ASH-1 BATAC comparison...

I'mGatMan!

I'mGatMan!

Joined
Dec 13, 2007
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So when I started out looking at fixed blade knives I decided my first would be a mid-sized all-around outdoor/camp knife. At the time, I was looking at the NOe (6") but then had some money difficulties arise. I decided on the Fehrman Last Chance (5.5") and bought that. Fantastic knife, but I was already gripped by the Busse mystique.

To make a long story short, I know have a BATACLE, a TigerWarden, a TigerCultie and a Nuclear Badger. I THOUGHT my BATACLE would be an ideal camp/outdoor knife, but now lately (and I guess it's because it's what BusseCombat is selling right now) everyone is all excited about the ASH-1's.

I need some very honest input here:

How do the ASH-1 and BATACLE compare and contrast as mid-sized knives? The BATACLE feels great in my hand, and I'm NOT particularly fond of the ASH-1's aesthetics, yet I recently find myself wanting a bigger, more chop-friendly blade and I'm not sure I want to spend 700$ on an FBMLE.

Can the BATACLE be used for batoning effectively? Is the ASH really that much more effective? What is it that so many people LOVE about that knife?

I appreciate all your input. Opinions are cool, but any data or examples you can provide would be even better. Thanks, people.

Jason
 
If you're looking for a bigger better chopper, get a FBM. (Or a Basic 9) :thumbup::thumbup:

The CG ASH's are very comparable to the BATACLE. The ASH has a higher blade profile than the BATAC, but I feel the BATAC has a better handle feel. Length wise, they're very close.

The BATACLE should have no problems what-so-ever with batonning. Nice thick spine :thumbup:

Between the 2 you mentioned, I'd spring for the ASH1LE instead of the combat grade since you already have the BATACLE. Get it while it's available. Don't worry about the combat grades, unless you want both.

-Dan
 
To me, one of the big draws is the homage to the original straight handle knife! The price is great, it feels great in the hand. If you are looking for a big difference for a chopper, the FBM series is for you! Also the Dog Father is a great chopper. Just my .02!
 
I don't have a BATAC, "would like to get one eventually" but I do have quite a few Busse's and they are beyond the shadow of a doubt, the best survival knives on the market.. yes, I have a Fehrman 1st strike, which is a good knife, but for the size and chopping power, I have never seen anything like the ASH1.. I like the magnum handles, and am partial to the G10 material for handles.. If fits the hand perfect, and currently, I have 7 of them, with my HOG version coming and 2 more on my want list. There are some nice sheaths out there for this knife, and with its's .320 thickness it has unbelievable strength.. Depends on how much weight you want on your belt "or LBE" It's definately a knife you could stake your life on.. Not only is it the anniversary edition, but It is in my opinion one of the best Busse knives ever made.. Buy one, if you have good size hands, definately get the magnum handles, if you don't like it, I dont' think you'll have any trouble in selling here, especially after Jerry stops production... I love the Fusion Steel heart for serious work, and the BATACLE from what I've seen would be a good work knife, but the ASH1 would handle Any HEAVY duty chore you could ask of it.. "unless your chopping down Foot dia. trees, then get the Fat Fusion Battle Mistress or an AK47 sword.. >One opinion
 
The BATAC is a large small knife and the ASH1 is a small large knife if that makes any sense :o

The ASH1 is my favorite knife. THE ULTIMATE camp knife IMO. Do it! No Regrets :D
 
Dunner, you're analogy actually DOES make a lot of sense. I just keep reading so many kudos for the ASH-1 and I'm wondering if it's the kool-aid or if it's truly such an amazing knife. I know a LOT of people on here own countless knives and have used many of them. I'm hoping more people chime in here.

Thanks for the info so far, people.

J

So, Dunner, why is the ASH-1 your favorite knife?
 
Well I'm not Dunner, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night. :D

For a camp knife, I personaly think the CG ASH is a little too heavy to lug around all day. I think even the BATACLE is a little on the heavy side. If you're not actually carrying it all day, then either would be fine. For a good medium camp knife, I'd go with the ASHLE. Same blade profile as the combat grade, but much lighter.

