. :thumbup:

I don't know why my googling didn't capture some of that info. Sounds like a Leaner is more my style and .15 is plenty tough really.

One more question please- if a got a proxy for Knob Creek or Blade, do you think I would have a chance on a combat grade leaner? Or this just to be had on the exchange?
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.

I would contact Knife Hunter. Trevor is a good dude and may have something for ya.
 
Thanks guys. I still have a few:)

Just like the specs say New and Unused from Blade 2013. This is a very limited run of one of the finest EDC's to come out of the Busse shop. These are razors and all have convex edges.

As Guy and Dwayne mentioned the original Meaner was .22" flat and the original leaner was sabre ground at .15" with both having v-edges. The new run was .15" flat with a zero convex edge making these IMO the best slicers in this version ever made. Here's some originals to check out:)

Top two are original as you can see by the smaller talon holes. Third one down was a later run Leaner. Most below that are the even later made .22" sabre ground meaners that came out in the years following the first PA show with the canvas /pins



compared to the 2013 flat ground .15 leaner with convex edge



With so many versions of Meaner/leaner its easier to remember the meaners being .22" and leaners being .15" both having flat or sabre grinds along with the date of release.


I sold the black paper leaner just last week to an old Hog that I wont name that I got one of my first leaners from...He also agreed when he received it was the best one too:thumbup:

I see the best cutter as the .15 flat the best all arounder would be the .15 saber, if your going to be hard on it .22" flat, and if your going to get abusive .22" saber

YMMV.
 
Meaner, not that I dont like and own Leaners.......Forget it I am not choosing.


One thing I am sure of is my new PV ANN Mean Street is bad ass.....
 
Weren't the 0.22" ones originally sold as "Tweener" Meaner Streets?

Added: Nevermind. I just saw this mentioned earlier in the thread. I likely have my dimension wrong then.
 
c180 said:
Weren't the 0.22" ones originally sold as "Tweener" Meaner Streets?

Added: Nevermind. I just saw this mentioned earlier in the thread. I likely have my dimension wrong then.
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Good question cause I forgot to mention that Too my knowledge Tweener first came when the Meaners were remade in 2008-2010 ish and were .17" flat. So they were in between, which I guess "tweeners" originated from, the originals that were .22" and .15".

Now I remember why I havent called these tweeners because these are lean at .15" just like the original leaner.;)
 
As I recall, years ago there was a limited offering from the Busse Company Store called the "Tweener"? or "Tweaner"? that was .20" thick (I think these only came with black blades).

Another limited model is the 2007 Blade Show Special Edition Meaner Street that has a double cut finish and green/black G-10 grips - this model is .17" thick with a flat grind.

I have been a big fan of the original Mean Street, and when the Meaners & Leaner Meaners were first introduced, I was not sure how I would like the new handle shape, but I do like both the old and new handles. :)

Edit: I was partially right, except the Company Store offering I was thinking about was called the "Model T". Here are some links:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...about-Meaners?highlight=company+store+tweaner
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/598644-Meaners
http://web.archive.org/web/20050413034250/http://www.bussecompanystore.com/knives.htm
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ver-love-it!!?highlight=company+store+tweener
 
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Tip Strength..............I'm just saying :)

IMG_0258_zps6905ba47.jpg
 
dobermaniac said:
evltcat, I love that one! Ended up getting the Active Duty with the same color combo. But I'd really like a satin Leaner Meaner.

I can't tell you about specs though, sorry.

Here's mine - - - Leaner Meaner Street (I think)
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Hey Brother,
Awesome! I wondered where that Jungle Storm G-10 AD went! :thumbup:
Yep, it looks like yours is a Leaner with Sandstorm G-10.
I love that color combo too!!!! :thumbup: :D :thumbup:

And yes the 2013 Leaners are razor blades. Slices like no body's business!!!! :thumbup:
I've got bigger hands and she fits perfectly for me.

Oh and I forgot to mention, Dave Brown made me a great OD sheath that fits like a glove for her! (Thanks Dave!!!!) :thumbup:
 
Very helpful & Cool link on the "Meaner Facts"
Never really knew about the Tweaner til now.
Beautiful & very functional knives!
 
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