- Joined
- Jan 21, 2000
- Messages
- 8,888
I gotta say I couldnt be happier with the new ASHBMSE. Its big, its thick, its long, its strong, it feels GREAT in hand and it swings like a semi -- with the control of a Corvette.
Compared with the original, it retains the great looks and handling characteristics I loved about the SHBM but the grip is a whole different animal, with fusion-inspired contours giving much improved security and comfort. The re-design of the rear talon including its deeper arc and angle coming off the bottom of the handle, its length, and how deep down the handle slabs support the finger on both sides to me eliminate the pinky bite issue and increase comfortable leverage significantly. Just feels GREAT to me.
Compared with the NMFBM, the ASHBM shows how fast a truly big knife can be. It doesnt have the handle drop of a dedicated chopper like the NMFBM and so wont develop quite the wallop, but the agility gained by keeping the handle in-line, the balance from the skeletonized tang, and the enhanced bite of the full flat grind on that super-thick spine give it the potential to keep as much of the NMFBMs chopping power as possible while shedding weight and picking up welcome quickness.
Bottom line, IMHO this is a big blade for connoisseurs, and Im finding it very savory. I think the time Jerry took with this project and the determination he obviously felt, to make the best big blade he could given all he has learned, has paid off in spades. I feel very lucky to be one of the beneficiaries.
So what say ye other seasoned hogs with El Gran Derecho (The Great Straight
) now in hand? How do you like it in the fleshso to speak? 
Compared with the original, it retains the great looks and handling characteristics I loved about the SHBM but the grip is a whole different animal, with fusion-inspired contours giving much improved security and comfort. The re-design of the rear talon including its deeper arc and angle coming off the bottom of the handle, its length, and how deep down the handle slabs support the finger on both sides to me eliminate the pinky bite issue and increase comfortable leverage significantly. Just feels GREAT to me.
Compared with the NMFBM, the ASHBM shows how fast a truly big knife can be. It doesnt have the handle drop of a dedicated chopper like the NMFBM and so wont develop quite the wallop, but the agility gained by keeping the handle in-line, the balance from the skeletonized tang, and the enhanced bite of the full flat grind on that super-thick spine give it the potential to keep as much of the NMFBMs chopping power as possible while shedding weight and picking up welcome quickness.
Bottom line, IMHO this is a big blade for connoisseurs, and Im finding it very savory. I think the time Jerry took with this project and the determination he obviously felt, to make the best big blade he could given all he has learned, has paid off in spades. I feel very lucky to be one of the beneficiaries.
So what say ye other seasoned hogs with El Gran Derecho (The Great Straight
) now in hand? How do you like it in the fleshso to speak? 
Wow #1, you lucky Hog!