My favorite camp knives are:

1. Basic 9 as a kickass, lightweight INFI chopper. Very easy to carry due to the weight. (Or a CGFBM if the B9 is not available for you)

2. Hellrazor/CGSNFO/ASHLE: All comparable in size, all easily able to be carried throughout the day. Right now, the Hellrazor is beating out the other 2 for me. Just more comfortable for me, but the other 2 follow in a tie for a very close second.

3. Snakeskin Active Duty (.15 thick) or a Skeleton key for a smaller carry blade. Both are thin and pointy, which I like.

-Dan
 
MD13,

I have a Cultie and a GW on the smaller side (though I may look into trading my cultie for an AD. Incidentally, did AD's come in satin/Tiger?) I like the look of the razor, but I've heard that they're just not very well balanced. How do you find it compared to the Satin Jack or ASH?
 
I think the cutlie would be very comparable the AD's. I'd hang onto the cultie and pick up an AD when you can. Chances of finding a cheap SSAD (don't think they came in tiger) are pretty slim though. If you do get one, it's a great knife. One of my favorite users and a daily carry blade for me.

As to the HR, I don't see any balance issues. I think they were a very underrated Busse until people started actually using them and seeing their potential. My only complaint is I wish the spine was flat. I can live with it though. ;) That's one area where I would prefer an ASH or SJ over the HR, but I do love the corrugated bevels of the HR, so it's a toss up.

Here's a pics of a SFNO, AD, and cultie. They're not cg versions, but they'll give you a little size comparison. (Credit to Garett for the pic)

cupid.jpg
 
cupid.jpg
[/QUOTE]


Beautiful blades. Is that mammoth tooth at the top? I bet that SFNO could get 1300-1500 on the exchange, too.

I've spent a LOT of time studying the Busse catalog. I guess it's kinda bothering me that very soon now I may not be able to get either an FBMLE or an ASH-1 LE unless I'm willing to spend a fortune, and even though I don't really NEED either of them, I'm feeling the pinch to get one as a result of their impeding scarcity. Funny how it works.

The Cultie is a nice looking knife, but I'm not sure it's right for me. I like the way the warden feels in my hand, and I love using it. The cultie, however, feels like a steak-knife to me, and I think I'd rather have something like the AD or leaner meaner in that size range. I have not, however, used my Cultie at all yet (just got it Friday evening) so I may try it a few times before deciding for sure.
 
Looks like you already figured out what works for you with the cultie and AD. :thumbup:

If you could, I'd still hang onto that cultie. Since they were only ganzaa offerings, you're not likely to see them again and there's probably alot less of those than all the variations of the AD's.

Pertaining to your predicement about the FBMLE's and ASHLE's all I can say is if you can swing it, do it. I felt the same way about the AK's and couldn't bring myself to snag one when they were sitting at the company store. After they were gone, the only place to get them is the secondary market, and they fetch a pretty penny and will only increase in value. My personal motto should be "Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda, but Didnt'-a" :p

-Dan
 
One of the things about the ASH1 is that it is all the things the SFNO is but more compact. I would give the SFNO a small advantage in chopping effectiveness but the ASH1's handle feels better chopping so I feel I could chop forever and not have to worry about the knife flying as my SFNO had done. There is only about 1/4" difference in edge between the two. It has a more comfortable handle (for me). It is heavy for most people's taste perhaps but I tend to travel a little heavy I guess. The bird's beak pommel is less pronounced and is better for striking with a baton to split wood with the point. The SFNO will chew up batons doing this and even bit my arm a few times. Again... my 2 cents :)
 
Are there no Florida Hogs willing to let our new piglet swing a CG SFNO and/or an ASHLE/CG??

I've got a few of my beauties out on loans ... for precisely this purpose.

Fear not! Your beauties will come back to you, all the better for a little extra love.

