ASH-1 Recommendation???

E

engineerciv

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May 13, 2013
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Since Rob was kind enough to start an amazing thread celebrating the pure awesomeness of the Steel Heart, it got me thinking....So, I want to know, who prefers the CG ASH-1 (.32 thick) and who prefers the LE ASH-1 (.22 thick)??? My main concerns are that the fatty is too much weight for it's size, and would be overkill I guess, while the LE might not be quite enough knife for the hardest of beatings. Yes I am sure they are both plenty knife for any job, but who has a preference between the two based on weight, balance, strength, etc.??? After all, the 6 or 7 ounce weight difference between the two is nothing to joke about;) Any feedback is well appreciated!:D
 
I love the fatties. The full height grind on the fat ASH1 allows the actual edge geometry to be remarkably slim considering the overall thickness of the stock. Batoning a thicker blade is much more friendly to your baton too. And they just feel great. When you hold them, you know you're holding an excellent quality tool and something that is ridculously heavy duty.
 
I am a definite ASH LE advocate of the two. In fact I would say the 3B2 is an even better choice if you can find one.

All down to weight and performance.

I sold my ASH LE due to modifying a Skinny Ash with a satin finish and it being lighter. A 3B2 is better still.

When it comes to using a knife the length of blade determines what can be done. A longer blade lets you baton larger logs and have better chopping ability. Weight is relevant to anyone who wants to carry their knife whilst walking all day. Particularly if you want to carry it on you as opposed to in a rucksack.

Tribal people who live in the wild - whether Jungle or Arctic - developed knives such as Machetes and Bolo's and Puko's and Khukri's. The last example can be a heavy knife due to scavenging leaf springs to make them - but there are other examples which are from much thinner stock. In general they go for a good size and a light weight. A Puko is the closest example to an Ash. These have a 7 to 8 inch blade and a skeleton tang and can deal with any Artic Fir tree for wood and split the spine on any Reindeer for butchering. They come in at a weight much lower than a Skinny Ash or 3B2 mainly due to the rat tail tang and this makes sense when it can be so cold you would risk cold fusion if touching skin on a metal spine which was not sheathed in that climate. Weight however is also a key reason for the design.

In the wild a pry bar is something you chop from a tree ... you don't risk your primary tool on the task.

A light effective knife makes a lot of sense when you are 20 miles into a days walk - even if you are just a weekend hiker ;)
 
I have had all versions of ASH-1 (CG, LE and Skinny), the LE is the one I like the most. All versions are great but the LE has the perfect balance for me.
 
I like my Skinny. But sadly it's the only Busse I've handled. But I've have beat the snot out of it in wonderful fashion and it is still as good as the day I got it.
 
The LE is a good comprimise between the fat and the skinny. I'm sure it is strong enough for any task. I have not tried the 3B2, it looks interesting. I suppose it depends what you want to use it for. If you're not going to be hiking with it, the Fat ASH sure feels good in the hand.:D
 
I can't say which I prefer as I only have the .32 version, but I love it, all the blades have there positives and negatives , I love the Moab but I wouldn't use it to butter my toast :)
 
Gave up my skinny's for the .220 and .320" The .220 is one of the best all around knives money can buy. As for the .320, if you want a piece of iron to stand at the river styx with and spit in the water, Dude this is the knife.
FAT-ASH .320/ FBM .320/ HOGFSH .320/ BATAC .270/


BATAC again, SJTAC .220/ ASH .220/ GW-HACK .220 --------DID I MENTION I LIKE FATTY's----- I also have the GW .270 not pictured
 
ive owned both , i would agree for all around use and hiking go with the .22 due to weight and the le has linen micarta i believe my favorite!! but the .32 is still nothing to balk at to say the least:thumbup:
 
Well thank you all for your advice and keep it coming!! I have a loooooooot of support for the LE ASH-1......but it sure is hard to let go of the thought of having a solid, indestructible, .32" thick piece of God-given INFI. Hmmm......I will ask Garth his opinion as well. Thanks again guys:D And there are some quite beautiful pieces of steel on here as well to make anyone envious.

-Aaron
 
Oh, and while we are on the subject, does anyone know if the Custom Shop can throw a convex edge on the Fatty ASHs?? Thanks!
 
The fatty sure does feel good in hand but for me the skinny is more useful.
With INFI you don't need all that thickness for chopping when you can just bash the skinny across the grain with a rock.
 
I'd choose the Skinny ASH-1 over the other variants. I see no reason why you'd need the extra thickness, the full convex Skinny ASH-1 is plenty difficult to destroy by hand (evidenced by Noss destruction test of it). The only thing the additional thickness buys you IMO, would be more carry weight with hardly any more practical strength.
 
Nothing wrong with any of the variations. I have always leaned towards the .220" just cause I like the satin/flat ground look and it weighs less than the .320". And yes you can get a convex edge put on the fat .320" version.

Garth
 
Here is a crapy pic of the fatty I had to let go.
It breaks my heart to think about it.

DSC01589_zps35a5ca59.jpg
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