ASH 2 vs NMFSH

uGAshooter

Gold Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2016
Messages
736
As the title says, I'm looking for comparisons from people who have or have used both- ASH 2 vs NMFSH. If you could have just one, which one would it be? Thanks in advance for your replies!
 
If I could have either, NMFSH for me. But, have not used them so probably shouldn't have replied. I just place the NMFSH higher on my wish list.
 
I have the NMFSH Fatty, and the original configuration SH2. Prefer the latter for straight handle over Fusion, and a bit lighter for me to control. Five-nine, 165 pounds. Me, not the knife. Good luck in your choice.
 
Fusion handle FTW, especially if you have larger-than-average mitts.
 
I'd say pretty medium to large hands. I have and enjoy using an ASHBM, but that is the thickest INFI I've ever used/handled. I have an ASH 2 from grab bags, and while I actually like the feel of the knife, I am getting rid of it due to not loving the colors. The ASH 2 feels quick in the hand, but I have never felt the NMFSH to know if it is too heavy to be comparable or more deserving of the "one knife" title type of blade.

Thanks again for your responses
 
I just recently sold my NMFSH with BIG finish (believe it was .32" thick) and kept my Ash 2. I have smaller hands and prefer the Ash 2 handle. NMFSH was a beast of a knife, but most of my knife field work is better accomplished with a hand saw and a smaller chopper. Ash 2 is lighter and is perfectly adequate for batoning work. I found the NMFSH to feel more bulky all around and a little more cumbersome for me personally. I'm 5'6" with a hand wingspan from thumb to pinky (stretched) of 9" so use that as a comparison to your own specs.

If you plan to use the knife for heavy chopping and a lot of batoning, the NMFSH is probably a better choice because of the weight and thickness. I have an ASHBM as my big work chopper but I rarely use it anymore. Usually just get it out to do baton work for evening camp fires in the back yard. Preferred it over the NMFSH as well since it had a longer blade and I'm a fan of the mistress handles.
 
I don't have ASH2 to comment. But I do have 0.37'' FNMFSH and it is absolutely a beast!

82af84ccc5308650415c0e0da70b9887.jpg
 
Chopping primarily, NMFSH.
Everything else, ASH-2.
Get both. :)
 
Ill post a pic of my ASH2 when she gets here Monday.
Black Blade w/Tequila Sunrise handles :)
 
ASH2 would be my choice
I already have a ffbm so there is no point in getting the nmfsh
The ASH2 is morr compact and packable
 
ASH-2 for me, having only handled both of them… that being said that I prefer Double Talon Battle Mistress over either of them.

I was curious how similar or different they would feel (handles and overall) if you care to elaborate on ASH2 vs DT.
 
I've never actually used either of them, so I can't comment on performance, but I can post some comparison pics.















Also, the fusion handle feels better to me.

Also, at first I thought it was unfair to compare a CG with an LE, but I checked the specs on Busse Collector, and found that the NMFSH LE is the same thickness as the CG version of the NMFSH.
 
Last edited:
I was curious how similar or different they would feel (handles and overall) if you care to elaborate on ASH2 vs DT.

Mainly just the fact that ASH-2 handle is rather picky about where your hand is placed, at least for how I would swing a chopper with a bit of loose gripped rolling wrist snap to accelerate the blade into the cut. This places the swell in the wrong spot for impact, which would likely result in a hotspot due to the harder contouring of the slabs to the spine.

The DT is far less grip specific and still remains very secure, though I very much wish it was more forward weighted… it balances just in front of the choil with micarta scales. As received it is balanced more for a fighting knife than a chopping knife...which does make it more nimble in hand admittedly at the cost of likely less productive chops.

Actually, Steel Heart Ergo Gen 2 is about my favorite handle of any recent big blades I have handled from the shop. It is pretty amazing to me how little appreciation has been shown towards the Badger Attack Ergo Gen 2 & Steel Heart Ergo Gen 2 as I am very pleased with the handles overall, very versatile ergonomics… just feel that they both need a bit more length in the blade for my tastes given the handles.
 
Last edited:
Thank you. I have a DT and agree with those points about it. I haven't held any other Mistresses yet, but I look forward to trying the Ergo2 handles for sure. I held out hoping for a BME2 and the Bossman brought it :thumbup: :)
 
Great comparison pics JohnTX! :thumbup:

Another big plus on the NMFSH - drop point. :cool: Fusion handle + drop point = love... :D
 
Back
Top