If it matters, I still can't decide if I prefer an SFNO or an ASH as a mid-size knife. The slightly heavier CGs don't bother me ... for a withered old scientist, I seem to have pretty strong arms, wrists and hands.

I will definitely admit that the CG FBM and Basic 9 are better choppers.
 
OldPhysics said:
Are there no Florida Hogs willing to let our new piglet swing a CG SFNO and/or an ASHLE/CG??
Click to expand...


I wish I knew some.

OldPhysics said:
If it matters, I still can't decide if I prefer an SFNO or an ASH as a mid-size knife.
Click to expand...

It matters, but man those SFNO's are expensive these days. That being the case, I have a better chance of buying an ASH and something else than finding an affordable SFNO.
 
I'mGatMan! said:
It matters, but man those SFNO's are expensive these days. That being the case, I have a better chance of buying an ASH and something else than finding an affordable SFNO.
Click to expand...

Keep an eye on the coming KnobCreekGanzaaa. There's a solid chance a few will be offered ... hopefully for a reasonable price.

Of course, if you could beat feet to KY you could just snap it off the table. :)
 
I am kinda new to the whole BUSSE addiction, but being a hard core outdoorsman and knife NUT...I can tell you, I have owned a BATAC and sold it, and I still own an ASH, and have another on the way...it is the best all around survival knife ever made in my opinion. Great medium size, leaning on the big size, but not unruly. GREAT blade geometry, and spear point, which is best for bushcraft. The handle can cause hotspots in chopping if you dont' find the right "spot" for your hand, but the grip is almost perfect. My ASH has standard grips, and my new one will have MAGS..so I am looking forward to trying the larger handle, as I have kinda big hands. If you want a CHOPPER, I recomend the FBM or the FFBM...both some serious firepower in this department, and will never let you down.
Finally, I am actually looking for another BATACLE in the near future..I liked the handle feel, just not my old colors. Gene
 
That's funny. i just got that exact same sheath for my BATACLE from Rob Hummelbaugh. Great minds...

So my question now is: If you are carrying your chopper in your ruck, why not go with an FBM or FBMLE? From what I hear, there isn't that much of a weight difference
 
I'mGatMan! said:
So when I started out looking at fixed blade knives I decided my first would be a mid-sized all-around outdoor/camp knife. At the time, I was looking at the NOe (6") but then had some money difficulties arise. I decided on the Fehrman Last Chance (5.5") and bought that. Fantastic knife, but I was already gripped by the Busse mystique.

To make a long story short, I know have a BATACLE, a TigerWarden, a TigerCultie and a Nuclear Badger. I THOUGHT my BATACLE would be an ideal camp/outdoor knife, but now lately (and I guess it's because it's what BusseCombat is selling right now) everyone is all excited about the ASH-1's.

I need some very honest input here:

How do the ASH-1 and BATACLE compare and contrast as mid-sized knives? The BATACLE feels great in my hand, and I'm NOT particularly fond of the ASH-1's aesthetics, yet I recently find myself wanting a bigger, more chop-friendly blade and I'm not sure I want to spend 700$ on an FBMLE.

Can the BATACLE be used for batoning effectively? Is the ASH really that much more effective? What is it that so many people LOVE about that knife?

I appreciate all your input. Opinions are cool, but any data or examples you can provide would be even better. Thanks, people.

Jason
Click to expand...

Myself, I had a CG BATAC for about a week, then sold it to a buddy of mine because I didn't care for the ergos (I.E. the pointy butt and thumb ramp). He's used it extensively, including batoning logs up to 4"-5" in diameter.

The ASH1 feels much better in the hand, IMHO. Batoning should be only slightly better due to the longer blade. This is up for debate, but I think the thinner blade profiles of the SE or LE are much nicer and that the CG is too thick for a knife of this size. If the LE or SE is out of your price range, try picking up a SAR 5 or the larger SAR knife that's coming out later this year. I believe both are going to be 3/16" thick, and though nobody's handled them yet, the ergos look like they will be very comfy!:thumbup:
 
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